Dr. Paul Klapper was the first President of Queens College, serving from Fall 1937 through Spring 1948.
“Dr. Paul Klapper, dean of the School of Education at City College, was appointed president of the new Queens City College by the Board of Higher Education at a special meeting last night...Dr. Klapper’s appointment was recommended by the Queens College administrative committee of the board headed by John T. Flynn. Dr. Klapper’s new position will carry an annual salary of $15,000 a year, a $4,000 increase over his present salary as dean at City College.
Dr. Klapper, who was reached at his home late last night, said: ‘Many have been called to the leadership of institutions of higher learning in America, but to me there has come an opportunity unique in its richness: to help in the building of a great institution, to assemble its staff of teachers and scholars, to formulate its sphere of influence. We must build not another college but a new college, an institution whose identity stems from its distinctive aim and its distinctive staff. We must build more than a college for young people; we must develop a great cultural center for the Borough of Queens.’
Opposition to the action of the Queens College administrative committee, who after a nation-wide search for a competent educator selected Dr. Klapper, came from numerous civic leaders in Queens led by County Judge Charles S. Colden.
...Dr. Klapper received his Bachelor of Arts degree from City College in 1904, after an education in the elementary and public high schools of this city. He was born in Rumania on July 17, 1885, and was brought to this country when he was 7 years old. He continued his studies at Columbia University, Wisconsin University and New York University, where he received his Master of Arts degree in 1907 and his Doctor of Philosophy in 1909.”
“Dr. Paul Klapper has resigned as president of Queens College, bringing to a close fifty-five years of participation in New York’s public education system as a student, teacher and administrator.
...Board officials attempted over the week-end to make Dr. Klapper reconsider his decision to retire, but the 62 year-old educator would not. He said yesterday that ‘after twenty-five years in administrative posts, as dean and president, I am eager to return to teaching, writing and consultation work.’
...He has been on leave since last September, working on the Temporary Commission on Need for a State University and conducting a study of post-war changes in American colleges, under a grant from the Carnegie Corporation.
...In submitting his resignation, Dr. Klapper said he had ‘a rare opportunity in American higher education—to found a new college, a people’s college.’ He added: ‘For the unfailing and understanding support I have received from the board and from my colleagues on the faculty and on the administrative staff, I shall always be grateful. They have helped me make the first decade in the life of Queens College a cooperative venture in higher education. I shall always cherish the warm friendships that began with official relations, and as well as president emeritus I will respond cheerfully to any call which may be made by the board or the college.’
Dr. Klapper opened the college Oct. 4, 1937, with a faculty of twenty-six and a student body of 400. The college now has 302 staff members and 3,882 students.”