Charles Schaeffer
Even at an early age, Charles A. Schaeffer was prolific.
Born in Harrisburg, Penn., Schaeffer completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania at age 17. He later served in the Union Army, attended Harvard, earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Goettingen and was a faculty member at Cornell University.
Schaeffer is best known, however, for shaping the University of Iowa as its seventh president from 1887 to 1898. According to a biographical note about Schaeffer in the UI’s Special Collections and University Archives, former Iowa State Board of Education chairman said Schaeffer was the first UI president “who sensed what a modern university would be.”
In his inaugural address, Schaeffer called for a larger library, more classrooms and a commitment of financial support from Iowans, which resulted in continuing tax es to support the university.
According to the history of the UI Hospitals and Clinics, when UI officials recognized the need for its own hospital, Schaeffer led the effort to gain legislative approval for appropriations. The hospital was located where Seashore Hall now stands.
Schaeffer was apparently so popular with Iowa City residents during his tenure that the city deeded a small park to the university where Van Allen Hall now sits, according to “A Pictorial History of the University of Iowa.”
Schaeffer also was the first UI president to develop a comprehensive building program, though he died before most of the buildings could be completed. Included in his plan was the idea for the current layout of the Pentacrest.
Schaeffer died while in office in 1898. The Hall of Liberal Arts, which opened in 1902 — five years after Schaeffer turned over the sod on the site — was renamed Schaeffer Hall in 1934.