Wells legacy to live forever

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the death of legendary former IU president and University chancellor Herman B Wells. He passed away March 18, 2000, at the age of 97.\nIU President Myles Brand said Wells' contributions to the University will have a lasting influence.\n"Chancellor Wells gave unselfishly of his time and his energy until the time of his death," Brand said. "He is deeply missed by the entire IU family. But his legacy lives on in the programs which bear his name and in the continued commitment to IU of those he touched." \nNamed IU's "Man of the Century" in 1999, Wells served as University president from 1938 until 1962, when he became University chancellor. He was desegregated of campus and was a strong proponent of academic freedom. He also played a key role in developing the arts at IU, initiating the construction of the auditorium in 1941 and helping develop the School of Music.\nIU's student body nearly tripled under Wells' leadership, from 11,000 in 1938 to 31,000 in 1962. Wells is largely credited as an educational visionary who developed IU's reputation as a teaching and research institution.\n"Wells was a giant among leaders," said Dottie Collins, research and editorial associate of the University chancellor for 23 years until the early 1990s.\nBorn in 1902 in Jamestown, Ind., Wells graduated from IU in 1924 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. In 1927, Wells earned a master of arts degree in economics. \nIn 1930, he began a tour of Indiana banks to assess damages caused by the Great Depression. In 1931, Gov. Harry Leslie asked Wells to serve as research director of the Study Commission for Indiana Financial Institutions.\nWells gained support from bank officials and trustees and was appointed acting president of IU in 1937, just two years after being appointed professor of economics and dean of the school of business. \nThroughout his presidency, Wells made the University his life. He became guardian of Bloomington resident Sarajane Correll Costas after her mother passed away, but he never had children of his own.\n"Indiana University was his family," Costas said. "The students were his children."\nDuring his presidency, Wells worked to make IU something special. Wells fought for the cause of desegregation, encouraged the research of the Kinsey Institute during a time when they were considered extremely disreputable, supported the student press and formed funding opportunities that helped allow all students to get an education, not only those who could afford it.\nAfter leaving the presidency, Wells continued promoting education at IU as University chancellor.\n"Part of the reason that Wells was so effective was because he was in a top position for so long," Charles Webb, former dean of music, said. "He was either president or chancellor for 63 years."\nWells had many interests in a wide range of subjects, from business to music.\n"His vision and work ethic coupled with his charismatic personality enabled Wells to accomplish a great deal," Webb said.\nNot just an asset to the University, Wells was considered a kind and generous man by those who knew him personally.\n"His 'humanness' was what was so inspirational," Costas said. "He had a genuine understanding and acceptance of everyone."\nMany admired his personable attitude toward life.\n"He wasn't critical of others," Collins said. "Every entering student, he considered as a new member of his 'family"