1977-1977 Neil D. Humphrey

Dr. Neil D. Humphrey was born on May 20, 1928 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In 1950 he attained his B.A. in Political Science from Idaho State College. He received his master’s degree in Government Management from the University of Denver and his Doctorate in Education from Brigham Young University.

Dr. Humphrey served for the State of Nevada as the State Budget Director, then Vice President of Finance (then Chancellor) of the University of Nevada System. On September 1977 Dr. Neil Humphrey became the 7th president of the University of Alaska succeeding Charles Ferguson. When Dr. Humphrey became President it was during a critical time in UA’s history. Several issues were going on that carried over from President Hiatt’s time as President, such as faulty payroll and accounting systems, lack of support from the Legislature, and an unorganized administration. In December 1977 President Humphrey resigned due to the financial and administrative problems of the University.

In 1978 Dr. Humphrey went to Youngstown State University as vice president of financial affairs. Dr. Neil D. Humphrey succeeded Dr. John J. Coffelt as President of Youngstown State University on June 1, 1984. At the time of his appointment, Humphrey had been serving YSU as Acting President while Coffelt was on sick leave (from which he never returned to the University). Dr. Humphrey completed his presidency in 1992.

President Humphrey retired to Reno, Nevada in 1992 and was succeeded by Dr. Leslie H. Cochran. The "Humphrey Room" in Kilcawley Center was named in his honor and dedicated in 1998.