Central Michigan University. Office of the President.

Charles T. Grawn was born on Oct. 4, 1856 in Salem (Mich.), the son of Andrew and Christina Grawn. The Grawns had emigrated from Sweden to the U.S. in 1853. Charles worked on the family farm, in logging camps, and taught in a rural school in Kent County (Mich.) when he was 18. In 1880 Grawn graduated from the Classical Course at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, now Eastern Michigan University. After working as a superintendent of public schools in Plymouth and Traverse City (Mich.), Grawn became the superintendent of the training school at the State Normal College at Mount Pleasant, now Central Michigan University (CMU), in 1899. A year later he was appointed to the position of principal. In 1904 Grawn earned his M.A. from Columbia University. During his presidency at CMU, the size of the campus increased to 25 acres, on which he planted many trees. A Training School, a heating and lighting plant, an equipped gymnasium, and a science building were also added during his tenure. Grawn resigned on April 1, 1918. He then moved to Detroit where he built large apartment buildings and smaller homes. On Nov. 24, 1881 Grawn married Helen Blackwood, with whom he had two children: Hildegard (Mrs. James T. Milliken) and Carl B. Grawn. Charles T. Grawn died in Fla. on Nov. 12, 1942. He was survived by his wife and children. (Information from the collection.).