Dr. Douglas "Fessor" Fry, a member of the Phi Beta Mu Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame, served as the associate professor of music and director of the Big Purple Band for 16 years beginning in 1953.
Fry graduated from ACU in 1940 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. He received a master's degree in 1948 and a doctoral degree in 1957 in music education from the Southern College of Fine Arts in Houston.
In addition to directing award-winning bands at Conroe and Brady high schools in the 1940s, Fry entered the U.S. Navy in 1942. He spent 22 years in the Navy and the Navy Reserves and was discharged in 1969 with the ranking of senior lieutenant. While in the Navy, Fry conducted USO shows for Bob Hope, Jack Benny and Eddie Peabody in the Pacific.
Returning to ACU in 1953, Fry cut many albums, directed an annual spring variety show, toured with the concert band to 15 states and Mexico, taught many summer clinics and conducted the symphony orchestra for six years. He also instructed courses in conducting, music education methods, percussion, brasses and woodwinds.
Retired in 1969, Fry was named to the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1992. The hall was initiated in 1975 and at the time of Fry's appointment, he was one of only 73 directors honored.
Fry's ACU legacy, though sparkling with accomplishments, never overshadowed his love for his students. He said, "It is a pleasure to work with the caliber of students we have selected for our band here. I only have the best kids. And I don’t mean the best musicians, I mean the best kids."
By Jana Atchley, marketing major from Grapevine
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