Former University President Hamm recalls career

Cardboard moving boxes clutter the walking space of Dr. George Hamm’s south Tyler home.

A collection of Delft Blue plates keeps Dr. Hamm focused on the packing process. Since Hamm recently put his house up for sale, there are many things he must sort and wrap up.

He and his wife moved into the house in 1981 when he accepted the job as president of The University of Texas at Tyler. Hamm warmly welcomes student reporters into his home and leads them through his house and out the back door by his pool. “I’ve only been in this pool twice. I hate cleaning it.” Hamm said.

Former University President Dr. George Hamm with his wife, Janie, are enjoying a slower pace. Photo by Ryan Pinkham.

Past the pool is a small building separate from the house Hamm uses as his office. It is here Hamm begins to reflect on his 17 years as the University’s second president and the series of events that lead him there.

Born in Rapid City, S.D., he attended South Dakota State University. After earning a bachelor’s degree, Hamm joined the U.S. Army, spending 16 months leading infantry in Korea.

After his time in the military, Hamm earned his graduate degree in experimental psychology from the University of Wyoming. Hamm met Janie, his wife of nearly 52 years, during his time in Wyoming.

The couple remained in Wyoming while Hamm earned his doctoral degree. He worked as assistant dean at the University until accepting a position as dean of students at Arizona State University. He was later promoted to vice president of student affairs.

Hamm said he believes at 33 he might have been the youngest college administrator in the country at the time.

“I would go to national administrator conventions and everyone around me was in their 60s and I was 33.” Hamm said.

After spending 20 years at Arizona State, Hamm said he received a letter from officials at The University of Texas at Tyler asking him to interview for the position of University president.

He and his wife flew out to Tyler in early 1981 for an interview. Upon arrival, he learned what former President James Stewart already had accomplished with the young college.

Stewart initially set up the University as an upper level four-year university. The University had already been in its current location for 10 years when Hamm arrived.

“I saw all the things I was dreaming about (in UT Tyler). It is a beautiful university.” Hamm said. Hamm began his presidency in August of 1981 with an initial objective to raise student enrollment.

Dr. George Hamm recalls the early days at the University and the steps he and others took to help make it a destination campus. Photo by Ryan Pinkham.

During his first semester, student enrollment tallied 1, 845. By his first spring semester, student enrollment grew to 2,344. With student population up, Hamm said it became necessary to create student housing on campus. He said he oversaw construction of University Pines student apartments, which are privately owned, but regulated by the University.

He said the University funded the construction with help from Houston investors. Hamm said he believes he was the first in the UT system to build on-campus housing with money from investors.

Hamm said he found satisfaction in helping develop a Distinguished Lecture Series, which brought many people to speak at the University including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Congressman Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, author William Buckley, and theoretical physicist Edward Teller.

“It feels good to have accomplished something,” he said. Hamm retired after serving 17 years as the University’s president.

For five years after his presidency, Hamm said he served as head of the University of Texas Foundation, which assists in funding the universities of the UT system.

Since his retirement, Hamm says he serves on national boards, including one with diplomatic ties to the Ukraine. Hamm seems to enjoy the slower pace of retirement.

Hamm said he enjoys spending time with his wife and traveling. He is upbeat about the process of downsizing to smaller house in town. “We’ll enjoy a smaller house,” he said.