As part of IU’s Bicentennial efforts, every campus is collecting oral histories from their alumni, creating a large and lasting archive of what life was like for our students and what IU has meant in their lives. But since IU East’s 50th Anniversary is also approaching, we are seeking to create a more comprehensive collection of oral histories, including alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, and allies in the community. Cassidy Clouse has begun the process with staff who are also alumni, and has previously reported on her efforts in this blog. I have been given the honor of speaking to some of our older staff and supporters, in addition to IU East alumni.
David Fulton
I was privileged to speak with Chancellor Fulton a few weeks before his untimely passing this year. He started as a history and political science professor in IU East’s earliest days, and rose through the ranks to be our longest-serving chancellor. He oversaw a huge expansion in IU East, including several new buildings and programs at satellite centers. Good at thinking outside the box, he spearheaded the Ohio tuition reciprocity agreement, filling empty seats in our classes with eager students just across the border. He received the President’s Medal earlier this year, in recognition of his service and leadership. He was also deeply involved in the community, and organizations like the Starr-Gennett Foundation, United Way, and the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce feel his loss as deeply as we do.
You can listen to Chancellor Fulton’s oral history here.
Wayne Stidham
A local philanthropist and president of Second National Bank, F. Wayne Stidham served as the chairman of the community fundraising drive that established IU East in place of the Eastern Indiana Center, raising over $1 million in a mere nine months. His innovative campaign targeted Richmond’s blue collar workers, encouraging them to give a dollar a week – which they did, showing how eager Richmond was to provide opportunities for their children. Mr. Stidham has been involved in shaping Richmond for most of his life, including rebuilding the downtown area after the explosion, bringing in or retaining businesses like Elder-Beerman and Wayne Works, creating and chairing the Reid Foundation, and providing for the children of late Richmond Chief of Police Mitrione, who was killed while training the Columbian police force. Chances are you have driven on Stidham Drive, a road on campus that runs past Ivy Tech to Hayes Hall, named in honor of all he has done for both of our schools.
Most of these oral histories are taken as audio recordings, however, Mr. Stidham requested that his be videotaped – you can watch it here.
Nancy Beaman
Currently the senior Human Resources and Payroll Specialist, Nancy Beaman belongs to the first three generation IU East family – she, her mother, and her sons all obtained degrees here. In her time, she has overseen keeping timesheets and cutting paychecks by hand evolve to modern computer systems, and implementing the PeopleSoft system. She always ensured that people received their paychecks on time – even when it required coming in on Christmas break! She has been involved in extensive outreach to the community, from organizing charity golf tournaments for Hope House and Altrusa Club to packing lunches for Backpack Blessings, which provides weekend meals to kids in Richmond and Hagerstown.
Howard Gongwer
Our first Director of Continuing Studies, Howard Gongwer was a part of IU East when it was still the Eastern Indiana Center. At the forefront of expanding our offerings, he spearheaded the addition of a Nursing Associate’s degree, implemented the Bachelor of General Studies, and was instrumental in setting up the Connersville program. He worked closely with outside groups like the Ford Motor Company to ensure that IU East was providing the kinds of classes and instruction that would most benefit the area’s residents. He received the Chancellor’s Medallion in 1993 in recognition of his tireless service.
Eleanor Turk
Joining IU East as our first female chair of the Humanities and Social Sciences department, Eleanor Turk reintroduced European history to the curriculum and modernized the college as it became a four-year institution. She challenged students, emphasizing critical thinking in her classroom essays and offering a memorable map quiz that ensured that students had a strong understanding of geography. She was the very first professor from a regional campus to win the John Ryan Award for Distinguished Service, and won the Fulbright Award in 1992. She is widely travelled, and known for her own large body of research and scholarship. She is committed to international experiences, and funded the Eleanor Turk International Studies scholarship, which continues to send students abroad each year.
Rob Tolley
An immensely popular, hands-on Archeology professor, Rob Tolley exemplified first-hand experience. He led countless off-campus expeditions to places like Montana, Utah, and Colorado, often in co-curricular roles with professors like Mike Foos and Ron Carter, exploring how archaeology intersects with math or literature. He was a leader in building IU East’s online program, creating many short field videos, and was interim chair of the Social Sciences department. Rob won the Helen Lees Award for excellence in teaching in 2012 for his innovative instruction, and continues to support IU East in philanthropy, recently donating a unique outdoor laboratory for training students in fieldwork. He is now retired to Wyoming, where he is the self-styled ‘Feral Scholar in Residence’.
It has been a deep privilege to learn from each of these people, and we hope to talk to many more who have lived and breathed IU East. For any alumni who are interested in sharing their experiences at IU East, please fill this quick form – we would love to hear your story, as well!