Ira Richardson

Ira Richardson (1871 – October 6, 1958) was a president of Northwest Missouri State University and founding president of Adams State College.

Richardson was a native of northern Missouri and received a degree from Central Methodist University in 1897.

He received two masters degrees from Columbia University.

He was president at Northwest from 1913 to 1921.

Highlights of his time at the school:

• The school got its nickname of Bearcats in 1916
• The Tower yearbook first publication in 1917
• First degree class graduates in 1917
• Tornado hits the Administration building on March 15, 1919

• Northwest Timeline 1874-1919 - nwmsu.edu - Retrieved October 3, 2009

He served as Adams president from its founding in 1925 until 1950. Highlights of his stay:

• Richardson Hall (named for him was built)
• He was one of three faculty on the first semester in 1925
• Green and white were adopted as school colors in 1926
• Adams State Normal School name change Adams State Teachers College in 1930
• President’s home and faculty apartments (Casa del Sol) constructed in 1929
• Casa Bonita and Kit Carson Hall dorms opened in 1936
• Rex Activity Center opened in 1939
• It began offering graduate classes in 1944
• When he retired enrollment was 349 in 1950.

• History of Adams State College - adams.edu - Retrieved October 2, 2009