Dr. G.H. Vande Bogart served as the first President beginning his first term in the spring of 1929 before the college opened that fall. He served until 1950. He came to Havre from Hibbing, Minnesota with his wife and two daughters. His doctorate degree was in chemistry and he taught chemistry courses at the college in addition to his duties as President until the pressure of this office forced discontinuance of his teaching time. His was the task of establishing the college and carrying it through the difficult depression and war years. Mrs. Vande Bogart (Ruth) was instrumental in founding the Northern Branch of University Women and was active in church and community affairs.