Guy E. Maxwell

Guy Everett Maxwell (September 10, 1870 – January 3, 1939) was an American educator who served from 1904 to 1939 as Winona State University's sixth president. He is its longest-serving president.

Biography Maxwell was born in Mason County, Illinois, on September 10, 1870. He moved to Appleton, Minnesota, in 1879, graduated from Hamline University in 1893, and taught in public schools until 1898. In 1895/6, he married Jeannette Evans. In 1900, he graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University. He taught at Winona State University (then the Winona Normal School) from 1900 to 1904.

Presidency

Maxwell was dedicated to strict discipline and the expansion of the university. He made graduating seniors remove dandelions from the campus before graduation, believing it instilled in them a "proper sense of humility".

Maxwell invested in the school's music program, notably supporting the Edstrom brothers, who founded Hal Leonard.

Maxwell died on January 3, 1939, while in office, of pneumonia. He is the namesake of Maxwell Hall and Maxwell Field.