"John A. Hannah John A. Hannah served as the twelfth president of Michigan State University from 1941 to 1969. He was a man of great vision, administrative ability, and compassion. “It is all about people,” he would often say. With his drive, the University grew from 6,000 to nearly 40,000 students. The University helped build other institutions of higher learning around the world and came to have a large number of international students. The University became deeply involved with problem solving and service around the State and the world. MSU became a major research university.
President Hannah oversaw an extensive building program including the largest student residence system in the country. During his tenure, the Basic College, the Honors College and the medical colleges were established, while Adult Education and International Program were greatly expanded. Under President Hannah, MSU changed from a college to a university, joined the Association of American Universities and the Big Ten. Together with faculty and staff, he built a major, land grant research university.
President Hannah was critical in the development of the community college system in Michigan and founder of a college that later became Oakland University. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1902, he graduated with a B.S. 1923 from what was then Michigan Agricultural College.
John Hannah was married to Sarah May Shaw.
Donor marker for statue- "John A. Hannah Sculpture The sculpture of Michigan State University’s 12 President was dedicated on September 17, 2004 as the inaugural event of MSU’s Sesquicentennial. It was completely funded by more than 160 private gifts. The following donors were significant contributors to the work.
John T. Becker, Art and Mary Brandstatter, Detroit Area Development Council, Coy Eklund, Maxwell and LeAnn Goodwin, Gordon E. and Mary Gettel Guyer, William Susanne Janis, Herman and Alice King, Dr. Horace C. and Clover Lee King, Barbara Sawyer-Koch & Donald F. Koch, Bernard L. Maas Foundation ,Dr. and Mrs. Russel G. Mawby, Peter and Joanne McPherson, Milton E. Muelder, Jaqueline J. Oatman PhD, Ira and Margaret Polley, John D. and Helen M. Shingleton, Ralph and Lillian Smuckler, Timothy and Heather Soule, Franklin P. and Inge Taub, Dr. Charles and Philippa Webb, West Coast Regional Council, Roger and Laura Wilkinson."