Washington State University Office of the President: W. Glenn Terrell Records, 1953-1983

The functions and duties of the Washington State University President are defined in University Faculty Manual, edition of 1987, as:

In addition to being designated as secretary ex officio of the Board of Regents, the President as general agent of the Board is the chief executive officer of Washington State University. The President administers the policies approved by the Board of Regents, serves as advisor to the Board on policies and operations and is the agent through whom representations to the Board are regularly made. Other functions of the chief executive officer include: Leadership in developing policies and organization for teaching, research, and extension programs. Public administration of the University, including representation before the Legislature and other state agencies. Responsibility for the general welfare of students; the development, operation and maintenance of buildings, lands and equipment; financial matters pertaining to development, operation and maintenance of University; and the administration of regulations adopted by the Board of Regents. Responsibility, delegated by the Board of Regents, for all appointments, promotion, salaries, leaves, resignations, and dismissals. Presiding at meetings of the general faculty.

Born 24 May 1920, in Tallahassee, Florida, W. Glenn Terrell earned his bachelor’s degree in political science at Davidson College, his master’s degree in psychology from Florida State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He taught psychology at Florida State and the University of Colorado before becoming dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and then dean of faculties, at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle.

In 1967, Terrell was selected as the seventh president of Washington State University, taking office on the 1st of July. The years of the Terrell presidency were times of change and turmoil for the nation, including activism on the Pullman campus related to the Vietnam War, racism, and feminism. Terrell is considered to have handled well the difficulties of that era, including the student strike in 1970. Ethnic studies programs, the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Office of Ombudsman, were established by Terrell in response to student and faculty concerns.

Terrell was respected nationally for his leadership, serving on the board of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, or WICHE, and as the elected president of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.

After his retirement in 1985, and in recognition of his service to WSU, the University established the endowed Glenn Terrell Presidential Scholarships for high-ability students, recognizing both his commitment to students and his role in starting the WSU Foundation. The University also named the area in the heart of the campus the Glenn Terrell Friendship Mall and the new library adjacent to Holland Library as the Terrell Library. Glenn Terrell died at the age of 93 on 30 August 2013.