Museum exhibit to focus on life of Hauenstein Center namesake

Ralph W. Hauenstein, the namesake of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, will be the focus of a special exhibit that opens July 21 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

The exhibit is called "Ralph W. Hauenstein: A Life of Leadership" and will focus on Hauenstein's extraordinary life and accomplishments, including his work as a journalist and his role in military intelligence during World War II.

It will also examine Hauenstein's dedication to the Catholic faith, his entrepreneurship, and his philanthropy throughout West Michigan. Visitors will be able to try writing a headline for the newspaper on an antique typewriter as Hauenstein may have done as an editor at the Grand Rapids Herald, or try to crack a secret code, as Hauenstein made possible during his time as an intelligence officer.

The various images in the exhibit were first digitized by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies. Objects are on loan from Ralph W. Hauenstein's grandson Brian Hauenstein unless otherwise stated; some objects on loan from the National Cryptologic Museum, NSA, Washington, D.C.

The exhibit is included in the price of regular admission to the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and will be located on the museum's third floor.

The exhibit will run through January 2019.

About Hauenstein:

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1912, Hauenstein’s family moved to Grand Rapids when he was 12 years old and he graduated from Central High School in 1931. He was a public servant from his early years, starting as a Boy Scout. Hauenstein was curious, inquisitive and an exceptional storyteller, which led him to his first job as a police reporter for the Grand Rapids Press and later as a city editor with the Grand Rapids Herald.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1935, serving first with the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1941 he began working as an intelligence officer in Iceland and rose to the rank of colonel. During World War II, he was promoted to Chief of Intelligence for the European Theater of Operations under General Dwight D. Eisenhower. An important part of his experience was the liberation of the German concentration camp at Dachau. His WWII experiences opened his eyes to the need for ethical, effective leadership in the 21st century.

Ralph saw first-hand that many countries face food shortages. After the war he returned to Grand Rapids and became an entrepreneur in international trade and food equipment manufacturing, designing equipment to make Goldfish Crackers. His success in business allowed for substantial philanthropic contributions in Grand Rapids. He gave generously to many local causes and established the Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College, Mercy Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center and the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, where students learn about history while developing leadership skills.

For more information, visit grpm.org/rwh and gvsu.edu/hc/ralph-w-hauenstein-12.htm