Drew University Athletics

John E. "Jack" Horner defined the term "student athlete." While excelling at basketball and earning a varsity letter in baseball, Jack still found the time to graduate cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in classics. He also earned a M.A. from Columbia University in 1945 and a Ph.D. from Ohio State in 1955.

Dr. Horner was one of the finest basketball players in the history of Drew University. Earning four varsity letters, the teams he participated on had a composite record of 42-15. Jack led the state of New Jersey in scoring average in 1942 and 1943 and was named an honorable mention All-American both years by the legendary Chuck Taylor. His 22.1 ppg. scoring average in his senior year is among the top seven in Drew history and is remarkable for that era. Jack was also a fine baseball player, contributing as a first basemen and center fielder and earning three varsity letters.

Jack began his career in teaching and academic administration locally at Morristown High School. He also served on the faculty at Drew (1950-52), Kansas Wesleyan, Ohio State and the University of Omaha before becoming president of Hanover College from l958-1987. He was a Fulbright scholar at the University of London - Oxford and Cambridge. During his distinguished professional career, Jack earned nine honorary degrees including an LL.D. from Drew in l971. In addition to being the 1943 recipient of the Albert Ben Wegener Scholarship, he also received the 1959 Alumni Achievement Award in the Arts.