Charles Odegaard
Encyclopedia
Charles Edwin Odegaard was the 19th president
of the University of Washington
from 1958–1973. Odegaard is credited in transforming the University of Washington from an average state university to one among the top public universities in the United States
.
to Charles Alfred and Mary Cord Odegaard. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Norway
in 1880. The son of the president of a machine tools company, Odegaard grew up on the north side of Chicago. While neither parent had finished high school, they encouraged Odegaard's scholastic study and had an extensive library. In his autobiography, he says this family environment "preconditioned me for history as a discipline". Odegaard graduated from Dartmouth College
in 1932 and received his Master's degree
and Ph.D
from Harvard University
in 1933 and 1937, respectively.
, and then took a leave of absence to serve in the Navy
during World War II
, earning the rank of Lieutenant Commander
. Odegaard returned to academia, eventually becoming the Dean
of Arts and Sciences at the University of Michigan
.
In 1958, Odegaard accepted the presidency of the University of Washington and quickly made changes to remedy perceived complacency in the university's administration. After six years, only three of the original fifteen deans on board remained when Odegaard arrived. The university witnessed tremendous growth during Odegaard's tenure with the student population growing from 16,000 to 34,000, 35 new buildings (doubling the square footage of the university), increased investment in the medical school
, instituted a vision of building a "community of scholars", and oversaw the growth of the operating budget from $37 million USD in 1958 to over $400 million USD in 1973.
On the day of his retirement, 5,000 students crowded into Red Square
, the central meeting place of the university, and presented him with a shirt that said, “L'université c'est moi," which means "the University is me" which he quickly dismissed and retorted, “This thing on my back just isn't true—the University is us.”
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
from 1958–1973. Odegaard is credited in transforming the University of Washington from an average state university to one among the top public universities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Background
Odegaard was born in 1911 in Chicago Heights, IllinoisChicago Heights, Illinois
Chicago Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 31,373 at the 2005 census. Chicago Heights is nicknamed 'Crossroads of the Nation'.-History:...
to Charles Alfred and Mary Cord Odegaard. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
in 1880. The son of the president of a machine tools company, Odegaard grew up on the north side of Chicago. While neither parent had finished high school, they encouraged Odegaard's scholastic study and had an extensive library. In his autobiography, he says this family environment "preconditioned me for history as a discipline". Odegaard graduated from Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
in 1932 and received his Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and Ph.D
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1933 and 1937, respectively.
Career
Odegaard taught history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, and then took a leave of absence to serve in the Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, earning the rank of Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
. Odegaard returned to academia, eventually becoming the Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of Arts and Sciences at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
.
In 1958, Odegaard accepted the presidency of the University of Washington and quickly made changes to remedy perceived complacency in the university's administration. After six years, only three of the original fifteen deans on board remained when Odegaard arrived. The university witnessed tremendous growth during Odegaard's tenure with the student population growing from 16,000 to 34,000, 35 new buildings (doubling the square footage of the university), increased investment in the medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
, instituted a vision of building a "community of scholars", and oversaw the growth of the operating budget from $37 million USD in 1958 to over $400 million USD in 1973.
On the day of his retirement, 5,000 students crowded into Red Square
Red Square (University of Washington)
Red Square, officially Central Plaza, is a large open square on the campus of the University of Washington that serves as a hub for two of the University's major axes, connecting the campus's northern Liberal Arts Quadrangle with the science and engineering buildings found on the lower campus...
, the central meeting place of the university, and presented him with a shirt that said, “L'université c'est moi," which means "the University is me" which he quickly dismissed and retorted, “This thing on my back just isn't true—the University is us.”
Death
Odegaard died in his sleep of heart failure on November 14, 1999 after several years of failing health. He was 88 years old.Legacy
The Odegaard Undergraduate Library (OUGL), the undergraduate library at UW is named in his honor.External links
- UW Alumni Magazine profile
- The Extracurricular Clout of Power College Presidents. Time magazine, November 5, 1965
- Iron Man at Washington. Time magazine, November 17, 1958