Honors College renamed for philanthropist

Students, faculty and administration came together Wednesday afternoon to honor the renaming of the IU Honors College. But rather than a stuffy reception, the gathering was a warm celebration of Edward L. Hutton's belief in something simple: students. \n"Young people, given the opportunity and the tools to work with, can work wonders," Hutton said at the end of his speech. \nIU is renaming the program the Edward L. Hutton Honors College after the alumnus and benefactor. But more than pecuniary support, Hutton himself provided living proof that idealism mixed with hard work and initiative add up to success. \n"Renaming something as major as the Honors College only happens for exceptional people who have been a part of the University in exceptional ways," said IU Trustee Sue Talbot. "Edward Hutton is a man with a great vision."\nThat great vision included the creation of the International Experiences Program, which provides up to $2,000 for foreign travel to Honors College students.\nPrior to the presentations, Hutton spoke with students, some of whom he met at an Honors College-sponsored luncheon Wednesday afternoon. While Hutton met with faculty and administrators, it was clear his primary pleasure came from speaking with the students present, many of whom had studied abroad on IEP grants. \nSeveral students took to the podium to recount their study-abroad experiences but most mainly wanted to thank Hutton. Students spoke of life-changing experiences in language study and volunteerism in Greece, China and Costa Rica. \nJunior Laura Ertmer spoke of her year in Peru studying Spanish and sustainable agriculture.\n"As a student abroad, I was immersed in a lifestyle of learning, and only by embracing this lifestyle was I able to know Peru and let it change me," she said. "And it did change me."\nBut all the heartfelt thanks came into sharp focus as the crowd was presented with a video on Hutton's life and accomplishments. Although many look to his success in corporate America as senior officer and director of W.R. Grace & Co. and CEO and chairman of Chemed Corp., Hutton focused on his earlier years. \nIn the video, Hutton told of a hardscrabble Great Depression childhood in Bedford, Ind., and of being able to come to IU on scholarship. On an administrator's urging, he took the Civil Service Exam his senior year.\n"I wasn't really excited about it," he said in the video. "I thought, 'Four hours on a Saturday afternoon?' But sometimes, you never know." \nNearly a year later, Hutton received two pieces of mail on the same afternoon. One was a draft postcard instructing him to come in the following Saturday for a physical. The other was calling him to work for the U.S. government in preparation for the war-time economy. Hutton walked to the president of the draft board's house and asked the man what he should do.\n"He told me 'Hell, son, if they need you that badly, go to Washington,'" Hutton said. "He told me he'd take care of the draft, and he tore up the postcard."\nAfter working for the government in Washington, D.C., Hutton enlisted in the Army and went to Germany in the wake of World War II. Hutton attributes much of his success in his life to luck. \n"When there's mass confusion, like there was in Germany after the war, there's a lot of opportunity for someone with a little initiative," Hutton said. "I was lucky."\nHutton was inspired to start the IEP years later after hearing an isolationist-tinged speech by Pat Buchanan. The problematic beliefs Buchanan expressed made Hutton think about his experiences in Germany and the growing need for students to have an understanding of the global perspective, Hutton said. \n"I was negatively inspired," Hutton said. "Indiana and the Midwest have always been isolationist, and isolationism is unpatriotic. I didn't care what the students majored in or where they went, they just needed to get out there."\nHutton met with the Honors College administration, and it was determined that what was needed for his portion of the endowment would amount to $9 million.\n"Well, I thought that over for a while, maybe five seconds, stood up, shook hands, and said yes," Hutton said with a laugh. \nThe Honors College started in the 1960s with fewer than 100 students. Today, it involves more than 2,400 students. \nOther speakers including IUB Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis and Interim Associate Vice President for Student Development and Diversity Edwardo Rhodes echoed Hutton's belief that international study is an integral part of a modern education.\n"Today, having a global perspective isn't just nice -- it's absolutely essential," Rhodes said in his opening statement. "Mr. Hutton has made that possible for many students." \nBut more than just helping students go abroad, Hutton provided a role model.\n"The students of the Honors College are our raison d'etre (reason for being)," said Karen Hanson, dean of the Honors College. "We see in Mr. Hutton the fruits of talent, hard work and generosity. That's a mix of qualities we try to cultivate in our students."\nThe afternoon ended with an opportunity for continued mingling. Senior Laura Bowman was able to study abroad in Salamanca, Spain in the summer of 2004. Bowman brought her photo albums in hopes of sharing them with Hutton. \n"I was surprised to get the grant, and I was really appreciative," Bowman said. "It helped me go to Spain, and I came to tell Mr. Hutton thank you." \n-- Contact Copy Chief Kehla West at krwest@indiana.edu.