Dr. George Hamm, 79, former University of Texas at Tyler president, passed away Sunday, October 10, 2010. Hamm attended South Dakota State University on a football scholarship and served in the Korean War as an officer in the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Regiment. After he left the Army, he earned a graduate degree in experimental psychology from the University of Wyoming. In 1962, he began his career in higher education as the dean of students at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. He later became the vice president of student affairs and in 1981 became the president of UT Tyler. While Hamm was president, he was instrumental in the establishment of the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, new campuses in Palestine and Longview, and the school's transition from an upper-level university serving juniors, seniors, and graduate students to a four-year institution in 1997. During his presidency, Hamm established the first college of engineering, the first at a state university in East Texas as well as new degree programs such as a master's program in nursing, history, mathematics, biology and political science. The university's first on-campus student housing was constructed during his tenure. Additionally, he established the Eisenhower International Golf Classic in 1987 to raise money for international scholarships. The event lasted for 13 years, attracting such golfing talent as Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman and Annika Sorenstam. Hamm also established foreign exchange programs with universities in France, Japan, Germany, Poland and Mexico. His tenure also brought the establishment of the university's Distinguished Lecture Series which has featured Henry Kissinger, Coretta Scott King, former Costa Rican president Oscar Arias and former president George W. Bush. During his career, Hamm acquired numerous awards and accolades. In 1986, ASU awarded him with its University Centennial Medallion as a "Man Ahead of His Times," for providing equal educational opportunities for minorities. Texas College awarded Hamm an honorary doctorate of human letters in 1997 for his efforts with the Texas College/United Negro College Fund. In 2003, the UT System Board of Regents gave him the title of President Emeritus, saying: "One of Dr. Hamm's most significant accomplishments was his leadership in working with the legislature and other community leaders in elevating UT Tyler to four-year status in 1997." Hamm is survived by his wife, Janie, two children, six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.