# Presidents of the University of Montana

The University of Montana was founded in 1893.

## Oscar John Craig (1895-1908)

| | Term July 1895 - October 1908 Retired (ill health) Predecessor none Successor Clyde V. Duniway Born April 18, 1846 Madison, IN Died March 5, 1911(1911-03-05) (aged 64) Education A.B., Asbury University, 1881 A.M., DePauw University, 1884 Ph.D., University of Wooster, 1887 | Buildings Created and Programs Established Buildings Venture Center/Science Hall, 1898 (razed in 1983) University Hall (Main Hall), 1898 Women's Hall (Math Building), 1902 Gymnasium, 1903 (razed in 1965) University Library (Jeannette Rankin Hall), 1908 Programs Schools of Engineering and Pharmacy Departments of History, Education, English, Literature, Vocal Expression, Chemistry, Mathematics, Latin and Greek, Modern Languages, Physics and Geology, Biology, Music, and Drawing Organizations The Kaimin Associated Students at The University of Montana (ASUM) Associated Mechanical Engineers Silver Cornet Band two glee clubs ΣΝ, ΣΧ |
| Eponymous Landmarks: Craig Hall (Dormitory) Oscar J. Craig Heritage Society (society includes individuals who have committed a planned gift to benefit The University of Montana.) |||

## Clyde Augustus Duniway (1908-1912)

| | Term October 1908 - September 1912 Dismissed ("understood that this action has been taken because President Duniway refused to appoint a local politician as dean of the law school" — Science Magazine) Predecessor Oscar J. Craig Successor Edwin B. Craighead Born November 2, 1866 (Albany, OR) Died December 24, 1944(1944-12-24) (aged 78) Education A.B., Cornell University, 1892 A.M., Harvard University, 1894 Ph.D., Harvard University, 1897 Additional study Leipzig, Berlin, and Paris, 1901-02 | Landmarks The first "M" created, 1909 Senior Bench, 1910 Programs School of Law Departments of Biology, Botany and Forestry, Fine Arts, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Electrical Engineering Courses in Zoology and Psychology Organizations Debate League YMCA, YWCA Silent Sentinel ΚΑΘ, ΚΚΓ, ΔΓ |
| Eponymous Landmarks: Duniway Hall (Dormitory) |||

## Edwin Boone Craighead (1912-1915)

| | Term September 1912 - October 1915 Dismissed: (fell out of favor with the Board of Education after promoting a consolidation of the university system in Montana) Predecessor Clyde V. Duniway Successor Randall M. M. Savage Born March 3, 1861 (Hams Prairie, MO) Died October 22, 1920(1920-10-22) (aged 59) Education A.M., Central College, 1883 LL. D., University of Missouri, 1898 D.C.L., University of the South, 1907 | Landmarks Wooden "M," 1912 Whitewashed rock "M," 1915 Programs Schools of Journalism, Music, and Forestry Departments of Home Economics, Political Science, Manual Arts, and Economics and Sociology |
| Eponymous Landmarks: Craighead Apartments (University Village) |||
| University News: The University of Montana won a place on the accredited list of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools for the first time. Name changed from University of Montana to State University of Montana with the creation of the Montana University System. (1913) First Homecoming (November 6, 1914) |||

## Frederick Charles Scheuch (Interim) (1915–1917)

| Term 1915-1917 Interim Predecessor Edwin B. Craighead Successor Edward O. Sisson Born (1871-03-29)March 29, 1871 Lafayette, Indiana Died January 17, 1954(1954-01-17) (aged 82) Los Angeles, California Education B.M.E., Purdue University, 1893 A.C., Purdue University, 1894 | Buildings Created and Programs Established |
| Eponymous Landmarks ||

## Edward Octavius Sisson 1917-1921)

| | Term September 1917 - August 1921 Predecessor Frederick Charles Scheuch Successor Charles H. Clapp Born (1869-05-24)May 24, 1869 Gateshead, Co. Durham, England Died January 24, 1949(1949-01-24) (aged 79) Monterey, California, U.S. Education B.S., Kansas State Agricultural College, 1886 A.B., University of Chicago, 1893 Ph.D., Harvard University, 1905 | Buildings and Landmarks Memorial Row, 1919 Simpkins Hall, 1920 (razed in 1960) Marcus Cook Hall, 1921 (razed in 1935) Programs Established School of Business Administration Departments of Astronomy and Military Science Pre-Medicine Program Student Army Training Corps |
| Eponymous Landmarks:: Sisson Apartments (University Village) |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Charles Horace Clapp (1921–1935)

| | Term September 1921 - May 1935 Predecessor Edward O. Sisson Successor George Finlay Simmons Born (1883-06-05)June 5, 1883 Boston, Massachusetts Died May 9, 1935(1935-05-09) (aged 51) Missoula, Montana Education B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1905 Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1910 Additional study at Harvard University, 1910 | Buildings South Hall (Elrod Hall), 1921 University Library (Social Science Building), 1921 Men's Gymnasium (Shreiber Gym), 1921 Heating Plant, 1922 Forestry Building, 1922 North Hall (Brantley Hall), 1923 Dornblazer Field, 1924 Corbin Hall, 1927 Student Union (Fine Arts Building), 1935 Programs College of Arts and Sciences School of Religion |
| Eponymous Landmarks: Charles H. Clapp Building (Science Complex) |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## George Finlay Simmons (1936-1941)

| | Term January 1936 - April 1941 Predecessor Charles H. Clapp Successor Ernest O. Melby Born (1895-10-25)October 25, 1895 Sherman, Texas Died July 19, 1955(1955-07-19) (aged 59) Chicago, Illinois Education B.A., University of Texas, 1921 M.A., University of Texas, 1922 Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1934 | Buildings Journalism Building, 1936 Chemistry/Pharmacy Building, 1938 Addition to the Natural Sciences Building, 1938 New Hall (Turner Hall), 1939 Programs Departments of Bacteriology and Hygiene and Philosophy Programs in Social Welfare Studies, Pre-Nursing, Medical Technology, Wildlife Technology, and Wildlife Management |
| Eponymous Landmarks |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Ernest Oscar Melby (1941-1945)

| | Term October 1941 - August 1945 Predecessor George F. Simmons Successor James A. McCain Born August 16, 1891 Lake Park, Minnesota Died January 11, 1987(1987-01-11) (aged 95) Boca Raton, Florida Education B.A., St. Olaf's College, 1913 M.A., University of Minnesota, 1926 Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1928 | Landmarks The Lubrecht Experimental Forest, 1942 Programs The Navy V-1 and the Civilian Pilot Training Programs The Montana Study |
| Eponymous Landmarks |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## James Allen McCain (1945-1950)

| | Term September 1945 - July 1950 Predecessor Ernest O. Melby Successor Carl McFarland Born (1907-12-08)December 8, 1907 York, South Carolina Died March 1987 (aged 79) Education A.B., Woffard College, 1926 A.M., Duke University, 1929 Ed.D., Stanford University, 1948 | Buildings Jumbo Hall, 1946 (razed in 1960) Education Building, 1948 Forestry School Memorial Greenhouse, 1950 Programs School of Public and Private Administration Department of Sociology Wildlife Research Unit Stella Duncan Memorial Research Institute |
| Eponymous Landmarks |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Carl McFarland (1951-1958)

| | Term March 1951 - May 1958 Predecessor James A. McCain Successor Harry K. Newburn Born October 6, 1904 Seattle, Washington Died May 16, 1979(1979-05-16) (aged 74) Education B.A., The University of Montana, 1928 M.A., The University of Montana, 1929 LL.B., The University of Montana, 1930 S.J.D., Harvard University, 1932 | Buildings Craig Hall, 1952 Field House (Adams Center), 1953 Women's Center (McGill Hall), 1953 Music Building, 1953 Liberal Arts, 1953 Ryman Addition, 1955 Robert B. Curry Health Center, 1955 The Lodge, 1956 North Corbin Hall, 1956 Art Annex/Grizzly Pool, 1957 Duniway Hall, 1957 Craighead/Sisson Apartments 1957 Programs College of Fine Arts Programs in Liberal Arts, Radio/Television, and Drama Courses in Russian, Italian, Dance, and Physical Therapy ROTC |
| Eponymous Landmarks: Carl McFarland Scholarship Endowment (Criteria: Native American students at The University of Montana who are Montana residents) |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Harry Kenneth Newburn (1959-1963)

| | Term July 1959 - September 1963 Predecessor Carl McFarland Successor Robert Johns Born January 1, 1906 Cuba Died August 25, 1972(1972-08-25) (aged 71) Education B.E., Western Illinois State Teachers College, 1928 A.M., University of Iowa, 1931 Ph.D., University of Iowa, 1933 Hon. D.H.L. Northern Michigan College, 195 | Buildings Health Sciences Building, 1961 Law Building, 1962 Additions and renovations of the Physical Plant and Liberal *Arts Building, 1962 Programs Department of Radio/Television Programs in Social Welfare, Forest Conservation, and Microbiology |
| Eponymous Landmarks: |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Robert Johns (1963-1966)

| | Term September 1963 - August 1966 Predecessor Harry K. Newburn Successor Robert T. Pantzer Born May 12, 1921 Died May 31, 2007(2007-05-31) (aged 86) Education Ph.D., Stanford University, 1950 | Buildings Knowles Hall, 1963 Miller Hall, 1965 Addition to Harry Adams Field House, 1965 Programs Physical Therapy Program Courses in Linguistics, Communications, and Resource Conservation Upward Bound Regional School Facilities Planning Center U.S. Forest Service Experimental Laboratory |
| Eponymous Landmarks |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Robert T. Pantzer (1966-1974)

| | Term December 1966 - June 1974 Predecessor Robert Johns Successor Richard C. Bowers Born (1914-06-18)June 18, 1914 Died October 28, 2004(2004-10-28) (aged 90) Education B.A., The University of Montana, 1940 L.L.B., The University of Montana, 1947 | Buildings and Landmarks Elrod Research Station at Flathead Lake, 1967 Aber Hall, 1967 Physical Plant, 1967 University Center, 1968 Grizzly Statue and concrete "M," 1968 Science Complex, 1971 Rec Annex, 1972 Mansfield Library, 1973 Programs Department of Computer Science Programs in Comparative Literature, Environmental, and Native American Studies Courses in Portuguese and Chinese |
| Eponymous Landmarks: Pantzer Hall (dormitory) Robert T. Pantzer Presidential Humanitarian Award (Granted annually to a person from The University of Montana or the State of Montana who has contributed substantially to making the university a more open and humane learning environment.) |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Richard Charles Bowers (1974-1981)

| | Term July 1974 - June 1981 Predecessor Robert T. Pantzer Successor Neil S. Bucklew Born May 3, 1927 Mount Pleasant, Iowa Died May 26, 1996(1996-05-26) (aged 69) Polson, Montana Education B.S., University of Michigan, 1948 Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1953 | Buildings Urey Underground Lecture Hall, 1981 Pharmacy/Psychology Building (Skaggs Complex), 1981 Additions to Law Building and Mansfield Library Programs African-American, Latin-American, Asian, and Soviet Studies Programs Pre-Agriculture/Horticulture curriculum |
| Eponymous Landmarks |||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Neil S. Bucklew (1981-1986)

| Term July 1981 - June 1986 Predecessor Richard C. Bowers Successor James V. Koch Born (1940-10-23) October 23, 1940 (age 84) Morgantown, West Virginia Died Education B.A., University of Missouri, 1963 M.S., University of North Carolina, 1967 Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1971 | Buildings International House (purchased), 1984 Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center, 1985 Washington-Grizzly Stadium, 1986 Programs Arts and Sciences Honors Program Degree programs in Public Administration and Creative Writing Courses in Film and Telecommunications |
| Eponymous Landmarks: Bucklew Service Award (Recognizes a Montanan whose efforts foster an understanding throughout the community and state of the university's needs and strengths – and vice versa.) ||
Personal and Accomplishments

## James Verch Koch (1986-1990)

| Term September 1986 - June 1990 Predecessor Neil S. Bucklew Successor George M. Dennison Education B.A., Illinois State University, 1964 Ph. D., Northwestern University, 1968 Born (1942-10-07) October 7, 1942 (age 82) Springfield, Illinois | Landmarks Kim Williams Linden Grove, 1987 Programs University College Department of Psychology Courses in Japanese Tourism and Recreation and Wilderness Institutes |
| Eponymous Landmarks ||
Personal and Accomplishments

## George M. Dennison (1990–2010)

| Term August 1990-October 2010 Predecessor James V. Koch Successor Royce Engstrom Education B.S., The University of Montana, 1962 M.A., The University of Montana, 1963 Ph.D., The University of Washington, 1967 Born August 11, 1935 Buffalo, Illinois Died January 2017 (age 85) | Buildings and LandmarksL Renovated University Theatre, 1997 Davidson Honors College, 1996 Gallagher Business Building, 1996 Parking Structure, 1996 James E. Todd Building, 1998 Renovation of University Center, 1995, 2001 Pantzer Hall, 1995 Renovation of Prescott House and Construction of Phyllis J. *Washington Park, 1997? Renovation of Miller Hall, 1998 Renovation of Chemistry Building, 2004 Adams Center Renovation, 2000 Fitness and Campus Recreation Center, 2001 Established MonTEC, 1991 K. Ross Toole Village, 1997 Lewis & Clark Village, 2004 Don Anderson Hall, 2007 Skaggs Building Additions, 2000, 2007 Payne Family Native American Center, 2010 Phyllis J. Washington Education Center, 2009 Law School Building Addition, 2010 Washington-Grizzly Stadium Expansions, 1995, 2003, 2009 Programs Reaccreditation of Pharmacy Program - the new College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences housing theSchool of Pharmacy which emerged as a leading research center on campus and ranked seventh nationally among schools of pharmacy for attracting NIH research funding. Re-established Communicative Disorders on campus after a hiatus of nearly 20 years Information Technology Strategic Plan Enhanced the President's Lecture Series First Diversity Plan and Diversity Advisory Council Climate Action Plan and Sustainable Campus Program Quality of Worklife Program |
| Eponymous Landmarks: George M. and Jane I. Dennison Doctoral Fellows in History Endowment (The fellowships made possible by the endowment will support graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in history.) ||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Royce Engstrom (2010-2016)

| Term October 15, 2010 - December 31, 2016 Predecessor George Dennison Successor Sheila Sterns (Interim) Born Died Education B.S., Chemistry, University of Nebraska at Omaha Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison. | Buildings Created and Programs Established Eck Hall Eric and Blair Sprunk Student-Athlete Academic Center Gilkey Executive Training Center Missoula College River Campus Washington-Grizzly Champions Center |
| Eponymous Landmarks ||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Sheila Sterns (Interim) (2017 - 2018)

| Term January 1, 2017 - January, 2018 Predecessor Royce Engstrom Successor Seth Bodnar Born August 30, 1946 Died May 23, 2023 Education B.A., History, University of Montana M.A., History, University of Montana Ed.D., Educational Administration and Supervision, University of Montana | Buildings Created and Programs Established University of Montana Humanities Institute Accelerate Montana |
| Eponymous Landmarks ||
Personal and Accomplishments

## Seth Bodnar (2018-)

| Term January 1, 2018 - Predecessor Sheila Sterns Successor Born Died Education | Buildings Created and Programs Established |
| Eponymous Landmarks ||
Personal and Accomplishments