by Kristin Proulx Jarvis ’06G

Van Hartman

Learn more about the HUB.  Or take a peek into A Day in the Life of the HUB.

How many students and staff walk into the HUB each day without knowing much about the man whose name graces their union building?

Van A. Hartman came to Plymouth State in 1961 as the dean of personnel, serving under President Harold E. Hyde.  Before his time as dean, Hartman was a college soccer, basketball, and baseball coach, and a semi-pro baseball player.

At Plymouth State, Hartman was instrumental in the institution’s transition from Plymouth Teachers College to Plymouth State College.  He continued to support athletics during his time at the college, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Hartman also became involved in the Plymouth community as a member—and later president—of the Plymouth Rotary Club.

Hartman died suddenly in the summer of 1968. IN 1972, the College Union Building was named after Hartman to honor his love of Plymouth State and his dedication to academics, athletics, and recreational opportunities for students.