MacVicar at Larry Wade Ranch in Eastern Oregon. Photo was used in the Oregon Stater, September 1970, cover and Oregon Stater, March 1980, p. 6 Robert W. MacVicar was president of Oregon State University from 1970-1986. MacVicar was also a professor of chemistry and tripled the size of the university's budget. During his years as president, the size of the campus increased with 23 additional buildings.