CLOSSON, Eugene Enoch "Gene"

BOWDEN, CLOSSON, TRAVIS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/10/2016 at 13:03:35

BIOGRAPHY - EUGENE ENOCH "GENE" CLOSSON

Eugene Enoch "Gene" Closson was born in Marlboro, Maine, on January 2, 1894, the son of Capt. Franklin Eugene and Almeda Jane (Bowden) Closson.

Eugene Closson's connection with Graceland College [present-day Graceland University] originated with his enrollment in the preparatory school in 1921. He graduated from the academy in 1924 and received his collegiate diploma in 1926. He continued his education at the State University of Iowa, obtaining his bachelor's degree in history in 1927, and his master's in psychology in 1931.

Mr. Closson joined the Graceland faculty in 1931 to teach social science, mental hygiene and psychology, later adding history to his course load. Mr. Closson was the first director of Graceland's social activities, acting dean of the college (1932), and served many long periods of membership on important committees, such as Council on Student Welfare, Curriculum Ajustment Committe, Committee on Student Selection, Academic Council and Chairman of the Division of Health and Education. Students praised Mr. Closson for his openness and his ability to apply classroom concepts to real life.

"Double E" or "Pop" Closson, as he was known by the football players, was an active booster of the college's football, basketball, and track programs, regularly assisting the teams at practices and joining them on the road. He had been the first student manager of an athletice team and continued his strong interest in campus athletics. There was rarely a game played that did not see E. E. Closson on the sidelines.

After retiring from teaching in 1959, Mr. Closson was given professor emeritus status. After retirement, Mr. Closson continued his association with Graceland.

Before coming to Lamoni, Gene had a long history of association with the youth activities of the church. Under appointment, he served as General Director of recreation and Expression, was the first director of Camp Nauvoo, the church's first young people's camp, served as Director of Young People's Activities, and had been in charge of the church's scouting program. He was associate editor of the Journal of the Department of Religious Education. While in Lamoni, he served on the Lamoni Stake High Council.

The Closson Center was dedicated in 1968 in honor of Eugene E. Closson, recognizing his long support of Graceland athletics. His wife Judy's name was added in 2006. Judy taught women's physica education at Graceland from 1931 to 1946.

Gene passed away on February 10, 1974, Lamoni, Iowa. He married Julia Ann "Judy" Travis on August 3, 1927, and the couple were the parents of three children. Judy was born on November 25, 1903 in Nebraska, graduated from Graceland in 1927, and passed away on Friday, June 11, 2010. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa. Gene and Judy's son, Jim Closson, served as Graceland's first full-time registrar from 1965 to 1987.

SOURCES:

Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where. . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Pp. 86, 90, 92, 149-50. Venture Foundation. Lamoni IA. 1972.

Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” Pp. 397-98. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

"A Self-Made Man: Eugene E. Closson."

"No Name Change is Necessary, but . . . Closson Center Gets New Name." Horizons. Vol. 22, No. 2, p. 15. Graceland University. Lamoni IA. Spring/Summer 2006.

Transcriptions and note by Sharon R Becker, January of 2016

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