Chancellor Ray Wallace and IU President Michael McRobbie unveil a historical marker for Lyda Radford, IU Southeast’s first student.
IU Southeast celebrates IU’s bicentennial year with a variety of events and projects
A 111-foot timeline of historical facts located in the corridor of the University Center.
Chancellor Ray Wallace at the IU Bicentennial stained glass unveiling along with Donna Stallard, student Katrina Dennis, stained glass apprentices Alyssa Paro and Jude Martinez and gallery owner Donna Baldacci.
Chancellor Ray Wallace speaks at the virtual Chancellor’s Medallion Celebration.
Indiana University began its yearlong celebration of the IU Bicentennial in July of 2019. IU was founded on Jan. 20, 1820, making it one of the oldest public universities in the nation. To celebrate its bicentennial, IU developed a multiyear, multicampus program that recognized and chronicled IU history, showcased the university's significant contributions to the world and set a course for the next century.
In celebration of this occasion, Indiana University Southeast engaged in several bicentennial activities and projects.
IU Southeast bicentennial projects included an unveiling of a piece of stained-glass artwork funded by a bicentennial grant and created by IU Southeast students and Donna Stallard, senior lecturer of fine arts. The artwork is currently displayed in the Hugh and Patty Cress Lobby at the Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center.
A marker was dedicated on campus for Lyda Radford. In 1941, Radford was likely the first student to enroll at the Indiana University Falls City Area Center, the historical foundation of IU Southeast. Her academic journey documents the campus’ acceptance of minority students and Radford came to symbolize IU Southeast students who pursued higher education while advancing professionally in the region.
A 111-foot timeline of historic facts was installed in the corridor of the University Center between the Horizon Radio office and the Commons Food Court. The timeline features photos and historical facts by decade for both Indiana University and the IU Southeast campus. Facts will continue to be added to the timeline over the coming decades.
Elizabeth Gritter, assistant professor of history, started the IU Bicentennial Oral History Project, IU Southeast Division, in the spring of 2016. In total, 119 individuals, including former chancellors and administrators, students, faculty and staff, were interviewed.
The Chancellor’s Medallion Celebration was unique this year as it honored IU’s Bicentennial and the 25th anniversary of the Chancellor’s Medallion Award and was held virtually for the first time. The past Chancellor’s Medallion recipients received IU Bicentennial Medals. The Bicentennial Medal was awarded to organizations and individuals who, through their personal, professional, artistic or philanthropic efforts, have broadened the reach of Indiana University around the state, nation and world. The medals themselves are unique, made from materials salvaged from the old bells that hung in the Student Building on the IU Bloomington campus, giving recipients a lasting piece of IU history.
For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign, which was publicly launched in September 2015, concluded in September of 2020. IU Southeast raised more than $17 million, surpassing its original goal of $14 million. Funds from the campaign have created 44 new scholarships. More than 5,300 donors contributed to the campaign, collectively giving a final total of $17,508,847.
Several faculty members and staff received grants from the Office of the Bicentennial. Gritter received a $2,500 grant to teach the Historian’s Craft with a bicentennial and IU history focus. Rob Poff, director of facility operations, received a $25,000 grant to develop the IU Southeast Bicentennial Trail. Diane Wille, professor of psychology and dean of graduate studies and research, received $7,000 for a Faculty Research & Creative Activity Day that featured posters, oral presentations and a luncheon. Veronica Medina, assistant professor of sociology, received $10,000 for the Indiana Latinx Leadership Conference at IU Southeast, a statewide conference that included college and high school students. Librarian Melanie Hughes received $9,750 for digitizing all existing copies of The Horizon, the IU Southeast student newspaper.
“This has been a special year, not only for the Bloomington campus but for all of the universities in the IU family,” said IU Southeast Chancellor Ray Wallace. “Our campus engaged in an impressive number of creative projects. I praise all of the faculty and staff who participated in these projects, and I congratulate all of our grant recipients. This year will be forever documented in our history.”