During the first years of the Presidency of Alexander G. Ruthven, the University of Michigan underwent a remarkable growth. To help with his many responsibilities, Ruthven instituted a system of Vice-Presidents, each of whom was responsible for a given area within the University. Even with these administrative officers, however, the President was burdened with matters of budgeting, state relations, staffing, planning, and problems of the individual schools, colleges, libraries, and other units that reported directly to the President's Office. To meet this need, the Board of Regents, in April 1938, created the position of Provost of the University "to aid the President by performing such of the President's functions as shall from time to time be delegated by him or by the Board of Regents." E. Blythe Stason of the University Law School, who had already been performing many of these functions, was appointed first Provost.
In January 1945, James P. Adams replaced Stason as Provost. That same month, the Regents amended the by-laws making the Provost the chief executive of the University next to the President. During his nearly seven years as Provost, Adams came to discharge many of the executive duties formerly within the province of the President. On many matters, he corresponded directly with members of the Board of Regents. He also took the initiative on matters of faculty salaries, the appointment of administrative personnel, the preparation of the budget, and the enlargement of the teaching staff.
Many on campus felt that Adams was being groomed to replace Ruthven as President. He was an efficient administrator and was well liked by members of the academic community. Adams, however, preferred to move back East. He removed his name from consideration as a successor to Ruthven, and retired on July 1, 1951. There was no attempt to replace Adams. Instead the duties of the Provost were split up among various University Vice Presidents.
From the guide to the Provost (University of Michigan) records, 1934-1951, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
