In 1902, McDougle became co-president with A. G. Freed of Georgie Robertson Christian College ( formerly West Tennessee Christian College) in Henderson, TN. When Freed resigned in 1905, McDougle continued as president until the college closed at the end of the spring term in June 1907.

Ernest Clifton McDougle, B. S., A. M., was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 16th of March, 1867, and is a son of Samuel B. and Adelia (Cowdery) McDougle, representatives of old and honored families of the Buckeye state, where the father was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. The parents still reside at Long Bottom, Ohio, where they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, November 22, 1910. Professor McDougle was reared to the steady discipline of the farm and, after completing the curriculum of the public schools entered the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1891 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science. In 1893 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the Southern Normal University, at Huntingdon, Tennessee, and in 1895 the same institution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He has been actively engaged in normal school work for twenty years, and in this connection he has held many important positions. For three years he was professor of science in the Southern Normal University, of which institution he was president for one year. For five years he was professor of belles lettres and pedagogy in his alma mater, the National Normal University; and for five years prior to assuming his present incumbency, in 1907, he was president of Georgie Robertson College, at Henderson, Tennessee, an institution conducted under the auspices of the Christian church. As an instructor Professor McDougle has shown the highest ability both in imparting knowledge and in arousing the enthusiasm of students, whose affectionate regard he has invariably gained and retained. It is recognized that personality is a most important factor in connection with the work of the pedagogic profession, and by discipline and natural proclivities Professor McDougle has proved himself admirably fortified for the calling to which he is giving the best years of his life. He has been specially active in institute work, and in this connection his services have been demanded in widely separated sections of the Union. Within the past three years he has conducted twenty-seven teachers' institutes, and he has numerous engagements in this line for the years 1911 and 1912. In 1910 he conducted the largest single institute ever held in the state of Kentucky, and he is also frequently called upon to deliver popular addresses upon educational and literary subjects, as well as upon those of public import. Among his night lectures for institutes and other educational assemblies may be noted those bearing the following titles: "Literature and Life," "Footprints of the Educator." "The Culture of the Emotions," "The Greatest Thing in the Schoolroom," "The Little Red Schoolhouse and What it Does," "An Evening with Browning," "An Hour with Shakespeare," "The Personality of the Teacher," and "The School of Tomorrow. From many and most appreciative testimonials is taken the following estimate given by Professor John W. Withers, former president of the National Normal University, and now Head of Teachers College, St. Louis, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools, St. Louis, Missouri: This will certify that I have known Professor E. C. McDougle for the past ten years. During the last five years we have been members of the faculty of the National Normal University. I can, therefore, speak confidently concerning his work and worth. He is a gentleman of beautiful Christian character, faithful and true in friendship, upright and pure in life, optimistic in disposition, in short, every inch a man, in every respect worthy of the respect, honor and confidence which his friends and acquaintances have everywhere bestowed upon him. The fact that he has taught successfully almost every subject in the general department of the National Normal University is sufficient evidence of his culture and scholarship. He is an unusually forceful and persuasive public speaker, and is one of the most successful educators and institute instructors in the country. He is a man who will do his whole duty fearlessly, wherever he may be called to act. Professor McDougle gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, so far as national issues are concerned, and he is well fortified in his opinions as to matters of public polity. He and his wife are most zealous and devoted members of the Christian church and are active in the various departments of its work. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and, possessing that great desideratum, mens sana in corpore sano, he takes a lively interest in out-door sports, in which connection he manifests distinctive "fan-proclivities," as touching the great national game, base ball. On the 25th of August, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Professor McDougle to Miss Linna Caldwell, who was born and reared in Meigs county, Ohio, where they were schoolmates in their youth and where Mrs. McDougle was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools prior to her marriage. Concerning the four children of this union the following brief data are given: Ivan, who was graduated in the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School, as a member of the class of 1910, received a life certificate as a teacher and is the youngest person in Kentucky to have this distinction at the present time; he is now assistant principal of the city schools of Carlisle, Kentucky; Miree, the only daughter, is a student in the Model High School in Richmond; and Earl is also attending the Model school. Marion, the baby of the home, was born August 10, 1907. --- A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians By E. Polk Johnson, Lewis Publishing Company, 14-15.