biologist educator military officer university administrator university president
Ernest William Hartung was born on January 20, 1917, in New York City, the son of Ernest W. Hartung and Marie Drescher Hartung. He attended Jamaica High School in Jamaica, New York, before entering Dartmouth College. At Dartmouth he majored in biology and belonged to Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the German Club. He married Mary W. Dennen on June 17, 1944; they had three children, John W., Katharine D., and Ernest D. Hartung. He later married Laura Hartung.
Hartung attended Jamaica High School and then Dartmouth College, where he studied biology and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1938. He continued his education at Harvard University, earning a Master of Arts degree in 1940 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in zoology in 1942. His training in biology and zoology supported his subsequent work as a teacher, researcher, and academic administrator.
Hartung began his academic career as a teaching fellow at Harvard University and Radcliffe College from 1940 to 1942. During World War II he served in the United States Army Air Forces, advancing from second lieutenant to captain and leaving military service in 1945. He joined the University of Vermont in 1946 as an instructor and advanced to assistant professor by 1948. He also served as a visiting lecturer at Harvard in 1947 and as a summer assistant professor from 1948 to 1952. In 1948 Hartung joined the University of Rhode Island faculty as an assistant professor. He later became chairman of the Department of Zoology, serving from 1953 to 1960, and from 1960 to 1965 held the positions of dean of the Graduate School, coordinator of graduate research, and academic vice president and provost. He was also associated with the administration of the College of Arts and Sciences during this period. Hartung became the 12th president of the University of Idaho in August 1965 and served until June 30, 1977. His presidency included major campus construction, the expansion of student and cultural facilities, support for faculty governance and shared decision-making, and the development of university foundations and advancement programs. Buildings associated with this period included the ASUI-Kibbie Dome, Theophilus Tower, the Menard Law Building, and the performing arts facility later named Hartung Theater. He supported the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden and helped establish structures that developed into the University of Idaho Foundation, Faculty Council, Staff Affairs, New Student Services, and the Arboretum Associates. He also served in regional and national higher-education activities, including work connected with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Associated Western Universities, the American Council on Education, and land-grant university organizations. After leaving the presidency, Hartung became president emeritus and served as director of development and executive director of the University of Idaho Foundation through 1982. He retired from the University of Idaho in 1982 and returned to Rhode Island. He later volunteered as a docent at the Providence Zoo and remained associated with university and arboretum activities. He died in Lady Lake, Florida, on September 26, 2003.
Served as the 12th president of the University of Idaho from 1965 to 1977 and guided major campus construction and institutional development.
Advanced the development of the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Supported the creation of the university's performing arts center, later named Hartung Theater in his honor.
Facilitated early programs of faculty governance and shared governance at the University of Idaho.
Helped establish the University of Idaho Foundation and related advancement and scholarship programs.
Established the Ernest W. Hartung-ASUI Scholarship Endowment Fund for University of Idaho undergraduate students.
Received honorary doctorates from the University of Rhode Island, the College of Idaho, and the University of Idaho.
Hartung was affiliated with Unitarianism.
Hartung served as a trustee of the Knox School from 1949 to 1953 and belonged to the Rhode Island Heart Association, American Society of Zoologists, Society for the Study of Development and Growth, American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Association of University Professors, American Genetic Association, National Education Association, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Sigma, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was involved with the Washington-Idaho Symphony Orchestra, including service as its president, and supported the University of Idaho arboretum, later serving on the board associated with the Shattuck Arboretum. His professional service also included participation in higher-education and land-grant university organizations and committees.
Trustee.
Knox School , United States
1949 - 1953
Rhode Island Heart Association , United States
American Society of Zoologists , United States
Society for the Study of Development and Growth , United States
American Institute of Biological Sciences , United States
American Association of University Professors , United States
American Genetic Association , United States
National Education Association , United States
Sigma Xi , United States
Phi Kappa Phi , United States
Phi Sigma , United States
Sigma Alpha Epsilon , United States
Served as president.
Washington-Idaho Symphony Orchestra , United States
Served on the board of directors.
Shattuck Arboretum , United States
Idaho representative and executive committee member.
Associated Western Universities , United States
1966 - 1974
Member.
Association for Humanities in Idaho , United States
1972
Hartung was remembered as an effective speaker, storyteller, and gracious friend. Colleagues and students associated him with attentiveness to students and faculty, a calm manner during periods of campus unrest, and a strong interest in biology, the arts, and university community life.
Quotes from others about the person
Former students and colleagues remembered Hartung as a president who listened to different constituencies, brought students and faculty into institutional decision-making, and guided the University of Idaho through campus tensions with calmness and respect. Former student body president David Warnick described him as a president who honored others, listened to the university community, and empowered students and faculty.
Biology, zoology, classical music, piano, theater, the Washington-Idaho Symphony Orchestra, arboretums, botanical gardens, zoological institutions, and university cultural programs.
Hartung had a longstanding passion for classical music. He attended concerts and played piano preludes and sonatas from memory.
Hartung was the son of Ernest W. Hartung and Marie Drescher Hartung. He married Mary W. Dennen on June 17, 1944, and they had three children: John W. Hartung, Katharine D. Hartung, and Ernest D. Hartung. He later married Laura Hartung. His professional connections included the University of Rhode Island, the University of Idaho, the Washington-Idaho Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
