Herbert Croom was one of the original staff members at UMN Morris. He was a teacher and principal at the West Central School of Agriculture and with the establishment of UMN Morris in 1960 he played an essential role in the transition of the campus from an agricultural high school to an undergraduate liberal arts institution. He was the Director of Student Services at the University of Minnesota Morris and the Director of Placement and Alumni at UMN Morris until his death in 1973.
Chronology
born in Hancock, MN on October 29
received his B.S. in agricultural education from the University of Minnesota
began 2.5 years of military service in the Navy
married Astrid Holmes
returned to the University of Minnesota to finish his education
became principal of the West Central School of Agriculture
received his M.S. degree in animal husbandry from the University of Minnesota
became acting superintendent of WCSA after Edson’s death
appointed Acting Director of Student Personnel Services at UMN Morris
became Director of Student Services at UMN Morris
became Director of Placement and Alumni at UMN Morris
died in Morris, MN on August 8
Personal Life
Herbert Croom was born on October 29th, 1913 in Hancock, MN to George and Abbie Hubbard Croom. He was the oldest of three children.[1] Growing up, he participated in 4-H and grew to love sports, especially basketball.[2] He had an early interest in livestock, and in 1931 he participated in the 14th annual junior livestock show in South St. Paul.[3] He graduated from Hancock High School and then attended the WCSA as an "After Christmas Student" in 1934 and was listed as a "Special Student" in 1935. He played basketball both years.
Croom earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1942.[4] On June 1, 1944, while working on his Master’s degree at the University of Minnesota, Croom received a university leave for military service. He spent two and a half years in the US Navy before coming back to continue his degree in fall of 1946.[5]
Croom went on to work as a science teacher at the West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA).[6] On July 1, 1949 he was appointed as principal to WCSA by the Board of Regents.[7] Throughout his career at the WCSA he played an active role at the school and was chairman of the scholarship committee, supervisor of the poultry department, and coached the stock judging team. He taught classes on incubation and brooding, livestock management, feeds and feeding, and advanced biology.[8] Croom continued his work there as an assistant professor and principal until 1960.[9]
In 1960 he became the Acting Director of Student Personnel Services at UMN Morris while still remaining the Principal of WCSA.[10]
Research
Herbert Croom's research focused on animal science and more specifically on sheep and lamb nutrition. His Master's thesis was titled Methods of Preventing Death Loss in Lamb Feeding.[11]
He continued work in this area while working and teaching at the WCSA. His published research examined the effects of various livestock feeds on lamb fattening[12], sources of protein in lamb diets[13], hormone implants on lambs[14], and the effects of different supplements[15] and implants[16]. He was recognized in the influential American Men of Science (now American Men and Women of Science).[17]
Community Involvement
Croom was an especially active member of the local and regional community. His work with the Kiwanis Club is especially noteworthy. In 1956 he was elected as district lieutenant governor of the organization[18], and ten years later he was named the district chairman of agriculture.[19] At the time of the 50th anniversary of the organization in 1971, Croom was serving as the governor of the Minnesota-Dakota Kiwanis.[20]
Outside of the Kiwanis, Croom remained involved in the community. Croom continued his love of animal sciences and helped to judge livestock for 4-H clubs and fairs. He became well known by many in Fergus Falls for his judging at the Otter Tail County Fair.[21] He was also a member of the First Lutheran Church and spent his time as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, a member of the church council, and president of his congregation.[22]
Campus Contributions
Croom played a key administrative role in the first years of UMN Morris. He and Stephen Granger worked closely with Rodney Briggs to get the branch of the university up and running in only 11 months.[23] Croom’s position as Director of Student Personnel was essential to the establishment of a wide variety of student services including admissions and records, student housing, loans and scholarship, student activities and student government.[24]
Croom's work in student affairs was matched by his committee work. He was a part of the Financial Aid Committee[25] for multiple years.[26] He was also chair of the Student Behavior Committee[27] and part of the 1968 Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Campaign Committee.[28] This committee was created by the West Central Educational Development Association and then passed on to the UMM Alumni Association in 1967. The program worked to provide scholarship funds for students from alumni donations.[29]
Croom was an enthusiastic participant in other aspects of student life. For example, during "Mock" Homecoming in 1960, he participated in the faculty vs. students football game.[30] He also coordinated the Agricultural Barter for College Program, a joint effort on the part of the campus and West Central Farmers Union that raised scholarship money through the donation of farm produce.[31]
In 1964 with UMN Morris' first graduating class, Croom added to his resume and assumed new positions as Director of Placement and Director of Alumni. These were especially vital roles as the continued growth and success of the college depended on identifying career options for recent graduates and then building and maintaining relationships with the ever growing number of alumni.[32] Between 1964 and 1969 he occupied these multiple positions as Director of Alumni, Placement and Student Services.
After UMN Morris
Croom left the position of Director of Student Services in 1969, and Stephen Granger took over many of the responsibilities and earned the new title of “Assistant Provost” under Jack Imholte.[33]
Croom continued as Director of Placement and Alumni until his death as a result of cancer in 1973. After Croom’s death, Gary Donovan took over the position and in October 1973, the Placement and Alumni Affairs Office was renamed the Career Planning and Placement Service (CPPS).[34] That same year, a scholarship was created in Croom’s memory by the UMM Alumni Association.[35] In 1995, the UMM Alumni Association fully endowed the scholarship to provide funds for students who are direct descendants of UMN Morris or WCSA alumni.[36]
Footnotes
[1] “Herbert Croom services Saturday,” The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, MN), Aug. 10, 1973.
[2] Robin Atkins, “Interview: Professor H.G. Croom,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), Feb. 22, 1961.
[3] “Olson is guest at stock show.” The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, MN), Nov. 3, 1931.
[4] University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota 1942 Commencement, 1942.
[5] Robin Atkins, “Interview: Professor H.G. Croom,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), Feb. 22, 1961.
[6] Robin Atkins, “Interview: Professor H.G. Croom,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), Feb. 22, 1961.
[7] West Central School of Agriculture. Moccasin. Morris, MN: 1957, page 11.
[8] West Central School of Agriculture. Moccasin. Morris, MN: 1957, page 11.
[9] UMM Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, "WCSA AlumNEWS: Spring 2014"
[10] University of Minnesota Morris, "Croom Named Acting Director of Student Services," April 11, 1960.
[11] University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota 1952 Commencement, 1952.
[12] Journal of Animal Science, Volume 17, Issue 3, August 1958, Pages 819–824.
[13] Journal of Animal Science, Volume 16, Issue 1, February 1957, Pages 118–124.
[14] Journal of Animal Science, Volume 15, Issue 4, November 1956, Pages 1003–1007.
[15] Journal of Animal Science, Volume 15, Issue 1, February 1956, Pages 188–192.
[16] Journal of Animal Science, Volume 14, Issue 4, November 1955, Pages 936–940.
[17] University of Minnesota Morris, “[News Article About the Death of Herbert G. Croom],” August 9, 1973.
[18] “Kiwanis club governor here,” St. Cloud times (St. Cloud, MN), April 3, 1956.
[19] “Division 7 Kiwanis Holds Workshop Here,” The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, MN), February 21, 1966.
[20] “200 to Note Kiwanians’ 50th Year,” The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, MN), June 15, 1971.
[21] “Herbert Croom services Saturday,” The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, MN), Aug. 10, 1973.
[22] “Herbert G. Croom Died Wednesday,” Morris Sun (Morris, MN), August 14, 1973.
[23] David Mazie, “‘U’ at Morris Buckles Down to Create Image for Itself,” Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), May 19, 1963.
[24] University of Minnesota Morris, "Croom Named Acting Director of Student Services," April 11, 1960.
[25] Randy Henningson, “Student - Faculty Committees,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), October 20, 1967.
[26] Dale Borgeson, “Student - Faculty Committees,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), October 9, 1968.
[27] Ronald Hietala, “Students and faculty ally in committees,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), November 11, 1965.
[28] Scott Erickson, “Dollars for scholars on KCMT,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), April 23, 1968.
[29] Scott Erickson, “Dollars for scholars on KCMT,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), April 23, 1968.
[30] Robin Atkins, “Interview: Professor H.G. Croom,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), Feb. 22, 1961.
[31] “ABC Rally” Vanguard (Morris, MN) October 10, 1963.
[32] University of Minnesota, Annual Reports 1964-1965, (Morris, MN: University of Minnesota, Morris, 1965).
[33] UMM Archives, "General files and correspondence (A2-F) contents" (2015). Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
[34] Cathy Blagoue, “CPPS: Who? What? Where? Why?” Campus Community Writer (Morris, MN), April 7, 1975.
[35] “Campaign Begun for Herb Croom Memorial Scholarship.” Vanguard (Morris, MN), October 21, 1974.
[36] UMM Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, "WCSA AlumNEWS: Spring 2014"