Book description
In this absorbing autobiography, Herman B Wells, the legendary former
president of Indiana University, recalls his small-town boyhood, the
strong influence of his parents, his pioneering work with Indiana
banks during the Great Depression, and his connection with IU, which
began as a student when the still provincial school had fewer than
3,000 students. At the end of his 25-year tenure as president, IU was
a university with an international reputation and a student body that
would soon exceed 30,000. Both lighthearted and serious, Wells's
reflections describe in welcome detail how he approached the job, his
observations on administration, his thoughts on academic freedom and
tenure, his approach to student and alumni relations, and his views on
the role of the university as a cultural center. Being Lucky is a
nourishing brew of the memories, advice, wit, and wisdom of a
remarkable man.
"Wells's humor, wit, and humanity pervade every
chapter." -Indiana Magazine of History
Herman B Wells (1902-2000) served Indiana University in a variety
of capacities, most notably as its 11th president and as chancellor,
and was pivotal in IU's development into a world-class institution of
higher learning.
