Faculty Papers: Bro. Elmer C. Lackner Papers

Bro. Elmer Lackner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 3, 1907. At the age of thirteen he moved to Dayton to attend high school and prepare to join the Society of Mary. In 1925, after a few years of coursework, he began teaching at a grade school. From 1927 until 1940 he taught at various high schools, and in 1940 he began his career at UD as a history professor.

During his 45 years of service at the University of Dayton, Brother Lackner held the positions of teacher, dean, registrar, director of public relations, director of development and alumni affairs, vice president for university relations, and special assistant to the president. He was the key figure in bringing organized development, fund raising, and alumni relations to the University in the early 1950s through the early 1970s. He earned the title “Mr. UD” for his truly influential role in all areas of the University.

Brother Lackner organized four major fund-raising campaigns for the University of Dayton which resulted in the construction of Founders Hall, Kennedy Union, Miriam Hall, Sherman Hall, Wohlleben Hall, Gosiger Health Center, and Kettering Laboratories. These additions to the campus, as well as the construction of Marycrest, Stuart, and Campus South residence halls which were funded by government loans, represented over $40,000,000 in capital investments. Brother Lackner’s favorite projects were the 150 endowed scholarship funds he established with University benefactors for students at UD. One such scholarship is the Elmer C. Lackner, S.M., Scholarship Fund started in 1972 by a group of friends and generously supported by the Lackner family.

Bro. Lackner died in 1984 at the age of 77.

Left to right: Bro. Lackner receiving an award from Rev. Raymond Roesch (right); Bro. Lackner hard at work; Bro. Lackner, Summer 1977.

Bro. Lackner commenting on the transition from primarily religious faculty to primarily lay faculty after WWII:

EL: "The Society continued its influence all the way down to 1940. When I came here in 1940, about 75% to 80% of the faculty, college faculty, was made up of brothers and priests. Today it’s almost the reverse; lay people make up about 75% to 80% of the faculty. That’s because there just haven’t been enough members of the Order and, that’s one reason. The other is that after the Second World War, in 1946, I think we all became aware of the desirability of a better mix, a better mix between lay people and religious on the staff."

Oral History Project
March 11, 1974

For more on the history of faculty at the Unviersity of Dayton, check out the Brief History tab.

Visit the University Archives to access the Bro. Elmer C. Lackner Papers.

The natatorium in the old Physical Activities Center was named for Bro. Lackner in recognition of his role in fundraising for the building.

He was known to frequent the bowling lanes in Kennedy Union.

The Lackner Award is named in honor of Brother Elmer Lackner whose influence permeated nearly all areas of University life. Brother Elmer, known as Mr. UD, served at the University of Dayton for forty-five years. When Brother Elmer died in 1984, the UD Marianist priests and brothers established this award. The Lackner Award is given to full-time UD lay faculty or staff who, over a significant period of time, have made a noteworthy contribution to the Catholic and Marianist character of the University of Dayton.