Samuel Paul Capen (March 21, 1878- June 22, 1956) was an American educational administrator.

While at Tufts, Capen was class president, vice-president of the school's publishing association, a fraternity member and an assistant manager for the football team.

[5] At his presidential inauguration, Capen expressed his philosophy of equal access to education.

"I do not hold with those who would limit the number of college students on the basis of any distinctions of race or sex or creed or social standing.

[6] At that time that Capen took the position at Buffalo, news sources noted his comments on the state of American colleges.

[1] Capen delivered a 1939 speech, "Seven Devils in Exchange for One", in which he criticized regional education accreditation agencies.

He said that the agencies were too numerous and that they often cost schools money because they evaluated based on things other than intellectual quality.