The Western Regional Education Compact is signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and ratified by Congress. The compacting states and territories
hereby create the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE); members include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. William Jones is appointed the first executive director and offices are established in Eugene, Oregon. In its first fiscal year, WICHE aids 61 students from five states to enroll in medical, dental, and veterinary medicine schools through the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP).