director educator political scientist author scholar
Joseph Cornwall Palamountain Jr. was born on November 26, 1920, in West Newton, Massachusetts. He was married to Anne Tonnesen Palamountain, with whom he had two sons. During World War II he served as a United States Navy officer and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander. His professional life combined political science scholarship, university teaching, academic administration, and civic leadership in New England and New York.
Palamountain graduated from Dartmouth College in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, reportedly earning Phi Beta Kappa honors. He pursued graduate study at Harvard University, receiving a Master of Arts degree in political economy and government in 1948 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the same field in 1951. He later received honorary degrees from Wesleyan University, Union College, Skidmore College, and Albany Medical College, including an honorary Doctor of Laws from Skidmore at his final commencement as president in 1987.
Palamountain began his academic career at Harvard University, where he was a teaching fellow, tutor of Adams House, instructor, and assistant professor in the Department of Government. He joined Wesleyan University in 1955 as an associate professor of government, became a full professor in 1959, chaired the government department in 1960–1961, and was appointed provost in 1961. He also served as a visiting professor of political science at Yale University’s Graduate School and worked as a consultant to the Brookings Institution. In 1965 he became the fourth president of Skidmore College, a position he held until retiring in June 1987; he subsequently held the designation of president emeritus. His twenty-two-year presidency included Skidmore’s move from downtown Saratoga Springs to the 650-acre Jonsson Campus, transition from a women’s college to a coeducational institution, near doubling of enrollment and faculty, creation of the University Without Walls external-degree program, establishment of a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, expansion of academic and research opportunities, and major growth in the college’s financial resources. He also participated in community and cultural affairs through board service with Adirondack Trust Company, Albany Medical Center, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Yaddo, and Saratoga Springs City Center, and served as a trustee of the State Higher Education Services Corporation.
Led Skidmore College through its transition from a women’s college to a coeducational institution.
Oversaw the college’s relocation from downtown Saratoga Springs to the 650-acre Jonsson Campus.
Guided substantial growth in Skidmore’s enrollment, faculty, academic programs, endowment, and institutional resources during a twenty-two-year presidency.
Supported creation of the University Without Walls, one of New York State’s early external-degree programs.
Helped establish a Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Skidmore College.
Directed the launch of Skidmore’s $25 million Celebration Campaign in 1985.
Government and the American Economy
(Co-authored with Merle Fainsod and Lincoln Gordon; an exa...)
1959Opportunities and Continuities: A Client’s View of a New Campus
(A Skidmore College publication reflecting Palamountain’s ...)
1978Make No Small Plans: Building a New Campus
(A Skidmore College publication associated with Palamounta...)
1978(A study of the political and economic forces shaping Amer...)
1955The Story of Skidmore College
(A history of Skidmore College written during Palamountain...)
1971Quotations: “It has taken you, the Class of 1987, less than four years to earn your Skidmore degree, while it has taken me 22. I am obviously a slow learner, and more than this, I couldn’t have earned it without the constant help, counsel and tutelage of my wife, Anne.”
Palamountain belonged to the Political Science Association, the American Society for Public Administration, the Dartmouth College Alumni Association, the University Club, the Reading Room, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Delta Phi, and Gamma Psi. His professional activities also included participation in accreditation work through the Connecticut Council on Higher Education and the New England Association of Colleges and Schools.
Political Science Association , United States
American Society for Public Administration , United States
Dartmouth College Alumni Association , United States
University Club , United States
Reading Room , United States
Elected during his undergraduate years at Dartmouth College.
Phi Beta Kappa , United States
1942
Alpha Delta Phi , United States
Gamma Psi , United States
Colleagues described Palamountain as accessible, concerned with students, supportive of the arts, and an effective and sensitive administrator and diplomat.
Quotes from others about the person
At Palamountain’s death, Skidmore provost David W. Marcell said that the president’s leadership could not be separated from the college’s extraordinary achievements during his presidency.
Palamountain’s wife, Anne Tonnesen Palamountain, was active in civic and philanthropic affairs and helped build financial support for student aid at Skidmore College. Their family included two sons. Skidmore later commemorated his institutional leadership through Palamountain Hall and the Joseph C. Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government.
