Past Presidents
See photos of past presidents at Archives & Special Collections @ Digital UNC.
Thomas J. Gray 1890-1891
Principal Gray presided over the formative first year of the State Normal School. Created
in 1889, the school offered its first classes in the fall of 1890 in various community
buildings. Gray put together the first curriculum for the school, organized its initial
faculty, purchased supplies and equipment, and welcomed the first 76 students who
enrolled. Gray came to UNC from the Minnesota Normal School at St. Cloud.
James H. Hays. Interim 1891, November 11, 1915-1916
Zachariah X. Snyder 1891-1915
A national leader in teacher education, Zachariah Snyder arrived at the State Normal
School after resigning the presidency at Indiana State Normal School in Pennsylvania. Snyder
was not only a student of German education models, but an innovator. He pushed some
radical ideas such as simplified spelling, a phonetical spelling system endorsed by
President Teddy Roosevelt, and Sloyd, a Swedish manual arts program. Among the innovations
he introduced to Colorado were kindergarten and an on-campus laboratory school. Snyder's
leadership put this institution in the forefront of the nation's teacher colleges,
as he added bachelor's and master's degree programs that led the institution to become
the Colorado State Teachers College in 1911.
John G. Crabbe 1916-1924
With a strong background in public education, John Crabbe, president of the Eastern
Kentucky State Normal School, became president of the Colorado State Teachers College. Crabbe
was a product of a classical education, and emphasized liberal arts education in Greeley. He
broadened the curriculum into a core of courses required of all and a menu of electives. He
organized a student government and created a student voice in campus affairs. Crabbe
also revamped the summer school, using the allure of spending a summer in Colorado
as a marketing tool.
George W. Frasier 1924-1948
More than any other leader, George Fraser promoted the academic excellence that turned
what had become the Colorado State College of Education into a national force in teacher
education. During Frasier's tenure, the school became known as the "Columbia of the
West". Faculty research, publications and textbooks were highly regarded throughout
the nation. Chosen as president at the age of 33 after serving 15 months on the college
faculty, Frasier was a remarkable leader, who believed learning should center on students
and should stress the experiences they will encounter in the outside world. He was
an advocate of progressive education, which became popular in the 1930s.
William R. Ross 1948-1964
A Colorado native, Ross had served as president of Trinidad Junior College, and was
Frasier's Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds before being named College president. Ross
had a long history of teaching and administration in public education throughout the
state, and he knew what kinds of teachers were needed. Ross took a very practical
approach to education, creating programs such as Special Education and Nursing, for
which there was a demand in Colorado. Ross was faced with not only preparing for the
post-war influx of students, but then for the baby boom generation. He purchased hat
became the Darrell Homes (West) Campus, and set in motion the expansion of what was
then Colorado State College.
Darrell Holmes 1964-1971
The former executive dean at San Diego State College, Darrell Holmes served as president
during tumultuous times on college campuses around the nation. Holmes oversaw the
tremendous growth in student population of the late 1960s, along with an incredible
building program that more than doubled the size of the school. The academic program
was broadened to serve the many students seeking a liberal arts education. Holmes
successfully led the move to rename the College, and it became the University of Northern
Colorado in 1970.
Frank P. Lakin. 1969, 1971 Interim President
Richard R. Bond 1971-1981
Coming to UNC from his post as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Illinois State
University, Richard Bond set out to follow the "road less traveled by." Bond wanted
to make education as accessible as possible. He believed in expanding the University's
role beyond the confines of the campus, and also worked for a more innovative, student-oriented
and accessible institution. Nevertheless, he also underscored the importance of UNC
remaining a leading teacher education institution.
Charles Manning, Acting President. 1981.
Robert C. Dickeson 1981-1991
The Director of Arizona's Department of Administration, Robert Dickeson, came to UNC
to bring focus to the academic program and use his administrative skills to guide
the school through increasingly tighter budgetary years. Dickeson streamlined the
educational offerings of the University, and placed the school on a firm financial
footing. He focused resources on four areas of emphasis: teacher education, business,
music, and the nursing and health professions. As the University celebrated its centennial,
Dickeson laid the academic and financial foundation for a solid beginning to a second
century of quality higher education for the people of Colorado.
Richard O. Davies. 1987 Acting President January 1-August 29, 1987
Stephen T. Hulbert. 1991 Interim President July 1-September 30, 1991
Herman Lujan. 1991-1996
Howard Skinner. Interim President June 1996-June 1998
Hank Brown. July 1998-June 2002
Kay Norton. July 2002-June 2018
Andrew H. Feinstein. July 2018-
