Olum, Paul

Olum earned his Harvard AB in 1940 and his PhD in 1947.

Paul Olum (1918-2001) was a mathematician and university administrator. He was President of the University of Oregon from 1980-1989. The State Board of Higher Education forced his retirement as President in 1989 against the wishes of university faculty and other stakeholders. Olum was known for advocating for reform with public education. Olum was Provost at the University of Oregon from 1976-1980.

Tremendous growth took place during his tenure, including the establishment of twenty new research institutes and academic programs, and construction that included a $34.6 million science complex and a $27 million remodeling of the library.

Olum attended Harvard University and Princeton University. Olum previously held faculty and administrative positions at Cornell University and the University of Texas at Austin. He worked as a scientist on the Manhattan Project.

Olum was active in political and social causes including advocating for the abolition of the House Committee on Unamerican Activities, was an early critic of the Vietnam War, nuclear disarmament, the end of apartheid, and for increased state funding for higher education.