University of Puget Sound. Office of the President.

Over the time period covered, the University was known as College of Puget Sound (1914-1960), then renamed University of Puget Sound (1960-present). Dr. R. Franklin Thompson served as President of the University of Puget Sound for 31 years, 1942-1973, and five years as Chancellor. Thompson was a native of Nebraska and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He earned his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Divinity from Drew University. He was an ordained Methodist clergyman and active in the church nationally and internationally. He was president of the National Association of Methodist Colleges and Universities and a member of the Financial Commission of the Association of American Colleges. He served as Vice President, Dean of Freshmen and Classics Professor at Willamette University, 1937-1942. He served as former Chaplain of the Oregon State Senate and Chairman of the Oregon Methodist Conference Board of Education. In Tacoma, Thompson served as president of the Rotary Club and the World Affairs Council and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Puget Sound, Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Washington State Historical Society, and Tacoma General Hospital. He was chosen to serve as a panel member for the selection of the President's White House Fellows in 1975. For several years he served on the Rhodes Scholar Selection Committee. Thompson is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Religion, and other biographical sources.

Dr. R. Franklin Thompson served as President of the University of Puget Sound for 31 years, 1942-1973, and five years as Chancellor. Thompson was a native of Nebraska and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He earned his Master's and PhD degrees in Divinity from Drew University. He was an ordained Methodist clergyman and active in the church nationally and internationally. He was president of the National Association of Methodist Colleges and Universities and a member of the Financial Commission of the Association of American Colleges.

He served as Vice President, Dean of Freshmen and Classics Professor at Willamette University, 1937-1942. He served as former Chaplain of the Oregon State Senate and Chairman of the Oregon Methodist Conference Board of Education.

In Tacoma, Thompson served as president of the Rotary Club and the World Affairs Council and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Puget Sound, Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Washington State Historical Society, and Tacoma General Hospital. He was chosen to serve as a panel member for the selection of the President's White House Fellows in 1975. For several years he served on the Rhodes Scholar Selection Committee. Thompson is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Religion and other biographical sources.

Rev. Crawford R. Thoburn served as president of Puget Sound University, 1892 to 1898.

Professor C.O. Boyer served as acting president 1902-1903. In May 1903, the college was renamed University of Puget Sound.

Dr. Edwin M. Randall, Jr. served as president for the academic year 1903-1904, while Boyer served as vice president. Randall left to become general secretary of the Epworth League.

Rev. Joseph E. Williams served as president 1904-1907.

After the resignation of Williams, Professor L. L. Benbow, who had previously been on the Board of Trustees, was appointed acting president in 1907 then made president the following year, serving for a total of two years.

Rev. Dr. Julius C. Zeller was appointed to replace Benbow, and served from 1909 to 1913.

Dr. Edward H. Todd, a minister, began as general secretary of the University of Puget Sound in 1904, responsible for fund raising. After four years, he resigned. He returned to UPS in 1913 as president and served for 29 years. Todd was licensed to preach at age 19. He was a graduate of the School of Theology, Boston (1892). His educational degrees were B.S., M.A., D.D., LL.D. Simpson; S.T.B., D. Sc. in Education, Boston; and L.H.D. College of Puget Sound. He was married to Florence Anne Todd and they had four children.