William Woods Parsons is best known as being the former president of Indiana State University

Indiana State Teachers College

Indiana State Teachers College may refer to former names of:*Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 1927 to 1959*Indiana State University from 1929 to 1965...

 and its Eastern Division, later known as Ball State University

Ball State University

Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...

.

Early life

William Wood Parsons was born in Terre Haute

Terre Haute, Indiana

Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...

, Indiana

Indiana

Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...

 on May 18, 1850 to Dr. Thomas Parsons and Elizabeth (Ryman) Parsons. In 1857, he began his education at the Vigo County Seminary, which was located on the future site of the Indiana State Normal School. He continued school there until the family moved to Douglas County, Illinois in 1862. After Parsons graduated from Tuscola High School he returned to Terre Haute in 1870 where he became a member of the first class to enter the Indiana State Normal School. After graduating in 1872 he began his teaching career which took him to Tuscola, Illinois

Tuscola, Illinois

Tuscola is a city in Douglas County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,480 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Douglas County.-Geography:Tuscola is located at ....

 followed by Gosport

Gosport, Indiana

Gosport is a town in Wayne Township, Owen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 826 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Gosport is located at ....

 and Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...

. Parsons returned to Indiana State Normal as a teacher of grammar and composition in 1876.

Administrative years

In 1883, Parsons was promoted to Vice-President of Indiana State Normal School

Indiana State Normal School

Indiana State Normal School may refer to former names of:*Indiana State University from 1865 to 1929*Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 1920 to 1927...

. He would become president of the institution on July 1, 1885. Parsons retired in September 1921. William Wood Parsons died in his home in Terre Haute on September 28, 1925.