John W. Hanks papers, 1941-2001

John Warren Hanks was born in Stratton, Nebraska, on March 14, 1918. He grew up in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from East High School. He graduated from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, in 1941 with a degree in Social Sciences. He served as a conscientious objector during World War II in various posts including a youth counselor at the Cheltenham School for Boys (segregated, African-American reform school) near Washington, D.C. At the end of the war Hanks went to the University of Chicago and graduated with an M.A. in Psychiatric Social Work. He married Marion Chapman, and they had two sons, John Earl Hanks in 1946 and Gardner Coe Hanks in 1947. The family moved to Jackson, Okemos, and Haslett, Michigan while Mr. Hanks worked as a psychiatric social worker. He attended Michigan State University and earned a Ph.D. in Adult Education in 1965. He was active in social affairs, and he became President of the Haslett School Board.

In 1967, Mr. and Mrs. Hanks moved to Laramie, Wyoming, so that Hanks could start a social work program as part of the Sociology Department at the University of Wyoming. In 1971, the program separated from Sociology to become accredited with Council of Social Work Education membership. It continued to grow until it became a major university program. After retirement in 1981, Hanks was instrumental in organizing university retirees into the University Retirees which were able to improve their pension benefits. He became active in the Silverhaired Legislature and lobbied for the American Association of Retired Persons. He also worked on passing the Living Will which relieved doctors from any liability for withdrawing life support. He wrote a liberal column for the Casper Star Tribune, and he was involved in many community affairs from Gay Rights to abolishing smoking in Laramie restaurants. John Warren Hanks passed away on October 3, 2009.