Preliminary guide to the Milton W. Durham papers, approximately 1935-1970

Dr. Milton W. Durham (1914-1992) served as a regent of Washington State University from 1955-1967 and as president of the Board of Regents in 1957 and 1958. A surgeon and veteran of the United States Air Force, Durham practiced and resided in Spokane where he also served as the Spokane member of the Cougar Boosters. Durham was named WSU’s first “Father of the Year” in October 1958. In 1964 the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges awarded him “outstanding regent of the United States,” the same year he published a Handbook for University and College Regents. Durham served on the Board of Regents until March 1967 when Washington State governor Dan Evans replaced Durham with Harold A. Romberg at the expiration of Durham’s term. Durham had served as chairman of the committee which selected Glen Terrell as WSU’s seventh president and was an honorary guest at Terrell’s inauguration.

Durham attended Lincoln High School in Tacoma, WA and later received his medical training at the University of Oregon, graduating in 1939. Durham served in the Air Force during WWII where he ended his service as a lieutenant colonel in charge of the administration and professional operation of 56 hospitals.

Durham was an amateur radio enthusiast and broadcasted under the call sign W7AQG. He was active in Republican politics in Spokane and campaigned for Eisenhower in the 1952 Presidential election. He was on good terms with Washington Governor Arthur B. Langlie who ultimately appointed Durham to the WSU Board of Regents.