Happy Birthday, Herman B Wells!

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Known as "Hermie" to friends and admirers, Wells arguably spent most of his life at IU, beginning with earning his undergraduate degree in commerce in 1924. He returned to the university in 1930 as an instructor in the School of Business, and was Dean by 1935. In March 1938, at the age of 35, Wells was elected President of IU by the Board of Trustees. His presidency saw a tremendous amount of growth -- in enrollment, the physical plant, regional campuses, and more. When he retired in 1962, the Trustees created the position of University Chancellor for him so that he could spend the rest of his life serving his beloved Indiana University. Dr. Wells passed away in 2000 but is a cherished memory for many and his mark is seen throughout the Indiana University system.

The photographs below represent Herman in various stages of his life, from his childhood in Jamestown, Indiana to the Golden Anniversary celebration of his IU presidency in 1988.

Photograph gallery curated by Katie Siebenaler.

Photograph of Herman B Wells being congratulated at banquet — **Golden Anniversary, December 2, 1988**
Wells celebrated the 50th anniversary of the beginning of his tenure as President of IU in 1988.

Wells holding copy of his autobiography Being Lucky, 1980 — **Being Lucky, September 1980**
Wells posing with a copy of his autobiography 'Being Lucky,' which was published in 1980.

Black and white photograph of Herman Wells shoveling dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony. — **Musical Arts Center ground breaking, May 26, 1968**
The completed building was dedicated in 1972.

Black and white photograph of Herman Wells speaking with students outdoors. — **Visit to Thailand, September 1965**
Wells visiting Thammasat University, which contracted IU to develop a new Institute of Public Administration in the 1950s.

Wells posing with winning cyclists of the 1956 Little 500 race and their trophies — **Wells at the Little 500, May 1956**
Wells with the winning cyclists from Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)

Wells sitting at a table and signing a pile of IU diplomas — **President Wells signing diplomas, January 6, 1950**
In his autobiography, Wells called his personal signature on every diploma 'a matter of pride.'

Color photograph of Herman B Wells in a Santa Claus suit and beard — **Wells dressed as Santa Claus, circa 1949**
Wells continued to indulge in this festive tradition well into his retirement.

Cartoon of Herman Wells being arrested by 2 Soviet soldiers in Berlin — **Wells' arrest in the Russian sector of Berlin, Evansville Courier, January 1948**
Cartoonist Karl Kae Knecht inscribed his drawing to Wells, stating 'That I would like to have seen.'

Herman Wells sitting at desk surrounded by flower arrangements. — **Wells appointed President of IU, March 22, 1938**
Wells served as interim president after the retirement of William Lowe Bryan in 1937.

Herman B Wells sitting at desk, circa 1936 — **Wells as Dean of School of Business, circa 1936**
Wells was appointed dean in May 1935, five years after he first became an instructor at IU.

Book Nook diploma, June 2, 1931, includes text 'The Book Nook hereby confers upon Herman Wells...the degree of Doctor of Nookology, Faculty Supervisor, Emeritus' — **Book Nook Diploma, June 1931**
Wells received his doctorate in 'Nookology' during the mock Book Nook Commencement of 1931.

Detail of Herman B Wells in Marching Hundred, wearing uniform and holding baritone horn — **Marching Hundred, Foundation Day, 1922**
Wells played the baritone as a student in the IU marching band.

Wells lying in grass next to collie(?) dog, with house and fields in background — **Herman B Wells with his dog Scottie, circa 1921**
Back of photo reads: 'Herman and Old Scotty. Taken at Grandma Mary Wells house.'

Young Wells standing in creek and holding bucket — **Hunting Crawdads, 1910**
Wells wrote in his autobiography that '[c]rawdad hunting was great sport'

Toddler Wells wearing hat and standing in front of a doorway outside a house — **Young Herman, circa 1904**
Back of photo reads: 'Herman Wells probably 2-1/2 yrs old'

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Happy Birthday, Herman B Wells!