Otto Kraushaar

Otto Frederick Krausharr (November 19, 1901 – September 23, 1989) was an American professor of philosophy and academic administrator. He is best known for his tenure as the 6th president of Goucher College from 1948 to 1967. During his presidency, Krausharr is credited with elevating Goucher's national profile and overseeing significant developments, including the college's relocation from Baltimore to Towson, Maryland. He was also instrumental in increasing racial and religious diversity at Goucher, actively lifting quotas on Jewish students and encouraging African-American applicants. Prior to his role at Goucher, Kraushaar was a professor in the philosophy department at Smith College for 15 years. He also served as an instructor at Harvard and the University of Kansas during his graduate studies. Kraushaar held a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, with his doctoral dissertation focusing on "Lotze's Theory of Knowledge." He was also involved in various professional affiliations, including consultancies for Maryland's higher education commission and gubernatorial task forces. He was a member of organizations like the United World Federalists, Americans for Democratic Action, and the American Civil Liberties Union. His written works include "American Non-Public Schools: Patterns of Diversity" (1972), "From the Puritans to the Present" (1976), and "Schools in a Changing City: An Overview of Baltimore's Private Schools" (1976).