Dr. John Emory McCaw '35 is a proud graduate of Lincoln High School. While at Lincoln, John became a member of the National Honor Society, was Valedictorian of his class, was awarded the Joseph's Honor Cup; and was recognized for exceptional attainment in scholarship, public speaking and leadership.
John graduated from Drake University in 1939 with a degree in Liberal Arts. His studies continued at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, where he received a Bachelor of Divinity Degree, writing a thesis entitled Formula and Freedom Among the Disciples of Christ. In later years he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Christian Theological Seminary of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is also a Fellow at the Union Theological Seminary in New York.
On May 15, 1942, John married Maxine Mae Gambs, a graduate of North High School in Des Moines. Maxine was a concert pianist who also studied at Drake University, Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Chicago Musical College and the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. John and Maxine have four children: Clayle Franklin, Milva Lou, Maxhn Herbert and Janine Gambs. All of their children graduated from Lincoln. Like their parents, John and Maxine's children pursued service oriented careers in the areas of human resources, law, medicine, education, transportation and music.
John had an accomplished professional life. In 1950 John became the Dean of the Bible College at Drake University, where he led the College to full Accreditation and changed the name to the Divinity School of Drake University. He was instrumental in the construction of Medbury Hall and Scott Chapel. He received numerous recognitions at Drake, including the Centennial Award, the Dawson Award, the Alumni Distinguished Service Award and the Drake Medal of Service. John retired from Drake in 1982, but continued to serve on the Drake Alumni Board, the Board of Higher Education and the General Board and Administrative Committee of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
John helped establish the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center, serving as its president for time. His public service included the Mayor's Commission on Rape and eight years on the Des Moines Independent School District Board.
John and Maxine published many books on family history, genealogy, prayers, children's stories and two novels. John has many hobbies including bee keeping, gardening, fishing, and raising live stock and fowl at their South Side home. John and Maxine have been generous benefactors of Lincoln over the years. Most recently they established the The Clayle, Milva, Maxhn, and Janine McCaw Scholarship Fund through the Alumni Foundation in honor of their children.