Abstract In 1947, Alexander G. Ruthven, president of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, contacted other Michigan state college presidents inviting them to meet, consider common problems, and confer about matters of statewide concern in public higher education. In 1952, the Council was formally organized; the Chairmanship was to be rotated annually among the presidents, with the first being John A. Hannah of Michigan State College. Eugene B. Elliott of Michigan State Normal College was the...