COUCHMAN, Gaylord M.

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Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

COUCHMAN, Gaylord M. (Popejoy, IA--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 30, 1975). MAYOR. Ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1934, Couchman served churches in Grimes, Lake City and Boone. He headed the Christian Education Committee of the Synod of Iowa and served as director of young peoples' summer conferences in the synod for eight years. Couchman came to Dubuque as pastor of WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in 1943. He was a member of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United Staates and also of the National Commission of Evangelism of the General Assembly. He served as president of the Dubuque Council of Churches and of the Dubuque Ministerial Association. (1)

In 1953 Couchman became president of the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE, a position he held for fourteen years. Enrollment doubled, and the school's physical plant increased in value from $1 million to $6 million. (2)

From 1968-1971 Dr. Couchman served a term on the Dubuque city council. He served as mayor in 1971. (3) It was during his term that the council refused to hold closed discussions with a real estate developer. (3) He also announced he would not consider using the mayoral veto "the best-kept secret in the city" to veto city council actions. (4) He opposed a juvenile curfew doubting it would reduce crime. (5) He supported the 1971 Iowa Supreme Court's modification of the Washington Street Neighborhood rezoning of 1969. Believing it created a proper balance between those wanting quiet neighborhoods and others desiring continued business use, the council did not seek a re-hearing of the decision. (6) He was, however, dissatisfied with the reduction in odor from the sewage treatment plant--despite the reported reduction in the industrial waste overload. (7) There were many ceremonial events including November 8, 1971 at DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL when the Rams' football team was celebrated at "Senior High Victory Day" for bringing the Mississippi Valley Conference football championship home for the first time in 28 years.

He chaired the Iowa College President's Association in 1958. He was a member of the Advisory Committee on Approval Standards for the Iowa Department of Public Instruction (1965-1967) and the advisory committee of Catholic Charities. Couchman was vice-chairman of the board of directors of AQUINAS INSTITUTE, director of the DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB, and a member of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission. He chaired the Iowa Association of Private Colleges and Universities (1965-1968), and was vice-president of the Iowa College Foundation (1964-1965). (8)

Upon his retirement as university president, Couchman served as director of church relations for the school until 1970 and helped manage the $4 million Major Gift Campaign for the university in 1974. He played a crucial role in founding the Iowa Tuition Grant Program that awarded public funds to students attending private colleges. He was a fundraiser for the ECUMENICAL TOWER housing project and the FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER.(9)

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Source:

1. "Dr. Couchman Elected U of D's Next President," Telegraph-Herald, February 24, 1953, p. 1

2. Obituary, Telegraph-Herald, September 2, 1975, p. 9

3. Miller, Jim, "Council Refuses to Hold Closed Talks," Telegraph-Herald, April 30, 1971, p. 4

4. Bulkley, John, "Couchman to Leave Veto 'on the shelf," Telegraph-Herald, March 8, 1971, p. 12

5. Bulkley, John, "Curfew Issue is Kept Alive," Telegraph-Herald, March 2, 1971.

6. Bulkley, John, "No Re-hearing for Zoning Decision," Telegraph-Herald, October 1, 1971, p. 13

7. "Industrial Sewage Load Down Somewhat," Telegraph-Herald, November 2, 1971, p. 13

8. Ibid.

9. Ibid.