Lawrence Hurst papers

Lawrence W. Hurst was born on April 4, 1883 in Marshall, Illinois to Harvey and Elizabeth Griffith Hurst. In 1903, Hurst began his career as an educator, working as a teacher at Possom Ridge Grammar School until 1906. In 1908, he earned a diploma from Indiana State Normal School (now known as Indiana State University) in Terre Haute, Indiana, and would later earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in 1910 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1914.

During the 1910’s, Hurst worked as an educator in both the public school system and at the college level. In 1918, Hurst married Mabel Drake, an art teacher, in Springfield, Illinois. From 1919-1926, Hurst served as the head of the social sciences department at The Stout Institute (now known as the University of Wisconsin-Stout) in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

In 1927, Hurst accepted an associate professorship at Ball State in the social sciences department, and would serve in the capacity until his retirement in 1950. During his tenure at Ball State, Hurst became a well-known figure amongst the student body, drawing comparisons to “Mr. Chips,” a reference to the title character of the James Hilton novel Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Hurst was active in many local organizations, including the Indiana Historical Society, the Indiana Academy of Social Science, and the Muncie Kiwanis Club.

In 1952, after retirement, Lawrence Hurst published the autobiographical 61 Years in the School Room, documenting his life as a student and educator. The Mysch/Hurst hall in Ball State’s LaFollette Complex is named in his honor. Hurst died on October 4, 1975 at the age of 92.