Hicks, Orton Havergal, 1900-1997
Dates
- Existence: 1900 - 1997
Biography
Orton Havergal Hicks was born on Nov. 6, 1900 in Minneapolis. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1921. While at Dartmouth he helped form Green Key, an undergraduate service society. In 1922, Hicks received his MA in business administration from Dartmouth's Tuck business school after which he began his career as a salesman for the Eastman Kodak Co. In 1926, he joined Gillette Camera Stores and in 1928, founded Films, Inc., one of the largest distributors of 16mm entertainment films to non theatrical outlets. He served as president of Films Inc. until 1928, and continued as an advisor to the company through the 1980s. During World War II, Hicks served as lieutenant colonel in the Army Signal Corps. Following the war, he joined Loew's International Corporation where he organized a worldwide distribution network of 16 mm MGM films. In 1958, Hicks became vice president for development, alumni affairs and public relations at Dartmouth College, a position he held until 1966. As an alumnus of the college, he served as president of his class, overseer of the Tuck School, president of the Alumni Council, secretary of the Dartmouth Club of New York and vice president of the Long Island Alumni Association. In 1986, he was the first recipient of the newly established Eleazar Wheelock Award for Extraordinary Service to Dartmouth. Hicks died in 1997 at the age of 96.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with Orton Havergal Hicks.
Orton Havergal Hicks, Vice President of Dartmouth College. Oral history documenting his undergraduate life and career at Dartmouth College.
Orton Hicks papers
Orton Havergal Hicks (1900-1997), Dartmouth College administrator and business man. Dartmouth College Class of 1921. Contains correspondence, clippings, plans, photographs, cards and publications documenting Hicks' experience as an undergraduate and various projects he was involved in as a College administrator and alumnus.