Hiram Bradford Farmer
1886-1888
Farmer received his education at St. Lawrence Academy and Union College. He filled the role of both principal and instructor at the Arizona Territorial Normal School for teachers — later to be known as Arizona State University. Farmer emphasized the basics by creating the school's original curriculum of reading, writing, spelling, grammar and arithmetic for the college's first class, which was comprised of 33 students who were instructed in a single classroom building. Farmer rewarded only 5 students with diploma's during his three-semester tenure at Normal, due to his high expectations. The H.B. Farmer Building was named after this president.
Robert Lindley Long
1888-1890
Long was a prospector and diamond miner in South Africa before arriving in Arizona in 1879. He served as a judge of a probate court before being appointed principal of the school by the Trustees of Territorial Normal School of Arizona in 1888.
Dayton Alonzo Reed
1890-1892
In addition to being principal at Normal, Reed also taught language, mathematics and education. Before coming to Normal, he taught for 12 years in the Los Angeles Public School and was principal of Phoenix Public School in 1885. He also dabbled in real estate, insurance and conveyance business.
Edgar L. Storment
1892-1895
Storment's original purpose for moving to Arizona was to invest in a farm colony on the Gila River. Later, though, he took a job at the Normal School as assistant to Dayton Alonzo Reed in 1890, at which time he taught languages and liberal arts classes. The school's first two instructors were hired under Storment, along with the first courses in journalism and the first athletics department. Storment founded the alumni association, and created the plans for the second campus building, Old Main.
James A. McNaughton
1895-1899
Many school organizations and activities were developed under McNaughton, including student government and the military cadet corps. The first football game between schools was played during his tenure, as well as the extension of the school curriculum from two to three years. Admission standards were also raised during his tenure.
Joseph Warren Smith
1899-1900
Under Smith's leadership the entire curriculum was reorganized and a music course was introduced.
Arthur John Matthews
1900-1930
Matthews is actually the first to hold the title of president at the Tempe Normal School. He acted as registrar and business manager, in addition to teaching law, education and mathematics. Matthews is known for expanding the school and increasing enrollment and faculty. The A.J. Matthews Center, where The State Press newsroom is located, is named after this man.
Ralph W. Swetman
1930-1933
Swetman became the president shortly after the school's name was changed to the Arizona State Teacher's College. He contributed by establishing a summer school program and hiring faculty with advanced degrees. His changes made the school credible for institutional accreditation.
Grady Gammage
1933-1959
Gammage, an Arizona native, attended UA, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in education. He was president of the American Association of Teacher's Colleges and is responsible for the name change from Arizona State College to Arizona State University in 1959. Gammage Auditorium is named after him.
Harold D. Richardson
1959-1960
Richardson began his work with the University as a professor of education and, later, director of graduate studies. He was a registrar, dean of instruction and dean of the college. He was president of Arizona State University from Christmas Eve 1959 until 1960, at which time he resumed his position as vice president. In 1963 he resumed his teaching duties as professor of education.
George Homer Durham
1960-1969
Durham was founder of the Western Political Science Association, publisher of the Western Political Quarterly and executive director of the Historical department of the Mormon Church. He was president of ASU from 1960 to 1969 and founded the College of Fine Arts and the College of Nursing. University enrollment rose from 10,000 to 23,000 during his presidency. Campus television station KAET first broadcast during Durham's term. The G. Homer Durham Language and Literature Building is named after him.
Harry K. Newburn
1969-1971
Newburn became director of ASU Center for Higher Education in 1963, and he became dean of College of Education in 1968. He became president of ASU in 1969 and served until 1971, when he began teaching at the Center for Higher Education and later the College of Education.
John William Schwada
1971-1981
Schwada served a number of years at the University of Missouri in various positions such as dean of faculties and chancellor before becoming ASU's president in 1971. The Schwada Classroom building is named after him.
J. Russell Nelson
1981-1989
Nelson's administration was marked by disharmony between the athletic department and administration due to his strict beliefs in the educational mission. He also made ASU a multi-campus institution by establishing ASU West in 1983. Nelson focused on computer assisted learning and research.
Lattie F. Coor
1990-2002
Coor, a native Arizonan, was the 15th president of ASU. ASU was named a Research I university under his tenure by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1994. He also helped to develop ASU West and ASU East into independent institutions. The Lattie F. Coor building, currently under construction, is dedicated to him.
Michael M. Crow
2002
Crow is the 16th president of ASU. He also serves as chairman for In-Q-Tel, a non-profit research organization affiliated with the CIA. Before coming to ASU, he was vice-provost of Columbia University in New York. His inauguration commences at 10 a.m. today.
