Rev. Matthew Schumacher

Years in Office: 1919-1925

At the time he took office, Father Matthew Schumacher, was the most professional educator ever appointed to the position of president at SEU. He held a doctorate of philosophy from the Catholic University of America, served for twelve years as the Director of Studies at the University of Notre Dame, and was a member of the Catholic Educational Association (becoming chairman of the Committee on Standards in 1917). 

In 1920 Schumacher began planning for a large fundraising campaign to help the university recover from the war years. The "Greater St. Edward's Campaign", saw several setbacks, including an economic recession in 1921 and the Tornado of 1922 (which caused extensive damage to campus). Despite initial challenges, Schumacher's advocacy and fundraising efforts ultimately proved successful.

Father Schumacher's presidency was an era of academic revolution. During this time faculty were held to more rigorous qualifications, curricula were modernized, and the departments of the high school and college were separated. These changes led to the university's first accreditation. "St. Edward's University" received a charter from the State of Texas on March 10, 1925. 

After his presidency was completed he remained on campus for one more year to serve as the head of the Philosophy Department.

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