The bill establishing the University of Idaho was signed into law by Idaho’s Territorial Governor Edward A. Stevenson. The first acting(translated as volunteer and non-salaried) president of the U of I was regent James H. Forney.

Forney was appointed by the board of regents in 1891. He was succeeded by the University of Idaho’s first professional and salaried president, Franklin B. Gault.

Gault would serve as president of the U of I until 1898