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Alumnus Reveals 'Factory of Lies'

Alumnus Reveals 'Factory of Lies'
“Our walk in this world offers many challenges, trials and tribulations,” Nick Hutchinson (B.S. ’92, General University Studies) recalled. “It’s how we react and handle the circumstances to these situations, be they good or bad, that define our character.”

In his new book, Factory of Lies, Hutchinson tells the story of Nick Knight, a fictional character trying to live the American Dream. The book includes experiences and insights Hutchinson has gained from his own observations and through research.

“It’s meant to be an enlightening story that is entertaining as well as revealing,” Hutchinson explained. “I believe it will capture the imaginations of many hard working people who can relate to one aspect or another detailed here in this little story.”

As a student at Muskegon Community College, he experienced a series of tragedies and unfortunate events that caused Hutchinson to seek out a new direction in life. After enlisting in the Navy, Hutchinson became a third class radioman petty officer and traveled through the Caribbean Islands performing drug interdiction operations during the 80s. He was later assigned to Special Warfare Unit One in San Diego where he was part of a three-man crew performing a variety of duties, often overseas, including providing support to Navy Seal activities on two occasions.

During his service, Hutchinson dreamed of attending a four-year university and took college classes whenever he could. Upon completion of six years of active duty status, he returned home to finish his associate’s degree at Muskegon Community College and decided to attend Western Michigan University.

“I chose WMU to continue my education because of the outstanding reputation for a quality education and being open to all nationalities where exchanges of ideas could lead to greater understanding of intellectual realism,” Hutchinson said. “Plus, being located in my home state would allow me an occasional weekend to see my family after years of being away in the service of my country.”

As a student at WMU, Hutchinson initially chose to study advertising because he felt passionate about helping others sell their products through creativity. He enjoyed visiting an advertising agency in Chicago and working with a professor to access the efficiency of public service programs in the City of Portage. A family emergency stopped Hutchinson just short of receiving a B.B.A. in Advertising; he chose to instead receive a B.S. degree through the non-traditional student program.

After departing WMU, Hutchinson worked in various positions and continued to further his knowledge. Throughout the years, he’s gained experience as an x-ray technician, and in the insurance industry, furniture sales, bartending, and painting cars.

“After years of trying to advance my position to utilize my education to help make the company more successful I found out I had skin cancer.” Hutchinson recalled. “This is when I got the idea to write my story about the struggles of a fictional character trying to live the American Dream.”

It took Hutchinson five years to complete Factory of Lies, which was recently published by Dorrance Publishing Company. He’s also formed Quill Works Productions, LLC., which hold copyrights to the story. In the future, Hutchinson plans to release a book authored by his mother, who passed away from cancer years earlier, that includes inspiring messages about how the belief in Jesus can enhance one’s life.

“Through wise choices based on our understanding of human nature gained through education, experience and insight,” Hutchinson said, “We either succumb to acceptance of the ordinary or we advance to a higher level to face the next step in the universe of life.”

To learn more about Factory of Lies or to purchase a copy, visit the secure bookstore rosedogbooks and search for Factory of Lies or Nick C. Hutchinson.