Ira Richardson (1871 – October 6, 1958) was a president of Northwest Missouri State University and founding president of Adams State College.

Ira Richardson
President of Adams State University
In office
1925–1930
Succeeded byWilliam Newson
President of the Northwest Missouri State University
In office
1913–1921
Preceded byHenry Kirby Taylor
Succeeded byUel W. Lamkin
Personal details
Born1871
DiedOctober 6, 1958
Alma materNorthwest Missouri State University
Central Methodist University

Early life

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Richardson was a native of northern Missouri and received a degree from Central Methodist University in 1897.

He received two master's degrees from Columbia University.[1]

Northwest Missouri

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He was president at Northwest from 1913 to 1921.

Highlights of his time at the school:[2]

  • 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

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He served as Adams president from its founding in 1925 until 1950. Highlights of his stay:[3]

  • 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

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  1. ^ "IRA RICHARDSON, 1913-1921 - nwmsu.edu - Retrieved October 3, 2009". Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  2. ^ Northwest Timeline 1874-1919 - nwmsu.edu - Retrieved October 3, 2009 Archived September 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "History of Adams State College - adams.edu - Retrieved October 2, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 16, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
Academic offices
Preceded by President of the Northwest Missouri State University
1913-1921
Succeeded by