Seattle Pacific University. Office of the President.

Orrin E. Tiffany, Ph.D.

From the description of Seattle Pacific University Office of the President Records 1909-1995. (Seattle Pacific University Library). WorldCat record id: 748280203

Orrin E. Tiffany, Ph.D.

Tiffany served as Seattle Pacific's president from 1916 to 1926. He presided over the transition from Seminary to College and a number of other firsts for Seattle Pacific, including: the first student newspaper, the first athletic director and sports teams (basketball and baseball), and construction of the first college gymnasium. During Tiffany's tenure, the Normal School (School of Education) and the Nursing Department (School of Health Sciences) were established. The traditions of Ivy Cutting and Vespers began, and the Alumni Association was incorporated.

C. Hoyt Watson Litt.D.

Watson's tenure as president lasted from 1926 to 1959 and is the longest to date. Enrollment soared during the latter part of his term after members of the military returned from fighting World War II. Watson also worked to expand the number of academic departments and degrees offered by the college as well as establishing the first graduate programs, while standardizing curriculum to conform to what was expected of colleges. Seattle Pacific received full college accreditation during his term. The "Falcon" name was chosen for the athletic teams, who competed against other colleges for the first time. The first women's sports teams were established during this era, and the current gymnasium, Royal Brougham Pavilion, was constructed. Also built was McKinley Auditorium, to house the growing Fine Arts Department and the new Oratorio Society and A Capella Choir, mainstays of the Light and Life Radio Hour. Three new residences halls were completed during the Watson era: Moyer Hall (for men), Marston Hall (for women), and Watson Hall, named for C. Hoyt Watson and his wife, Elsie. Near the end of Watson's term, the Casey Campus property on Whidbey Island was purchased by the college.

C. Dorr Demaray, Litt.D.

Demaray served as Seattle Pacific's president between 1959 and 1968. His decade saw the largest number of new buildings constructed on campus. These include: Crawford Music Building, the Student Union Building, Weter Memorial Library (now Weter Hall), Gwinn Commons, Hill Residence Hall, Ashton Residence Hall, Robbins Apartments (married student housing) and Demaray Hall, named for him and built to house administrative offices and classrooms. Demaray worked to make Seattle Pacific more visible in the Seattle community. He was helped in this by successful athletic teams in basektball, track and field and cross country. Not all the athletics endeavors were successful, however; the baseball team, after many losing seasons and with few quality facilities on campus, was disbanded.Demaray's tenure also saw changes and expansions in curriculum, including new graduate programs in the School of Education and the School of Religion.

David L. McKenna, Ph.D.

McKenna served as Seattle Pacific's president from 1968 to 1982.In 1977, Seattle Pacific College officially became Seattle Pacific University on June 5, 1977, in the middle of McKenna's tenure. It came about because of McKenna's focus on academics, which also led to the first General Education curriculum, a reorganization of academic departments, the establishment of the Computer Science department and many special academic programs, including the first Honors Program, the Senior Learners and Continuing Studies programs and SPIRAL, a program designed for non-traditional learners. Two major buildings were constructed during the McKenna years: Miller Hall, for the sciences, and McKenna Hall, for the School of Business and Economics and named for McKenna himself. Seattle Pacific acquired the Blakely Campus property on Blakely Island during this era. Also during McKenna's tenure came the beginnings of success for the men's soccer team, which won an NCAA Divison II National Championship in 1978

David C. Le Shana, Ph.D.

Le Shana served as Seattle Pacific's president from 1982 to 1991. His term was marked with gowing enrollment, rennovations of some of Seattle Pacific's historic buildings and a new commitment to missions: the Intercultural Institute of Missions and SPRINT were both established. New advances in technology brought the first on-campus computer and media center and an electrical engineering program was begun. Le Shana's years saw three NCAA Division II National Championships for Falcon teams: 1984 and 1985 in men's soccer and 1985-86 in women's gymnastics. In Le Shana's final year, the University celebrated its centennial.

Curtis A. Martin, Ph.D.

Martin served as Seattle Pacific's president from 1991 to 1994. He had been a part of the school's administration since 1964, and served as Vice President of University Advancement, Senior Vice President and Provost before becoming President. His tenure saw a new emphasis on outreach to ethnic minority students and the first availablity of the Internet on campus. During the Martin years, Royal Brougham Pavilion underwent a major renovation, a new Library was built, new parking lots were added to campus and a courtyard on campus was constructed and named Martin Square in his honor.

E. Arthur Self, Ph.D.

Self served between 1994 and 1995 as president of the University.

From the guide to the Seattle Pacific University Office of the President Records, 1909-1995, (Seattle Pacific University Archives)