Walter Jessup
The University of Iowa was transformed from a small regional institution to one with a national reputation during the presidency of Walter Jessup. Under his leadership (1916-1934), the school grew from 3,523 students to 7,556, the faculty increased from about 300 to 500 and the campus exploded from 42 to 324 acres.
Besides mere numbers, the school grew in stature as well. In 1922, UI became the first in the nation to accept creative work as thesis for advanced degrees, which allowed programs in creative writing and visual and performing arts to flourish. Construction of the Arts Campus was started in the early 1930s, and schools of journalism, letters and fine arts were started within the College of Liberal Arts.
In addition, the School of Religion — the first of its kind at a U.S. public university — was established in 1927. The College of Medicine also grew under Jessup with support from the Rockefeller Foundation.
Jessup was born in Richmond, Ind., and taught in public schools around his home state before earning a Ph.D. from Columbia University. He served one year as professor and dean of the College of Education at Indiana University before coming to UI in 1912.
Kinnick Stadium was constructed during Jessup’s presidency, but a scandal involving illegal gifts to student-athletes resulted in suspension from the Big Ten Conference in 1929.
The Jessup administration also was the target of attacks by then Cedar Rapids Gazette publisher Verne Marshall, who accused the university of financial mismanagement. A state investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing, however.
Jessup left the university in 1934 for New York to become president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He was president of the Carnegie Corp. from 1941 until his death in 1944.