G. Raymond Hudson, 1942
B.A., Denison University
Citation awarded June, 2007
Ray Hudson has led an exemplary career in public service. After his graduation from Denison, he served in the Western Technical Training Command of the U.S. Army Air Force. Following the war he held a position as an advertising artist with the Chicago Tribune for several years until he founded his own advertising agency in 1956. He headed the firm of George Ray Hudson Advertising for thirty-four years.
But it was his service in the Illinois legislature that distinguished Ray from many successful businessmen. He served six terms in the Illinois House of Representatives (1970 – 82), and three terms in the State Senate (1982 – 93). A Republican, Ray served as minority spokesman of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. His main areas of expertise during his tenure in the Illinois General Assembly were education, labor and commerce, and family issues.
Ray’s Illinois State Senate appointments included the Committees on Insurance, Elementary and Secondary Education, Energy and Environment, and Local Government. In the House, he chaired the Illinois Legislative Commission on Atomic Energy, and was a member of the Dangerous Drugs Advisory Council. Ray has been recognized with the Outstanding Legislator Award among a number of other awards and commendations.
Denison’s Class of 1942 has enjoyed Ray’s leadership as Class President for many years. From 1990 to 1992, he served as General Chair of the class’s Golden Anniversary Reunion. George and his wife Barbara Anderson Hudson ’41, who are the parents of three grown children, live in Downers Grove, Illinois.
