FORMER FOSTORIAN HEADED
CAPITAL U
August 3, 1978
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PIX #1 - DR. HAROLD
YOCHUM
Editor's note:
This is another in the series of articles that will appear from time-to-time
about people who grew up in Fostoria and experienced suc- cessful careers
in their chosen profession.
Born on a farm
on McDougal Road, east of Fostoria, to W. H. and Ida Yochum, Harold,
as well as his two sisters, received their early education at the Punk
Hollow, one-room school. Harold completed his first eight grades in
six years.
Yochum was a member
of the graduating class at Fostoria High in 1919...the class that produced
a number of outstanding students, who achieved success in their chosen
careers. He was salutatorian of the class.
Dr. Harold Leland
Yochum served as the ninth president of Capital University, Columbus,
from 1946 until a retirement in 1969. During his 23-year tenure as president,
the university tripled its enrollment and faculty; more than doubled
the size of its campus; added two professional schools, law and nursing,
to its College of Arts and Sciences.
After graduating
from Fostoria High School, Yochum entered Capital University, graduating
in 1923 with a bachelor's degree. He received a master's degree from
Ohio State in 1924, and bachelor of divinity degree from Evangelical
Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1928.
His early teaching
experience was at Attica, where he was a teacher and high school principal
in 1924-1925. Then he returned to Capital University to teach English
and Latin until 1928. Later he was pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church
in Hesseville, and after that pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
in Detroit. From 1937-1946 he was president of the Michigan district
of the American Lutheran Church.
Throughout his
entire career Dr. Yochum was dedicated to many educational and civic
involvements. He was vice president of the Columbus Area Council of
Churches from 1951-1964 and was a delegate of the American Lutheran
Church to attend meetings of the World Council of Churches in this country
and overseas. He was chairman of the Franklin County United Appeal in
1963; a past presi- dent of the Ohio College Association; a past chairman
of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges; past president of the
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio.
Dr. Yochum was
deeply concerned with the bricks-and-mortar effort which served as the
foundation for the Capital University of today. About half of the buildings
now on campus were built during the Yochum administration, and he is
credited with nearly single-handedly raising the funds needed to con-
struct many of those facilities.
In 1950, when
Capital University celebrated its centennial, Dr. Yochum had this to
say about the University's future: "We believe that our objectives should
be stated in terms of personality, rather than vague generalities and
high-sounding ideals. What kind of person do we hope to graduate? One
who is in right relationship with his total environment...an intergrated
personality, living in fellowship with God and man, alert to current
trends of thinking, standards of value, norms of judgment, be able to
choose what is sound and reject what is fallacious. We best fulfill
our obligations to church and society if our graduates are characterized
by right attitudes and motivations, by intelligent ways of thinking
and making decisions, by gracious ways of living and an appreciation
of our entire cultural heritage. At the center of this will be a vital
Christian faith and a reflection of that faith in character and life."
Dr. Yochum held
several honorary doctorate degrees, including those awarded to him by
Capital Universtiy, Central State University, Pacific Lutheran Univer-
sity, Dennison University and Ashland College.
He was the author
of two books of sermons and was much in demand as a speaker at meetings
of educational, religious and civic groups, as well as for com- mencements,
forums and conventions.
In 1972 until
his death Sept. 1, 1974, Dr. Yochum served as minister to shut- ins
at Christ Lutheran Church, Columbus, of which he was a member.
Dr. Yochum's widow
resides in Columbus. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Paul Pember,
Fostoria, and Mrs. Edward Decker, Florida.
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