William J. Bakrow

William Bakrow (died 17 March 2005) was the 11th president of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa from 1973-1987. He was born in Kansas, but moved to Rochester, New York when he was one-month old. He received a doctorate in public administration and education from Indiana University at Bloomington.

He was given the friendly nickname of "Dollar Bill," since he wiped out a $2 million debt, doubled enrollment, and balanced the budget for eight consecutive years. Under his presidency St. Ambrose ventured into graduate studies with the Masters of Business Administration program. Bakrow was the first layperson to serve as chief operating officer at St. Ambrose.