1997 Hall of Fame

Richard W. Hutson - Richard W. Hutson recently completed a 30-year career with Hewitt Associates, an internationally known consulting firm based in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Starting as manager of the Los Angeles office in 1966, he rose through the corporation to the Executive Committee and is now a retired Senior Principal. His primary responsibilities between 1971 and 1997 included worldwide sales, marketing, and public relations activities. During Dick’s tenure with Hewitt, the company grew from $5 million to over $500 million and now employs over 5000 people in 24 countries. His current professional responsibilities include Director and Chairman of the Investment Committee, Ball State University Foundation; Chairman of the Board for Harris Bank Libertyville, and; Director, wells Manufacturing Corporation in Woodstock, Illinois. He is also Chairman of the Ball State University National Development Council, a national fundraising planning committee comprised of 100 friends and alumni. In addition, he serves on the Friends of the Hospital Committee for Lake Forest Hospital. His past activities include service to the YMCA, his local school district, and his church. He has served Ball State as President of the Southern California BSU Alumni Club and President of the Alumni Association. The University has recognized Dick’s organization and leadership skills, professional success, and volunteerism by awarding him a Benny Award in 1977, a College of Business Award of Achievement in 1992, a BSU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995, and a College of Business Award of Distinction in 1996. Since his graduation from Ball State with a B.S. In Business in 1960 and an M.A. In Business in 1961, he has actively supported Sig Ep alumni activities and maintained close contact with alumni brothers. Dick and his wife Sandra, a 1961 Nursing graduate of Ball State, have a son, Craig and a daughter, Kristin.

Danny M. Van Treese, Sr. - Dan Van Treese grew up in Peru, Indiana, where he graduated from Peru High School prior to attending Ball State in 1962. At that point he started the first of what has become four simultaneous careers. He has been successful and dedicated to all four. His first was a career in Sigma Phi Epsilon. As an undergraduate he was active in intramural sports, served as pledge educator, and participated in numerous chapter and campus activities. He maintained his interest in Indiana Gamma and became an active alumnus when his son, Danny, Jr., became a member. Dan became Chapter Counselor in 1990 for 3 years. He has served as Alumni Board present from 1992 to present and a member of the Martin Riverside Society from 1994 to present. He provided the significant leadership for the reorganization of Indiana Gamma in 1992 and is dedicated to maintaining an outstanding undergraduate chapter. The Alumni Board recognized him as Alumnus of the year in 1992. The National fraternity named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1996. While his career with Sigma Phi Epsilon has been successful, he has also had great success in other fields. His law enforcement career started in Delaware County in 1966. He became a Detective Sergeant with the Hamilton County Police Department from 1970 to 1975. Since 1990 he has been a Reserve County Police Officer in Delaware County. He has received law enforcement awards from Hamilton County, the American Legion, State of Indiana, and the American Red Cross. Dan is a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. A third career was begun in 1978 when he joined Insurance and Risk Management, the largest independently owned insurance agency in Indiana. His responsibilities changed from claims representative to operations manager to account executive to partner to managing partner, currently. During 1976 he initiated a fourth career - basketball official. For the past 20 seasons he has officiated over 900 high school varsity games, 100 collegiate contests, 20 IHSAA sectional tournaments, 9 IHSAA Regional Tournaments and the Indiana Hall of Fame Tournament. While four careers would be time consuming to many, Dan has found time for all four and his family. He and his wife, Barbara, who also attended Ball State, reside in Yorktown. Their son is in graduate school at Ball State and daughter, Kristy, is a junior at Florida Atlantic.

Larry B. Yazel - Larry has demonstrated a commitment and dedication to Sigma Phi Epsilon that exceeds forty years. Since his initiation as a freshman at Ball State, Larry has personified the Balanced Man philosophy that the National fraternity now advocates. He has excelled as an outstanding educator, community leader, family man, and dedicated alumnus. A native of Plymouth, Indiana, Larry started his professional career, upon graduating from Ball State in 1959, as an elementary language arts teacher in Muncie. The 1960’s found him teaching English at New Castle Junior High School and Highland (Indiana) Junior High School before accepting the position of Director of Physical Education and Athletics for the Highland School District in 1967. He moved to Michigan City as K-12 Athletic Director in 1975 and was appointed Assistant to the Superintendent for Personnel and Athletics in 1978. He moved to Hancock County, Indiana in 1981 where he was named superintendent of the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation in Fortville. Following 13 years of outstanding educational leadership for the district, Larry retired in 1994. Since retirement, he has served as a consultant for the Municipal Finance Corporation in South Bend, Indiana. In addition to professional responsibilities, he has been an active leader in numerous professional educational organizations, mental health associations, and community groups. His commitment to Sig Ep, its alumni, and the Indiana Gamma chapter has been exceptional and an example for all to follow. He has organized alumni events whenever possible and fostered a network of communication among the fraternity alumni to provide support in times of need. Teaming with Tom Shoppell, they established the Old Farts Society for the “elder” members of Indiana Gamma. When called, he eagerly became involved with the reorganization of the undergraduate chapter and was one of the founders of the Martin Riverside Society. He has served as president of the Society for 3 years. Larry is married to the former Lorene Norton, a 1960 graduate of Ball State. Larry and Lori have a son, Eric, a senior at Indiana University.