Being Lucky Reminiscences & Reflections

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.

"An honest report by a most successful educator [and] a tribute to a great university and to a man with foresight who also had the courage to act on his convictions." --The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette

"Much more than the title might suggest [this is] a heart-warming account of a young boy and his parents determined that a son should have a college education, a classic and detailed account of his widening involvement with every aspect of higher education, and a stirring story of a wise administrator. [Wells's] life is an astonishing success story.... He was not just lucky, he was careful and courageous." --Journal of Higher Education Indiana University Press

"Being Lucky is as entertaining as it is informative. Wells' biographer, James H. Capshew, called it 'a manual of higher education management.'... Reading Wells' fascinating autobiography shows why it is no wonder that Indiana University is so proud of the great man and honors his accomplishments." --LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL

"Wells's humor, wit, and humanity pervade every chapter." --Indiana Magazine of History

In the early chapters of this book Herman Wells recalls his boyhood in a small Indiana town, the strong influence of his parents, and his pioneering work for the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions during the Depression. In ten reflective chapters on the presidency itself, Dr. Wells gives us his views, lighthearted as well as serious, on how to run a university, and specifically how he approached the job at Indiana. Being Lucky is full of the reflections, advice, wit, and wisdom of a remarkable man.

... a tribute to a great university and to a man with foresight who also had the courage to act on his convictions. -- Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette

If you have an I.U. alumnus on your... gift list, remember this book. -- The Republic (Columbus)

Herman Wells recalls his formative boyhood years in a small Indiana town, gives his views on how to run a university, and describes some of his national and international service. The profoundly serious is mixed with the lighthearted in the reflections of this astute visionary.

If you have an I.U. alumnus on your... gift list, remember thisbook. -- The Republic (Columbus)

Herman Wells recalls hisformative boyhood years in a small Indiana town, gives his views on how to run auniversity, and describes some of his national and international service. Theprofoundly serious is mixed with the lighthearted in the reflections of this astutevisionary.

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.

To Begin...

Preparation for the Presidency

1. Growing Up in Jamestown and the County Seat

2. Widening Horizons

3. What It Was Really Like

4. Country Bank Failures

5. Reopening, Reconstruction, and Reform

6. Apprenticeship in Academic Administration

7. The Fate of a Noncandidate

The Presidency

8. A Few Observations on Collegial Administration

9. How to Succeed without Really Trying

10. Money, Money, But Never Enough

11. The Private Sector: Indiana University Foundation

12. Academic Freedom and Tenure

13. To Make Room for the Future

14. Student and Alumni Relationships

15. Culture to the Crossroads

16. The University Looks Abroad

17. Academic Ferment

National And International Service

18. A Trip and a New Awareness

19. A Glorious Experience in the Springtime of My Career

20. With Clay in Occupied Germany

21. One World or None

22. An Unusual Mission to the U.S.S.R.

23. Education and World Affairs

24. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

25. The American Council on Education and an Introduction to International Associations

26. The Educational Policies Commission

27. The Roots of PBS

28. Trying to Do One's Share

29. With My Hat on the Back of My Head

Beyond the Presidency

30. The Summing Up

31. The University Chancellor

32. Epilogue

Appendix

A. Chronology

B. Traditional Rite at Freshman Convocation

C. Time on Wells

D. Taking the Arts to the People

E. Telegrams from General Lucius Clay

F. Current Directors, Indiana University Foundation

G. Indiana University 150th Birthday Fund Subscriptions

H. Message to the University Community, November 1, 1968

I. Indiana University Technical-Assistance Projects

J. Special Commissions and Committees

K. "All's Wells That Ends Well"

Index