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ISU's past presidents

Adonijah S. Welch (1868-1883) The first president faced the daunting task of forging the direction of a new college. He soon met with opposition from an interest group that claimed the college was drifting away from its original intent to train farmers and mechanics. One critic was particularly miffed when Welch failed to leave a class to greet him during a campus visit. Welch's rocky term ended when he was removed from office.

Seaman A. Knapp (1883-1884) Stepping into a situation of unrest, Knapp probably welcomed a new rule that appointments to administrative offices were for one-year terms. The college remained in turmoil over its direction, resulting in declining enrollments and faculty divisions. At the end of Knapp's term, the one-year term was changed to as long as service was "satisfactory."

Leigh S.J. Hunt (1885-1886) Only 29, Hunt rode about in a carriage, complete with footman. He butted heads with the students after expelling two for minor rule infractions. The entire senior class went on strike, setting up headquarters in a downtown opera house. The only relief in Hunt's tense term was his marriage to a popular former student. Claiming poor health, Hunt resigned after a year.

William I. Chamberlain (1886-1890) Chamberlain's narrow religious views and social outlook made an already turbulent situation worse. Fifty students defied him when he forbade them to attend a speech by a visiting women's rights activist. The discord continued over the organization of secret fraternities and sororities, with students resenting the exclusiveness of these secret organizations and maintaining Chamberlain favored them because his sons were members. At commencement, the graduates boycotted the baccalaureate service. When Chamberlain submitted his resignation, it was readily accepted

William M. Beardshear (1891-1902) The fraternity issue continued under Beardshear's term until he declared that while students already in secret societies could continue to stay, no other students would be permitted to join. The next year, two students challenged the ruling in court but eventually lost the case. Beardshear brought recognition to the college by frequently speaking around the state, encouraging students to be college "missionaries" in their hometowns and asking traveling salesmen to distribute college circulars. His term was cut short by a fatal heart attack.

		Albert B. Storms (1903-1910) With alumni began taking a greater interest in their alma mater, Storms founded the precursor to the ISU Alumni Association. He also lifted the ban on fraternities. He resigned after a central board, which he opposed, was appointed to oversee the state's educational institutions, replacing the university's board of trustees. This State Board of Education has continued through today, and now is known as the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

Raymond A. Pearson (1912-1926) During his first year, Pearson introduced the faculty adviser system for incoming students. In 1913, the graduating class of 1916 pledged to refrain from hazing the entering class, and instead help freshmen adjust to college life. The campus also was declared a no-smoking zone. During World War I, all able-bodied male students were required to drill each day. Pearson also supported "big-time" goals for athletics, and campus construction was at an all-time high.

		Raymond M. Hughes (1927-1936) Early in his term, while times were booming, Hughes enriched the technical curricula, broadened research, developed placement services and improved counseling services. With the arrival of the Depression, enrollment dropped 25 percent, state appropriations were cut 27 percent and drastic salary cuts were necessary. The college tightened its belt and concentrated efforts on helping the people in the state. Failing health ended Hughes' term.

Charles E. Friley (1936-1953) Friley became president after five months as acting president. His 17-year term spanned the closing phase of the Depression through World War II and the post-war "educational revolution." Iowa State researchers worked on the Manhattan (atomic research) project and Friley was directly responsible for establishing the nation's first educationally owned and operated television station.

		James H. Hilton (1953-1965) Hilton, the only ISU graduate to become president, oversaw the beginning of great growth. Enrollment soared from 7,800 to more than 12,400. The volume of research rose to $20 million annually. Course offerings and public service programs were broadened. In 1959, a year after its centennial, the college became Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Upon his retirement, Hilton was named Iowa State's first director of development.

W. Robert Parks (1965-1986) Parks, Iowa State's longest serving president, brought a "new humanism" to campus, blending sciences with humanities. The booming growth of the nation was reflected at the university. Three colleges (Education, Design and Business Administration) were added, along with approximately 40 undergraduate and 30 graduate majors. Enrollment increased almost 90 percent, and the research budget increased 300 percent. New centers were started, 37 new buildings or major additions appeared on campus and two additions were made to the original library building.

		Gordon P. Eaton (1986-1990) Eaton's four years in office proved to be a time of transition. Iowa State hammered out its first five-year strategic plan, turning back to its land-grant roots as it set its new goals. Salaries grew an average of 46 percent and support for research increased significantly. Veishea got out of hand in 1987 and erupted into a full-scale riot two years later. After much study, Eaton agreed to let a reorganized Veishea continue.

Martin C. Jischke (1991-2000) Iowa was in the midst of one of the worst agricultural economic depressions ever to hit the state when Jischke took office. Within a month of his arrival, the new president faced the first of three budget "reversions" that forced the university to turn money back to the state. The sale of WOI-TV sparked bitter debate on campus, as did renaming Old Botany Hall after alumna and suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, who was accused of making racist remarks. Problems continued with Veishea, culminating in 1997 with the death of a visiting high school student. Jischke issued an ultimatum: stop the riotous behavior, make Veishea alcohol-free or the celebration would be eliminated. Despite continuing budget problems, undergraduate programs improved, research programs expanded and innovative outreach initiatives offered.