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This collection has been incorporated into the Herman B Wells papers, Collection C75. Please visit the C75 finding aid, "German Assignment" series to review and request access to these materials.Herman B Wells was an Indiana University alumnus, president, and chancellor. Late in 1947, in the midst of his presidency, Wells took a six month leave of absence to serve as Director of the Education and Cultural Relations Division of the Office of Military Government for German, U.S. (OMGUS). During this time he also served as General Lucius D. Clay's cultural affairs advisor. The collection includes correspondence, writings and reports, a diary, and subject files but consists primarily of correspondence with Indiana University, fellow OMGUS personnel, and individuals seeking help immigrating or locating displaced persons.

Before becoming president of Indiana University, Herman B Wells served as an assistant cashier at the National Bank of Lebanon before going on to work for the Indiana Bankers Association, the Indiana Commission for Financial Institutions, and the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. He was named dean of the Indiana University School of Business administration in 1935 by IU President William Lowe Bryan. In 1937 he was named acting president of the university and president the following year, a position he held until 1962. Upon his retirement, IU created the position of University Chancellor, which Dr. Wells held until his death in 2000. This collection consists of Wells' personal papers and includes papers pertaining to his family and personal finances, his activities in the banking profession, his work in Germany for the United States government after World War II, and to his research and teaching and professional activities as a member of the faculty of Indiana University.

Herman B Wells served as president of Indiana University from 1937 through 1962 and University Chancellor from 1962 through 2000. In 1964, Wells occupied the house on the corner of 10th Street and Jordan Avenue in Bloomington now known as the Herman B Wells House. This collection contains handwritten and typed recipes and related items that were collected by Wells and individuals employed at the Wells House, including recipes for desserts, appetizers, main and side dishes, salads, and condiments.