Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

Page 16 text:

lO PAUL V. McNUTT belongs the distinction of being the first graduate of Indiana university to become governor of the State of Indiana. Paul McNutt entered the University in 1909. His undergraduate career was remarkable in that while he was a brilliant student, he took part ably in many and varied extra-curricular activities. He was president of the Union Board, editor of the Daily Student, president of his senior class, president of Strut and Fret, secretary of the Y. M. C. A. cabinet, a member of Sphinx club, was prominent in a number of other groups and organizations and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his senior year. After graduation with high distinction from Indiana in 191 3, he took up the study of law at Harvard and obtained the Bachelor of Laws degree from that school in 1916. In April, 191 7, Paul McNutt came to Indiana university as an instructor in law. He was made acting assistant professor of law in June of the same year. In the summer of 1917 Prof. McNutt joined the reserve officers training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison where he was commissioned a captain of field artillery. During the ensuing two years he was sent to several army training camps and received a number of promotions in rank. After leaving the service in 1919, he became active in the organized reserves, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, and is now colonel of the 326th Field Artillery. He became active in the affairs of the American Legion, becoming commander of the Bloomington post in 1925-26, of the Indiana state department in 1927, and of the national organization in 1928-29. He has served as president of the Reserve Officers ' Association of Indiana, and as vice-president of the National Reserve Officers ' organization. He was civilian aide, for Indiana, to the secretary of war for 1927-28. He has served as national judge advo- cate of the National Reserve Officers ' association, vice-president of the American Peace society, director of the Gorgas Memorial Institute, Pulaski National Memorial committee, director, and later president, of the American Legion Publication corporation. In 1930 he was awarded the Polish Commander ' s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in appreciation of his interest in Poland and for his services in fostering closer relations between Poland and the United States. In the summer of 1919 he was appointed professor of law at Indiana university, and in 1925 was named dean of the Law school, being the youngest dean in the University. In the spring of 1932 Dean McNutt was granted a leave of absence by the University. He assumed his duties as governor in January, 1933. — S. M. J.