     
|
|
|
H. John Hawkinson, loyal friend to UI, dies
(May 25, 1912 - April 10, 2004)
IOWA CITY -- On April 10, The University of Iowa lost a loyal friend. H. John Hawkinson, a Lifetime Honorary member of the UI Foundation Board of Directors, was a longtime supporter of the University. He was instrumental in establishing the Tippie College of Business' Hawkinson Institute of Business Finance, which is specifically devoted to promoting career opportunities in the investment banking and financial services industries for Iowa students. H. John Hawkinson built his reputation by turning profits on undervalued and languishing companies and played an instrumental role in several major corporate reorganizations and mergers. In 1968, he joined a small group of venture capitalists in funding a high-tech manufacturer called Intel, now the largest microcomputer chip maker in the world. Hawkinson grew up in Iowa during the Great Depression and worked hard to finance his college education. He graduated from The University of Iowa in 1936, and entered the world of investment banking in the Chicago firm of Halsey, Stuart, and Co. After serving in World War II, Hawkinson returned to the firm. As his career grew, he moved on to positions with the Central Life Assurance of Des Moines and subsequently, Supervised Investment Services, a mutual fund management company. SIS thrived, due to the creation of new and diverse mutual funds and favorable investment performance. These achievements resulted in a many-fold increase in assets under management and stimulated the interests of several potential acquirers, including Kemper Corporation, the successful bidder. The new entity became Kemper Financial Services, where Hawkinson served as president until his retirement in 1977. Hawkinson was a life member of the UI Alumni Association and received the University's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1988. The UI Foundation is acknowledged by the UI as a preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information about the Good. Better. Best. Iowa campaign, visit its web site at www.GoodBetterBestIowa.org. Contact Information
Susan Shullaw Additional information about supporting the Hawkinson Institute of Business Finance or other programs at the Tippie College of Business also is available on this site. |
