1912 -1926

Raymond A. Pearson was a Cornell University graduate in dairy industry, did government and commercial dairy laboratory work, and in 1903 returned to Cornell to organize a department of dairy industry.

He headed the New York Department of Agriculture for four years prior to his appointment as president of Iowa State College (University) (1912-1926). Pearson completed the divisional organization of undergraduate programs; strongly promoted the graduate program, which was given divisional status in 1915; broadened extension service; and gave wholehearted support to “big-time” goals in athletics. While at Iowa State College (University) he served as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture during the war emergency period of 1917-18.

Campus construction during his administration surpassed that of any other era prior to the post-World War II boom; 14 academic buildings in service during the 1970s were constructed during Pearson’s term.

He resigned to become president of the University of Maryland (1926-1935).

Resources available online

Raymond A. Pearson Papers
RS 2/7 University Archives, Iowa State University Library