"Words cannot begin to convey the enormous positive impact that Mary and Tony Hulman have had on Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology," President Samuel F. Hulbert said upon learning of Mrs. Hulman's death. "Their generosity has made it possible for Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to become a special place in higher education."

"Mary and Tony enabled Rose-Hulman to translate its dreams and visions into reality," Hulbert explained. "It takes resources to turn dreams into reality. They also provided opportunities for us to dream bigger dreams. Those dreams would help us become not just a good college, but a truly special place to obtain an education in engineering, science and mathematics."

Upon Mrs. Hulman's death, tributes and praised poured in from civic and business leaders across the state and nation. Repeatedly she was described as a person of deep generosity and personal warmth. "She was one of the most gracious individuals I have ever met," Hulbert recalled. "She had the ability to make everyone she ever met feel comfortable."

"Whenever I ever spent any time with her, she always asked about the college and how the students were doing," Hulbert remembered.

Mrs. Hulman played a pivotal role in the history of the Institute. In 1970, she joined with her husband in the transfer of the assets of the Hulman Foundation to Rose Polytechnic Institute, essentially re-endowing the college as it entered its second century of service. In recognition of the Hulman family's longtime support of the college, it was renamed Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1971.

Mrs. Hulman was the first woman elected to Rose-Hulman's Board of Trustees. She was instrumental in bringing cultural identity to the campus, particularly in the art, glass and furnishings of Hulman Memorial Union, a building named in honor of her husband's parents, Grace and Anton Hulman.

In 1974, Mrs. Hulman received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Rose-Hulman.

A native of Evansville, Ind., Mrs. Hulman was educated in the parochial schools there. She graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods Academy in 1923, and from Georgetown Visitation Convent Junior College in Washington, D.C., in 1925. She was the daughter of John H. Fendrich who was the son of Herrman Fendrich, the founder of H. Fendrich Cigar Co.

She married Tony Hulman in 1926 and they made their home in Terre Haute.

Through the years, Mrs. Hulman served in leadership positions with various business operations including: Fendrich Industries, Hulman & Company, and the Hulman Foundation. She became the first woman to serve on the board of directors of Terre Haute First National Bank.

Racing drivers and fans adored Mrs. Hulman for her dedication to the Indianapolis 500 where she served as chairwoman emerita of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

She also has been a friend to arts, health care and education. Public service included membership on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and the Development Board of Wabash College. She also was active in the Public Health Nursing Association of Terre Haute and with the former St. Anthony Hospital in Terre Haute.

From 1961 to 1964, Mrs. Hulman served on the Board of Overseers of the Swope Art Gallery in Terre Haute, including a term as president of the board. She also was a member of the board of the former Herron Art School in Indianapolis and a trustee on the Fine Arts Committee of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

"Mary Fendrich Hulman’s passing, regretfully, marks the end of an ara," said Guille Cox, chairman of the Board of Trustees. "Mrs. Hulman represented the epitomy of the `grand lady’ with the best of Victorian values — philanthropy, duty to society, respect for each individual and politeness to all, no matter what their station in life. Mary Fendrich Hulman firmly believed it was one’s duty to `pay rent for the space one occupied’ by charitable giving, and gratuitous duty to fellow man. Her fondest hope would be that her passing could rekindle such virtues in others."