professor, municipal reformer, university president, b. Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the State Univ. of Iowa (B.A., 1903). He taught American history and political science at Ohio State Univ. (1907-1909), and was associate professor and head of the political science department at the Univ. of Kansas (1909-1918). He spent the next eight years working with various municipal reform groups, and was secretary of the Cleveland Civic League (1918-1920), the Chicago City Club (1920-1922), and the Los Angeles City Club (1922-1926). He was professor of municipal administration at the Univ. of California (1923-1930) and city manager of Cincinnati, Ohio (1930-1937). In the latter capacity he gained national recognition for his efficiency in instituting reforms and improvements in municipal works, and was especially honored for his actions in repairing the damage caused by the disastrous floods of 1936-1937. Appointed president of the Univ. of Wisconsin in 1937 to fill the vacancy caused by the dismissal of president Glenn Frank (q.v.), Dykstra was a less controversial figure on the campus. His administration was marked by the tension and problems of the early years of World War II, but he managed to expand the university's physical plant and strengthen the faculty. He also served as first director of the U.S. Selective Service Board and was chairman of the National Defense Mediation Board. Dykstra resigned the presidency in Oct., 1944, but continued to serve until his successor was named in 1945. Who's Who in Amer., 23 (1944); Madison, From 1945 until his death he was provost of Wis. State Journal, Apr. 28, 1940, May 7, 1950; the Univ. of California. Wis. Alumnus (Feb., 1945).Learn More
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
