Virgil Melvin Hancher

Virgil Melvin Hancher (September 4, 1896 – January 30, 1965) was the thirteenth president of the University of Iowa, serving from 1940 to 1964. Hancher Auditorium at the university was named for him.^{[citation needed]}

Early life

Virgil M. Hancher was born on September 4, 1896, near

Hancher worked 15 years as a lawyer in Chicago.^[1] He specialized in corporate law and became a partner at Pope and Ballard in Chicago in 1936.^[2]

On September 10, 1940, Hancher became the 13th president of the University of Iowa. He retired on June 30, 1964. At the time of his retirement, he had served as president for 24 years and was the longest serving president of the college.^[1][3][2] During his presidency, student enrollment at the University of Iowa went from 6,600 to 13,000 students and the faculty went from 300 to 700.^[5] Prior to serving as president, he was president of the University of Iowa alumni association for two years.^[4]

Hancher was a member of the

Hancher married Susan Jane Cannon on June 9, 1928.[2] They had two daughters and son, Priscilla, Mrs. Richard Hokmuth and Virgil Jr.^[1][2] He was a 33rd degree Mason and a member of the Episcopal Church.^[2]

Hancher had a heart attack in 1957.

Academic offices
Preceded by Chester Arthur Phillips (acting) Eugene Allen Gilmore	President of the University of Iowa 1940–1964	Succeeded by Howard Rothmann Bowen

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