1958-1969

The son and grandson of Methodist ministers, Dr. Steel grew up in Fort Smith and graduated with honors from Hendrix in 1927. After receiving a bachelor of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York, he served as the pastor of Arkansas churches in Carlisle, Bauxite, Monticello and Winfield Methodist Church in Little Rock. Reverend Steel also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hendrix in 1939 and served for a time on the school’s Board of Trustees. In 1936 Dr. Steel became the minister of Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. When he left 22 years later the congregation exceeded over 8,000 and had become widely known as the voice of the weekly radio program, Methodist Men’s Hour. His eleven year leadership of Hendrix brought substantial changes to the institution. More new buildings were constructed than at any comparable time, varsity football and compulsory chapel were discontinued and the rules of dress and conduct were relaxed. The Marshall T. Steel Center for the Study of Religion and Philosophy continues his legacy of leadership by promoting the study of religion and philosophy on the Hendrix campus.