Southwestern University has had 13 presidents and three interim presidents since it was established in Georgetown. They were:

Francis Asbury Mood, 1873-1884

John Wesley Heidt, 1885-1889

John Howell McLean, 1889-1897

Robert Stewart Hyer, 1898-1911

Charles McTyeire Bishop, 1911-1922

Paul Whitfield Horn, 1922-1924

James Samuel Barcus, 1924-1928

King Vivion, 1928-1935

John William Bergin, 1935-1942

John Nelson Russell Score, 1942-1949

William Carrington Finch, 1949-1961

Lawrence Durwood Fleming, 1961-1981

Roy B. Shilling, Jr., 1981-2000

Jake B. Schrum, 2000-present.

Faculty members John Howell McLean, John R. Allen and Randolph Ward Tinsley each served as interim presidents in the late 1800s and early 1900s during changes in administrations.