Colgate’s first president took office in 1836; 180 years later, on July 1, 2016, our 17th president, Brian W. Casey, joined our liberal arts community. Presidential Timeline Brian Casey, 2016– About President Casey Jeffrey Herbst, 2010-2015 Rebecca Chopp, 2002-2009 Charles Karelis, 1999-2001 Neil R. Grabois, 1988-1999 George D. Langdon Jr., 1978-1988 Thomas Alva Bartlett, 1969-1977 Vincent MacDowell Barnett Jr., 1963-1969 Everett Needham Case, 1942-1962 George Barton Cutten, 1922-1942 Elmer Burritt Bryan, 1909-1921 George Edmands Merrill, 1899-1908 George William Smith, 1895-1897 Ebenezer Dodge, 1868-1890 George Washington Eaton, 1856-1868 Stephen William Taylor, 1851-1856 Nathaniel Kendrick, 1836-1848