Karl Meyer

Collection

Identifier: WSR1-8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains documents and ephemera detailing almost 30 years of Karl Meyers's tenure as President of the college and university dating from 1964-1987.

Dates

Creation: 1964 - 1987

Creator

Meyer, Karl (1925-2020) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Some materials in this collection may be restricted due to the presence of confidential or sensitive content. Please contact University of Wisconsin-Superior Special Collections & Archives (UWS-SCA) for more details regarding access.

Conditions Governing Use

University of Wisconsin-Superior Special Collections & Archives (UWS-SCA) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections; however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with UWS-SCA to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Biographical Note

Karl Meyer was born May 8, 1925 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Upon graduation from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne he joined the United States Air Corps in 1943 and went to Europe during World War II. After the war he spent time traveling with the special forces basketball team before returning to the United States.

In 1946 Karl attended Valparaiso University where he obtained his undergraduate degree in History and English followed by a Master's degree in History from the University of Maryland when he studied abroad at the University of Basel. He obtained a Ph.D. (History) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a postdoctoral Carnegie Fellowship (Higher Education) from the University of Michigan.

His professional activities included research, historical contributions in professional journals and the Encyclopedia Britannica, and author of the book “Karl Liebknecht: Man Without a Country.”

In the late 1940s he met Margery Rose Hamman and they were married in 1950. Karl and Margery had five children; Mary, William, Frederick (Lisa Sudenga), Ann, and Jean (Dave Johnston).

Karl was a great advocate for education. He spent a lifetime as a professional educator. He taught at Valparaiso University, Augustana College and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He held educational administrative positions as Dean of Instruction at Wayne State Teacher’s College in Nebraska, Assistant Director of the Wisconsin State University Board of Regents and 23 years as the President/Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Besides providing leadership at UW-Superior he was involved with numerous community activities including Kawanas; Rotary; Chamber of Commerce; United Way; Channel 8 and KBJR Boards; Superior Water, Light, and Power Board; UW-Superior Foundation Board; and Mt. Senario College Board.

(taken from Karl Meyer's official obituary)