Thomas Milton Gatch
President, 1897-1907
Thomas M. Gatch, ca. 1907. This
photograph
was published as the frontispiece of the 1908 yearbook,
The Orange,
which was dedicated to President Gatch with these words: [OSU
Archives; 1908 Orange, p. 3]
To Thomas M. Gatch, our honored and beloved friend and
President, in grateful appreciation of his loving and untiring
efforts in the upbuilding and advancing of our Alma Mater, and of
his unfailing interest in our welfare and enterprise, we, the
members of the class of nineteen hundred and eight, as a token of
admiration and regard, do lovingly dedicate this volume.
Gatch was appointed as president of Oregon Agricultural College
because of his vast experience in higher education, having
previously presided over Willamette University (1860-1865 and 1870-1880)
and the University of Washington (1887-1895).
Gatch was born in Milford, Ohio, and earned an A.B. degree from
Ohio Wesleyan University in 1855. He completed a course at Lane
Theological Seminary in Cincinnati and later was awarded an
honorary D.D. degree by that institution. In 1874, the Indiana
Asbury University (now DePauw University) conferred a Ph.D. degree
upon Gatch. Gatch was the first OSU president to have this
degree.
Gatch arrived in California in 1856 and for the next 50 years
served as an educator in California, Oregon, Washington at several
institutions including the University of the Pacific at Santa
Clara, California; Willamette University; the University of Oregon;
the University of Washington; and Oregon Agricultural
College.
He retired from the OAC presidency in July 1907 (at the age of 74),
but remained at the College as Professor of Political and Mental
Science until the end of 1907. He later retired to his
estate near Seattle where he resided until his death in 1913.
President Gatch with the faculty, ca.
1905. Taken on the steps of the Mechanical Hall (now Apperson
Hall), this group photograph includes almost all of the College
faculty. Gatch is seated in the middle of the front row with his
hands at his sides wearing a hat. [OSU Archives
#1598]
Where to Find More Information about Thomas M. Gatch
President's Office Records
(RG 13)
Memorabilia Collection - Gatch, Thomas M.
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Last updated: Tuesday, 02-Sep-2003 15:51:38 PDT