MATTHEW E. WELSH

Welsh attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1934 with a bachelor's degree in economics. He attended the Indiana University School of Law in 1935 and 1936 where he worked on the Indiana Law Journal. In 1937 he graduated from the University of Chicago Law School.

From 1937 to 1961 he practiced law in Vincennes. He was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in the 1941 and 1943 sessions. From 1943 to 1946 he served in the Unites States Navy Reserve. In 1951 he was appointed by President Harry Truman as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and served for two years. He was a member of the Indiana Senate in the 1955,1957 and 1959 sessions and was the Democrat Floor Leader during the latter two sessions.

In 1956 he was a leading candidate for his party's nomination for Indiana governor and was defeated after a number of ballots at the Indiana Democratic convention. In 1960 he was successful in being nominated and in November of that year was elected the 4lst Indiana governor. He served in that capacity until 1965.

In 1966, he was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as the chairman of the United States Section of International Joint Commission for the U.S. and Canada. In August of 1965 he became a partner in one of Indiana's most prestigious law firms in Indianapolis. In early 1970s, he received his party's nomination for governor and was defeated in a close election. Welsh became a member of the VU Board of Trustees in 1943 and continues to serve in that capacity.

Distinguished Alumni 1992

Class of 1930