She, along with UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Barbara Uehling, were the first female chancellors in the history of the University of California. Schraer was born near Utica in upstate New York. She was married to Harald Schraer in 1952, and had a son, David. Schraer died on April 10, 1992, after having suffered a stroke on April 8. History and purpose:  Rosemary S. J. Schraer, the seventh chancellor of UCR, was the first female chancellor of a University of California campus. Schraer was described as an optimist and a champion of the underprivileged. Her research activities included the biochemical aspects of cell structure and cell function. She also collaborated on scientific endeavors with her husband, Harald Schraer, with whom she co-authored many scientific studies. Schraer served in numerous professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society and the American Association of University Professors. Parallel to her professional involvement, she was active in an impressive variety of community service organizations, including the United Way Campaign of the Inland Valleys, Riverside Community Hospital governing board, American Association of University Women, and the Presley Institute of Corrections, Research, and Training. Before coming to UCR in 1985 as executive vice chancellor, she served at Pennsylvania State University, where she held numerous academic offices, including associate provost. In December 1992, after Schraer's sudden death, the Rosemary S. J. Schraer Endowed Memorial Scholarship was created with gifts from various donors and Dr. Harald Schraer. The scholarship provides support to undergraduates who combine outstanding leadership with exceptional academic achievement and service to the campus community. Harald Schraer, who resides in Pennsylvania, continues to support this fund and its goals. Schraer was appointed executive vice chancellor under Chancellor Theodore L. Hullar in 1985. In 1987, Hullar was reassigned to UC Davis and Schraer was appointed as the first female chancellor in the history of the UC system. During her tenure, Schraer promoted the university as an outstanding research institution and increased external giving from $3 million to over $12 million annually. She also oversaw development of a campus growth master plan that allowed the campus to expand to accommodate 18,000 students. Schraer announced her intent to retire at the end of the 1991-92 academic year, but she died on April 10, 1992. She was the second UCR chancellor to die while in office, the other being Tomás Rivera, who died in 1984.