J. Martin Klotsche
Encyclopedia
J. Martin Klotsche was an American professor of history and the first chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
A native of Scribner, Nebraska
, Johannes Martin Klotsche ("Joe") was a high school graduate at age 13 and a college graduate at 17; he earned his M.A. at the University of Nebraska in 1928. He got his Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin
in 1931 and came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
to teach at what was then Wisconsin State Teachers College, a small Wisconsin teachers college with an enrollment of 1700. He became President of the college in the fall of 1946, when he was 38. It was renamed Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee in 1951 (his title was changed to Provost
). In 1956, the college became part of the then University of Wisconsin, with Klotsche remaining as provost. In 1965, his title was changed to Chancellor
. After his retirement as chancellor in 1973, he remained on the faculty of the History Department until 1978.
Klotsche's administration oversaw the growth of the tiny Wisconsin State Teachers College into the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee: enrollment increase from 1,700 to almost 25,000; construction or purchase of more than 20 major buildings (not counting off-campus buildings); and the establishment of ten schools and colleges. The J. Martin Klotsche Center
for Physical Education on the UWM campus is named for him.
He earned a reputation as a strong supporter of student and faculty rights, often taking strong stands to defend them. Klotsche displayed a continued interest in foreign policy by directing events for the Institute of World Affairs in Geneva; Paris; and Salisbury, Connecticut
; and by helping the U.S. Office of Education
organize a school-community project in Germany. He also served as the president of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters.
Klotsche's real first name was Johannes
, but this fact was not widely known. Officially he was known as "J. Martin Klotsche," and informally as "Joe." After his retirement from teaching, Klotsche and his wife, Roberta Roberts Klotsche, lived for some time in Arizona; after her death, he returned to Wisconsin, living in Oostburg
in Sheboygan County.
Everyone has always called me Joe. Friends, family, everyone. Only my mother ever called me Johannes.
In 1946, this was primarily a teachers college with a limited enrollment of 1,700, a faculty of 80 or 90, two buildings, and that was it. This was a serene, peaceful community. There were no parking problems.
[I]ts urban location was clearly its unique opportunity, and its special responsibilities, consequent upon this location, became more and more important.
We had never had anything like that at any time. Clearly it was, in terms of student activism, the high point in that whole period.
I wouldn't trade the experience, not for anything.
Intelligence is derived from two words--inter and legere—inter meaning 'between' and legere meaning 'to choose.' An intelligent person, therefore, is one who has learned 'to choose between.' He knows that good is better than evil, that confidence should supersede fear, that love is superior to hate, that gentleness is better than cruelty, forbearance than intolerance, compassion than arrogance, and that truth has more virtue than ignorance.
Thomas Jefferson spoke of certain truths as self-evident. He did not say that these truths were self-explanatory or that they were self-operating.
A native of Scribner, Nebraska
Scribner, Nebraska
Scribner is a city in Dodge County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 971 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Scribner is located at ....
, Johannes Martin Klotsche ("Joe") was a high school graduate at age 13 and a college graduate at 17; he earned his M.A. at the University of Nebraska in 1928. He got his Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1931 and came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
to teach at what was then Wisconsin State Teachers College, a small Wisconsin teachers college with an enrollment of 1700. He became President of the college in the fall of 1946, when he was 38. It was renamed Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee in 1951 (his title was changed to Provost
Provost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
). In 1956, the college became part of the then University of Wisconsin, with Klotsche remaining as provost. In 1965, his title was changed to Chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
. After his retirement as chancellor in 1973, he remained on the faculty of the History Department until 1978.
Klotsche's administration oversaw the growth of the tiny Wisconsin State Teachers College into the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee: enrollment increase from 1,700 to almost 25,000; construction or purchase of more than 20 major buildings (not counting off-campus buildings); and the establishment of ten schools and colleges. The J. Martin Klotsche Center
J. Martin Klotsche Center
The Klotsche Center is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The arena opened in 1977. It is home to the Milwaukee Panthers women's basketball team, and formerly hosted the men's team as well until the men moved into U.S....
for Physical Education on the UWM campus is named for him.
He earned a reputation as a strong supporter of student and faculty rights, often taking strong stands to defend them. Klotsche displayed a continued interest in foreign policy by directing events for the Institute of World Affairs in Geneva; Paris; and Salisbury, Connecticut
Salisbury, Connecticut
Salisbury is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The town is the northwest-most in the State of Connecticut. The MA-NY-CT Tri-State Marker is located just on the border of Salisbury...
; and by helping the U.S. Office of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
organize a school-community project in Germany. He also served as the president of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters.
Klotsche's real first name was Johannes
Johannes
Johannes is the Latin form of the personal name that usually appears as "John" in English language contexts. It is a variant of the Greek name Ιωάννης , itself derived from the Hebrew name Yehochanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious". The name became popular in Northern Europe, especially in Germany...
, but this fact was not widely known. Officially he was known as "J. Martin Klotsche," and informally as "Joe." After his retirement from teaching, Klotsche and his wife, Roberta Roberts Klotsche, lived for some time in Arizona; after her death, he returned to Wisconsin, living in Oostburg
Oostburg, Wisconsin
Oostburg is a village in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, United States. The population as of 2009 is 2,842. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:The Village of Oostburg was incorporated in 1909...
in Sheboygan County.
Quotes
- On his own name
Everyone has always called me Joe. Friends, family, everyone. Only my mother ever called me Johannes.
- On UWM growth
In 1946, this was primarily a teachers college with a limited enrollment of 1,700, a faculty of 80 or 90, two buildings, and that was it. This was a serene, peaceful community. There were no parking problems.
- On UWM's unique position as Wisconsin's urban university
[I]ts urban location was clearly its unique opportunity, and its special responsibilities, consequent upon this location, became more and more important.
- On 1960-1970s student activism
We had never had anything like that at any time. Clearly it was, in terms of student activism, the high point in that whole period.
- On his job
I wouldn't trade the experience, not for anything.
- On intelligence
Intelligence is derived from two words--inter and legere—inter meaning 'between' and legere meaning 'to choose.' An intelligent person, therefore, is one who has learned 'to choose between.' He knows that good is better than evil, that confidence should supersede fear, that love is superior to hate, that gentleness is better than cruelty, forbearance than intolerance, compassion than arrogance, and that truth has more virtue than ignorance.
- On Thomas Jefferson and truth
Thomas Jefferson spoke of certain truths as self-evident. He did not say that these truths were self-explanatory or that they were self-operating.
Books
- The Role of the United States in World Affairs 1940
- The United States and Latin America 1940
- The Urban university and the Future of Our Cities 1966
- The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, An Urban University 1972
- Confessions of an educator : my personal and professional memoirs 1985
- Together We Travelled 1986
- Then and Now : Views of an Educator 1987
- A Woman of Courage: The Life and Times of Annette Roberts (w/ Roberta Roberts Klotsche) 1988
- Life Begins at Eighty (w/ Adolph A. Suppan) 1991
- The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee : A Historical Profile, 1885-1992 (by Frank A. Cassell, J. Martin Klotsche, and Frederick I. Olson, with the assistance of Donald R. Shea and Bea Bourgeois) 1992