Many buildings on Bethany’s campus have rich, well-known histories about them. The Hummel Field House, though, has a heartwarming story that some Bethanians have not heard.
The Hummel Field House is named after Lawrence (Larry) Hummel (1906-1988), who was a groundskeeper for the College. Mr. Hummel was born and raised on a family farm in Elm Grove in Wheeling, WV, and worked most of his life on the farm until he joined Bethany in 1953. At Bethany, Mr. Hummel could be found working around the campus to make sure it was in pristine condition.
Mr. Hummel was always interested in Bethany’s students and created friendships with them throughout his time working at the College. He acquired an interest in investments and spent some time reading The Wall Street Journal in the school’s library, or through discarded copies that he found on campus. Inheriting a modest sum of money from selling his family’s dairy operation, he invested the funds well. Meanwhile, he lived simply and frugally, saving most of his earnings.
Bethany College officials were astounded when the details of his estate were known after his death in 1988. Mr. Hummel very generously donated approximately $1.3 million to Bethany College through bequests. The College received $800,000 from the will directly and another $500,000 remaining from a trust fund. In his honor and memory, the College named the Field House for him.
Bethany College will always cherish Mr. Hummel for everything he gave to our beautiful College that he considered “family.” I hope his treasured story will continue to be shared so that he may be remembered as a beloved Bethanian who went above and beyond every day for our institution.
