Sterling Martin graduated from Davidson College in 1963 as Lake Norman was still filling up and as College President D. Grier Martin and business manager Robert A. Currie were still planning the initial developments of the Lake Campus.
Photograph of Sterling
T. Martin Jr. ’63. “Let Them Eat Cake.” Davidson Journal.1987:20-24.
Martin’s first job with the College was assistant to C. Shaw Smith, the first director of the Student Union. Though he always assumed he would return to work for his father at Union Carbine in West Virginia, he ended up marrying a professor’s daughter in 1964 and made Davidson a permanent home. Following his stint in the Union, Martin began a long career with Davidson Athletics. He started as assistant track coach, a fitting position for the undergraduate cross country star, and his responsibilities gradually expanded until he became the Director of Athletics in 1972.
Martin’s great involvement with Davidson’s Lake Campus was due to his role in the College’s athletics programs. One of the Lake Campus’ chief uses early on was for physical education classes, which naturally fell under the purview of Athletics. Though the Physical Plant was responsible for maintenance of the Campus’ facilities, Martin himself directed much of the programming held at Lake Campus meant to satisfy student and community recreational needs. Sports such as skiing and swimming, as well as other activities like boating and camping, were (and are) a central part of the Lake Campus’ function.
Sterling Martin. Credit: davidsonnews.net
Martin always viewed the Lake Campus as an extension of Davidson’s main grounds and believed it should be looked after just as much as the main campus. He was constantly looking for ways to improve the area and its programming and was indeed responsible for implementing many developments at the site over its history (see Sterling Martin Development Plan for more information). Physical additions to the property and also new PE offerings were all part of his vision for ensuring that the Lake Campus could best serve the Davidson College community.
References
Martin, Sterling. Interview by Scott Sellers and Devin Gorsen. 21 March 2014.
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