JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Dr. Charles McClain, who served nearly 20 years as President of Truman State University, died last week at the age of 83.
McClain was credited with re-making Truman into perhaps the only highly-selective public liberal arts and science universities in the state, and he received numerous recognitions as one of the finest higher education officials in the country.
McClain’s teacher career began at the almost unbelievable age of 16, when he served as an educator in a single-room schoolhouse outside of Sullivan, Missouri. During his 60-plus years in education, McClain served as an elementary school teacher, a principal, a superintendent and a college professor. Prior to working at Truman, McClain founded Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri.
“Dr. McClain was truly an academic legend and I am forever grateful for the personal impact he had on my life,” Scott Zajac said.
Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Truman graduate and candidate for treasurer in 2016, took to the senate floor to briefly memorialize McClain.
“He was a pioneer in higher education,” Schmitt said. “[My wife] Jaime and I are graduates of the university he shaped, and I am grateful for his leadership. He will be missed.”
McClain also served as the Commissioner of Higher Education after his time at Truman. Funeral services will be held this Thursday in Columbia.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
