While the hiring of our first female president is no doubt worthy of the history books, a number of past presidents’ influences have defined the university as we know it.
What we call Capital University can trace its roots to Ohio’s first Lutheran seminary, founded in the summer of 1830. It wasn’t until 1850 that the university was officially chartered.
Capital’s early years were marked by strife between the more liberal university administration and the conservative members of the Lutheran church. In fact the first president, William M. Reynolds (1850-1854), resigned as a result of church pressure.
Reynolds had fallen out of favor due, in part, to his decision to offer most classes in English rather than German. This period also saw tension as to whether the institution should be a professional training college or a liberal arts college, and student enrollment suffered greatly.
It was not until the presidency of William F. Lehmann (1857-1880) that enrollment stabilized. Despite significant financial problems during his tenure, Lehmann expanded the faculty size and oversaw the university’s relocation to its current campus.
For much of the 19th century and early 20th century, Capital maintained a reputation as a “preacher factory,” which greatly narrowed student enrollment. However, under president Otto Mees (1912-1946), the separation of the college and seminary was achieved, and the university officially shed this label.
Mees served for 34 years, the longest presidency to date, and it was through his direction that Capital was transformed into a modern liberal arts university. In 1919 the first women were admitted to the university, and three went on to earn their degrees in 1923. Extracurriculars also thrived during this time, including student athletics, the Chimes, the Chapel Choir, and the Campus Council (the first student government body).
Mees resigned in 1946 for health reasons, and president Harold L. Yochum (1946-1969) assumed the post on Aug 1. In 1950, the university’s centennial, Yochum outlined a series of priorities, known as the Decade of Decision Campaign which chiefly focused on raising funds and expanding housing, classrooms and other facilities.
Yochum took steps to attract more skilled students to the university by reforming entrance requirements and scholarships. He worked with the Board of Regents to institute a graduation honors system for students and a tenure process for faulty.
The establishment of the school of nursing and the transfer of the Franklin Law School to Capital happened during Yochum’s presidency.
Yochum was succeeded by President Thomas H. Langevin (1969-1979), the first non-clergyman to hold the position in fall of 1969.
Langevin’s decade of leadership was one of significant social change at Capital that in many ways mirrored that of the country as a whole. While Capital had always accepted minority students, Langevin pursued a policy of greater diversity and inclusion, transforming the university into a more open environment.
Langevin also proved himself to be capable businessman, taking the first steps to resolve the university’s financial concerns and making the institution more visible around Columbus.
Langevin’s successor, Harvey A. Stegemoeller (1979-1987), shared his desire for financial stability and through strict austerity measures it was achieved. Stegemoeller also succeeded in reversing the decline in enrollment of the early 80s, and by the end of his presidency the university was accepting record high numbers of students.
Stegemoeller and his successor Josiah Hillerman Blackmore II (1987-1998) made great strides in improving both the physical environment of campus, as well as the university’s curriculum. Through both administrations, the university was shaped into the institution it is today. Core course requirements were reformed, and emphasis was placed on practical knowledge, including internships and undergraduate research.
During the early 21st century, the university went through a series of interim presidencies, and it was not until 2007 when president Denvy Bowman took the helm (after 10 months interim) that leadership stabilized. Bowman established a greater strategic vision for the university, and streamlined its educational mission.
On April 20, 2015 Bowman announced his retirement for the end of the 2015-2016 academic year, and on Feb. 9 Elizabeth L. Paul was named the 16th president.
