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The Distinguished Educator Award, established in 1986, recognizes outstanding service and dedication to education. After graduating from Mansfield with a B.S. in Secondary Education in 1950, Richard Hutchinson went on to earn a Master of Arts from George Peabody College and a Doctorate in Education from Pennsylvania State University. His career in education was evenly divided between public schools and colleges.
As the Coordinator of Social Studies and English in Springville, NY schools, he developed an honors program for outstanding students that took them annually to Williamsburg, VA, and Civil War battlefields. Hutchinson also directed plays and eventually founded the Annual Community Musical involving students, faculty and community. Proceeds go to a scholarship fund for college-bound Springville students. He also founded an adult dramatic group called the “Springville Players” which is now in its 45th year.
He received scholarships and a fellowship from the University at Buffalo, San Jose State, the University of Santa Clara, California, and Penn State. He was also the recipient of the Study Grant in India by the U.S. Department of Education. Hutchinson's career at the college level began as the Director of West Virginia’s Region VI Teacher Education Center based near Wheeling.
From there he went to the State University College at Potsdam, NY, eventually becoming the director of Student Teaching and Teacher Certification. In addition he was the director of the North Country School Study Council, presenting in-service programs to teachers in four New York counties, as well as three counties in neighboring Ontario, Canada.
He founded a student teaching program in cooperation with Bishop Grosseteste College in Lincoln, England, which enabled Potsdam students to complete part of their student teaching requirements in British elementary and secondary schools. Hutchinson was declared an “Honorary Citizen” of Lincoln by the Mayor of the city. He was the recipient of the Potsdam “President’s Award for Outstanding Service,” and upon his retirement was named Professor Emeritus.
He and his late wife Joyce have three children; Debra, Lee and Bonnie, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Hutchinsonand his current wife Sharon, live in Sun City, SC, where they are very active in the Sun City Community Theater.