Due to a lot of changes for the University’s administration, two interim chancellors served during the 1970s. Peter Magrath was the first. He served from 1971 to 1972. Adam Breckenridge was the other who served from 1975 to 1976. Such unstable time for the administration and the University as a whole led the interim chancellors to try to keep things as normal as possible.

            Peter Magrath was not at the University for very long before becoming the interim chancellor. He began in 1968 as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. His heavy involvement in university committees led him to the interim position. Magrath specialized in American politics, and was able to successfully lead the University for the short time that he was here (University of Nebraska).

            Similarly, Adam Breckinridge tried to keep the University on a steady path. He followed James Zumberge who left the University as a frustrated man. “Keep things rolling” was Breckenridge’s plan. Unlike Magrath, Breckenridge had been at UNL for many years and held many positions.  He summarized the conflicts for the University as growing pains, but by working hard on the budget and pursuing the Legislature with all the vigor possible, the University would come out a better place (Holman).