Charles Armstrong, 1958 - 1967
Armstrong, a bespectacled, patient man, was fresh off a successful five-year stint as president of Pacific University in Oregon. In his inaugural address, Armstrong spoke of a new beginning for the campus: “I conceive that it must be my most urgent and continuing responsibility to do all within my power to maintain a certain atmosphere both within and without the University. Within the University this means an atmosphere of freedom, and of the responsibility inherent in freedom; an atmosphere in which all members of the University community, students, faculty, and administration, may work toward our common goals in mutual confidence and respect … an atmosphere, in sum, wherein the concept of human dignity and worth is practiced as well as preached.” Armstrong’s words heralded a new time of campus healing and a new sense of purpose for the University. He stimulated research, erected a new library (Getchell Library) featuring more book-holdings for increased scholarly activity, implemented a sabbatical leave program to further spur faculty productivity and supported the founding of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä Press.