John W. Hicks papers

John W. Hicks was born in Sydney, Australia, where his father was an executive with Paramount Pictures. As a preteen he moved with his family to New Rochelle, New York, and in 1939 entered Massachusetts State College (later the University of Massachusetts). His education was interrupted by World War II. Mr. Hicks served in the Army Air Corps for three years in the Pacific Theater, stationed on the islands of Saipan and Guam. After the war he returned to Massachusetts to finish his bachelor's degree. John Hicks came to Purdue in 1947 as a student and earned his master's and doctorate degrees in 1948 and 1950, respectively. After completing his degrees, he began teaching agricultural economics. He was so popular with students, his freshman Agricultural Economics course was called "Fun Hour One." In 1955 he was appointed executive assistant to Purdue President Frederick L. Hovde and later served in the save role under Purdue President Arthur Hansen. Following the retirement of Hansen, Hicks was named acting president in 1982--a position he held until 1983 when Steven Beering became president. Beering appointed Hicks senior vice president, a position he held until his 1987 retirement. He was named an emeritus professor of agricultural economics and senior vice president emeritus. Hicks continued teaching until January 1995.

Source: Fourth meeting of the 2002-2003 Purdue University Senate, pg. 29. UA 8, Purdue University Faculty and Senate records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.