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"In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, he didn't stand on the sidelines and criticize, he got into the arena to experience the sweat and the dust and with great devotion and enthusiasm he spent himself on a worthy cause. He won some and he lost some, but he dared greatly." - Sam Suplizio at the Tomlinson Library naming luncheon, 1986
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  • December 2, 1930: John Ulysses Tomlinson is born in Kansas City, MO.
  • 1952: Tomlinson begins teaching at Lane County High School in Dighton, Kansas.
  • 1960: Dr. Tomlinson takes a position on the Political Science faculty of Ft. Hays State University.
  • 1969: Dr. Tomlinson becomes Dean of Social & Behavioral Science at Ft. Hays State University.
  • 1972: Dr. Tomlinson takes Academic Vice President position at St. Cloud State University.
  • 1975: Dr. Tomlinson accepts offer to become President of Mesa College! 
  • 1976-1988: Dr. Tomlinson transitions us from a junior college to a 4-year college; establishes our Faculty Senate; shifts us from quarters to semesters; organizes our 11 academic divisions into 6 schools; raises $800,000 toward the college center expansion project; establishes KMSA, our student-run radio station; creates the Mesa College Foundation; establishes a daycare center on campus; and changes our name to Mesa State College.
  • 1986: Mesa State College gets a new library and names it after Dr. Tomlinson in honor of his commitment to improved library services.
  • 1988: Dr. Tomlinson retires from the Presidency and steps back into the Political Science classroom.
  • 1994: Dr. Tomlinson retires from teaching and donates many Political Science books from his personal collection to the Library. 
  • 2015: Dr. Tomlinson and his wife, Elvera, continue their history of supporting the Library, donating to the Library's $24M renovation project.
  • September 3, 2023: Dr. Tomlinson passes away at the age of 92, surrounded by his loving family.
"To have a building named after you while you're still alive--well, it means a lot." -- Dr. John U Tomlinson at library building naming ceremony, 1986
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To support the John Tomlinson Memorial Fund, donations to which support the Library, please visit the fund's page through the CMU Foundation (link will open in a new window)--or scan the QR code below:

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 Questions about making a donation to the Library or other ways to support the Library's mission? Contact Library Director Sylvia L. Rael (970.248.1029; srael@coloradomesa.edu).