Each University president leaves a different legacy of reputation, success and failure. But many students only know their names as the buildings scattered throughout campus.

The past and present presidents of the University are Homer B. Williams, R.E. Offenhauer, Frank J. Prout, Ralph W. McDonald, Ralph G. Harshman, William T. Jerome, Hollis A. Moore Jr., Paul J. Olscamp, Sidney A. Ribeau and Carol A. Cartwright.

Some served many years while others served two. Some were liked by students and some were not; many faced times of war, while all faced financial issues.

“As I reflect on the history of Bowling Green, just about every president has had to face enormous challenges on the financial front,” said former Vice President and former Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Richard Edwards.

Presidential personalities

The stories of the University’s presidents are diverse due to varying time periods and varying presidential personalities.

“I think each president has left his own very special footprint on the University,” Edwards said.

President Williams served the longest term from February 1912 until September 1937. He would later serve two more months when his successor, Offenhauer, was killed in an automobile accident after 16 months in office. Offenhauer was seen as a man of great charm and impressive appearance and was liked by many students and faculty members, according to “The History of Bowling Green State University,” by James Overman.

Larry Weiss, co-chairman of the Centennial Committee, has experienced a great deal of the University’s history and its presidents.

“I’ve been around for six different presidents and each has had their own strengths for the University,” he said.

Weiss remembers the nickname given to President McDonald was “Black Mac.”

“[Students] didn’t like him,” Weiss said. “But he did a lot of good things, he just had a tight fist with students.”

McDonald was known as a perfectionist and a man of high standards. His reputation as a hard worker led others to believe he had no other interests but the interests of the University.

“Each President has had his own operating style and had to deal with their own particular issues,” Edwards said.

President Moore cared deeply about the beauty and look of the campus.

“Before the start of school he would get into his golf cart and take a tour of the school,” Edwards said. “He was a stickler for detail.”

Controversy, war and our Universities’ presidents

The struggles of the war also caused a great deal of problems for some University presidents.

President Jerome from Syracuse, N.Y., served as the sixth president in 1963 and dealt with the pressures and protests of the Vietnam War. When the Kent State shootings took place, there was uneasiness at the University.

The president provided a sweet memory for Weiss as a student.

“I wrote a letter to the editor when I was upset and [Jerome] wrote me a note to come meet with him,” Weiss said. “I thought the world of him.”

The University was one of the only schools that remained open during May 1970 after the Kent State shootings because of Jerome’s ability to connect with his students.

“Jerome let the students have a peaceful protest,” Edwards said.

Jerome allowed students to gather together to talk out their frustrations about Vietnam and other social issues.

President Prout served as the third president in 1939 and faced the pressures of World War II. However, he is known for overcoming those pressures by the growth of the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Business Administration, according to Overman’s book.

President McDonald, who served from 1951 to 1961, also faced controversy during his tenure.

There were a number of factors that lowered the morale of both faculty and students, according to Overman. One of the major causes of this was the rapid change in personnel. Almost half of the faculty members were at the University for less than five years and made it difficult for faculty to gain a new unity with one another. Many resented McDonald for what they believed to be a one-man administration.

Presidents serve the University

Some presidents served shorter terms than others.

President Harshman served as the fifth president in 1961 and served a quick term. Harshman took office nearing retirement age, but during a time of real crisis. Student and faculty morale at the University was at an all time low following McDonald’s resignation. His sense of justice helped quiet the arguments being made, according to Overman’s book.

Richard Edwards was appointed executive vice president with Provost Michael R. Ferrari, who was appointed as interim president in 1981 after President Moore died due to a blood tumor that developed from a blood disease.

“President Moore had such a good working relationship with students,” Edward said. “Moore was very persuasive and persistent; I just couldn’t say no to him.”

Interim President Ferrari was forced to deal with a series of financial crisis and other difficult matters.

“Both Moore and Ferrari were very inclusive, always reaching out and really worked hard on faculty staff relationships,” Edwards said.

Paul J. Olscamp was appointed president 14 months after Moore’s death, with much of the University population upset about his appointment. Many believed the Board of Trustees were keeping secrets about their selection process, which led many to resent Olscamp, according to Overman’s book. This would change.

Over the course of his 12-year term, academics would improve greatly. He also played an active role in the University’s financial situation.

“Olscamp had an entirely different operating style,” Edwards said.

President Sidney A. Ribeau would follow in 1995 and serve as an active president among students and faculty.

Ribeau asked Edwards to be a member of the Centennial Committee.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Edwards said. “It’s mostly fun to work with people on campus.”

The University would then bring retired President of Kent State University Carol Cartwright to serve as the University’s first woman President.

“I’ve been the first female at a lot of different points throughout my career,” President Cartwright said.

Cartwright served as the interim president before being asked to take office.

“She is the most active on campus — she is just everywhere,” Weiss said. “She’s really a great representation of the University.”

Cartwright is a passionate woman who advises everyone to go after what they want.

“I’m a person who believes you should follow your dreams, assess your own interests and passions and see where you go,” she said.

Cartwright sees the legacy she leaves behind as a team effort by everyone involved in her administration.

“I really understand the power of a team,” she said. “It’s not a personal legacy because what we will accomplish will be done as a team.”

Her administration looks to turn enrollment around as well as put new energy towards developing University infrastructure.

“I admire her energy and vision,” Edwards said. “I think she’s doing an extraordinarily effective job.”