IU BICENTENNIAL SPECIAL

How a Scandal Helped Change IU Forever PLUS IU's Most Influential Presidents & Honoring the Contributions Minorities & Women Have Made to the University

By Carmen Siering

Founded on January 20, 1820, as the State Seminary, Indiana University has grown from a one-building institution of learning—where a dozen young men were taught the classics by a single professor, Baynard Rush Hall—to a world-class research institution with more than 94,000 students and more than 21,000 faculty and staff on campuses in Bloomington and across the state. The bicentennial was being discussed as early as 2007—the year Michael A. McRobbie became president. But planning for this one-time-only celebration of the university’s first 200 years kicked into high gear in 2015. That’s the year James Capshew was hired as the official university historian, and the Office of the Bicentennial, directed by Kelly Kish, began focusing on a myriad of Bloomington-based and statewide projects to coincide with the anniversary. A website, magazine, blogs, podcasts, videos, oral histories—a true multiplicity of media representations—are An 1836 drawing of the First College Building, located at Seminary Square, published all being utilized to disseminate the gathered research. And in The Indiana Gazetteer, or Topographical Dictionary of The State of Indiana in 1850. while there is still plenty that remains murky—meaning there is Photo courtesy of IU Archives still plenty for future historians to uncover and debate—the years The Moss Killers, 1884. (seated in front, l-r) Edward leading up to the bicentennial have provided opportunities to are now South College and South Morton Street and West 1st and A. Hall, IU janitor “Uncle Tommy” Thomas Spicer, and Morton William Fordice; (back row, l-r) James Zwingle, reexamine old assumptions and listen to previously unheard (or West 2nd streets. That original location was (and still is) known as Alexander McCaughan, David Kopp Goss, Joseph even silenced) voices. Seminary Square. Classes began in 1825. Woods Wiley, and Rhorer Oakes. On the wall behind the group are the weapons they used to spy on the Some things were already well known. Indiana Seminary was In 1828, the school’s name was changed to Indiana College, and very-married President Lemuel Moss and Katherine founded in 1820 by the Indiana General Assembly, at that time renamed again in 1838 to become Indiana University. IU moved to Graydon, a single, 20-something professor of Greek. Photo courtesy of IU Archives seated in Corydon. In 1822, construction began between what its current campus in the 1880s after a fire destroyed the 10-year-

128 Bloom | August/September 2019 | magbloom.com magbloom.com | August/September 2019 | Bloom 129 improper relationship with the attractive, would go on to have unforeseen and far- was the first scientist to become president 20-something faculty member. Six students reaching consequences, shaping Indiana of an American college or university.” conspired with the janitor to spy on the pair, University in important ways for decades Capshew notes that Jordan was going so far as to drill a hole in the ceiling to come. an educational reformer, introducing of Graydon’s classroom and standing watch In The Legacy of the Laboratory (IU the elective system and revamping the to see what transpired. Eventually, they Department of Psychological and Brain curriculum to emphasize scientific caught the couple in the act. Of kissing and Sciences), Capshew writes that Moss’ subjects, and adding laboratories hugging. as a means to advance research and Newspapers investigation. While the university could as far away as attract good faculty members, it was often The Toronto difficult to retain them due to its rural (l-r) Kelly Kish and James Capshew. Daily Mail location. Therefore, Jordan sought to Photo by Rodney Margison reported the build the faculty from within, encouraging details of the promising undergraduates to pursue “improper graduate study in hopes that they could be old Science Hall on the old Seminary and immoral persuaded to return as faculty members. Square campus. conduct” of To move from a small, Midwestern which the two The influence of seminary on what was then the nation’s were accused. William Lowe Bryan frontier to a modern research university A witness Capshew writes that William Lowe Bryan took the insight, ingenuity, and effort of testified he was, at the time of the Moss Killers scandal, Former IU President William Lowe Bryan (left) stands with Registrar John W. Cravens (center) and an unidentified countless individuals. Planning was a big saw “... Miss editor of the Indiana Student newspaper, man on the newly built University Dam in the summer of 1915. Photo courtesy of IU Archives part of it. But, in some instances, it might Graydon which he had helped revive in 1882 with seem, luck or circumstance may have sitting in the the help and blessing of President Moss. the following year, graduating in 1884. With Jordan’s encouragement, Bryan played a part, too. Take the connection doctor’s lap The scandal was widely publicized and Following graduation, Bryan was hired as began pursuing one of the first master’s between one of IU’s early scandals and and embracing sensationalized, but Bryan refused to an English instructor in the preparatory degrees from IU, completing his studies its advancement from a 19th-century, and kissing comment beyond affirming his faith in the department. in 1886, then traveled to Germany to enlightenment-driven university focused him; that the actions of the board of trustees, who had As a result of the Moss Killers scandal serve as an experimental subject at the on a classical education to a modern, 20th- doctor gave her accepted Moss and Graydon’s resignations and Graydon’s subsequent resignation, University of Berlin. Upon his return, he century university devoted to research and a gold pin and without taking further action. Bryan was brought on board as part of the was eager to start experimentation. In the scientific method. that she kissed Bryan was born on a farm in Monroe regular faculty, teaching Greek and English. 1888, Bryan opened the Indiana University and embraced County in 1860 and grew up in the shadow Later, the scandal would further benefit Psychological Laboratory, only the second The Moss Killers and him twice; of Indiana University. IU offered a Bryan when Jordan promoted him to acting such lab in the United States. the modern university that he kissed preparatory school and Bryan entered it in professor of philosophy, replacing former Aware of his intellectual isolation The shameful misconduct of politicians, her six times 1876. He matriculated into the university President Moss. in the Midwest, Bryan left IU in 1891 to athletes, celebrities, and, yes, even some in succession; earn his Ph.D. in psychology from Clark high-profile academics, is standard grist that she patted University in Worcester, Massachusetts. for the rumor mill today. Nothing sells him on the He returned to IU in 1893 to accept a a tabloid faster (or gets a quicker click) cheek and professorship in the psychology department than a scandal, especially one involving smoothed his and the appointment to vice president infidelity and questionable morality. It hair; that when of the university. In 1902, he was named appears some things never change. she started to president. Take the case of the Moss Killers. This go, he pulled (l-r) Former IU presidents David Starr Jordan and Joseph Swain, taken June 4, 1920. “That transition from the 19th-century, Photo courtesy of IU Archives group of undergraduates—who didn’t kill her back and enlightenment-driven university to anyone—were responsible for the downfall kissed her the 20th-century scientific university? of Lemuel Moss, selected in 1875 by the several times; that she put on her shawl and resignation allowed the university to move That’s William Lowe Bryan,” Kish says. IU board of trustees as the sixth in an hat and he embraced her; that at the door away from its “Preacher President” past “He’s a renowned scientist early on in the unbroken line of “Preacher Presidents.” he embraced and kissed her; and that when when selecting the university’s seventh IU history. Certainly in the psychology According to an account on Blogging she went out he kissed her again.” president in 1884: “It encouraged the department. It remains one of our Hoosier History by Laura Bell, soon after The outcome of the scandal was the Indiana University trustees to look beyond strongest, if not our strongest, department.” the 1883 appointment of Miss Katherine resignation of both Moss and Graydon, ranks of the clergy for a new president, and Kish offers up four compelling Graydon as a professor of Greek, rumors leaving a presidency and two teaching slots they decided to appoint David Starr Jordan arguments for her assessment of Bryan to fill—an unfortunate but not uncommon as the president who has had the most began to swirl that the very-married to the post. Already well known in the state William Lowe Bryan addresses WWI recruits during their induction ceremony on October 1, 1918. Photo courtesy President Moss was indulging in an task. However, the Moss Killers scandal for his research and public speaking, Jordan of IU Archives influence on IU.

130 Bloom | August/September 2019 | magbloom.com magbloom.com | August/September 2019 | Bloom 131 “The reason why I think he’s the most only to leave a year later to take a job with community), it was Bryan who played the A search began immediately, but Bryan influential is that our modern university the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA). key role. was determined to step down at the end structures date to William Lowe Bryan’s In 1930, while continuing to work for the Capshew writes of Bryan, “He had of the fiscal year—June 30—and so, as the presidency,” she says. “Joining the AAU IBA, he accepted a position as an instructor kept his eye on Herman Wells for several months went on without a successor in [American Association of Universities]— in the Department of Economics and years, and he decided the young assistant place, it was determined that an acting which is a big coup in some ways, given our Sociology at IU. professor deserved a chance to prove president would need to be selected from institution’s attributes at the time— which Capshew writes in “Herman B Wells: himself as dean. In addition, Wells probably among the faculty. Wells was young— basically sets us on a trajectory of being The Man Who Shaped Our World” (Bloom improved his chances by being absent only 35—but his name had been floated a research institution rather than being a February/March 2009 issue) that in 1931, from campus during his two-year leave. as a replacement for Bryan by his many teaching institution. Second is joining the in the midst of the Great Depression, Wells Had he stayed on campus, he would have supporters. The fact that he didn’t want Big Ten, or its predecessor, which sets us was appointed secretary and research continued to develop a reputation as a the permanent job made him an acceptable on the trajectory of major college athletics, director for the Study Commission for good teacher and to jump from Assistant candidate for the temporary one. rather than a different type of competition. Indiana Financial Institutions, a group Professor of Economics to Dean of the Capshew writes Wells’ response to the The third is the statewide presence of IU. charged with investigating bank failures School of Business would have been request: “‘Under these circumstances,’ It’s under Bryan’s tenure that we really and devising remedies. The Indiana extremely unlikely. Instead, he went to the Wells replied, ‘if you will promise me that developed the extension division and the General Assembly adopted many of the State House and straightened out what during this period you won’t consider me campus structures across the state. And, reforms advised by the commission in the was a ‘horrible mess,’ proving that he had for the Presidency—I don’t want to get [fourth], is the significant and challenging report authored by Wells. administrative talent.” involved with that—I’ll do it. I’ll try to be a moving and opening of the medical complex In 1933, Wells took a leave of absence If Wells’ selection as dean was a bit of a good soldier and do it, if you will let me get in Indianapolis.” from IU to oversee the implementation shakeup at the university, the resignation back to my dean’s job as soon as possible.’” (l-r) William Lowe Bryan and Herman B Wells at President Wells’ inauguration on December 1, 1938. of the new banking regulations. After two of Bryan as university president in March As acting president, Wells moved the Photo courtesy of IU Archives Challenges of a years away from Bloomington, Wells was 1937—and the subsequent search for his university forward. One priority was, as “frontier” university lured back in 1935 when President Bryan successor—was an earthquake. Bryan had Capshew says, to ease out older faculty and As president of IU in the early 1900s, Bryan originally thought wells in the Griffy Creek some ways, similar to Bryan. offered him the position of dean of the led the university for 35 years, and in those administrators. In his first two weeks, Wells faced challenges encountered by neither valley might provide a solution, but finally “It’s neat to think about Wells and Bryan School of Business Administration. years he had ushered in a new era at IU; no interviewed every faculty member who was his East Coast contemporaries nor his decided to dam a narrow gorge that could in the same breath,” University Historian Bryan’s selection of Wells, just 32, one doubted that. But, as Capshew writes, 70 or older. He attended board meetings, modern-day counterparts. hold a significant amount water. Over the Capshew says. “In some ways they have as dean is reminiscent of Bryan’s own “The Bryan administration was running impressing the trustees with his business “People today don’t appreciate that next few years the land was purchased and similar kinds of outlooks and focus on the cultivation under Jordan. Capshew writes out of steam. Not only was the president acumen. He continued to be a favorite there are periods of Bryan’s tenure the water from what was dubbed University local, on Indiana ... and, beyond that, the that while there were many factors at himself a septuagenarian, but also the with the faculty. The search for a president where there’s no coal for heating, where Lake was enough to maintain the physical nation and the world. They had that kind work in Wells’ selection (not the least of school’s department heads and deans—all went on. And on. By early 1938, nearly a there’s no water for drinking or cleaning,” plant for the next two decades. of philosophy that the university is about which were his many supporters among Bryan appointees—were mostly of the same year after Bryan’s resignation, Governor Bicentennial Director Kish says. “These William Lowe Bryan, IU’s 10th service to individual people, to liberate the IU faculty and members of the banking generation.” Clifford Townsend, tired of the delay, put are the challenges of—I hate to say we president, served from 1902 until 1937. their talents. At base, they shared similar pressure on the board to make a decision. are still on the frontier 100 years into the During those years he oversaw the visions.” Wells' name had been among those under statehood, but there are still real challenges development of many prominent IU schools Wells was born in 1902, the same year consideration from the beginning, and as of sustaining a growing college population. and departments, including the opening Bryan took over as IU president. He began acting president he had only made himself Those are the kinds of things Bryan had to of the School of Medicine in Indianapolis his college studies at the University of a more attractive candidate. At a special face that, frankly, many of his colleagues in 1903, with nursing and dental schools Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the fall of board meeting on March 22, 1938, the vote around the country did not have to face following. He oversaw the creation of the 1920 but transferred to IU at the beginning was unanimous in its election of Wells because their sightings were in different Graduate School, as well as schools of of his sophomore year. At IU, he was active as IU’s 11th president. Despite his initial kinds of locales or in major urban areas.” education, journalism, music, and business. in campus life, serving as treasurer and protestations, Wells accepted the job. He One major, ongoing crisis was a lack of Bryan retired at the age of 76 after 35 years then president for his fraternity, Sigma liked being president. water. Water famines (i.e., a shortage of as president—the longest-serving president Nu. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree water necessitating a temporary shutdown in the history of the university. in commerce, the equivalent of a business Hands-on leadership of the university physical plant) were degree, in 1924. After graduation, he Wells’ leadership style was hands on—from common, occurring in the years 1899, 1901, Herman B Wells: An returned home to live with his parents and the selection of faculty to replace those 1904, 1908, and 1913. unexpected presidency to work with his father at the First National he encouraged to retire to the purchase of By 1909, the Indiana State Legislature Bryan’s successor was equally important Bank of Lebanon for two years before cultural artifacts he felt would enhance took action, allotting $20,700 to the in the transformation of IU, though by heading back to IU to earn his master’s the campus. An example of the latter is IU water crisis and granting the IU the time Herman B Wells took the reins, degree in economics. the acquisition of the Indiana Murals administration freedom to devise a many of the physical hardships that had The summary of Wells' career trajectory commissioned by Thomas Hart Benton solution. As bicentennial intern Logan challenged Bryan had been sorted out. Still, seems straightforward. In truth, it was for the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. The

Dudley writes on the Voices from the Wells faced his own challenges, and while not. He started work on a doctorate at the Herman B Wells is engulfed with congratulatory flowers after being appointed the 11th president of IU in 1938. 12-foot-high, 250-foot-long depiction of Bicentennial website, IU engineers he was a new man for a new era, he was, in University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1927, Photo courtesy of IU Archives the social and industrial history of Indiana

132 Bloom | August/September 2019 | magbloom.com magbloom.com | August/September 2019 | Bloom 133 and, it seems, he felt the obligation—to efforts, including serving as an observer is going back and finding these promote more egalitarian treatment for the Greek elections in 1946 and as a unknown or untold stories. Some of American citizens at IU and in delegate to the United Nations General of them are quite inspirational, Bloomington. A Methodist, Wells firmly Assembly in 1957. Still others have had a and many of them make you take believed in the equality of all people and long-lasting impact on the campus. Under pause and say, ‘How is it that I was well aware of the racial barriers his guidance, the size of the Bloomington don’t know about this person?’” facing African American students at the campus increased from approximately Kish says that universities university. Wells took it upon himself 130 acres to more than 1,800 acres, and he depend heavily on tradition and to listen to black students’ complaints oversaw the construction of many iconic storytelling to cultivate identity. and work with them to come up with a campus locations, among them Beck Who we talk about when we solution. Capshew writes of how Wells Chapel and the Fine Arts Plaza. tell those stories is important. integrated the campus swimming pool Wells stepped down as president in 1962 “Sort of facetiously, I introduce simply by having a popular black football at the age of 60 but continued serving IU the [Bridging the Visibility Gap] player—J.C. “Rooster” Coffee—jump in. in a post created especially for him by the project by saying if you read any When no one seemed to notice, the pool board of trustees—University Chancellor— of our current history, you’d be was integrated. Other stories of how Wells until he was 97. The influence of Bryan, led to believe that only Herman worked to improve the situation for black who was inaugurated in 1902, and Wells, Wells and Alfred Kinsey ever students—from integrating restaurants and who remained chancellor until his death in worked here,” Kish says with a dormitories to aiding individual students in 2000, was very nearly a century long. smile. “And at the very heart of Takekuma Okada was IU’s first non-European international student. A native of Japan, Okada times of need—abound. it, the reason why that resonates earned his master’s degree from IU in 1891, the Capshew writes in his biography that Challenging assumptions and why everybody always same year this photograph was made. Photo courtesy Wells’ administration was built on the of IU Archives It’s a fascinating story, and yet for all that laughs, is because there’s some foundation of tolerance for racial and these two men did to shape the university, truth to that.” She goes on to say, ethnic differences, noting that in May they were, in fact, just two actors among reading traditional histories of had been part of the state’s exhibit at 1938, “he negotiated with Abram L. Sachar, a cast of thousands. Their stories are The first class of women students at Indiana University, taken in 1868. (front row, l-r) Laura Turner, Jennie Bray, Susannah Hamilton, IU, it sometimes seems there the fair, but afterward was stored and, national Hillel director, to establish a Sarah Parke Morrison, Elizabeth Harrison, Siena Green, Mel Rogers, and Mattie Moffitt. (back row, l-r) Rachel E. Cox, Clara E. was ever only one president, only two stories—and, for many people, McCord, Helen Alford, Sarah Craig, and Ella Fellows. Photo courtesy of IU Archives seemingly, forgotten. Not by Wells. He had chapter of the B’nai B’rith one artist, one journalist, one been to the World’s Fair and had seen the Hillel Foundation on musician, one sex researcher. All of them murals, and though he wished to acquire campus. ... At the time, the maybe not the most important or even the hierarchical system; it’s one university with men. And, indeed, each of them has been them, there was no space large enough Bloomington student body most interesting ones. A big part of the several campuses.” honored quite visibly. for their display. The construction of was less than 3,000, with bicentennial effort has been to collect Another aspect of the oral history In June, IU President Michael A. IU Auditorium, which opened in 1941, about 175 Jewish students, oral histories from alumni, as well as project is to gather history from multiple McRobbie announced that a statue of presented that opportunity, and the murals of whom nearly a third came former faculty and staff—and not just from perspectives and include voices that haven’t Elinor Ostrom would be placed outside remain a centerpiece of IU’s vast art from the New York area. Bloomington, but from all IU campuses. been heard before. That has been the Woodburn Hall, where she was a professor collection to this day. ... Replacing the informal “To date, we’ve logged over 1,200 thrust of the bicentennial research being in the Department of Political Science. Wells was instrumental in the Jewish Students Union, the interviews,” Kish says. “The transcripts conducted as well, much of it by students Ostrom was the first woman to receive the mobilization of the campus during IU Hillel chapter opened in will all be available in full audio and in and volunteers. Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Hers World War II, when academic routines the fall of 1938, in a house on transcribed form through a new system “We’re trying not to use the top-down will be the first statue of a female professor changed as special training was offered East Third Street.” When, just online pioneered by the folks here in the IU histories that we have now that were on the IU campus. to the armed forces and faculty members a few years later, WWII broke Libraries system.” written from the trustees’ minutes and * focused teaching and research on defense out, the IU Hillel Foundation Including the voices of those from the presidential papers,” Capshew says. projects. He was a statesman following became among the first to regional campuses was important to those “We’re trying to get people’s stories who the war, serving as the cultural affairs bring refugee students to an working on the project. Kish notes that might have been staff members, or faculty, liaison for the U.S. Military Government in American campus. by 1930, there were more students taking or alumni, who aren’t world famous Germany, helping to resurrect the German Summarizing Wells’ IU classes outside of Bloomington than or whatever, but they had a significant For more information on the educational system, media, and culture. service to the university, at Bloomington. That’s still true today. contribution to the university.” Indiana University bicentennial, including more IU history, signature projects, This work sensitized Wells to the global Bloomington, the nation, and “People don’t take the time to realize One of 26 bicentennial signature and events—including the upcoming dimensions of education, and IU became an the world is daunting. Some that two-thirds of our students aren’t in projects, Bridging the Visibility Gap 200 Festival, to be held September 21 early leader in international programs. Wells gestures were very personal, Bloomington,” Kish says. brings into the university history through 29—visit the bicentennial website: “That’s part of the reason that we’re the untold stories of women and was recognized for his efforts, and in 1970 he such as his insistence on Sarah Parke Morrison (circa 1869). Morrison was the first woman to 220.iu.edu was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for hand-signing each diploma— attend Indiana University, the first woman to graduate from IU, and really focusing on the whole IU system of underrepresented minorities. promoting international understanding. more than 62,000 over his the first woman to become a member of its faculty. She came to IU campuses,” Capshew says. “They have their “Think of how many people didn’t know in 1867 and graduated in 1869 with an A.B. degree—the equivalent In the midst of promoting international presidency. Others were of a bachelor of arts. From 1873–75, she was an adjunct professor of own traditions, their own culture, their own about Lin Ostrom until after she won a understanding, Wells had the opportunity— far-reaching, like his post-war English literature. Morrison Hall in the Wells Quadrangle is named in history that needs to be known. IU is not a Nobel Prize,” Kish says. “Our objective now her honor. Photo courtesy of IU Archives

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