David Harden, Robert Howard and Milton Fillius attended Hamilton during andimmediately following World War II. Each became highly successful in business,and in their commitment to community and philanthropic causes.
David Harden worked in his family's business, Harden Furniture, aftergraduating from Hamilton in 1948. He began as a salesman before being promotedto sales manager, and then served as president for three decades. Currently,he is the company's chairman.
Under Harden's guidance, the company has prospered and expanded, enhancing itsreputation for fine craftsmanship. In 1991, he was awarded the prestigiousBusiness Council of New York's Corning Award in recognition of his commitmentto excellence, integrity and helping others. His community involvementincludes service to the Boy Scouts of America, Oneida County Planning Board,the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers and the New York State GolfAssociation. He has served on the boards of several central New Yorkbusinesses and is a Hamilton trustee.
Robert Howard, a member of the class of 1946, enlisted in the Navy V-5 programin the midst of his studies at Hamilton. He completed his degree requirementsafter the war, and upon graduation worked briefly in his family's hardwarebusiness. He then joined the Manhattan brokerage firm of Reynolds and Company,which eventually became Dean Witter Reynolds. Howard worked with the firm for30 years, contributing to its expansion and success until his retirement in1984. In his non-business hours, he has been involved in the Rye, N.Y.,Republican Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals and the United Fund. He hasserved as a trustee on various hospital boards, church boards and HamiltonCollege. Milton Fillius, Jr., of the class of 1944, interrupted his studies atHamilton to serve as a Navy submarine officer. After the war, he returned toHamilton and completed his undergraduate degree. He then earned a law degreefrom the University of Michigan.
Fillius moved to California and became successful in business ventures rangingfrom transportation to packaging and later processing. He is now retired, buthas maintained strong community involvement in activities including the SanDiego Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Mercy Hospital, Children's HomeSociety and the United Fund. He is currently chairman of the Joseph DrownFoundation and life trustee of Hamilton. Fillius has also dedicated himself tothe preservation and propagation of American jazz music.
Hamilton's 1996 Fallcoming weekend will commemorate the 50thanniversary of the end of World War II, and the College's wartime alumni.Hamilton President Eugene Tobin will present the honorary degrees in a privateceremony.
