From Indiana Central University to Uindy: From Indiana Central University to Uindy: A Success StoryA Success Story

Part III: The Esch years, 1944-1970Part III: The Esch years, 1944-1970

Created by Christine H. GuyonneauCreated by Christine H. Guyonneau@ University of Indianapolis, 2007@ University of Indianapolis, 2007

I. Lynd Esch, 4I. Lynd Esch, 4thth president president

President Esch came to Indianapolis in the aftermath of WWII. The college President Esch came to Indianapolis in the aftermath of WWII. The college has suffered from exceedingly low enrollment, but President Good had has suffered from exceedingly low enrollment, but President Good had managed to clear the college debt before his departure. Shortly after the managed to clear the college debt before his departure. Shortly after the beginning of Esch’s tenure, in 1945, the College purchased 60 acres for beginning of Esch’s tenure, in 1945, the College purchased 60 acres for future growth. future growth.

1946: Football reinstated1946: Football reinstated

1946: Student Council formed1946: Student Council formed

1947: College accredited by NCA1947: College accredited by NCA

1947: Alpha Epsilon founded (Freshman Society)1947: Alpha Epsilon founded (Freshman Society)

1947: Epsilon Sigma Alpha founded (Senior Society)1947: Epsilon Sigma Alpha founded (Senior Society)

1947: To alleviate housing shortage due to post-war strong enrollment,1947: To alleviate housing shortage due to post-war strong enrollment,

the college purchases a surplus of army barracksthe college purchases a surplus of army barracks

In this aerial view of the campus, one can see the barracks to the left of In this aerial view of the campus, one can see the barracks to the left of Esch Hall. They stood roughly where Physical Plant is nowEsch Hall. They stood roughly where Physical Plant is now

Education for ServiceEducation for Service, , the school moto, the school moto, was emphasized since the first commencement address by President J.T. Roberts in 1908. This sign

appears in the 1947 yearbook, the Oracle.

On September 22, 1948, a new tradition began. Underclassmen had to wear a On September 22, 1948, a new tradition began. Underclassmen had to wear a green cap called a green cap called a beaniebeanie during the fall initiation festivities. The first beanie during the fall initiation festivities. The first beanie

initiation took place at Garfield Park for the men and Longacre Park (south of the initiation took place at Garfield Park for the men and Longacre Park (south of the campus) for the women. They would wear it until the “tug of war”, a long campus) for the women. They would wear it until the “tug of war”, a long

tradition between freshmen and sophomores. This tradition stopped around 1975tradition between freshmen and sophomores. This tradition stopped around 1975..

A “frosh” receiving her beanieA “frosh” receiving her beanie

Upperclassmen giving instructions to “froshs”Upperclassmen giving instructions to “froshs”

The 50’s and 60’sThe 50’s and 60’s

Building GrowthBuilding Growth

Nelson House, was built in 1955 from a bequest from the late Elnora and Nelson House, was built in 1955 from a bequest from the late Elnora and Roy Nelson’s estate. It was the first president house. It still is…Roy Nelson’s estate. It was the first president house. It still is…

On the right, President Esch is being serenaded by Christmas Carolers. On the right, President Esch is being serenaded by Christmas Carolers.

In 1947, President Esch initiated a fund raising campaign to erect several In 1947, President Esch initiated a fund raising campaign to erect several buildings. It was known as the “Golden Anniversary Fund”. As a result of the buildings. It was known as the “Golden Anniversary Fund”. As a result of the successful leadership of Edwin G. “Ted” Plum, a new building was erected in successful leadership of Edwin G. “Ted” Plum, a new building was erected in

1958. It was called Academic Building until it was renamed for President Esch in 1958. It was called Academic Building until it was renamed for President Esch in 1970. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in March 2006.1970. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in March 2006.

The Academic Building upon completion in 1958The Academic Building upon completion in 1958

Esch Hall 2005 new additionEsch Hall 2005 new addition

1960: Nicoson Hall1960: Nicoson Hall

Three alumni: Coaches David Wood, and Angus Nicoson, and Three alumni: Coaches David Wood, and Angus Nicoson, and basketball legend Bailey Robertsonbasketball legend Bailey Robertson

In 1961, a new women’s dormitory is built thanks to a $300,000 gift (the In 1961, a new women’s dormitory is built thanks to a $300,000 gift (the largest ever) from Elnora and Herman Krannert, after which the building is largest ever) from Elnora and Herman Krannert, after which the building is named. named.

In 1986, it will be renamed after Dean of Women and long-time faculty In 1986, it will be renamed after Dean of Women and long-time faculty member Virginia Cravens.member Virginia Cravens.

In 1962, a new science building is erected. It is dedicated to Ely Lilly in In 1962, a new science building is erected. It is dedicated to Ely Lilly in 1964. Note the Noblitt Observatory on top of the building that was 1964. Note the Noblitt Observatory on top of the building that was

transferred from its original building.transferred from its original building.

The Cummings Apartments, also built in 1962 at Mathews and Edwards The Cummings Apartments, also built in 1962 at Mathews and Edwards Avenues, replace the barracks as housing for married students.Avenues, replace the barracks as housing for married students.

Thanks for a generous gift of $ 750,000, the Louis Schwitzer Thanks for a generous gift of $ 750,000, the Louis Schwitzer Students Center opens in 1966Students Center opens in 1966

Schwitzer Lounge & BookstoreSchwitzer Lounge & Bookstore

Schwitzer Dining RoomSchwitzer Dining Room

In 1969, a new dorm was added to the campus. Called first In 1969, a new dorm was added to the campus. Called first New Dorm, then East Hall, if finally was renamed Warren New Dorm, then East Hall, if finally was renamed Warren

Hall. It was the first Co-ed DormHall. It was the first Co-ed Dorm

New Programs are initiatedNew Programs are initiated

In 1954, the Evening Division is createdIn 1954, the Evening Division is created

In 1959, the Nursing Program is initiatedIn 1959, the Nursing Program is initiated

In 1962, WICR is establishedIn 1962, WICR is established

1962: WICR established1962: WICR established

But 1962 will be remembered by some as revolutionary, because after But 1962 will be remembered by some as revolutionary, because after much pleading, dancing on campus was finally allowed!much pleading, dancing on campus was finally allowed!

In 1968, another revolution takes place….In 1968, another revolution takes place….

The United Brethren The United Brethren Church, which had Church, which had become the Evangelical become the Evangelical United Brethren Church, United Brethren Church, merges with the merges with the United United Methodist ChurchMethodist Church

Brown County DayBrown County Day

A New Tradition now goneA New Tradition now gone

(1952-2002)(1952-2002)

On October 14, 1952, the Student Council and Student Christian Association On October 14, 1952, the Student Council and Student Christian Association planned the first Annual Picnic in Brown County State Park on a week day. It planned the first Annual Picnic in Brown County State Park on a week day. It

replaced a Sunday excursion to McCormick State Park.replaced a Sunday excursion to McCormick State Park.

In the fall of 1924, freshmen pulled sophomore into a tug-of-war into Lick Creek at Longacre Park, south of the campus. In 1966, the tug-of-war became part of

the Brown County Day activities,

Tug of War in the 20sTug of War in the 20s Tug of war in the 50sTug of war in the 50s

Tug of War in the 80’sTug of War in the 80’s

Since the Fall of 2003, Brown County Since the Fall of 2003, Brown County Day is now replaced by Fall BreakDay is now replaced by Fall Break