Chapman, Charles Hiram, 1860-1934

Charles W. Chapman was a member of Company F in the 15th Infantry Regiment of Iowa Volunteers. He resided in Forsythe (Missouri) near the state border of Iowa. The 15th Regiment was organized at Keokuk (Iowa) in 1862 and saw action at the Battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Port Gibson, Vicksburg, and Atlanta.

Mathematician Charles Hiram Chapman served as President of the University of Oregon, 1893-1899, and taught mathematical physics at the university.

Chapman was involved in every level of decision-making at the university, from making substantial changes in the curriculum, adding biology; civil, mining, and electrical engineering; business classes; physical training; and controversial electives. Though not always popular with townspeople, he traveled the state, gaining support from citizens for higher education. He was known to be respected widely, but budget considerations often forced him to cut faculty salaries, making him less than popular on that front. Though this pressure finally brought about his resignation, his accomplishments, including a larger student body, a better-qualified faculty, an expanded library, and participation in intercollegiate athletics, moved the University of Oregon to the cusp of the twentieth century.

Source: "Presidential History" http://president.uoregon.edu/history