Michigan State University presidents through history (original) (raw)

Updated May 27, 2026, 11:27 a.m. ET

Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz announced his departure from MSU on Wednesday after a little more than two years in the post. MSU has had 21 presidents, and four who held interim or acting titles, from 1857:

• Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. (March 2024–present)
• Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. (2022–2024, interim)
• Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. (2019–2022)
• Satish Udpa (2019, acting)
• John Engler (2018–2019, interim)
• Lou Anna K. Simon (2005–2018)
• M. Peter McPherson (1993–2004)
• Gordon Guyer (1992–1993, interim)
• John DiBiaggio (1985–1992)
• Cecil Mackey (1979–1985)
• Edgar L. Harden (1978–1979)
• Clifton R. Wharton Jr. (1970–1978)
• Walter Adams (1969–1970)
• John A. Hannah (1941–1969)
• Robert S. Shaw (1928–1941)
• Kenyon L. Butterfield (1924–1928)
• David Friday (1921–1923)
• Frank S. Kedzie (1915–1921)
• Jonathan L. Snyder (1896–1915)
• Lewis B. Gorton (1893–1895)
• Oscar Clute (1889–1893)
• Edwin Willits (1885–1889)
• Theophilus C. Abbot (1862–1885)
• Lewis R. Fisk (1859–1862)
• Joseph R. Williams (1857–1859)