Mason Ladd
1889-1980. University of Iowa professor and law school dean (1939-66), grew the school’s national stature through his work and recruitment of “star” faculty. The Sheldon native, and Army colonel during WWII, graduated from Grinnell College, earned a UI law degree, practiced law in Des Moines, then joined the UI faculty in 1929. After UI retirement, he became founding law school dean at Florida State. During 1937 after FDR proposed enlarging the U.S. Supreme Court, national attention came from Ladd’s opposition views during local service club debates with FDR supporter Wiley Rutledge, later an FDR appointment to the court.