News and Events

Lake Forest College mourns the passing of President Emeritus Eugene “Gene” Hotchkiss III, 97, on June 26, 2025. Dr. Hotchkiss led the College with distinction from 1970 to 1993 and remained a vital presence in the Lake Forest community until his final days. 

A nationally respected advocate for liberal arts education and a steadfast “guardian of the academic process,” Dr. Hotchkiss leaves a legacy defined by transformative leadership, human connection, and an enduring devotion to the College and the city he called home.

When Dr. Hotchkiss arrived at Lake Forest College in the spring of 1970, the mood on campus reflected the unrest and uncertainty that gripped the nation. College students across the country were challenging the status quo, and institutions were grappling with financial strain and shifting social expectations. Lake Forest College was no exception. Through his steady guidance, open communication, and tireless commitment, Dr. Hotchkiss helped the College navigate that turbulent era—reviving its finances, strengthening its academic reputation, and forging a campus culture grounded in excellence and inclusion.

Dr. Hotchkiss brought to the presidency a deep understanding of the value of higher education. A Highland Park native, he graduated from Dartmouth College and served as a Navy intelligence officer during the Korean War before earning a PhD from Cornell University. It was a telegram from his Dartmouth dean offering him a position in student affairs that, as he often said, “changed everything,” setting him on the path to a lifelong career in higher education administration.

“I happen to love college administration,” Dr. Hotchkiss once said. “It served me well, and I think it served the College well.”

Over his 23-year tenure—the longest in the College’s history—Dr. Hotchkiss led Lake Forest through a remarkable transformation. He raised academic standards, expanded the science and economics programs, and led the College into the prestigious Associated Colleges of the Midwest. By the time he retired in 1993, the College had earned national recognition as a leading liberal arts institution. His efforts laid the groundwork for generations of Foresters to thrive.

“Gene Hotchkiss exemplified what it means to lead with wisdom, courage, and deep care,” said Interim President Robert Krebs. “He had a gift for bringing people together, for seeing the potential in others, and for building a College that reflected his belief in the power of education to change lives. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of Lake Forest College.”

Dr. Hotchkiss was known not just for what he accomplished, but for how he led. Riding his three-speed Raleigh bicycle to campus nearly as often as he drove, he was as approachable as he was visionary. A prolific writer of notes and memos, he made a point to celebrate faculty achievements, console during personal crises, and clearly express his views to colleagues with a spirit of warmth and respect. He was a leader who understood that real community is built through relationships—over time, with care, and with a sense of shared purpose.

His wife, Suzanne “Sue” Hotchkiss, was a constant presence by his side and a beloved partner in building bridges between the College and the town of Lake Forest. Together, they hosted dinners for incoming students and celebratory gatherings for graduating seniors, making generations of Foresters feel seen and valued. In 2014, Dr. Hotchkiss established the Sue and Gene Hotchkiss Celebration of Faculty Scholarship to honor his wife’s memory and to continue his legacy of championing the academic excellence of Lake Forest’s faculty.

In 1993, in recognition of their lasting impact, the College renamed the North Gym as Hotchkiss Hall and awarded Dr. Hotchkiss an honorary Doctor of Laws degree—the College’s highest honor—during that year’s Commencement ceremony. After retirement, Dr. Hotchkiss continued to contribute to the intellectual life of the College and the region for decades, maintaining an office on campus and remaining deeply involved in community life.

Dr. Hotchkiss (above) greets the crowd during the 2023 Sue and Gene Hotchkiss Celebration of Faculty Scholarship. | Photo by Linda Blaser

In 2020, the History Center of Lake Forest–Lake Bluff honored Dr. Hotchkiss as a Local Legend, recognizing him among the most distinguished figures in the community’s history. Joining the ranks of such revered honorees as astronaut Captain Jim Lovell and journalist Bill Kurtis, Dr. Hotchkiss was celebrated not only for his leadership at the College but for his lifelong commitment to strengthening the fabric of the Lake Forest community. The honor reflected what so many already knew—that his vision, integrity, and quiet strength had left a lasting mark on the place he loved. 

Francis “Spike” Gummere, former Dean of Admissions and longtime colleague, remembered him as “a rare kind of leader—someone who could make hard decisions without ever losing his human touch. Gene believed in people. He trusted faculty, supported students, and inspired staff. He listened deeply and led with both his intellect and his heart. Working with him was one of the great privileges of my career.”

Asked once what he hoped his legacy would be, Dr. Hotchkiss said simply: “I hope that in the future, those who come across my name will say that he made a difference in Lake Forest.”

Lake Forest College is forever grateful for the life, leadership, and love of President Emeritus Eugene Hotchkiss III—an extraordinary president, a beloved neighbor, and a legend whose name will continue to inspire.