Francis Hutchins: Homeplace Publicity, 1981-1982

Francis Hutchins was appointed to the Board in 1948. He was a native of Northfield, Massachusetts and educated at Oberlin College and Yale University. Having worked with the Yale-in-China project as a graduate student, he returned to China as an educational administrator and served there throughout the 1930's. In 1939 he was appointed president of Berea College where he succeeded his father, William J. Hutchins.

Hutchins was also a member of the Board of Trustees of Pine Mountain Settlement School (1949-1967). His work with both agencies and with community school development projects administered by Berea College reflect Hutchins' abiding concern for the increased effectiveness of education and health programs in the region. His physical proximity to Homeplace resulted in his frequent representation of the Trustees at various functions there. He was also frequently asked to evaluate agencies or institutions seeking Fund support.

Hutchins was primarily responsible for the establishment of the Fund's scholarship and loan programs during this period, as well as the development of a retirement program for Homeplace employees. He chaired the Fund from 1963 until 1967, when he retired from the Bere College presidency. Following several years abroad, he returned to Berea and more active trusteeship in 1970. During the 1970's he was a strong advocate of maintaining Homeplace as a community center. He was appointed a lifetime member of the Fund Board in 1972.

The Hutchins subseries consists of subject files documenting his trusteeship and chairmanship of the Fund (1948-1967). Topics include the Fund's dental health program, medical education loans and scholarships, and correspondence between Hutchins and Fund chair Edward O'Rear. Additional Hutchins documentation, particularly for his service as Fund Chair are found in administrative records maintained by Fund secretary, Luise West.