in S't-J WE FACE THE I.rrl £ FUTURE UNAFRAID ^ c A Narrative History of the University of Evansville O O s George Klinger 5 h WE FACE THE FUTURE UNAFRAID A Narrative History of the University of Evansville George Klinger UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE PRESS Evansville, Indiana Published by the Univetsity of Evansville Press 1800 Lincoln Avenue Evansville, Indiana 47722 Ptinted in the United States of America on acid-free paper by Cardinal Printing, New Albany, Indiana. © 2003 by the Univetsity of Evansville All tights reserved. Except fot brief quotations in a review, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form of by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without pet- mission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Klinger, George, 1928 - We face the future unafraid : a narrative history of the Univetsity of Evansville / George Klinger. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN: 0-930982-56-8 1. University of Evansville - History. I. Title. LD1761.E62K55 2003 378.772'33-dc22 2003061334 Parts of chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the present wotk appeared in different vetsion in From Institute to University, Olmsted. © 1973 University of Evansville Press. Table of Content** Preface CHAPTER ONE Our Roots: Moores Hill College CHAPTER TWO Transition: The Move to Evansville 17 CHAPTER THREE Evansville College: 1919 to 1940 37 CHAPTER FOUR Evansville College: 1940 to 1967 77 CHAPTER FIVE University of Evansville: 1967 to 1987 135 CHAPTER SIX University of Evansville: 1987 to 2004 225 Epilogue 331 Appendix 335 List of Photographs and Credits 348 Index Prefiace When Wallace B. Graves became the University of Evansville's first president, he observed that the institution, already well over 100 years old, "lacked a written history which would convey to all its constituents the school's long and honored tradition," noting that such a history would enrich both present and future gen­ erations. Accordingly, he commissioned retiring business manager Ralph Olmsted, a member of the first Evansville College graduating class, to compose such a chronicle, which was subsequently published under the title From Institute to University. The earlier chapters of the present volume are largely drawn from Ralph Olmsted's book and I am greatly indebted to his work in organizing and classify­ ing the institution's historical records. Because his book has long been out of print, I have incorporated material from it to the extent that space allows. In this way, I hope to make his legacy available to twenty-first century readers. Although, in its time, Olmsted's history served its purpose well, the sesqui­ centennial anniversary of our school's founding seemed an appropriate occasion to attempt the task anew, as well as to provide a chronicle of all that has hap­ pened in the intervening years. The resultant volume has been a collaborative effort in every sense, made pos­ sible because many people generously contributed information, effort, and energy to bring the project to a successful conclusion. Past Presidents Wallace Graves and James Vinson, Executive Vice President John Byrd, and President Stephen Jennings have given their enthusiastic support. Rebecca Dillbeck and Patricia Lippert in the president's office have gone far beyond the call of duty to be of help. In addition, recent and current members of the faculty, staff, and administration were extremely cooperative and gracious in providing information pertaining to their discipline or area of responsibility. My sincere thanks for their contributions. Academic Affairs Harlaxton College/Study Abroad Linda Bathon, Jennifer Graban, Suzy Lantz Vicky Potts History Alumni Relations Philip Ensley, Thomas Fiddick Sylvia DeVault Human Resources Archaeology and Art History Gregory Bordfeld, Rhonda Holder Patrick Thomas Institutional Advancement Art Jack Barner, Jamie Elkins, William Brown, Les Miley Thornton Patbetg Athletics Law, Politics, and Society! Robert Boxell, Jim Byers, Women's Studies Lois Patton James Berry, Deborah Howard Biology Library Michael Cullen Kathryn Bartelt, Marvin Guilfoyle, William Louden Business Administration Ray Arensman, Ronald Faust Mathematics Gene Bennett, Clarence Buesking, Chemistry Clark Kimberling William Morrison Mus/'c Communication Jeannie DePriest, Edwin Lacy, Dean Thomlison Douglas Reed, Roberta Veazey Computer Services Nursing and Health Sciences Manfred Schauss Rita Behnke, Thelma Btittingham, Continuing Education Paul Jensen, Helen Smith Bonnie Daly, Barbara Graves, Philosophy and Religion/Religious Life Lynn Penland, Eulalie Wilson Anthony Beavers, John Brittain, Education Richatd Connolly Rex Brown, Ralph Templeton Physics Engineering Benny Riley Philip Gerhart, William Hattsaw, Psychology Mark Randall, Mark Valenzuela William Weiss English Student Life Margaret McMullan Dana Clayton, Robert Pool, Financial Aid Howard Rosenblatt JoAnn Laugel Theatre Foreign Languages Sharla Cowden, John David Lutz James Talbert University Relations Geography Marcia Dowell, Marsha Jackson, Jetty Kendall Cynthia Simmons Further assistance was kindly provided by Sue Baldwin, Andrea Brown, Rand Bumette, Robert Byler, Etta Clark, Donald Colton, Leland Dierks, Isabella Fine, Jo Frohbieter-Mueller, Orville Jaebker, Dee Kalena, Earl Kirk, James MacLeod, Cheryl Michie, Melba Patberg, Mary Pritchard, Gary Rigley, Judy Steenberg, Susan Watson, Sylvia Weinzapfel and Robert Wilson. Adrienne Harr successfully completed the formidable task of preparing the index. Finally, I am greatly indebted to Galen Clough for invaluable stylistic sugges­ tions, to William Louden for tirelessly looking after the many details involved in producing a publication of this scope, and to my wife, Fran, for contributions far too numerous to mention. Even with this impressive list of participants, the author bears final responsi­ bility for the finished product and for any errors or omissions it may contain. Readers are encouraged to contact the Office of University Relations regarding suggestions or corrections for future editions of this book or future histories of the institution. Special thanks are due to Joyce Clough Editorial Assistant Susan Heathcott Designer Cynthia Knudson Editor Suzy Lantz Photographic Editor George Klinger September 2003 Space limitations prohibit listing all the faculty, staff, and administration associated with the institution over its 150 years.The general criterion for inclusion has been service of five years or more or sufficient time to have had a lasting impact on the institution. A limited number of persons have been chosen for fuller, more in-depth discussion. They provide a cross section of the background, experience, and talent so many individuals have brought to the school. Thousands of people have contributed to the University's success, and the University is grateful to all for their part in furthering its mission. In editorial matters, University of Evansville publications follow the guidelines found in the Chicago Manual of Style (14th edition). For the reader's convenience, bold face type is used to indicate the first time a faculty member is mentioned in the text ooiT5 Sill SUIr anh fetal* (Snllrqr. :-' V5- LOCATED AT MOORE'S HILL, DEARBORN CO., IND., On ihs Ohm & M)zz)zu\pp) if}, U. 40 MILES SOUTH-WEST FROM CINCINNATI. This Location is free from the vices and evil associations incident to larger places.—Students have no inducements to spend money unnecessarily.—A more healthy location is not be found in the State.—Students can obtain rooms, where they can board themselves at a small expense. ANNUAL (SAM5 Scientific Collegiate, $24.00 Preparatory Department, $18.00 Classical Collegiate, . $32.00 Primary, .... 12.00 Classical" -atory, . 2600 Instrumental Music, $ term, $10.00 Use of Piano extra charge, per term, $2.00 Janitor's fee 50 cts. per term. French, German, Drawing, and Painting, extra charge. !@)&$® Q)W IN8TIIIIOTIOII. Rev. 8. R. ADAMS, A. M., Pres't Rev. S. J. KAHLER, A. B., Prof. Math. Mr. B. P. CHENOWORTH, Prin. Pnpar'y. Mrs. H. P. ADAMS, Mod. Lang. Miss V. HOLBROOK, Ins. Music Miss J. S. CHURCHILL, Ass't rVapmtory. Fall Term commences Monday, August 29, closes Friday, Nov. 11.—Winter Term commences Monday, Nov. 14, closes Friday, January 27.—Spring Term commences Monday, January 80, clone* Friday, April 18. Summer Term commenced Monday, April 16, closes Friday, June 29. For particular* IKWPWW the Hworetary, •oetin Bui, jm. iw. J. McCHEARY, 1859 Advertisement for Moores Hill College Noteworthy are the "sales pitch" (small print near center of the ad) and the 500 per term janitor's fee WE FACE THE FUTURE UNAFRAID CHAPTER ONE Our Roofo: Moored Hill College BACKGROUND The University of Evansville traces its roots to a picturesque pioneer town far away from its present location. Our university is the direct descendant of a small college established in 1854 in Moores Hill, Indiana, about 200 miles east of Evansville and forty miles west of Cincinnati. The town was named for its founder, Adam Moore, whose son, John Collins Moore, became the town's leading businessman and one of its wealthiest citizens. Although the younger Moore had little formal schooling himself, he believed strongly in the value of education; his family, in fact, owned the only dictionary in town. So, in 1853, when a represen­ tative of Brookville College (some twenty-five miles from Moores Hill) called on him for a con­ tribution, Moore began to think of the need for a school in his own community. Before the year was over, several of the town's leading citizens had met at the Methodist Church to explore the possibility of organizing a college to serve the needs of Moores Hill and its surrounding area. An act of the Indiana legislature, passed only the year before (1852), required "the incorporation of High Schools, Academies, Colleges, Universi­ ties, Theological Institutions, and Missionary Top: The Moore family home Boards" and the public sale of shares in such insti­ tutions. Accordingly, the founders of Moores Hill Bottom: Millstone from Adam Moore's mill College decided to sell shares in the new institu­ tion for $20 each.