J. Lawrence Walkup, 11th President
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Eugene M. Hughes, 12th President
NAU.ARC.1979.3.18
Clara M. Lovett, 13th President
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Owen F. Cargol, 14th President
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John D. Haeger, 15th President
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Rita Cheng, 16th President
Photo courtesy of NAU Office of the President
NAU Presidents
Northern Arizona University's presidents have faced a variety of challenges since 1966, including student protests, job market instability, fast-changing technologies, and expanding global markets. They have dealt with the increased costs of running the university while at the same time dealing with regular state budget cuts. They have worked to increase diversity on campus, making NAU one of the strongest schools for Native Americans and Latino/as to attend. Each President confronted challenges in their respective tenures and faced them with an eye towards the future. Their leadership brought NAU to where it is today.
J. Lawrence Walkup, 11th President
December 21, 1957 to June 30, 1979
President Walkup focused on expansion of the university during his tenure. He added 49 buildings to the campus, increased program offerings and enrollment, and worked to be innovative in the changing face of education and student culture.
- 1966 - Arizona State College at Flagstaff became Northern Arizona University.
- 1971 - South Academic Center dedicated. President Walkup conceptualized it as a self-contained, separate, interdisciplinary entity to keep the feeling of a small university.
- 1977 - Completion of the Ensphere. NAU officials later renamed the structure the Walkup Skydome, to honor President Walkup's years of service to the university.
Eugene M. Hughes, 12th President
July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1993
President Hughes managed extreme state budget cuts throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but he worked diligently to turn the hospitality program into a nationally recognized school, expanded other academic programs, and increased student enrollment.
- 1983 - The Natatorium, a state-of-the-art pool facility, opened. The facility was renamed the Wall Aquatic Center in 1996; NAU demolished it in 2016 to make way for the outdoor tennis courts of the North Campus Athletic and Recreation Complex.
- 1984 - The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management was founded.
- 1992 - President Hughes proposed the "Right-Sizing" plan, which would have eliminated 19 programs of study in an attempt to manage budget cuts. The plan was rescinded after strong protest from students and faculty.
Clara M. Lovett, 13th President
February 28, 1994 to June 30, 2001
While serving as NAU's first woman president, Clara Lovett worked to strengthen NAU's state and national reputation. She developed partnerships between NAU and the city of Flagstaff and focused on Native American education and issues. President Lovett spearheaded an ambitious fundraising campaign to combat state budget cuts.
- 1995 - President Lovett held a campus-wide roundtable to elicit feedback from faculty and students to determine NAU's goals.
- 1999 - She led the 100th anniversary celebration of the institution.
- 1999 - President Lovett created the New Century Campaign, NAU's first major capital campaign to raise funds for the university.
Owen F. Cargol, 14th President
August 7, 2001 to November 10, 2001
During his brief tenure, President Cargol strived to increase communication across campus. He created advisory groups to discuss campus issues, and addressed student fears after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He was a visible and accessible president, who showed up to many campus events.
- August 2001 - Owen Cargol appointed president by the Arizona Board of Regents despite protests by the Faculty Senate.
- September 11, 2001 - President Cargol created campus outlets for grief in response to the terrorist attacks.
John D. Haeger, 15th President
November 12, 2001 to August 14, 2014
President Haeger faced the aftermath of September 11th and the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Despite these challenges, he was instrumental in working with the City of Flagstaff to build the High Country Conference Center, a premium event space.
- 2007 - The Applied Research and Development building opened as one of the three greenest buildings in the world. This was the first building in Arizona to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification.
- 2008 - The High Country Conference Center grand opening. NAU, Flagstaff officials, and a private corporation worked to make the conference center a reality.
Rita Cheng, 16th President
August 15, 2014 to Present
President Cheng is committed to student success, nationally recognized research excellence, increase campus diversity, and providing additional educational opportunities for Native Americans. Enrollment has consistently increased during her tenure.
