Awards

Honorary Degree - 1974

LL.D.

Doctor of Laws

Commencement

Kokomo, Indiana

Presenter: John William Ryan

About Clarence V. Haworth

It is fitting that, in awarding its first honorary degree at Indiana University at Kokomo, the University recognizes the significant contributions of one of its oldest living alumni, a forefather of the Kokomo campus, and a man whose distinguished career has had direct bearing upon literally thousands of citizens of Indiana.

Clarence V. Haworth was born in 1875 in Howard County, near New London. He began his fifty-year career in education in 1896, in Monroe Township, teaching all eight grades in a one-room school. Between that time and 1908, when he earned his A.B. in History from Indiana University, he was a teacher or principal in New London, Kokomo, Danville, and Anderson. He received an A.M. in history from I.U. in 1921. Mr. Haworth was principal of Kokomo High School from 1909 to 1913. For the next 33 years, he was superintendent of the Kokomo schools. His unselfish counsel to faculty, students, and fellow citizens causes him to be revered as the patriarch of Howard County. In the 1930's, he was one of the founders and trustees of Kokomo Junior College, which evolved into the Kokomo campus of I.U.

His assistance in convincing the University to locate in Kokomo proved decisive. He made available the facilities of Kokomo High School during the first year of the Kokomo campus and helped in getting enthusiastic community support for the University. More than any other person he is responsible for the early success of the Kokomo campus. His alma mater continued to benefit greatly from his expertise following his retirement. He became a member of the associate faculty of I.U. at Kokomo, at the old Sycamore Street campus, teaching Indiana History, and continued to serve as adviser to the Director. He also served on the Executive Council of the I.U. Alumni Association from 1951 to 1954.

Mr. Haworth was a member of the first Board of Control of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, is a life member of the National Education Association, and is a life member of the YMCA. He was a member and past president of the Indiana State Teachers Association, the Indiana Town and City Superintendents Association, the Northern Indiana Superintendents Club, the Indiana Town and City School Administration Association, and the Indiana State Historical Society. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, a past president of the Rotary Club of Kokomo, and a past director of the Kokomo Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Haworth's writings include a history of Howard County in World War I, "Indiana History Stories," "Indiana Civics," and contributions to The Indiana Teacher.