Hiram in Portage County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
“Place of Origins”
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2021
1. “Place of Origins” Marker
“Place of Origins”
is dedicated to
Elmer and Ellen Jagow
Mr. Jagow served as President
of Hiram College from
1966 — 1985
The sculpture was made possible through gifts to the Jagow Art Fund
It was created by John Spofforth of Athens, Ohio
Dedicated: May 13, 1989
Erected 1989 by Jagow Art Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
Location. 41° 18.73′ N, 81° 8.716′ W. Marker is in Hiram, Ohio, in Portage County. It can be reached from the intersection of Dean Street and Brown Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted beside the Frohring Performing Arts Hall east (Renner Theater) entrance on the Hiram College campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11762 Dean Street, Hiram OH 44234, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Black Lives Matter installation (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Oliver Plaza (about 400 feet away); Hiram College (about 400 feet away); Circa 1900 (about 500 feet away); The Hiram College Arboretum (about 500 feet away); The Paul E. Martin Common (about 600 feet away); Bessie Coleman (about 600 feet away); Andrew Squire Homestead Site (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hiram.
Also see . . . Dr. Elmer Jagow (GenealogyBuff.com).
Excerpt: The president of Hiram College from 1966 until 1985, he was the dean of Ohio College presidents when he retired and his administration led a number of initiatives that continue to benefit the college today. The administration building known as Hinsdale Hall and the art and music center known as Frohring Hall and the Kennedy Student Center were built during his presidency. The athletic complex, Bonney Castle and(Submitted on September 9, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Pendleton House were renovated. The biological field station was established. Dr. Jagow was instrumental in the creation of the Weekend College, a then pioneering program since imitated by many colleges, which enables those in the world of work to return to college on weekends to complete their college education. He also oversaw the establishment of Hiram College's affiliation with John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. The Freshman Seminar, the Freshman Institute and a number of interdisciplinary courses were introduced during his presidency also.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 20212. “Place of Origins” Marker & SculptureLooking northeast toward the courtyard from the Frohring Performing Arts Hall east entrance. The marker is mounted on the wall (left) and the sculpture is in the background.Born April 22, 1922, in West Bend, Wis., he was the son of Bernard and Florence (Kurth) Jagow. He held a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University and was serving as vice president for finance and as treasurer for Knox College when he was tapped to lead Hiram. He held a bachelor's degree from Concordia University. An outgoing and articulate leader, Dr. Jagow maintained strong relations between the college and the Hiram community and played an active role in the wider community as well.
In Portage County, he served as a trustee of Robinson Memorial Hospital from
1981 to 1993, a period of tremendous growth for the hospital. He also served as a Kent community director of Huntington National Bank. In Geauga County, he had served as a director of Heather Hill, Inc. Dr. Jagow also had been a director of Acceleration Corp. of Columbus, of the Cleveland Machine Controls, Inc. of The Common Fund of New York. At John Cabot University in Rome, Italy, he had served as a honorary trustee since 1996.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 20213. “Place of Origins” SculptureLooking northwest from the courtyard to the Frohring Performing Arts Hall east entrance. The sculpture spans the right side of the walkway. The marker is visible on the wall to the right of the entrance.He held numerous honorary degrees including doctorates of letters (LLD) from Ohio University, John Cabot University and the Christian Theology Seminary.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
