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5-storied neoclassical brick building with a cupola. A fence is in the foreground.

Thomas Milton Gatch

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Written by Eleanor Smith, Class of 2026

Thomas Milton Gatch is one of the university’s most beloved presidents, serving two non-consecutive terms from 1860-1865 and 1870-1879. Gatch was born in Cincinnati on January 28, 1833. He went to college at Ohio Wesleyan University where he received his bachelor’s in 1855 and then his master’s. He had a thirst for education and adventure, never fully letting himself settle for just one thing. When he studied theology at Lane Theological Seminary he left after few months, ultimately deciding against joining the Christian ministry.1 In his early twenties, he left his hometown for California in 1856.2 He worked as a miner until he decided to switch paths to one he had passion for, teaching.3 He accepted the chair of mathematics and natural science at the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara. By 1859, he had worked as the principal for public schools in Santa Cruz and as the head of the Puget Sound Wesleyan Institute. A year later, he came to Willamette to work as a professor.4 

When Gatch arrived at Willamette to teach ancient languages and moral science, it was the same year that Willamette’s first president Francis Hoyt resigned. Gatch was instantly nominated and unanimously voted to be the president by the board.5 He quickly became well-liked as soon as he entered his position as president. Since the role of the president focused more on teaching and less on administration, he spent a lot of time on campus working with students. One student recalls how “the new president…was very energetic and was a decided favorite with the students. Although insisting upon a rather rigid discipline, and a high grade of scholarship, he was blessed with the relieving sense of humor…”6 He also took the time to get to know the students. Another student recalls how “…he guided me into the right path when I was standing on dangerous ground.” During his time as president, the school filled up with more students than usual, and he taught a large number of classes.7 There were also plans to expand the university by opening a school for training physicians, which started teaching courses in the newly built University Hall in 1867.8 Once satisfied with the improvements and work he put into the school, he was ready for his next adventure. 

By January 1863, Gatch was itching to move on. He attempted to resign but was convinced by the board to stay. He wrote, “…let me express the hope that the confidence reposed in me has not been entirely misplaced. With the assurance that I earnestly desire the prosperity of the university, I subscribe myself.”9 He stayed for two more years until ultimately deciding that it was time to leave.10 The Oregon Statesman writes, “He is an able and eminently successful teacher, and it will be hard to fill his place.”11 Gatch spent a year back at Santa Cruz as a principal and returned to Oregon in 1866 to become the head of Portland Academy.12 

Conditions at Willamette had deteriorated during his absence. Due to his enduring popularity, Gatch was once again offered the Willamette presidency in 1870. During his second term, he was also elected mayor of Salem in 1877 and 1879.13 He worked to bring in additional resources, including in-kind donations such as books for the library and an organ for chapel services.14 Despite the improvement that Gatch brought to the university, Willamette’s financial burdens remained a major concern. The Board was struggling to deal with its debt and considered giving the school to Gatch for him to run as a private school.15 The faculty were not pleased with the way things were going. One professor writes that a “very considerable amount of their salary” had not been paid for the last year.16 These financial issues led to Gatch’s decision to resign in 1879, with the entire faculty. The Board was unwilling to let him go yet again, but eventually accepted his resignation. The newspapers reflected the distraught caused by Gatch’s resignation, with the Willamette Farmer stating that “the directors of the Willamette University have brought the wrath of the people upon their heads by constant quibbling resulting in the entire faculty of the institution resigning…. Prof. Gatch has acted as president of the university for nine years, and under his supervision was more successful than since its organization.”17 Although people were upset to see him leave, Gatch would continue with his busy career.

His time at Willamette opened doors to more opportunities around the Pacific Northwest. Upon leaving Willamette, he taught English and history at the University of Oregon until 1881.18 He then became the head of Wasco Academy at the Dalles until 1886. A year later he was elected president of the territorial university of Washington, later called the University of Washington. In 1898, he became the president of Oregon State College. He taught mental and moral science and continued working at the college until his retirement in 1907.19 

Endnotes

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  1. ˆ J. F. Santee, “Thomas Milton Gatch, Educator,” Oregon Historical Quarterly 32, no. 2 (1931): 114.
  2. ˆ Robert Moulton Gatke, Chronicles of Willamette (Portland, Or: Binfords & Mort, 1943), 212.
  3. ˆ H.K Hines, an illustrated history of the State of Washington (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1893), 850.
  4. ˆ Hines, an illustrated history, 850. 
  5. ˆ Gustavus Hines, Oregon and its institutions comprising a full history of the Willamette University (New York: Carleton & Porter, 1868), 234. 
  6. ˆ Gatke, Chronicles of Willamette, 277.
  7. ˆ Hines, Oregon and its institutions, 236.
  8. ˆ Catalogue of the Wallamet University, Salem, Oregon, for the Academic Year 1866-7, (Salem: Willamette University, 1866), 3. 
  9. ˆ Hines, Oregon and its institutions, 237.
  10. ˆ Gatke, Chronicles of Willamette, 250.
  11. ˆ Oregon Statesman July 24th, 1865.
  12. ˆ J. F. Santee, “Thomas Milton Gatch, Educator,” 118.
  13. ˆ Hines, an illustrated history, 850.
  14. ˆ “From Daily of Sunday,” Weekly Oregon Statesman, August 13th, 1872.
  15. ˆ Gatke, Chronicles of Willamette, 309.
  16. ˆ George H. Collier to C.B. Moores. Salem. July 16, 1879.
  17. ˆ “University Muddle,” Willamette Farmer, July 18, 1879.
  18. ˆ “The Retiring Chief,” the Seattle post-intelligencer, May 4, 1895.
  19. ˆ Gatke, Chronicles of Willamette, 213.

Works Referenced

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Image Citations

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  • “Thomas Milton Gatch, President of Willamette University, 1860-1865 and 1870-1879.” Willamette University Digital Collections. https://hdl.handle.net/10177/40688
  • “University Hall – the campus was once enclosed by a fence to prevent farm animals from wandering about.” Willamette University Digital Collections,. https://hdl.handle.net/10177/25351

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