President Rautenstraus served from 1974 to 1980.

A casual, but strong leader, Roland Rautenstraus is credited with attracting research money to CU and insisting on fiscal responsibility.

Rautenstraus was another “Old CU” and the third alumnus to serve as President (CE ’46, MS ’49). In 1956 at 31, he became the youngest full-tenured professor. From teaching he made his way up through administrative positions. In 1964, Rautenstraus was responsible for planning, opening, and staffing the Denver and Colorado Springs extension centers. The selection of Rautenstraus as president was supported by a long list of achievements.

Rautenstraus was considered pragmatic and sincere. He was admired for his great interest in people, and worked to improve relations with alumni. His casual approach paralleled his nickname “Raut”.

Rautenstraus supported a campaign which brought CU research grants. By 1979 the University was a leading research institution.

In 1980, Rautenstraus resigned from the pressures of the presidency to return to teaching engineering.