Previous Chancellors

Founded in 1864 as the Colorado Seminary, the University of Denver has been shaped by a distinguished group of visionary leaders. Since 1880, the University has been directed by a chancellor working in conjunction with a board of trustees, as well as faculty, staff and alumni. Our previous chancellors include:

David Hastings Moore
October 1880-June 1889

William Fraser McDowell
1890-June 1899

Henry Augustus Buchtel
December 1899-September 1920

Heber Reece Harper
November 1922-January 1927

Frederick Maurice Hunter
July 1928-September 1935

David Shaw Duncan
September 1935-March 1941

Caleb Frank Gates
March 1941-November 1943
February 1946-August 1947

Ben Mark Cherrington
November 1943-February 1946

James F. Price
April-October 1948

Alfred Clarence Nelson, interim
October 1948-November 1949

Albert Charles Jacobs
November 1949-March 1953

Chester M. Alter
August 1953-July 1966

Maurice Bernard Mitchell
September 1967-March 1978

Ross Pritchard
October 1978-January 1984

Dwight Morrell Smith
January 1984-July 1989

Daniel L. Ritchie
July 1989-June 2005

Note: Gaps in the chronology reflect periods when the University was led by an acting chancellor.