TCU was founded in 1873 as Add-Ran College in Thorp Spring, Texas by brothers Addison and Randolph Clark. Dr. Addison Clark assumed primary leadership responsibilities for the new school and referred to himself as its first president. Subsequent chief executives were also called president until a change during the administration of McGruder Ellis Sadler some sixty plus years later.

In 1959, after President Sadler had served for 18 years, the TCU Board of Trustees appointed a special committee to consider how to honor him as he moved towards retirement. The decision was made by the Board to confer the new title of “Chancellor” on Dr. Sadler and to make a change in his duties commensurate with his new role.

Thus on May 19, 1959, the TCU Board voted to bestow the title of “Chancellor” on Dr. Sadler and asked him to be the University’s chief ambassador in the community focused on major gift fund raising. Dr. D. Ray Lindley was named the President of TCU and was given all administrative responsibilities in the running of the University.   

Chancellor Sadler retired six years later in 1965. His replacement, Dr. James M. Moudy, was asked to serve as Chancellor with all duties of community ambassador, major gift fund raiser and chief administrator. Since that appointment, all succeeding TCU chief executives have been called Chancellor and have assumed the entire spectrum of responsibilities that at one time had required two administrators.