UA 002B - Office of the President (Roy E. Offenhauer) Records, 1937-1938

Dr. Roy Offenhauer (1881-1938) served as the second president of Bowling Green State University from 1937-1938.  

As president of Bowling Green State University, Dr. Offenhauer instituted a number of policies that increased enrollment by eighteen percent. It was under his leadership that the university began offering extension classes. He established the Policies Commission, which was the first step in providing faculty with a greater say in developing the policies of the University. During his presidency, the university adopted the 1925 statement of principles of the American Association of University Professors, creating the first official tenure policy for the University.

Dr. Offenhauer also began an extensive building program designed to expand and improve the campus. During his presidency, three buildings were constructed, the largest amount of simultaneous construction undertaken up to this point in the university’s history. The buildings were the Women’s Gymnasium (1938), the Natatorium (1938), and the Men’s Dormitory (completed 1939). The dormitory was named Clayton C. Kohl Hall in honor of the distinguished social science teacher who had died in 1938.

In addition, Dr. Offenhauer instituted a beautification and improvement project for the University. The program, which cost nearly $700,000, repaired and redecorated buildings, reconstructed athletic fields, and provided additional facilities for physical education. It also constructed sidewalks, an outdoor theater, and improved the landscaping on campus. Much of this work had been deferred due to the economic hardships of the Great Depression.

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Materials found in this collection may be duplicated in other University Archives collections including overlaps between this collection and the collections of President Williams and President Prout.