A History of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education: The First 40 Years
by Frank C. Abbott

Prefatory note by David A. Longanecker, Executive Director of WICHE —

For more than half a century the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) has served the West well. Organized formally in 1951 as an intentional collaboration between state governments in the West, and launching an embryonic program of activities in 1953, WICHE has continuously and effectively served one mission: to expand access to high-quality higher education to the citizens of the West.

This history of the first 40 years of the organization, compiled and written by Dr. Frank Abbott, describes its origins and takes us from those early developmental years into its impressive growth and success under the leadership of Harold Enarson and Robert Kroepsch. It reports on the tumultuous and nearly devastating times at the end of the Kroepsch era, then describes the substantial accomplishments of Phil Sirotkin in restoring both focus and credibility to the organization in the late 1970s and 1980s.

This account helps those of us who know WICHE today to appreciate its long history of service to the West and, particularly, the unique contribution of each of its leaders. The West has changed dramatically during the past 50 years, and its system of higher education contributed mightily to that change. This history demonstrates how significant WICHE was in that evolution. It truly has been a remarkable 50 years.

No one could have captured WICHE’s contribution to the West better than Frank Abbott, for no one knew the organization or the people involved better than he did. A long-time friend and still-valued colleague at WICHE, Frank lived this history. And as a historian he has been able to capture this story so accurately and interestingly. Thank you, Frank.

We are also indebted to Loren Wyss, who represented WICHE as an Oregon commissioner from 1984 to 1990 and served as commission chairman in 1989-90: he made publication of this history possible through a generous gift from the Wyss Foundation. Thank you, Loren.

May those of us who serve WICHE and the West learn from our predecessors, so that we might lead the organization equally well as we move into the future.