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THE LUTHER H. HODGES DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIP
IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The Luther H. Hodges Professorship in Business Administration honors the former N.C. governor and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who graduated from the University in 1919.

This professorship was established in 1977 following a successful three-year campaign by his friends and former colleagues. The drive was headed by Hodges’ close associate, Hugh Morton of Wilmington and Grandfather Mountain. It supports the teaching and research efforts of a distinguished scholar in the field of business ethics. The funds also support management development programs designed to help corporations and managers deal with ethical issues.

"Governor Hodges had a special feeling about how business should be conducted," Morton said. "He developed his own . . . code of business ethics during 30 years of leading roles in one of the country’s larger corporations. . . . We feel this type of memorial is especially appropriate because shortly before his death the Governor proposed that American universities play a leading role in the establishment of a code of ethics for business and government."

Born in Virginia's Pittsylvania County in 1898, Hodges moved with his family to Leaksville (now Eden). At UNC, he was president of his senior class, president of the student council and a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Hodges served as treasurer and president of the Dialectic Literary Society and was voted best all-around man in his graduating class.

 After receiving a B.A. in business in 1919, Hodges returned to Leaksville to serve as secretary to the general manager of the Marshall Field textile plants in the area. In quick succession, he became manager and production manager of the local plants. He was later promoted to sales and production manager of all 20 Marshall Field mills, and in 1943, he was made vice president of the textile company. He retired from Marshall Field in 1950 to begin a career in public service.

In 1950, he was chosen as chief of the Industry Division of the Economic Cooperation Administration -- the Marshall Plan -- which helped West Germany rebuild its industrial plants following World War II. Although he had not previously held any elected office, he was elected lieutenant governor of North Carolina in 1952. Two years later, when Gov. William B. Umstead died in office, Hodges became governor. He was elected to serve an additional four-year term in 1956. President John F. Kennedy appointed Hodges as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in 1962. He was reappointed to that post by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Hodges served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University and as chairman of the Board of the Research Triangle Foundation, an organization which he helped found as governor. In 1946, the University awarded him an honorary LL.D.

Hodges was married to the former Martha Elizabeth Blakeney, with whom he had three children: Betsy, Nancy and Luther Jr. (B.A. ’57). After Martha's death in 1967, Hodges married Louise Finlayson.

Hodges died in 1974.
 

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