With the inauguration of Roger J. Best, Ph.D., as president of the University of Central Missouri, UCM’s legacy of leadership is comprised of 16 individuals who served the institution throughout its nearly 150-year history. Each president helped guide UCM through many challenges and opportunities that contributed to a campus environment dedicated to producing well-prepared graduates who are ready to serve their communities, state, nation and beyond. They came to the university with diverse experiences and their work shaped the institution from its humble beginnings as the State Normal School for the Second Normal District to a thriving comprehensive university that today serves students from all over the world.
George P. Beard
1871-1872
James Johonnot
1872-1875
George L. Osborne
1875-1898
George H. Howe
1898-1901
Edwin B. Craighead
1901-1904
James E. Ament
1904-1906
William J. Hawkins
1906-1915
Eldo L. Hendricks
1915-1937
George W. Diemer
1937-1956
Warren C. Lovinger
1956-1979
James M. Horner
1979-1985
Ed. M. Elliott
1985-1999
Bobby R. Patton
1999-2005
Aaron M. Podolefsky
2005-2010
Charles M. Ambrose
2010-2018
Roger J. Best
2018-Present