Robert William MacVicar
President, 1970-1984
President Robert W. MacVicar, ca. 1975.
[OSU Archives P151:47]
MacVicar came to Oregon State University in 1970 from Southern
Illinois University, where he had been a vice president and
chancellor since 1964.
Roy A. Young and Robert W. MacVicar, 1970.
Dr. Young passed on the reins of the University to new President
Robert MacVicar on July first of 1970 on the steps of Bexell Hall,
where the President's office was located at that time. [OSU
Archives Roy A. Young Papers]
Born in Minnesota, MacVicar completed his secondary education in
Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1939 with
highest honors. He was chosen to be a Rhodes Scholar, but was
unable to go to England for his advanced work because of the start
of World War II in Europe and his own wartime service in the U.S.
Army Sanitary Corps.
He earned an M.S. degree in Chemistry from Oklahoma State
University in 1940 and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University
of Wisconsin in 1946. He was a faculty member and administrator at
Oklahoma State University for 18 years before leaving for Southern
Illinois University at Carbondale.
President MacVicar was a staunch proponent of the land-grant
university concept and built close ties during his years as
president between OSU and the people of Oregon.
MacVicar retired in 1984 and remained active in higher
education and the Corvallis community, until his death in December of 1998.
New President MacVicar toured the state, 1970.
Less than two weeks after taking over as OSU president, Dr.
MacVicar made a five-day swing through Eastern Oregon to meet and
talk with Oregonians, both young and old. Visits to other parts of
the state followed and in his first year, he visited over 50
different Oregon communities. This continued throughout his
presidency and by his retirement, he had "been everywhere -- on
every road in the state of Oregon" and had "discovered things about
Oregon that Oregonians [didn't] even know." [OSU Archives
P3:4262]
Black Cultural Center officially opens, 1975.
Bobby Hill, president of the Black Student Union, and President
MacVicar cut the ribbon to officially open OSU's Black Cultural
Center. Betty Griffin (left), an assistant professor of education,
was chairperson of the Black Cultural Advisory Board. MacVicar
initiated affirmative action programs for women and minority
faculty and students during his administration. [OSU Archives
P195 Accession 91:179, Oregon Stater, Dec.
1984]
MacVicar speaks to alumni, ca. 1975. MacVicar
was tireless in his efforts to build friendships with OSU alumni
and attended numerous class reunions and alumni picnics, an Oregon
State tradition in cities and towns throughout the Northwest that
began during MacVicar's presidency. [OSU Archives P195,
Accession 88:2]
Where to Find More Information about Robert MacVicar
President's Office Records
(RG 13)
Robert W. MacVicar Papers
Roy A. Young Papers
Memorabilia Collection - MacVicar, Robert W.
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Last updated: Monday, 11-Aug-2008 13:06:24 PDT