List of Presidents of the University of Houston

Number
Name
Tenure
Life
Notes & Events
1
Edison E. Oberholtzer
1927–1950
1880–1954
University of Houston was founded, permanent location was created, enrollment increased from under 500 to over 13,000
2
Walter William Kemmerer
1950–1953
1903–1993
Was interim president in 1950
Interim
Charles Flemming McElhinney
1953–1954
1907–1978
-
3
A.D. Bruce
1954–1956
1894–1969
Served as Chancellor of the University of Houston when that position was created until 1961, helped to establish UH as a state school
4
Clanton Ware Williams
1956–1961
1904–1975
Served as President after A.D. Bruce became Chancellor
5
Philip Guthrie Hoffman
1961–1977
1915–2008
First chancellor of the University of Houston System
6
Barry Munitz
1977–1982
1941—
-
Interim
Hugh Walker
1982–1983
1935–2005
-
7
Richard L. Van Horn
1983–1989
1932—
-
Interim
George W. Magner
1989–1990
1927–2005
Ended the tradition of a live cougar Shasta mascot
8
Marguerite Ross Barnett
1990–1992
1942–1992
First female and first black president, Took a leave of absence after being diagnosed with cancer
9
James H. Pickering
1992–1995
1938—
Was originally interim president after Barnett stepped down
10
Glenn Allan Goerke
1995–1997
1931–2015
-
11
Arthur K. Smith
1997–2003
1937—
First person to hold UH Presidency and UHS Chancellor position simultaneously
12
Jay Gogue
2003–2007
1947—
-
Interim
John M. Rudley
2007
1947—
Was President of Texas Southern University from 2008-2016; currently President Emeritus at Texas Southern
13
Renu Khator
2008—
1955—
First foreign-born president, allowed for re-establishment of live Shasta mascot

Question: Who was Philip Guthrie Hoffman?
Answer: Philip Guthrie Hoffman (1915 – 2008) was the fifth president of the University of Houston and the first chancellor of the University of Houston System.