Eleven presidents have led Carleton through its first 150 years.
James Woodward Strong
Term: 1870–1903
Previous position: rector of Plymouth Congregational Church in Faribault
After Carleton: retired in Northfield
Known for: his serious demeanor
In brief: led the college through its infancy and secured the funding necessary to ensure its survival, including the fateful $50,000 gift from William Carleton
William Henry Sallmon
Term: 1903–1908
Previous position: rector of South Congregational Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut
After Carleton: helped develop the avocado industry in California
Known for: friction with senior faculty
In brief: tried to modernize the college by raising academic standards and somewhat deemphasizing the atmosphere of religious piety, but resistance from some quarters made his presidency contentious and short
Donald J. Cowling
Term: 1909–1945
Previous position: professor of philosophy at Baker University in Kansas
After Carleton: retired in the Twin Cities
Known for: having more degrees from Yale (BA, MA, BD, PhD) than any other living person at the time
In brief: pursued ambitious campus building projects (not all of which were realized), developed Cowling Arboretum, and traveled extensively to raise money for the college
Laurence McKinley Gould
Term: 1945–1962
Previous position: professor of geology at Carleton
After Carleton: professor of geology at the University of Arizona
Known for: Antarctic research and wearing bright red ties
In brief: dramatically increased Carleton’s national prominence, expanded the campus and the student body, increased admissions selectivity, and promoted the astute hiring of young faculty members
John W. Nason ’26
Term: 1962–1970
Previous position: president of the Foreign Policy Association, president of Swarthmore College
After Carleton: retired to the Adirondacks in New York
Known for: being a Rhodes Scholar and the first alumnus to serve as president
In brief: increased recruitment of minority students, introduced a program in Asian studies, and restructured college governance, which resulted in the creation of the College Council
Howard R. Swearer
Term: 1970–1977
Previous position: international affairs expert at the Ford Foundation
After Carleton: president of Brown University
Known for: being the first president to live in Nutting House (donated to the college in 1970)
In brief: saw the first student Bubble Brigade at his inauguration, introduced a six-week winter break to the academic calendar, and launched a $19 million capital campaign
Robert Edwards
Term: 1977–1986
Previous position: head of the Middle East and Africa office at the Ford Foundation
After Carleton: head of the department of health, education, and housing in Pakistan
Known for: his eloquent speaking skills
In brief: led an overhaul of the admissions process and oversaw the creation of the predecessor to today’s popular environmental studies program and Acting in the Community Together, which coordinates student volunteer opportunities
David Porter
Term: 1986–1987
Previous position: professor of classical languages and music at Carleton
After Carleton: president of Skidmore College
Known for: his talent for puns
In brief: appointed as an interim to bridge the gap between President Robert Edwards and President Stephen Lewis, the trustees retroactively removed “interim” from his title and declared him Carleton’s eighth president
Stephen R. Lewis Jr.
Term: 1987–2002
Previous position: professor of economics at Williams College and economic consultant to the government of Botswana
After Carleton: retired to Minneapolis and worked with the president of Botswana on his memoirs
Known for: participating fully in student life, including dressing in elaborate costumes for the Halloween Concert, reading bedtime stories to students during finals week, and participating in numerous pranks
In brief: created a strong culture of alumni stewardship, fostered alumni ownership of the annual fund, strengthened the alumni volunteer network, and oversaw several campus construction projects and a successful $158.5 million campaign
Robert A. Oden Jr.
Term: 2002–2010
Previous position: president of Kenyon College
After Carleton: retired in Hanover, New Hampshire
Known for: teaching students fly-fishing in the Cannon River
In brief: oversaw a systematic curriculum review that resulted in revised graduation requirements, pledged Carleton to become carbon-neutral by 2050, and led a successful $300 million campaign, which included building the Weitz Center for Creativity
Steven Poskanzer
Term: 2010–
Previous position: president of the State University of New York at New Paltz
Known for: playing goalie on a student broomball team and teaching courses on law as it pertains to higher education
In brief: led a comprehensive strategic planning process, established an ongoing initiative to evaluate and improve campus community and discourse, and is overseeing numerous campus building and restoration projects