Oscar Craig

Prior to graduating from DePauw University in 1884, Craig served in the position of Superintendent of City Schools in Sullivan, Indiana for a few years.

He served in the 1st Regiment of the Indiana Heavy Artillery during the American Civil War as a private to Captain George W. Branson from August 13, 1864 to July 22, 1865.

Craig taught political science and history courses at Purdue University for roughly a decade before going to Montana in 1895.

Prior to the arrival of Oscar Craig, the University of Montana consisted of a single building that was built in 1881 and it remained that way until 1895.

He created the Schools of Engineering and Pharmacy, the departments of History, Education, English, Literature, Vocal Expression, Chemistry, Mathematics, Latin and Greek, Modern Languages, Physics and Geology, Biology, Music, and Drawing.

[2] Craig did a majority of the work in the early years of managing the university, not only through hiring more faculty but also by teaching courses in history, philosophy, literature, political science, and psychology.

Not only did Craig work with the University, but he also became the chairman of committees intended to prepare curricula for grade and high schools.

Perhaps the most lasting landmark that Craig created during his time as president was The Oval, as it is seen as a common symbol of the university today.