George H. Norton Jr., 1935
B.A., Denison University
M.B.A., University of Chicago
Citation awarded June, 1985
George H. Norton Jr. has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the world of finance and banking. Following his graduation from Denison, he began work at the Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago. In the years that followed, with time out for military service and the acquisition of his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, he served corporate and banking senior posts, including: vice president of trust investments at Omaha International Bank and later at Continental Illinois; vice president of investments at LaGrange Bank and Trust Company; and assistant to the president of the First Burlington Corporation. In addition, he has held corporate directorships on nine boards of major corporations.
George has also given his time and talents to the wider community, having worked on United Fund drives for 50 years, serving as a director of the YMCA, and continuing to serve on the advisory board. He is a founding member of the Peninsula Music Festival and has served the Peninsula Arts Association as a trustee.
In the churches to which he’s belonged in his several cities of residence, he has served as deacon, elder, moderator, and lay preacher.
He has also given his financial expertise as an officer and an investment advisor to four retirement homes.
Denison has benefited from his volunteer work in many ways. He was president of the Chicago Denison Club, a member of the Alumni Council, chairman of the Chicago Area General Gifts in the 1950 Development Program and co-chairman of his 50th reunion class gift committee. He continues to maintain active ties with his fraternity and acted on the advisory committee to the economics department.
