Ed Henry (politician)
Encyclopedia
Edward L. Henry was an American
Democratic
politician
and academic. Henry was mayor
of St. Cloud, Minnesota
, for two terms from 1964-71. He later served as the president of several colleges and universities.
He served as the first lay and male president of Saint Mary's College
, a Catholic
women's college in Indiana
, from 1972-74. He then became president of Saint Michael's College
(in Colchester, Vermont
), serving from 1976-85. Henry later became the 8th president of Marian University (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin), then called Marian College of Fond du Lac, serving from 1986-89. He also served as president of Belmont Abbey College
in North Carolina
from 1989-90.
. He graduated from Cathedral High School
and received his bachelor's degree
in 1943 from St. John's University, an all-male college in Collegeville, Minnesota. He attended Harvard University
as a graduate student. He later obtained his master's degree
in Political Science, his MBA, and his doctorate
in Political Science
from the University of Chicago
.
during World War II
. After the war he returned to St. Cloud, where he worked as a political science professor
at St. John's University for nineteen years. Henry chaired the political science department from 1954 to 1971. He later became Vice President of St. John's and the founder of the school's development department.
, the creation of the St. Cloud Housing Authority and the development and construction of what became the Municipal Athletic Complex. Henry negotiated an agreement to annex the Crossroads Center
shopping mall
to the city of St. Cloud. The mall had been part of an adjacent township
before the annexation.
Edward Henry oversaw a civic development program that culminated in St. Cloud receiving an All-America City Award
in 1973, after he had left office. He is credited with founding the Center for the Study of Local Government, the first small-city research center
in the United States, at St. John's University. The center, founded with a grant from the Ford Foundation
, operated from 1968 to 1979. His successor as mayor, Al Loehr
, who served from 1971-80, credited Henry with laying the foundations for the development of St. Cloud's downtown area.
in March 1972, shortly after Saint Mary's ended a proposed merger with the University of Notre Dame
. Notre Dame had begun admitting women in the early 1970s, which hurt Saint Mary's enrollment. Henry was quoted in a local newspaper shortly after taking over the presidency, saying, "I would not have accepted the presidency if I didn't see a great future for Saint Mary's." He announced his resignation as president of Saint Mary's in January 1974. Enrollment at Saint Mary's College increased 150% during his administration.
In 1976, Henry became president of Saint Michael's College
, a Roman Catholic college in Colchester, Vermont
, where he served as president until his retirement in 1985. His retirement from the academic world did not last long. He became the eighth president of Marian College in July 1986. Under his administration, enrollment increased at the college and the Townhouse Village residence facilities were constructed in 1988.
He spearheaded the creation of the first graduate program at Marian and the implementation of an evening and weekend degree completion program. He left Marian College in June 1989. He served as the interim
President of Belmont Abbey College
in North Carolina
from 1989-90.
, on September 30, 2010, aged 89. He was survived by nine children and two brothers. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Henry, who died in 2004.
Al Loehr
, who became St. Cloud's oldest living former mayor upon Henry's death, said of his predecessor, "He was one of the most intelligent leaders I've known, and I've known a lot of them...I commend him. He was an exemplary leader and a great asset to me. That's the type of person he was — an outstanding public servant." St. Cloud's current mayor, Dave Kleis
, who often received advice from Henry while serving as a Minnesota state legislator, said Henry "had a tremendous impact on St. Cloud."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and academic. Henry was mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 65,842 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stearns County...
, for two terms from 1964-71. He later served as the president of several colleges and universities.
He served as the first lay and male president of Saint Mary's College
Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It is located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States — as are the University of Notre Dame and Holy...
, a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
women's college in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, from 1972-74. He then became president of Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College is a private, residential liberal arts Catholic college. The campus is located in Colchester, Vermont. It was founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund, a French order of Catholic priests.-History:...
(in Colchester, Vermont
Colchester, Vermont
Colchester is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.-Geography:...
), serving from 1976-85. Henry later became the 8th president of Marian University (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin), then called Marian College of Fond du Lac, serving from 1986-89. He also served as president of Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College is a private liberal-arts Catholic college located in Belmont, North Carolina, USA west of Uptown Charlotte. It was founded in 1876 by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
from 1989-90.
Early life and education
Henry was born in 1921 in St. Cloud, MinnesotaSt. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 65,842 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stearns County...
. He graduated from Cathedral High School
Cathedral High School (St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Cathedral High School is a Roman Catholic coeducational parochial high school located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. One of the four high schools in the St. Cloud area, as of January 2006 Cathedral enrolls a total of 578 students in grades 9-12; when the attached John XXIII middle school is included,...
and received his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1943 from St. John's University, an all-male college in Collegeville, Minnesota. He attended Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
as a graduate student. He later obtained his master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Political Science, his MBA, and his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
.
Career
He enlisted as a United States Naval officerUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war he returned to St. Cloud, where he worked as a political science professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at St. John's University for nineteen years. Henry chaired the political science department from 1954 to 1971. He later became Vice President of St. John's and the founder of the school's development department.
Mayor of St. Cloud
Henry served as mayor of his native St. Cloud for two terms from 1964 to 1971. He chaired the St. Cloud school board during the 1960s. In 2010, the St. Cloud Times described Henry as "one of the most influential mayors in St. Cloud history". During his tenure as mayor, Henry founded Tri-CAP, the first anti-poverty program to encompass several towns and other municipalities in the rural United States. He spearheaded the relocation of the St. Cloud Regional AirportSt. Cloud Regional Airport
St. Cloud Regional Airport is a public airport located four miles east of the central business district of St. Cloud, a city in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States....
, the creation of the St. Cloud Housing Authority and the development and construction of what became the Municipal Athletic Complex. Henry negotiated an agreement to annex the Crossroads Center
Crossroads Center
This page is about a shopping mall in Minnesota. For other malls named Crossroads, see Crossroads Mall. For the rehabilitation center, see Crossroads Centre....
shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
to the city of St. Cloud. The mall had been part of an adjacent township
Township
The word township is used to refer to different kinds of settlements in different countries. Township is generally associated with an urban area. However there are many exceptions to this rule. In Australia, the United States, and Canada, they may be settlements too small to be considered urban...
before the annexation.
Edward Henry oversaw a civic development program that culminated in St. Cloud receiving an All-America City Award
All-America City Award
The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States.The oldest community recognition program in the nation, the award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon...
in 1973, after he had left office. He is credited with founding the Center for the Study of Local Government, the first small-city research center
Research center
A research center is a facility or building dedicated to research, commonly with the focus on a specific area. There are over 14,000 research centers in the United States...
in the United States, at St. John's University. The center, founded with a grant from the Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
, operated from 1968 to 1979. His successor as mayor, Al Loehr
Al Loehr
Al Loehr is an American Democratic politician. Loehr served as the mayor of St. Cloud, Minnesota, for two terms from 1971 until 1980 and as Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.Loehr worked for a railroad in his early life. His father was a stone cutter...
, who served from 1971-80, credited Henry with laying the foundations for the development of St. Cloud's downtown area.
Academic presidencies
Henry was appointed the first male lay President of Saint Mary's CollegeSaint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It is located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States — as are the University of Notre Dame and Holy...
in March 1972, shortly after Saint Mary's ended a proposed merger with the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. Notre Dame had begun admitting women in the early 1970s, which hurt Saint Mary's enrollment. Henry was quoted in a local newspaper shortly after taking over the presidency, saying, "I would not have accepted the presidency if I didn't see a great future for Saint Mary's." He announced his resignation as president of Saint Mary's in January 1974. Enrollment at Saint Mary's College increased 150% during his administration.
In 1976, Henry became president of Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College is a private, residential liberal arts Catholic college. The campus is located in Colchester, Vermont. It was founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund, a French order of Catholic priests.-History:...
, a Roman Catholic college in Colchester, Vermont
Colchester, Vermont
Colchester is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.-Geography:...
, where he served as president until his retirement in 1985. His retirement from the academic world did not last long. He became the eighth president of Marian College in July 1986. Under his administration, enrollment increased at the college and the Townhouse Village residence facilities were constructed in 1988.
He spearheaded the creation of the first graduate program at Marian and the implementation of an evening and weekend degree completion program. He left Marian College in June 1989. He served as the interim
Interim
Interim is an album by British rock band The Fall, compiled from live and studio material and released in 2004. It features the first officially released versions of "Clasp Hands", "Blindness" and "What About Us?" — all of which were later included on the band's next studio album Fall Heads Roll —...
President of Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College is a private liberal-arts Catholic college located in Belmont, North Carolina, USA west of Uptown Charlotte. It was founded in 1876 by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
from 1989-90.
Author
Henry authored two books, including a study of St. Cloud, entitled Micropolis in Transition (1971).Death
Edward Henry died in Roseville, MinnesotaRoseville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,690 people, 14,598 households, and 8,598 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,543.9 people per square mile . There were 14,917 housing units at an average density of 1,126.4 per square mile...
, on September 30, 2010, aged 89. He was survived by nine children and two brothers. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Henry, who died in 2004.
Al Loehr
Al Loehr
Al Loehr is an American Democratic politician. Loehr served as the mayor of St. Cloud, Minnesota, for two terms from 1971 until 1980 and as Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.Loehr worked for a railroad in his early life. His father was a stone cutter...
, who became St. Cloud's oldest living former mayor upon Henry's death, said of his predecessor, "He was one of the most intelligent leaders I've known, and I've known a lot of them...I commend him. He was an exemplary leader and a great asset to me. That's the type of person he was — an outstanding public servant." St. Cloud's current mayor, Dave Kleis
Dave Kleis
Dave Kleis is a Minnesota politician, and the mayor of St. Cloud, Minnesota.Kleis served in the Minnesota State Senate from 1995 to 2005. In 2005, he defeated incumbent Mayor John Ellenbecker to win election to his current office...
, who often received advice from Henry while serving as a Minnesota state legislator, said Henry "had a tremendous impact on St. Cloud."