Faces Behind the Places

At the age of 14, Edward Rector graduated from high school as a top student. Unfortunately, he was not able to follow up his graduation with college due to financial difficulties. Working a variety of jobs, Rector built up his finances while reading law on the side. He formally entered the field of law in Cincinnati in the office of two patent lawyers. Here, Rector was finally able to attend law school at the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 1885. During this time, some of Rector’s most prominent clients included Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., General Motors Corporation, and Studebaker Corporation. Drawn to Chicago, Rector set up his own practice as a patent lawyer, later merging to create the firm of Rector, Hibben, Davis, & McCauley. He quickly became regarded as the foremost patent lawyer in the Midwest. He was highly respected in the law community, known for his diligence and trustworthiness.

 

Rector was known for his commitment to his Christian faith. Through his role as a leader in the Methodist Church, Rector befriend DePauw alumnus Roy O. West. His connection to West soon led him to the friendship of Dr. George R. Grose, DePauw University’s current president. These relationships led Rector to a passionate investment in DePauw that lasted for the rest of his life.

 

Rector’s first major donation to DePauw was Rector Hall, a women’s dormitory that was desperately needed at the time. The building was dedicated in October of 1917 to Rector’s father, Isaac, who had served on DePauw’s Board of Trustees and is remembered as an advocate for women’s education. After a 2002 fire, Rector Hall was transformed into Rector Village. In addition to Rector Hall, Rector’s contributions included $250,000 for a men’s hall, dedicated as Longden Hall in honor of Dr. Henry B. Longden. Another $250,000 was donated for another women’s hall, named after his wife, Lucy Rowland.

 

His largest and most iconic gift came in the form of an endowed scholarship. Rector felt passionately about making college a possibility for other students experiencing financial need as he did. To this day, the Rector Foundation provides tuition for top-tier applicants to DePauw. In total, Rector left the bulk of his estate to DePauw, amounting to over $3.5 million. At the time it was given, Rector’s gift was considered the largest amount ever given to a higher learning institution in the state of Indiana and in all of the records of the Methodist Episcopal Church.