Walter Williams is a man who is known throughout the world. He is best known for his creation of the first School of Journalism in 1908. He served as the Dean of the School until 1930. During this time, he was able to cultivate relationships with Journalism programs around the world including those in China and Europe. He was named President of the University in 1930 and served until 1934, when he retired for health reasons.

Williams's life story is an interesting one. He was born and raised in Boonville, Missouri. From his earliest childhood, he wanted to be a printer of newspapers. Until the age of 12, he refused to write any of his homework, preferring to print everything. He attended school until the age of 13, because that was the highest grade that the school offered. He never attended high school or college. After finishing his education, he gained employment at a local newspaper as a printer. At 18 he was the editor.

Williams's love of Journalism was unquenchable. He always carried a blunt pair of scissors in his breast pocket in case he discovered a particularly good article that he wanted to clip. On the day of his wedding, he was still carrying these scissors. During the ceremony, when the minister asked for him to present the ring, he pulled out the scissors instead. This incident caused Williams to always carry the scissors in his left breast pocket and to avoid all future confusion, no other items were ever put in this pocket.

Walter Williams died in 1935 and that same year the new Journalism building was named in his honor. His national fame was recognized in 1943 when the US Merchant Vessel Liberty Ship was named the Walter Williams.

Frederick Middlebush joined the University in 1922 as an Associate Professor of Political Science. In just three years he was named Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration. He became President of the University in 1935. During his tenure, he helped oversee the expansion of the University, including seven new dormitories and the completion of Memorial Union. His tenure as President ended in 1954, the longest tenure in the University's history. Although he was no longer President, he remained with the University as Professor Emeritus of Political Science until 1960, when he retired.

During his time as President, Middlebush enjoyed a simple activity that helped him relax. While he resided in the President's House, Mr. and Mrs. Middlebush kept a ping-pong table in the attic. After particularly long and stressful days, the Middlebushes liked to retire to the attic for some sporting competition.

Charles F. Galt painted the portrait of Middlebush and the Portrait Committee of the Board of Curators presented it to the University in 1954. It is currently located in the University Archives. Middlebush's memory was honored with the renaming of the Business and Public Administration Building as Middlebush Hall in 1971.

Elmer Ellis joined the faculty of the University in 1930 as an Assistant Professor of History. He served as an assistant until 1940 when he was named Professor of History. In 1945, Ellis became the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He served as the Dean for ten years, until he was appointed acting President of the University in 1955. Originally, he would only accept the position of President as a temporary appointment until another person could be found. Gradually his mind changed, and after seven months, he formally accepted the Presidency of the University. For a man who originally did not want the job, Ellis's tenure had a profound effect upon the University. He is given much credit for the most rapid expansion in size, enrollment, academic scope, and national prestige in the University's history.

Elmer Ellis was from North Dakota where he starred in both basketball and baseball in high school. Nationally he is known for his biography of the creator of the Political Satire Cartoon "Mr. Dooley." The University honored his contributions when it renamed its library in 1971, Elmer Ellis Library. Ellis protested naming a building after a man who was still alive.

There are two Elmer Ellis portraits located in Ellis library. This painting is prominently on display just inside of the Lowry Mall Entrance. Former St. Louis Cardinal's baseball player Curt Flood painted this portrait and the Alumni Association donated it to the University in 1971.