George W. Starcher served in a number of university posts before his appointment as the seventh president of the University of North Dakota in 1954. He graduated from Ohio University in 1926 and received his A.M. in 1927 and Ph.D. in 1930 in mathematics from the University of Illinois. It was Ohio University that offered Starcher extensive experience in university administration. There he attained the rank of Professor of Mathematics and served as acting Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School (1943-1945), Dean of the University College, Freshman Division (1946-1951), and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1951-1954), and was also a Fellow in Human Relations at Harvard (1945-1946).
Starcher's inauguration speech, "The Responsibilities of the University," outlined his broad vision:
"The mission of the University is to prepare men and women for life in a changing dynamic society. We would fail if we should concern ourselves solely with turning out men and women prepared to fit neatly into the grooves of an established society...Leadership is something that is required at all levels-not the dramatic heroic leadership demanded in a crisis, but the civilized leadership of many people working together as equals in peaceful collaboration for a common purpose."
Although Starcher responded vigorously to campus construction needs, the essence of his 17 year tenure focused on enhancing the academic stature of UND and instituting administrative reform. He encouraged graduate and faculty research activities and improved faculty compensation. He enacted a faculty tenure policy in 1964 and honored distinguished faculty with the rank of University Professor. A freshmen advisement program was established through a new University College in 1955 and an Honors Program began in 1961.
In striving towards a decentralized administration, Starcher appointed Thomas Clifford, Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, as Vice President for Finance in 1959 and created two other new administrative positions, VP for Academic Affairs in 1962 and VP for Student Affairs in 1967. The Division of Nursing became the College of Nursing in 1959, the New School of Behavioral Studies in Education was created in 1968, and humanities, computer science, and aviation programs were introduced.
Starcher strengthened the intellectual life of the campus. He revived the North Dakota Quarterly in 1956 and established a faculty lecture series. He pressed for increased student scholarships, funded by both public and private monies, including gifts from Chester Fritz and Maxwell Upson. The first grant of federal monies came in 1957 when UND sponsored a summer science institute for high school teachers. This was followed by funding from 1960s "Great Society" programs. Starcher also cultivated alumni donations. The Robert D. Campbell Foundation was established in 1955 "to promote the best interests" of UND. Chester Fritz donated one million dollars in 1958 and in 1965 to build a library dedicated in 1961 and an auditorium completed in 1972.
President Starcher was well regarded by both the public and faculty and students. He encouraged student participation on University committees and in 1970 ten students were seated on University Senate. Although challenged by 25 faculty referred to as "Young Turks" in 1965 to institute faster reforms, Starcher's leadership was recognized nationally when he served as President of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, 1964-1965. The prestigious Alexander Meiklejohn Award of the American Association of University Professors in 1969 again honored Starcher for his leadership and outstanding contributions to academic freedom, a principle that permitted the appearance of Gus Hall in 1968 and Vietnam War protests. These never became disruptive as on other campuses.
President Starcher retired in 1971 leaving a greatly expanded institution. Enrollment and legislative appropriations tripled, endowments increased more than tenfold, and the physical plant quadrupled in value, for a total of 37 major construction projects, including several academic buildings, several dormitories, and the acquisition of Wesley College complex in 1965. Starcher modernized the University, academically, administratively, and physically.
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