Past Presidents of St. Ambrose University
Aloysius Joseph
Schulte 1882-1891
Schulte was the first priest that Bishop McMullen ever
ordained. After ordination, Schulte worked as a cathedral
assistant for a few years before he was slated by McMullen
to organize St. Ambrose College. The school had 40 high
school students during the first year, and 85 students when
he left. During Schulte's presidency, the central portion of
Ambrose Hall with the tower was built, although Ambrose Hall
was originally only two stories high. After leaving St.
Ambrose college, Schulte took a pastorate in Iowa City.
John
Thomas Aloysius Flannagan 1891-1906
Flannagan was born in Haverville, Massachusetts, and was
the second priest on faculty during Schulte's duration as
president. While being president of the school, Flannagan's
sister Editha ran the Immaculate Conception Academy. The two
worked together on many events between schools together.
Flannagan promoted boys choir and Latin on campus, and went
to the Sacred Heart parish after his term as president. He
died January 26, 1926.
William Shannahan 1906-1915
Born February 2, 1870, Shannahan, referred to as
"Big Bill," was raised in Williamsburg, Iowa. He
was the college's first captain of the football team, and
graduated from the institution in 1896. He worked in the
philosophy department before taking his role as the third
president. During his term, the east wing of Ambrose Hall
was built, which contained an auditorium, classrooms, and
living quarters. After leaving St. Ambrose, Shannahan
pastored in Iowa City, until he was named Sacred Heart
pastor and Vicar General of the Diocese of Davenport in
1932. He died October 22, 1937.
William
Hannon 1915-1926
William Hannon was born March 21, 1879. He graduated
from St. Ambrose College in 1901. He was ordained in June of
1903 and taught English and history at the school from 1904
until 1912. In 1912 he was named vice president, which he
served until 1915 when he took over the presidency. Hannon
led the first endowment drive for $200,000, and oversaw the
construction of the first gym.
Ulrich
Hauber 1926-1930
Born June 28, 1885 in Bavaria, Germany, Hauber graduated
from St. Ambrose in 1905. After his ordination in 1908,
Hauber joined the faculty, which he served as a member of
for 48 years. A nationally known biologist, Hauber was the
author of many textbooks, pamphlets and articles. At St.
Ambrose College, Hauber was the chairman of the Division of
Natural Sciences before becoming the fifth president. He
died July 1, 1956, and was the first person to be laid to
rest in the Chapel of Christ the King.
Martin Cone
1930-1937
A Clinton, Iowa native, Cone was a social worker who
taught social sciences at St. Ambrose for 16 years before
becoming president. He is credited with building the
faculty, taking over at a time when priests were paid $15 a
month for teaching. Cone also instituted summer sessions on
campus. After his presidency he was appointed to the Pastor
of Sacred Heart Cathedral, and Vicar General of the Diocese
of Davenport.
Carl Meinberg 1937-1940
Born January 11, 1889 in Keokuk, Iowa, Meinburg
graduated from the college in 1911. He became a member of
the St. Ambrose faculty after his ordination in 1914,
holding a variety of positions on campus. In his early
years, Meinburg served as the head of the library, and was
also the director of the choir and the orchestra. He taught
in the departments of religion and Spanish, and eventually
became the head of the history department and the campus
spiritual director before becoming the seventh president of
the institution. After retiring from the presidency,
Meinberg continued to live on campus until his death on
April 15, 1975.
Ambrose Burke 1940-1956
Ambrose Burke was an English scholar with a Yale
doctorate. During his term as president, St. Ambrose built
an administration building and Christ the King Chapel.
Dealing with many issues surrounding the war, Burke was able
to temporarily peak enrollment between 1500 and 1600
students. At one point, Burke also delivered a three-part
series during the Catholic Hour on NBC entitled,
"Sainthood, the Universal Vocation." He left St.
Ambrose after being appointed to St. Mary's Parish in
Clinton, Iowa.
William Collins 1956-1963
Referred to as "Sailor Bill" since had served
in the Navy, William Collins became St. Ambrose's ninth
president. From Millersburg, Iowa, Collins graduated from
St. Ambrose and had been at the college for 27 years before
his appointment. He was chairman of the business and
economics departments on campus before becoming president.
Hoping to get the school back on track financially, Collins
raised tuition and temporarily dropped the football program.
During his term, East Hall (Rohlman) was constructed.
Collins was active in the American Legion and helped found
the Council of World Affairs.
Sebastian
Menke 1964-1973
Born December 21, 1910, Menke graduated from St. Ambrose
in 1934. After his ordination in 1938, Menke returned to St.
Ambrose and taught Latin, German, Greek, ancient
history and astronomy on campus. He then became the rector
for East Hall. Menke served as president during a time when
struggles were high for private colleges. During his
presidency, South Hall (Cosgrove), Hayes Hall, and the fine
arts building were all constructed. After leaving the
presidency Menke became the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.
He died April 21, 2002.
William Bakrow 1973-1987
William Bakrow was born in Kansas, but moved to
Rochester, New York when he was one-month old. He received a
doctorate in public administration and education from
Indiana University at Bloomingtom. He was given the friendly
nickname of "Dollar Bill," since he wiped out a $2
million debt, doubled enrollment, and balanced the budget
for eight consecutive years. Under his presidency St.
Ambrose ventured into graduate studies with the MBA program.
Bakrow was the first layperson to serve as chief operating
office at St. Ambrose. He died
March 17, 2005.
Edward Rogalski 1987-2007
Edward Rogalski came to St. Ambrose as dean of students in 1968. From 1974 to 1980, Rogalski was St. Ambrose’s vice president for administration, and from 1981 to 1986, the institution’s senior vice president. He served as executive vice president at the time of his appointment to the presidency in 1987.
During Rogalski’s tenure the university increased total enrollment by more than 70 percent, added nearly 40 additional academic programs, conferred more than 11,000 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, and completed 15 new construction or major renovation capital projects totaling more than $67 million.