The list below represents a list of all the principals and presidents of SUNY Oswego, in chronological order.
If there is no link below a name, it doesn't mean we don't have any of their papers. Please contact us if you'd like to know if we have papers not listed below!
Key:
An icon representing a file, with lines displayed means that the collection is physical, not digital. Links to these collections will take you to a finding aid. Finding aids explain what's in a collection and how it's organized.
A box icon with an arrow pointing to the upper right means that the collection is digital. Links to these collections will allow you to view the collection online.
Edward Austin Sheldon, founder and 1st president
- Led the school from 1861 - 1897.
Isaac B. Poucher, principal and 2nd president
- Led the school from 1897 - 1913.
- Papers span 1866 - 1961.Physical collection only
James C. Riggs, 3rd president
- Led the school from 1913 - 1933.
- Papers span 1915 - 1936.Physical collection only
Ralph Waldo Swetman, 4th president
- Led the school from 1933 - 1947.
- Swetman became ill in 1946; Thomas R. Miller served as acting president until Swetman official retired in 1947.
Harvey M. Rice, 5th president
- Led the school from 1947 - 1951.
- Papers span 1947 - 1958.Physical collection only
Thomas R. Miller, acting president
- Led the school from December 1951 to August 1952.
Foster S. Brown, 6th president
- Led the school from 1952 - 1963.
- Papers span 1952 - 1963.Physical collection only
Charles S. Turner, interim president
- Led the school from 1963 - 1965.
- Papers span 1948 - 1984.Physical collection only
James E. Perdue, 7th president
- Led the school from 1965 - 1977.
- Papers span 1963 - 1991.Physical collection only
- J. Sherwood Dunham was acting president from January through August 1972, while Perdue took a short leave to study higher education.
Virginia Radley, 8th president
- Led the school from 1977 - 1988.
- Papers span 1973 - 1997.Physical collection only
Ralph L. Spencer, acting president
- Led the school from March 1988 through August 1988.
Stephen L. Weber, 9th president
- Led the school from 1988 - 1995.
- Papers span 1988 - 1996.Physical collection only
- Videorecording of Pres. Weber's inauguration.Digital collection
Deborah F. Stanley, 10th president
- Led the school from 1995 - 2021.
- Videorecording of Pres. Stanley's inauguration.Digital collection
Mary C. Toale, interim officer-in-charge
- Led the school from 2021 - 2023.
Peter O. Nwosu, 11th president
- Led the school from 2023 - present.