President Hale

Horace M. Hale was the President of the University of Colorado from 1887 to 1892.

When Horace Hale became president, he believed his major responsibility was to build public support for the University. A former regent, Hale cajoled legislators into visiting the campus and lobbied to increase state funding.

Hale also began to develop the campus, planting 700 trees, building sidewalks through the mud and constructing more buildings. A dam was built in the ravine between the President’s House and Old Main, forming what is now called Varsity Lake.

During Hale’s five-year term, 23 degrees were conferred and the student population increased enough that afternoon classes were instituted. Tuition was free to Coloradans and expenses were around $200 a year. Baseball and football teams were formed, with the football team losing its first home game to Mines, 103-0. There were many faculty additions, and a full-time librarian was hired.

The fledgling University grew under President Hale, as did its credibility around the state.

Upon  his resignation, the Hale Scientific Building, which was under construction at the time, was named in his honor.

Read more about President Hale and the early history of the University of Colorado in Glory Colorado! Volume 1, by William E. Davis.