University of Wyoming. President's Office

Terry P. Roark began as UW President in July 1987. During his term as UW President the University terminated Dr. Gene Gressley, long time director of the American Heritage Center. As UW President Roark restructured many colleges and administrative units through consolidation and elimination. The Centennial Complex was built during Roark's term. His presidency ended in 1997.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, Terry Roark (1987-1997) records, 1993, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

President William D. Carlson assumed office on January 1, 1968. He was selected by an advisory hiring committee made up faculty members and senior administrators. Despite a quiet first few years in regard to student unrest across the country in the late 1960s, the incident known as the "Black 14" occurred during Carlson's term in 1969. This scenario led the Carlson administration to put a focus on recruitment and creating a culture of acceptance of minority students. There were several political and social protests on the UW campus during Carlson's tenure. The Athletics Program, specifically football and basketball, underwent a decline. Academically, the university improved thanks to a flush economy and Carlson's goal to "put Wyoming on the map academically." Faculty who were well-known and respected in their given fields were hired and money was spent on state of the art research equipment. Carlson resigned in July 1978.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, William D. Carlson (1968-1979) records, 1936-1998, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

H.T. Person was appointed interim president of the University by the Board of Trustees in spring of 1967. Person had retired from Dean of the College of Engineering in 1964. Person stepped down from the interim presidency in 1968, and the Board of Trustees retroactively awarded him with the title of president.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, H.T. Person (1967-1968) records, 1967-1968, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

The Board of Trustees named Edward H. Jennings UW President in February 1979. Hugh McFadden was interim president until March 30, 1979, when the Board of Trustees appointed him the eighteenth president of UW effective until July 1, 1979. Quickly after Jennings took office in July 1979 he began hiring new top-level administrators including a new Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Vice-President of Research, and various Deanships. He saw many successes as an administrator and in 1981 resigned to accept the presidency at Ohio State University, despite a generous counter-offer from UW.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, Edward H. Jennings (1979-1981) records, 1979-1981, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

The University of Wyoming's President's Office was created in 1887 with the founding of the University. It was the headquarters of the university's operations. The President reported to the Board of Trustees and with them governed the University's academic affairs, administration, legal affairs, information technology, institutional advancement, research and economic development, and student affairs. In addition, the President was responsible for strategic planning.

From the description of University of Wyoming. President's Office records, 1883-2005. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 368206056

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, General Office Files, 1887-1971, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office records, 1883-1993, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

Donald L. Veal became the University of Wyoming's 20th President in April 1982. Veal first came to UW in 1958 as an instructor in civil engineering. He became the head of Atmospheric Science Department in 1971 and, at the time of being appointed University President, was the Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies. He resigned in 1987.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, Donald Veal (1981-1987) records, 1981-1987, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

Arthur Griswold Crane was elected president by the Board of Trustees in August 1922. He played an active role in financial planning, budgeting, and working with the legislature. He also maintained deep involvement with student affairs, and worked to ensure opportunities for student employment and decent student housing throughout his term. Under his tenure a gymnasium (1925), shops (1926-27), stadium (1926), engineering building (1927), and men’s dormitory (1928) were constructed. He was also responsible for the first full-time nurse (1927) and police officer (1932) to be placed on campus. The Great Depression largely affected the University, halting further building plans, lowering student enrollment, cutting salaries and positions, and threatening programs. Federal loans and Public Works Administration money helped revitalize the university and its building projects. In 1936 the liberal arts building was constructed and, in 1937, the state legislature approved financing for the Wyoming Union. In spring 1941, amid public protest, the Board of Trustees voted to terminate Crane’s contract, citing difficulties and disagreements in policy between the trustees and Crane.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming President's Office, Arthur G. Crane (1919-1945) records, 1919-1945, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

James L. Morrill took office on January 1, 1942. World War II affected the university during Morrill’s tenure as UW President. Enrollment dropped, mechanical classes were cut due to lack of enrollment, and the University acquired its first armed forces training contract. President Morrill resigned and ended his term as UW President in June 1945.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, James L. Morrill (1942-1945) records, 1938-1953, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

George D. Humphrey became president of the University of Wyoming in 1945 and in his nineteen year term oversaw the period of UW's most growth since its founding. During Humphrey's term the Textbook Controversy occurred and William R. Coe endowed the university. The College of Commerce and Industry (later College of Business) was founded, as were several other schools, programs, and departments such as American Studies and College of Nursing. Humphrey oversaw a $20 million building program in which fifteen major campus projects were completed. Humphrey retired to end his term in 1964.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming President's Office, George D. Humphrey (1945-1964)records, 1883-1978, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

John T. Fey became president of the University of Wyoming in December 1964. Although he made long-range plans for scientific research, an enhanced graduate program, and nationally-recognized excellence, he resigned in 1966.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, John T. Fey (1964-1966) records, 1964-1966, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

The Board of Trustees selected John E. King as UW's fifteenth president in 1966. King and the college deans had many disagreements and in 1967 the deans petitioned to the Board of Trustees for King's dismissal. The Trustees did not dismiss King as wished by the Deans; instead, King submitted his resignation.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, John E. King Jr. (1966-1967) records, 1966-1967, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

In September 1887, UW opened its doors to 42 students and 5 faculty members which included women from the first day. Built on the outskirts of town in Laramie's city park, Old Main was UW's first building and held classes, the library, and administrative offices during the first years of the University's existence. The first university president, John Wesley Hoyt (1887-1891), worked to establish a college level curriculum despite the fact that most students during the first two decades at UW were preparatory students (high-school aged students taking preparatory classes for college). Preparatory classes were taught in what was known as the “Academic Department.” There was also a “collegiate” department, which was the liberal arts college. By 1905 the following academic units were formed: College of Liberal Arts; Graduate School; Normal School; Wyoming State College of Agriculture; Wyoming State College of Engineering; Wyoming State School of Mines and three non-degree accrediting colleges: The Wyoming State School of Commerce, The Wyoming State School of Music, and The Wyoming Preparatory School.

In 1891 the Board of Trustees voted for Hoyt’s dismissal. John D. Conley, a board member, stepped into the role as interim president for three months. Under his short tenure the College of Agriculture's Experiment Stations were established. Albanius Johnson succeeded Conley and remained UW President until 1896, when he resigned. Johnson’s successor, Frank Graves, was UW President for two years (1896-1898) until he resigned. Under his tenure the student population hit 100. He was also one of the youngest college presidents in the United States at only 27 years old. Elmer E. Smiley succeeded Graves and remained UW President for five years until June 1903 when he resigned. The Rocky Mountain Herbarium was established by the Board of Trustees in 1899. His replacement, Charles W. Lewis began in September 1903 and died of pneumonia in spring 1904. F.M. Tisdel succeeded him in 1904. During his tenure summer school was established. He was removed from office in 1908 and succeeded by an interim president. The Board of Trustees selected Charles O. Merica as the next UW President, and he resigned in 1912. The Board elected Clyde A. Duniway in May 1912, and he resigned unexpectedly in spring 1917. The Board then appointed Aven Nelson as acting President. He had been serving as vice-president since 1914. Although originally appointed to a temporary term, the trustees decided to make him the official university president and Nelson resigned in 1922.

From the guide to the University of Wyoming. President's Office, Early Presidents' (1887-1922) records, 1887-1925, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)