Ira Richardson (1871 – October 6, 1958) was a president of

Northwest Missouri State University Northwest Missouri State University is a public university in Maryville, Missouri. It has an enrollment of about 8,505 students. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, its campus is based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis Worl ...

and founding president of

Adams State College Adams State University is a public university in Alamosa, Colorado. The university's Adams State Grizzlies athletic teams compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. History Adams State was founded in 1921 as a teacher's college. Billy ...

Early life

Richardson was a native of northern Missouri and received a degree from

Central Methodist University Central Methodist University (formerly known as Central Methodist College and also known as Central College or CMU) is a private university in Fayette, Missouri. CMU is accredited to offer masters, bachelors, and associate degrees. The school is ...

in 1897. He received two master's degrees from

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

Northwest Missouri

He was president at Northwest from 1913 to 1921. Highlights of his time at the school: *The school got its nickname of Bearcats in 1916 *The Tower yearbook first publication in 1917 *First degree class graduates in 1917 *Tornado hits the Administration building on March 15, 1919

Adams State College

He served as Adams president from its founding in 1925 until 1950. Highlights of his stay: *Richardson Hall (named for him was built) *He was one of three faculty on the first semester in 1925 *Green and white were adopted as school colors in 1926 *Adams State Normal School name change Adams State Teachers College in 1930 *President's home and faculty apartments (Casa del Sol) constructed in 1929 *Casa Bonita and Kit Carson Hall dorms opened in 1936 *Rex Activity Center opened in 1939 *It began offering graduate classes in 1944 *When he retired enrollment was 349 in 1950.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardson, Ira 1871 births 1958 deaths Presidents of Northwest Missouri State University Central Methodist University alumni Columbia University alumni Adams State University alumni