Arthur S. Flemming

His appointment came with some controversy from farmers after some protest over Flemming's quarantine of cranberries in 1959 and restrictions on poultry and dairy products. The controversy didn't stop with his appointment, though. During his years as university president, Flemming allowed Gus Hall, U.S. communist party leader to speak on campus, citing freedom of speech. Letters appearing in the Register-Guard criticizing Flemming appeared, calling him a closet communist, among other unflattering names. But even before he officially took office in July, 1961, he was generating debate. Flemming stated in April of that year that a university "should not slam the door" on students capable of studies at the university level. In 1963, Flemming faced three days of questioning from the Senate Stockpile Investigations Subcommittee over actions he performed as President Eisenhower's defense mobilizer. He continued to face questioning from the subcommittee, once even offering to take leave for several months from his duties at the university to re-familiarize himself with government records so he could better answer questions concerning profits made from government contracts for copper.

President Flemming left the U of O in 1968.

Arthur Flemming was born in Kingston, NY on June 12, 1905. He died September 7, 1996 in Alexandria, VA.