Corpus Christi
This play by Terrence McNally was produced in the studio theatre in August of 2001 and directed by IPFW theatre department graduate, Jonathan Gilbert. It stirred controversy not only locally and in the state but got national notice as well.
Dances
In the fifties and sixties annual formal and semi-formal dances were sponsored by the I.U. Center, each with a theme such as "Winter Wonderland," "South Sea Serenade," "Fantasy in Snowflakes." Informal dances included the "Bum's Bounce," and the "Leprechaun's Leap" (St. Patrick's Day dance). Dances continued into the seventies and beyond but were less of a special event than during this time period.
Source: Issues of the student newspapers, I.U. X-Ray and I.U. Student.
Dean's Ball
In the late sixties and early seventies each year a dance with a theme was held during the holiday season to "salute all of the deans" on campus. The dance was free to activity card holders and their dates with tickets required for others.
Source: Archival files.
Dickens Dinner
This annual musical event was initiated by Andrew Harper, chair of the Division of Music, in 1968. The event was inspired by the Indiana University Madrigal Dinners and used Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol as a setting for an evening of entertainment. The format was a fruit punch served from a wassail bowl with small groups of costumed singers serenading the guests. It was followed by choral and instrumental selections mixed with readings from Dickens' works. Proceeds from the sale were used for merit scholarships for music students. The first dinner was held on December 6-7, 1968. Three of the University Singers appearing were Jose Contreras, Jane Tagtmeyer and Mike Trulock. The event was directed by a master of ceremonies known as the Master of the House. David P. Onwood was the first such Master. Jeff Gibson handled the role in 1977 and 1978 and Larry Bower from 1979 until 1984. In 1981 the title was changed to Lord of the Manor and Michael Hayden assumed the role in 1985, and Joseph K. Meyers took over until the event was discontinued in the early nineties. From 1968 until 1973 the dinners were held at the Fort Wayne Women's Club located at 402 W. Wayne St. In 1973 the Walb Memorial Union became the site. Between 1968 and 1970 the Division of Music hosted "Tiny Tim Snacks," which was a mini version of the Dickens Dinner performed for the benefit of students in Kettler Hall where cookies and punch were served. The performances went on the road during several years doing a benefit performance at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana. The tradition was dropped in the early nineties as a result of shifting priorities, financial and personnel constraints.
Sources: Current (November 1988), 23-24; Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (12/14/68)
Earth Day
Held in the Spring of each year since 1970 and sponsored on campus by the Biology Club, the celebration had its beginnings with a strongly developing interest among the public with regard to environmental awareness. On April 22, 1970, Congress passed the Clean Air and Water Acts which marked the beginning of an era of environmental concern and activism throughout the United States. Programming varied over the years but often included speakers, skits, the involvement of school children and the community in general.
Source: Archival files
Forte Arts Festival
A showcase for local arts group, the event was held on the IPFW campus in May of each year from 1986 through 1990. Recitals by IPFW faculty, Cinema Center films, vocal groups, craft demonstrations, dance groups provided events on two weekend afternoons in late May. It was a revival of a Fine arts Festival in Fort Wayne that originated in 1956 and held at Franke Park until 1975.
Source: Current (June 1991), 14-15.
Harbor Arbor Days
Initiated in 1965, Harbor Arbor Days was referred to in 1969 as "Ft. Wayne's only large-scale college weekend." Events included a pop concert, a tree planting ceremony, games (tug-of-war, canoe race, faculty-student relay races, road rally, river float regatta) and concluded with a formal dance. The event was held in the Spring. The exact year when it was discontinued is uncertain, but it appears to have been held annually into the early 1980's. In 2004 there was an attempt to revive the tradition, but it failed for lack of interest. The spelling varied throughout the years in various student newspaper articles, memos, and publicity information. The earliest spelling found was in a formal memo from the chair of the event in which it was written as "Harbararbar." It is unknown if the unique spelling was intentional. The origin of the word is unclear as well, but one might assume it was related to "harbor" events on the St. Joseph River on, or around, Arbor Day.
International Unity and Friendship Banquet
This was held annually each spring and sponsored by the International Student Organization. It included entertainment and food from countries represented by the international student community at IPFW.
Library Book Walk
Perhaps the most well-remembered event in the history of IPFW, the book walk took place over a period of two days September 20-21, 1972. Library Director and associate librarian, Roger Miller, organized students, staff, administrators, campus and community organizations to volunteer to carry books from the old library in Kettler Hall to the new Walter E. Helmke Library. Mr. Miller had previous experience relocating library collections and his organization and supervision of the project saved the university an estimated $10,000. The Chancellor and other administrators led the kick-off parade at 8 a.m. followed by the Concordia Lutheran High School marching band, campus cheerleaders and others. The dental auxiliary students marched in their uniforms. Student body president, Brock Able, carried an armload of books on his wheelchair. Circle K members pushed their books in a bathtub. 85,000 books were moved the first day. Rivalry to see who could carry the most books developed among the 67 student organization and groups that volunteered. Roger Montgomery from Circle K completed 75 round trips. Buttons were distributed. 11,000 trips were made by volunteers walking a total of 5,500 miles.
Source: Current (September 1992), pp. 21-23.
PineSAP
A juried art fair, sponsored by IPFW alumni to generate scholarship funds for students in the school of visual and performing arts. The fair was first held on May 18-19, 2002.
Splash Party
A social event sponsored by Circle K club that was held at Club Olympia.
Student-Faculty Banquet
In the fifties and sixties this annual event was a forerunner of what later became the Honors Convocation. It was an I.U. Center event the purpose of which was to provide an opportunity for students, parents and faculty members to meet together and recognize scholastic achievements and individual services to the Center.
Source: I.U. Student, April 1954, p. 1.
Winter Carnival
From 1969-1972 the carnivals were staged every year. Snow sculptures were built on the lawn in front of Kettler Hall, and contests such as sled races, snowshoe races, snowball fights and three-legged races were held with prizes and trophies awarded at a dance on the weekend. A winter carnival queen was crowned; the first, in 1969, was Conie Salud. Bonnie Bunch was the 1970 queen.
Source: Current (February 1988), pp. 15-16.
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