Charles Rhodes Pomeroy

Pomeroy was born in Weybridge, Addison County, Vermont on June 15, 1830.[2] In 1856 Pomeroy graduated from Wesleyan University with a bachelor's and master's of arts, and 1875, he graduated from Simpson Centenary College in Indianola, Iowa with a doctorate.[2]

In 1854, Pomeroy started his long career in education by teaching Greek at Fort Edward Institute in Fort Edward, New York. From 1855 to 1860, Pomeroy served as a principal at four different institutions: Union Village Academy for one year, Rochester High School for two years, and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary for one year.[3]

The Kansas Board of Regents selected Pomeroy as the Kansas State Normal School's third president in October 1873. He would begin his tenure on January 1, 1874.[4] Because the economy was poor, Pomeroy was unable to pay the professors and staff and also had to work without salary; the board voted that bonds would be paid to teachers as a way of thanking them for their service during the school year on July 2, 1879.[4]

During Pomeroy's tenure, a tornado had hit in April 1878 and destroyed the main building on campus, which was followed by a fire that destroyed the two buildings at the school. On August 6, 1879, Pomeroy resigned as president.[5]

After serving four years as president of the Normal School in Emporia, Pomeroy became Callahan College's president for six years. From 1886 to 1899, Pomeroy served as the Dean and a professor at the University of Puget Sound in Washington (state).[6]