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The John M. Hunter and Milt E. Muelder Endowment for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
As the founding Director of MSU's Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies in 1963, John M. Hunter built lasting relationships between MSU and Latin American universities. John's friend and colleague Professor Milt E. Muelder worked as an MSU administrator to develop MSU's Office of International Studies and Programs in the 1950s. He subsequently directed this office and worked directly with John to develop numerous programs in Latin America. Professor Muelder generously dedicated this endowment to his friend John M. Hunter and their work together to develop Latin American and Caribbean Studies at MSU.
Dr. John Hunter
Dr. John Hunter came to MSU's Department of Economics as a seasoned administrator after receiving his Ph.D. from Harvard University and a Bronze Star from the United States Army for his service in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. An accomplished academic, Professor Hunter published four books and numerous articles on topics ranging from internal migration to issues of economic development and banking in Latin America. His hobbies included photography and he was a long-time member of the Lansing Camera Club. He won numerous prizes for his work and some of the photos he took during visits to Latin America appeared in "Fine Tuning", a magazine published by WKAR. No matter how hectic his schedule became Dr. Hunter regularly volunteered his time and his voice to WKAR's Radio Talking Book program that benefits those who cannot read for themselves.
While traveling extensively for work, Dr. Hunter was always a family man. When the need to relocate took him to Saigon, Bogotá, Córdoba and Rio de Janeiro, his wife and three children moved with him and all became multi-lingual in the process. Dr. Hunter himself spoke three languages, Spanish, Portuguese and French. A respected teacher and mentor, Dr. Hunter's engagement in international research and administration offered his many doctoral students opportunities to develop important research projects on Latin American problems and issues. Whether on campus or traveling the world, Dr. Hunter was known to have a fine sense of empathy in dealing with all people.
Dr. Hunter was one of the founders of the Latin American Studies Center, now known as Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), and his work as Director of CLACS from 1970 to 1983 set it on a course to become an internationally recognized and respected area studies center. Under his guidance, CLACS engaged in a number of international projects that had a major impact on education and development in Latin America. With support from a Rockefeller Foundation Grant, John founded the Centro de Estudios Sobre Desarrollo Económico (Center for Studies of Economic Development) at the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia which he directed from 1957-59. The Universidad de Los Andes later honored him with a gold medal for his many contributions to their institution. In the early 1960s, he also participated in a project that led to the foundation of Escola de Administração de Empresas (School of Business Administration) at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas in São Paulo, now widely regarded as a top business school in Latin America and the world.
Dr. Hunter also worked with a seven million dollar grant to improve programs in Brazil's agricultural universities through which he coordinated support to numerous Brazilian doctoral students who earned their degrees at MSU and other US universities. He also served as a consultant for the Ford Foundation 1964-1967 and USAID in Brazil in 1970 and 1974. His devotion to the many missions of MSU and CLACS will long be remembered and the Hunter-Muelder endowment is a fitting way to honor this life of dedicated service to so many communities at home and abroad.
Dr. Milton E. Muelder
A long time friend and associate of John M. Hunter, Dr. Milton E. Muelder holds advanced degrees in history from the University of Michigan as well as a Master of Arts degree in International Administration from Columbia University. He was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from his undergraduate alma mater, Knox College, an honorary doctor of philosophy from University of Ryukyus (Okinawa) Japan, and an honorary doctor of humanities from Michigan State University. Dr. Muelder enjoyed a long and distinguished career as both an educator and an administrator at MSU. As a professor he taught courses in both the Department of History and the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. As an administrator, Dr. Muelder has served MSU in many capacities, including: chairman of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, dean of the School of Science and Arts, dean of the Graduate School, vice president for Research Development, acting dean of International Programs, and acting vice president of Student Affairs.
During his career at MSU, Dr. Muelder is credited for, among other things, recommending to MSU President John Hannah the establishment of an Office of International Studies and Programs and then overseeing the expansion of these programs during the 1950s and 1960s. He also worked to secure the cyclotron at MSU, to bring the Institute of Water Research to MSU, and to establish the Kellogg Biological Station at Gull Lake.
Dr. Muelder's tenure at MSU was interrupted by his service to the U.S. government from 1944 to 1949. In World War II, military government planning proceeded concurrently with military planning. Thanks to Dr. Muelder's expertise in European history and German affairs, he was able to prepare "Project Carpet" which determined the organization of military government operations in the US zone. For that effort, the army awarded him one of its highest honors, the Legion of Merit.
In addition to his many other accomplishments, Dr. Muelder, along with Dr. Hunter and others, was instrumental in the establishment of the Latin American Studies Center. When designated as campus coordinator of MSU's Brazilian project, Dr. Muelder immediately attained a reading knowledge of Portuguese, this, in addition to his studies of French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Classical Greek, and Collegical Malay. In retirement Dr. Muelder continues to serve MSU. He has given over $1 million, benefiting numerous departments and programs throughout the University. This endowment will be the third such endowment established by Dr. Muelder.
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