Hillsdale has a new general counsel, former Vice President for Donor Relations at the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Robert Norton.
As general counsel, Norton will be providing legal advice to President Larry Arnn as the need arises. He will also serve as a primary liaison for current and prospective Hillsdale donors, helping them plan their contributions to the college.
“He was an opportunity to bring something that was the perfect fit for the college – a lot of experience, a lot of connections, and a great colleague,” Chief Administrative Officer Rich Péwé said. “When you can do that, it’s pretty rare.”
Director of Marketing and External Affairs Bill Gray said that though there hadn’t been a formal hiring process, there was instead “a need and an interest.”
The new hire comes at a time when the college is undergoing many expansions as a result of its recent Rebirth of Liberty and Learning Campaign. Norton, though affiliated with the marketing and development departments, will be working most closely with President Arnn.
“He’s going to do some traveling. He’s going to put on seminars. He’s going to put on talks for people about trusts and estate planning,” Péwé said. “He’ll also provide counsel.”
Norton, on the other hand, has a very simple notion of his role at Hillsdale College.
“I’ve been a longtime fan of Hillsdale,” Norton said. “I first heard of the school during my time at the University of Michigan Law School. The school was always in the back of my mind as a good school.”
His daughter Kaitlyn is now a senior at Hillsdale, but Norton’s ties to the school are also professional. Since he worked with the Bradley Foundation since 2009, in many ways he worked alongside Hillsdale College in the public sphere.
The Bradley Foundation shares Hillsdale’s values, including its aim to educate on behalf of free markets, limited government, and the return to self-government.
“The Bradley Foundation thinks very highly of Dr. Arnn,” Norton said.
And Arnn thought highly of Norton. Norton’s work experience, including a position as Assistant General Counsel to Chrysler LLC and extensive work with litigation and donor development, filled a unique niche. Péwé said that Norton was an ideal candidate.
“I want to be as flexible as possible,” Norton said. “I hope to serve wherever I can be most beneficial to the school.”
Norton’s assimilation into the Hillsdale community is off to an auspicious start. On his first day as a staff member, he said Arnn took him into the cafeteria to eat with the students.
When asked whether Arnn’s ritual inquiry into “the good” ever surfaced in conversation, Norton laughed.
“Oh, yes.”
