Beardshear (who knew?)

[PantherCyclone]

Just found out this!

William Miller Beardshear (1850-1902) - Find a...

From the Iowa State University homepage: Ohio-born, Beardshear joined the Union army at the age of 14 and served in the Civil War, studied for the ministry at Otterbein College and Yale University, filled several pastorates before coming to Iowa in 1881 as president of Western College at...

www.findagrave.com

And this:

Iowa State University Cemetery

www.fpm.iastate.edu

Crazy. His spouse outlived him (by 37 years) and 3 of their 5 children. One of the children made it to 1980.

 

[pourcyne]

http://Was in a framed pic at my elementary school!

That's very interesting. I don't recall any framed pictures of anybody when I was in elementary school.

 

[HOTDON]

I downloaded a copy of a book that detailed all of the campus buildings through 1974ish that was a really interesting read. This site has some similar information. The campus was shaped by the Civil War. Old Main was a magnificent structure on the site Beardshear occupies today. Also, everything before 1900 was extremely flammable between construction materials and boilers in every building. The number of buildings lost to fire is crazy.

History of Campus Buildings

 

[ImJustKCClone]

It's unusual to see people smiling in photos from that era - even the very slight smile he has.

 

[bozclone]

My Dad bought this paperweight at auction. I have it on my desk at work even though I don't use a paperweight.

 

[GTO]

View attachment 123718

​

"Beardshear’s legacy includes fostering the start of athletic programs, increasing faculty 25 to 78 while enrollment quadrupled during his 11-year tenure. The Cyclones nickname also came about in 1895 during Beardshear’s time as President. In 1938 the central building on campus was named Beardshear Hall to honor “The Father of Iowa State.” #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily"

​

Iowa History Daily: November 7 - The Father of Iowa State

Iowa History Daily: On November 7, 1850, “The Father of Iowa State University,” William Beardshear was born. An early and significant President of Iowa State University (then Iowa Agricultural College), Beardshear also served as school superintendent in West Des Moines and worked as a...

www.notesoniowa.com

Looks like a guy you would like backing you up in one of those old time bar fights.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

I’d give up both testicles to look half as good as that gentlemen. Can only imagine how many chicks he had to turn away in his day.

I can only imagine how many ankles he got flashed with from all the ladies.

 

[mustangcy]

Imagine if college presidents were still dudes like this?

 

[BCClone]

Imagine if college presidents were still dudes like this?

I think we would be better off having presidents with his background instead of just graduating and then working your way up academia and not being in the outside world.

 

[CyNews]

That's very interesting. I don't recall any framed pictures of anybody when I was in elementary school.

On the stairway.

 

[mustangcy]

I think we would be better off having presidents with his background instead of just graduating and then working your way up academia and not being in the outside world.

Agreed!

 

[pulse]

Old Main was really cool looking, but what a disaster plagued life from the architects to the tornado and fires.

 

[Fishhead]

Beardshear, who knew?

I did!

 

[Sousaclone]

Looks like a guy you would like backing you up in one of those old time bar fights.

That was my thought. That first photo makes me think if he had any problems with the faculty or staff he'd just invite them outside for an adjustment of their opinions.

 

[GTO]

That was my thought. That first photo makes me think if he had any problems with the faculty or staff he'd just invite them outside for an adjustment of their opinions.

Good ol' fashioned fisticuffs, Queensberry rules.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

I think we would be better off having presidents with his background instead of just graduating and then working your way up academia and not being in the outside world.

IMO, there needs to be a balance between the two.

 

[PickSix]

Very glad that Beardshear actually had an impressive beard. He looks exactly like I imagined him to look.