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Governor O’BannonOFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FRANK O’BANNON
Herman B Wells: A Hoosier TreasureThe mere mention of his name evokes a flood of warm memories. Those who were fortunate enough to have known him cannot help but recall his unfailing courtesy, his keen intelligence and his characteristic good cheer. His many accomplishments are legendary. I would like to concentrate my discussion on one area of his work that should not be overlooked. He was dedicated to promoting cultural values and encouraging an appreciation of the history and heritage of our state. Surely, the fact that he oversaw the development of a world class School of Music stands as one of his proudest achievements. Truly, he was a son of Indiana and yet a citizen of the world. Although he played important roles on the national and international scenes, he never gave up his Hoosier roots. More than twenty years ago, he was asked during a television interview if he Intended to spend the rest of his life as a resident of Indiana. Without hesitation he responded that he was a Hoosier and intended to remain one, and so he did. Chancellor Wells had a deep interest in the history of our state. It is worth noting that in a life span of 97 years, he had lived through more than half of the period since Indiana achieved statehood in 1816. He was active in the affairs of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and the Indiana Historical Society, where he served on the board of directors for more than thirty years. Under his direction, Indiana University established an annual conference on historic preservation, which continues today as the Cornelius' O'Brien Conference on Historic Preservation. Through preservation, he believed, we honor our predecessors, who secured the freedoms that we hold so dear. In marking the centennial of his birth, we pay tribute to this remarkable man. More than that, however, we seek to inspire others to commit themselves to a lifelong quest for excellence. Certainly, the career and achievements of Herman B Wells serve as monuments to what can be accomplished when excellence is emphasized in creating a rich cultural environment. When he wrote his autobiography, he titled the book, “Being Lucky.” As Hoosiers, we understand that really we were the lucky ones because we are the beneficiaries of his many talents. The poet William Butler Yeats summed up my sentiment very well when he wrote, “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, / And say my glory was I had such friends.” |
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Site Links: Top page | Centennial Celebration | Wells Biography | Wells Resources Page last updated: May 31, 2002 |