Collections : [Indiana University, Center for Documentary Research and Practice]

Born in 1960, Mark Kruzan is a 1982 Indiana University alumnus and former student body president who discusses his years as a student in this interview. He speaks of his involvement in student government and campus politics, especially through the Indiana University Student Association. Some of the controversies he dealt with involved tuition increase protests, funding for the Black Student Union, and campus safety. After graduation and earning his law degree from Indiana University, Kruzan was elected as an Indiana state representative beginning in 1986. He discusses the Indiana state legislature, Indiana state politics and economy, and how each of these topics relates to and affects Indiana University.

Richard C. "Rich" Searles was born in Massena, New York, in 1948. As a child, he lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Evansville, Indiana, then started as an Indiana University student in 1966. He talks about his experiences as a student in the late nineteen sixties, including his membership in the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Indiana University Student Foundation, and he puts his experiences in the context of the climate of the Vietnam War and racial tension. He describes his post-graduate career in the corporate world, as an employer, and as a member of the board of the Indiana University Foundation. He describes allegations of the mishandling of the Indiana University. Foundation's affairs. Searles offers his opinions on the administration of Indiana University from his student days to the mid-nineteen nineties.

Born on October 10, 1941, Curtis Simic is a 1964 alumnus who worked at Indiana University for a few years in the area of fundraising. After nearly twenty years of working with several prestigious universities, including Yale and Berkeley, in the area of fundraising, Simic returned to Indiana University as the president of the Indiana University Foundation. He recalls his years as a student at the university and emphasizes the impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the assassination of president John F. Kennedy. Simic also discusses the Little 500, financial problems, university growth, and the changes the campus has undergone. In addition, he speaks of his relationship with Sam Yellin, Herman B Wells, and others.

Born on April 13, 1939, Jerry Tardy came to Indiana University as an undergraduate student in 1957 and ended up staying on as an employee for the majority of his career. In 1971, he became the student foundation director and a few years later he rose to the position of director of the alumni association. In this interview, Tardy discusses the activities of the alumni association, Hoosiers for Higher Education, and the Indiana University Foundation, especially in the face of budgetary constraints of the past few decades. He also speaks of the Little 500 and the making of Breaking Away, a movie about the Little 500. Tardy describes his relationships with Bob Knight, John Ryan, Joseph Sutton, Elvis J. Stahr, Thomas Ehrlich, Bill Armstrong, and others.

Born on February 27, 1928, Dewey Welch is a 1952 Indiana University alumnus. In this interview, he discusses his experiences as an undergraduate student during the late nineteen forties and early nineteen fifties. Welch speaks of his involvement in the student alumni entertainers, the development of the Little 500, and his fraternity, Sigma Nu. In addition, he reveals his admiration for and some stories about Herman B Wells. He recalls his time as a student and discusses his continuing participation in alumni affairs, including activities with the alumni association, the Indiana University Foundation, and the Wells Scholars Program. In addition, he speaks of the influence of Ed Williams and Curt Simic.

Born on February 3, 1920, Howard S. "Howdy" Wilcox came to Indiana University as an undergraduate in 1938. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he served in the United States army until 1947. Wilcox opened his own public relations firm and was contacted by Indiana University in this capacity. His connections with Indiana University became increasingly tight as he became the executive director of the Indiana University Foundation and a long-standing member of the Indiana University board of trustees. In addition, Wilcox had the brainchild that resulted in the creation of the Little 500 and the scholarships it funds. He also speaks of his student days including his involvement with the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Sphinx Club. Wilcox discusses his association with many influential figures including Herman B Wells, Elvis J. Stahr, Joseph Sutton, E. Ross Bartley, and Colonel Raymond L. Shoemaker.