Photo credit:
Civil War Photographic Collection, Library of Congress

Samuel Regester (1818-1881), a Methodist minister and graduate of St. John's College, was president from 1869 to 1873. As president, he eliminated the Bachelor of Science degree and exercised rigid religious discipline. He maintained enrollment at approximately 100 students and paid off former president Franklin Buchanan's debt.

A high rate of expulsions and drop-outs, however, characterized his tenure. His religiosity and elimination of much of the technical farm training led the trustees to request his resignation.

Samuel Jones, President, 1873-1875