Alumni Spotlight: Tom Lugar Credits Shortridge with Preparing Him for Life

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April 21, 2017

 

Tom Lugar is an engineer known not only for upholding his
family’s business, but also improving his community. He has served as a board
member for various local companies and organizations and, after a short stint
in the U.S. Army (and the passing of his father), took the reins of Thomas L.
Green and Co., which was started by his grandfather.

 

A 1951 graduate of Shortridge High School, Lugar attended Purdue
University, where he received a degree in engineering.

 

The Indianapolis native recently talked about being a proud IPS alum
and how IPS, specifically Shortridge, helped prepare him for his professional journey.

 

Early life in Indianapolis …

I live here and grew up here. I love Indianapolis.
I have one brother and one sister. Growing up, I enjoyed croquet with my
neighborhood friends. I attended grade school at William A. Bell School 60 through
eighth grade, and then I went to Shortridge for the remainder of my adolescent
education.  

 

Your experience at Shortridge …

I
had a very pleasant experience at Shortridge. I really enjoyed it. They had
wonderful teachers and I still remember a lot of them. I played sports, including
football; we won the city championship in 1949 when I was a junior. My senior
year I had the pleasure of being co-captain on the football team. I had a
wonderful football coach, Coach George Gale. He was a very good coach and
mentor. He was a role model for a lot of students. Aside from football, I also
ran track. I graduated in 1951.

 

Fondest IPS memory as a student …

I
was involved in a lot of activities. I was involved in Shortridge symphony and
played the violin. I participated in Shortridge vaudeville. I loved
participating in these activities, but I still loved sports above anything
else. Next to graduating in 1951, winning the city football championship in
1949 was a very fond memory for me with IPS.

 

My IPS education prepared me for
….

Life.
(Shortridge) was a great school to prepare for college. I went to Purdue University,
one of the best engineering schools in the country. I wanted to go to college
to be an engineer and Shortridge helped prepare me for that.

 

Higher Education …

I graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s
degree in mechanical engineering in 1955. My college experience was great as
well – I love Purdue. I enjoyed my classes and the subject matter being taught.
I also enjoyed being a member of a fraternity, Beta Theta Pi.

 

My life
since graduating …

After
college, I joined the Jet Engine Development Program at Allison Division of
General Motors. I was later drafted into the Army and served in 1956. I was
active for six months. My initial intention was to serve seven years in the
reserves, but after my father passed away, I could leave with an honorable
discharge to help in our family business. My father was the president of our
family business (Thomas L. Green and Co., founded by my grandfather).  

 

I
have been with Thomas L. Green Co. since January 1957. I started working in the
shop, then in the engineering and sales departments, and was elected president in
1972. In 2001, we merged with Reading
Bakery Systems Inc. in Pennsylvania. Today, I serve as a consultant
for the company. I am still listed as chairman of the board.

 

Proudest accomplishments …

First,
becoming an Eagle Scout as a freshman in high school. I am proud of being the
president of the company my grandfather started. I am very proud of my wife, my
children, and all our family. It was great having a nice family and being able
to participate with them while they were growing up.

 

Additionally,
some of my proudest civic involvements include:

• Past chairman
  of the board of Methodist Hospital of Indiana
• Past president
  of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis
• Past member
  of the board of the Children’s Museum

 

Family…

I
have been married to my wife Sally since 1958 and we have three children –
Todd, Scott and Nancy. My wife and I enjoy spending time with our five
grandchildren. Two of my grandsons followed my footsteps and graduated from
Purdue University. Overall, my family are active, church-going, good people who
are doing well and are compatible with each other. I love that we are a
close-knit family and I am very proud of each one of them.

 

Interests/Hobbies …

I
have a greenhouse in which I enjoy growing orchid plants. I also collect stamps
and coins. I have been collecting both items since I was about 10 years old.
Photography has always been a long-time interest of mine. I enjoy taking
pictures of people and my family.

 

Vision/Dreams …

I
hope that we can continue to live in a land of freedom and democracy. I can
only hope that my kids and grandkids have the same opportunities that I did.

 

Final Quote …

“Work hard with honesty and integrity, strive for
perfection, help others and love your family.”