In Memoriam: John Hurford
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John's tenure with the board began when the college graduated its first fully coeducational class in 1984. During his 16 years of service, giving to the college increased nearly five-fold, with two major fundraising campaigns completed and a new one initiated. The college's total endowment grew from less than $50 million to almost $300 million during this time, and many enhancements to the physical plant were undertaken: renovations to Founders Hall; improvements to a number of athletic facilities, the dining center, and faculty and student residences; and the construction of the Marshall Fine Arts Building and Whitehead Campus Center.
John was effective in engaging the board and the community in discussions that emerged from recommendations of the College's recent self study. He was a thoughtful listener and adviser to President Tom Tritton, and was effective in developing consensus within the board as major issues of institutional policy were addressed. "John Hurford was a man of exceptional intelligence, grace, and accomplishment," recalls Tritton. "When he combined his droll sense of humor and purposeful demeanor with his commitment to Quaker values, he was irresistible as a leader of this College. He is sorely missed by us all even as we are illuminated by the spirit of his life."
Prior to being named board chair, John served on the Finance & Investment Committee, the Sub-Committee on Investment, the Committee on Long Range Planning, the Student Affairs Committee and the Endowment Spending Policy Committee. John also provided leadership for several fundraising activities, including the Special Gifts effort for Annual Giving, and as chair of the Campaign Executive Committee for the Critical Balance Campaign (1989-94). He endowed a professorship and scholarship funds at the College and established the Howard Teaf Memorial Fund for student and faculty research in economics.
Born in Bryn Mawr, PA, John came to Haverford from nearby Marple Newtown High School. While at Haverford, he lettered in football, basketball and track. He graduated in 1960 with an B.A. in economics and spent a year at the University of California Graduate School of Business pursuing a curriculum that emphasized law, accounting, statistics and finance. In 1965, he earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Twice the recipient of Fulbright Fellowships, he lectured and did research on economic development in New Delhi, India, from 1965 to 1967, before moving on to a career in investment management and mergers and acquisitions evaluations. At the time of his death, John was a managing director of Credit Suisse Management and Warburg Pincus in New York.
The College extends its heartfelt sympathy to members of John's family. He is survived by his wife, Hildegard (Hilge) Drueke; a daughter, Jennifer; and an aunt, Jessica Simon.
