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A Chance to Make a Difference: A Memoir
John P. Schaefer was only thirty-six years old when he assumed the role of fifteenth president of the University of Arizona in 1971. The son of hardworking German immigrants, Schaefer grew up in Queens, New York, where childhood centered on sports, academics, and the great outdoors.
Earning a PhD in chemistry in 1958, Dr. Schaefer’s career skyrocketed through the ranks of academia, moving him from junior faculty to university president in a mere decade. As president, he led the University of Arizona through a transformational period of growth and is credited with securing the university’s status as a top-tier research institution.
A Chance to Make a Difference recounts poignant, eye-opening, and often humorous stories from childhood to presidency, revealing the characteristics of an inspiring university leader.
Earning a PhD in chemistry in 1958, Dr. Schaefer’s career skyrocketed through the ranks of academia, moving him from junior faculty to university president in a mere decade. As president, he led the University of Arizona through a transformational period of growth and is credited with securing the university’s status as a top-tier research institution.
A Chance to Make a Difference recounts poignant, eye-opening, and often humorous stories from childhood to presidency, revealing the characteristics of an inspiring university leader.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
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December 29, 2025
True Renaissance Man
I feel a real pride and satisfaction that my dad could - and often did - lay legitimate claim to having discovered this remarkable gem of a man when he hired him as an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, essentially starting the ball rolling on the important career of John Schaefer.
This book tells the fascinating story of a man whose intellectual curiosity and wide-ranging interests - not to mention his imposing intellect and critical ability to bring about the merging of disparate parts into a functional whole - made him the right man at the right time in the right place for the historically important positions he has held.
I even learned more about my dad than I had previously known. And my dad’s career taught me something striking about John Schaefer’s: my father was consumed by his interest in organic chemistry. By contrast, Dr. Schaefer was fortunate enough to find deep interest in many subjects and areas, including chemistry, photography and birding - and he synthesized those elements into an extraordinary career - an exceptional life - the life of a true Renaissance Man.
A must read!
Manny Freiser
I feel a real pride and satisfaction that my dad could - and often did - lay legitimate claim to having discovered this remarkable gem of a man when he hired him as an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, essentially starting the ball rolling on the important career of John Schaefer.
This book tells the fascinating story of a man whose intellectual curiosity and wide-ranging interests - not to mention his imposing intellect and critical ability to bring about the merging of disparate parts into a functional whole - made him the right man at the right time in the right place for the historically important positions he has held.
I even learned more about my dad than I had previously known. And my dad’s career taught me something striking about John Schaefer’s: my father was consumed by his interest in organic chemistry. By contrast, Dr. Schaefer was fortunate enough to find deep interest in many subjects and areas, including chemistry, photography and birding - and he synthesized those elements into an extraordinary career - an exceptional life - the life of a true Renaissance Man.
A must read!
Manny Freiser
Displaying 1 of 1 review