LOREN L. HICKERSON

HICKERSON, CHRISTENSEN

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/16/2008 at 18:22:09

LOREN L. HICKERSON
1918-1989

Loren L. HICKERSON was born near Mount Ayr, Iowa, August 7, 1918. He graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1936 and from the University of Iowa in 1940 with a bachelors's degree in Journalism. On August 23, 1941 he married Ellen CHRISTENSEN and they had two children, Karl and Sally. Loren HICKERSON was assistant director of publications and editor of The Daily Iowan until 1942. During World War II, he served for two years on the aircraft carrier USS Langley in the Pacific theater of operations.

After the war, he returned to the University of Iowa as an instructor in the school of Journalism. From 1947 to 1966 he was Director of Alumni Records for the University of Iowa, and Executive Director of the Alumni Association. From 1966 to 1972 he served as Director of Community Relations for the University and from 1972 to 1980 he was Director of Community and Media Relations for the University of Iowa Center for the Arts.

Loren HICKERSON also served on the City Council of Iowa City from 1966 to 1974, including two terms as mayor from 1968 to 1972. During this time he was involved in the controversies surrounding urban renewal in Iowa City. He provided strong leadership for Iowa City during the student protests against the Vietnam War. He was a highly sought after speaker and a productive writer who promoted pride in the state of Iowa and his community. He belonged to an extensive list of organizations, including the American Alumni Council, the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce, the Governor's Commission on Social and Economic Trends in Iowa, Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism fraternity, and the State Municipal Laws Review Committee. Loren HICKERSON died on August 24, 1989.

Loren HICKERSON and his wife began donating his papers to the University of Iowa Libraries in 1985. Several additions have been received over the years.

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The Distinguished HICKERSON Alumni Recognition Award recognizes graduates or former students for outstanding contributions to the Alumni Association. This award is named in honor of Loren HICKERSON, who was the UI's first full-time alumni director.

Source:
University of Iowa News Services, News Release of June 2, 2008
www.lib.uiowa.edu/

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008