William H. Hausdoerffer ’36

The man for whom one of the new student apartments is named—Willam “Bill” Hausdoerffer—has been associated with this institution as a student, alumnus, and/or faculty member for 77 years; or, to look at it another way, for half of the time the College itself has been in existence.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

Ed’s note: This article was compiled from press clippings.

Willam “Bill” Hausdoerffer has been associated with this institution as a student, alumnus, and/or faculty member for 77 years—or, to look at it another way, for half of the time the College itself has been in existence. Hausdoerffer entered what was then known as New Jersey State Teachers College and State Normal School at Trenton in 1932. He excelled in both academics (he was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the national honor society, and won the Secor Prize for excellence in mathematics and the Stout Scholarship for graduate study) and athletics (his accomplishments on the baseball and football fields later earned him induction into the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame).

After graduating with a BS in mathetmatics, Hausdoerffer went on to teach and coach in Plainfield, NJ. It was during that time that he also earned a master’s degree from Columbia University. After serving in World War II, Hausdoerffer returned to TCNJ (at that time known as New Jersey State Teachers College at Trenton) to teach physics, astronomy, and science. In 1950, upon earning his doctorate in mathematics from Rutgers University, he joined the College’s mathematics department.

Hausdoerffer went on to serve at TCNJ for over 30 years as a mathematics professor and, from 1956 to 1975, as chair of the math department. Throughout his years on the College faculty, Hausdoerffer also served at times as Dean of Men, assistant football coach, and as adviser to a number of student organizations.

After retiring from the College in 1979, Hausdoerffer and his wife Rosemary (nee Canning, Class of 1952) remained active and supportive alumni of the College. Professor Hausdoerffer designed and donated the sundial that sits outside of Brower Student Center. He also served on the College’s Alumni Association Executive Board for several years. In 1997, he was awarded the Alumni Citation Award, the premier award given by the College’s Alumni Association.

Perhaps most importantly, Hausdoerffer never forgot that his own academic pursuits were, in part, made possible by the generosity of others. He and Rosemary continue to give generously to their alma mater.