John Preston McConnell (February 22, 1866 – October 11, 1941) was born in Scott County, Virginia.
He received both his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Milligan College and pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Virginia.
Though his beliefs were unfashionable at the time, McConnell was a strong supporter of the need for quality education for women.
His career at Radford was marked by efforts to ensure equal access to information, courses and materials for female students.
McConnell Library, bearing his name, is a testament to his undying quest for excellent facilities on Radford's campus.