University Presidents: John P. Minahan
Dr. John P. Minahan was initially appointed interim president of Western Oregon University (WOU) in August of 2005, before being appointed to the permanent position on December 1, 2006. He had been University Provost from 1986 to 1998. Enrollment blossomed during Minahan’s term. Many students during his presidential tenure were the first generation in their family to attend college. Minahan was instrumental in building WOU’s academic stature as well as its financial stability. He developed strong ties between WOU and China, as well as recruiting students from around the globe, increasing the number of international students in attendance at WOU. John P. Minahan was referred to as the soul of WOU. He retired in 2011.
- University Presidents: Overview
- Levi L. Rowland (1865-1869)
- Thomas Franklin Campbell (1869)
- David Truman Stanley (1882-1889)
- Prince Lucien Campbell (1889-1902)
- Edwin DeVore Ressler (1902-1909)
- John Henry Ackerman (1911-1921)
- Joseph Samuel Landers (1921-1932)
- Julius Alonzo Churchill (1932-1939)
- Charles Abner Howard (1939-1947)
- Henry Martin Gunn (1947-1950)
- Roben John Maaske (1950-1955)
- Roy Elwayne Lieuallen (1955-1961)
- Ellis Arnold Stebbins (1961-1962)
- Leonard William Rice (1962-1977)
- Gerald Leinwand (1977-1982)
- James Beaird (1982-1983)
- Richard S. Meyers (1983-1993)
- Bill Cowart (1994-1995)
- Betty J. Youngblood (1995-2002)
- Philip W. Conn (2002-2005)
- John P. Minahan (2005-2011)
- Mark Weiss (2011-2015)
- Rex Fuller (2015-2021)
- Jay Kenton (2021-2022)
- Jesse Peters (2022-current)