Clarence Von Eschen was born on July 21, 1904, in Shelby, Iowa. He was an honors graduate of Coe College, received his M.A. degree from the University of Iowa, and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Von Eschen joined the Beloit College faculty in 1940 as professor of education and psychology. From 1944 to 1976 he served as chairman of the Department of Education, making it one of the most widely respected such departments in a liberal arts college in the nation.

He was a frequent speaker and panelist at educational conferences and policy forums both locally and across the country, and also participated in educational study groups in Europe and the Far East. He was noted for his writings on educational trends and curricular planning and served on national committees for teacher education.

His campus duties for many years included service as Director of Testing and the Teacher Placement Bureau, as well as Director of the school’s summer session and continuing education programs.

In the 1950s, when the college received a major self-study grant from the Ford Foundation, Dr. Von Eschen was named chair of the special faculty committee whose report on the future of liberal education was widely acclaimed and helped lead to Beloit’s later introduction of the nationally recognized “Beloit Plan.”

Dr. Von Eschen was a prominent member of the Beloit College Faculty for three decades—during a period of great change and challenge for the college. He also was widely recognized in his profession and played a key role in community educational and civic affairs for many years.

His significant community involvement included long service on the Beloit Board of Education, PTA leadership, and as an active Rotarian and leader of the Beloit Unitarian Fellowship.

Among community education projects to which he gave leadership was the development of special programs for gifted and talented students at Beloit Memorial High School and for summertime institutes for students in science.

Upon retirement from active teaching in 1970, he was accorded Emeritus rank by the College. He died on October 11, 1976.

A special annual honors day award, the Von Eschen-Steele Award, still honors his memory and that of a long-time colleague, Professor Lysle Steele.