Indiana University South Bend

[1] “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” June 7, 1968; “I.U. Regional Campuses Are Granted Home Rule,” Indianapolis Star, June 8, 1968, 1, Newspapers.com; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” July 5, 1968; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” June 7, 1968; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University, 1968-1992, passim; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” April 3, 1992; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” May 8, 1992; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” June 13, 1992; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” July 15, 1992; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” August 20, 1992.

Indiana University created an Extension Division in 1912 (See footnote 2). After administrative reorganization of IU in 1968, the campus was renamed “Indiana University at South Bend. The Indiana University Board of Trustees Minutes consistently changes from using “Indiana University at South Bend” to “Indiana University South Bend” in 1992.

The Minutes of the Indiana University Board of Trustees are accessible via IU Board of Trustees in collaboration with the Indiana University Archives & Indiana University Libraries Digital Collections Services, https://trustees.iu.edu/meetings-minutes/minutes.html

[2] “City Life,” Indianapolis Sun, November 6, 1891, 4, NewspaperArchive.com; “Indiana University Adds New Features,” Muncie Evening Press, December 26, 1912, 5, Newspapers.com; “Extension Work To Be Extended,” (Richmond) Palladium-Item, December 26, 1912, 6, Newspapers.com; “Extension Course,” (Elwood) Call-Leader, December 28, 1912, 1, Newspapers.com; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” June 14-19, 1912; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” October 5-31, 1912; Clifton J. Phillips, Indiana in Transition: The Emergence of an Industrial Commonwealth, 1880-1920 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Bureau & Indiana Historical Society, 1968), 415.

Historian Clifton Phillips wrote in his foundational work Indiana in Transition: “In 1912 an Extension Division was formed to supervise the growing off-campus courses which had begun as early as 1891 . . .” This 1891 date is confirmed by the Indianapolis Sun. The 1912 date is confirmed by the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University and newspaper articles. In June 1912, the board approved fees for “extension work.” In October 1912, the board recommended an appropriation of $250 dollars be made “to cover the expenses of the Extension Division” and noted that the enrollment fees totaled somewhere between $200 and $300. In December 1912, several Indiana newspapers reported that “Indiana university [sic] has recently issued a bulletin announcing the expansion of the extension work offered by the institution.” The Indiana University Extension Division explained: “The Extension Division has been organized to serve the people who are unable to do work in residence. The entire State is its campus.”

[3] “Classes Will Study Sociology This Year,” South Bend News-Times, November 12, 1913, 12, Chronicling America, Library of Congress; “History Professor Is To Examine Work in South Bend Schools,” South Bend News-Times, November 30, 1914, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Social Service Extension School Project Indorsed,” Indianapolis Star, September 2, 1915, 16, Newspapers.com; “Hold Conference Here Next Week,” South Bend News-Times, January 25, 1916, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Vocational Conference to Meet Here in May,” South Bend News-Times, April 12, 1916, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Next Recreation Meet Will Be Held Here,” South Bend News-Times, May 30, 1916, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “I. U. Professor Speaks,” South Bend News-Times, February 2, 1917, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles.

On November 12, 1913, the South Bend News-Times ran the headline “Classes Will Study Sociology This Year: Associated Charities Issues Invitation to Membership in Extension Work.” The article stated that the charity organization was issuing a large number of invitations “to join the university extension classes on sociology which were held for the first time in South Bend last year.” It is unclear if the article intends “last year” to mean 1912 or the previous school year, which could mean 1912, but could also mean early 1913. A microfilm search of the South Bend Tribune from September through December 1912 located no articles on IU extension classes. The South Bend News-Times reported that “this year there are to be four” extension classes. It is unclear when the classes for “this year” would begin.

In 1915, the Indianapolis Star reported that South Bend and Fort Wayne were interested in classes being offered in Indianapolis “to train social service workers and recreation teachers” through the Indiana University extension service. Several articles in the South Bend News-Times show that the Indiana University Extension Division hosted activities and conferences in the area before the establishment of regular classes. For example, in February and May 1916, “the extension department of Indiana university” [sic] hosted meetings of the “vocational guidance conference” in South Bend. In May 1916, the News-Times reported that a “recreation conference that is held under the auspices of the extension department of Indiana university” would be located in South Bend in the fall. According to the 1915-1916 program “University Extension Course at South Bend,” the first classes were in session by 1916. The course offered was “Political Science.” According to the South Bend News-Times the program also offered a “regular weekly history class.”

[4] “To Open Course for South Bend Teachers,” South Bend News-Times, July 4, 1919, 7, Hoosier State Chronicles; “1350 Enroll in Classes in Two Extension Centers,” Indiana Daily Student, November 11, 1920, 3, NewspaperArchive.com; “Will Organize Classes in City,” South Bend News-Times, October 12, 1921, 17, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Public Speaking Interest Grows,” South Bend News-Times, October 20, 1921, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Vocational Courses Will Start Feb. 21,” South Bend News-Times, February 12, 1922, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Historical Pageant to Be Presented Saturday,” South Bend News-Times, May 18, 1922, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Indiana University Picnic Will Be Held Here June 9,” South Bend News-Times, May 26, 1922, 15, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Teachers Enroll in Extension Work,” South Bend News-Times, September 8, 1922, 15, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Many Are Taking I. U. Extension,” Greensburg Daily News, January 18, 1926, NewspaperArchive.com.

During the decade following the start of the first Indiana University classes offered at South Bend, the classes continued on various topics. In 1919, the South Bend News-Times reported on a four-week course for teachers to be “given for credit at Indiana University” and to be held “at the high school.” The Indiana Daily Student, the Indiana University student newspaper, reported in 1920 that “approximately 600 students are enrolled in classes organized in twelve other cities and towns scattered over the State” and included South Bend in the list. The South Bend New-Times reported in 1921, that professor Ross Lockeridge was teaching a popular public speaking class. In 1922, the News-Times reported that Lockeridge was directing a historical pageant on the history of South Bend put on by several local clubs and the high school “in conjunction with the Indiana University extension public speaking class.” Also in 1922, the News-Times reported, “Teachers in the rural schools of St. Joseph county have enrolled in the extension department of Indiana university and will work this winter through the regular township institutes . . .” In 1926, the Greensburg Daily News relayed a report from the IU extension division: “A total of 238 classes in 72 cities and towns have a class enrollment during the present semester of 5,212.” The report listed South Bend “among the heaviest contributors to the number of extension class students.”

[5] “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” June 9-12, 1933; “Indiana U. to Establish Unit in South Bend,” South Bend News-Times, May 10, 1933, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library; “College Course To Be Offered Local Students, South Bend News-Times, July 7, 1933, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library; “I.U. Faculty Here Named,” South Bend Daily Tribune, September 3, 1933, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library; “Announces Schedule for Twenty Courses in University Extension,” South Bend News-Times, September 10, 1933, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library; I. U. Graduate Courses Set,” South Bend Daily Tribune, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library; “Add to Faculty of I. U. School, South Bend Daily Tribune, September 21, 1933, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library; “Faculty of I. U. School to Dine,” South Bend Daily Tribune, September 22, 1933, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library; “150 Students Spend $5,000,” South Bend News-Times, September 29, 1933, Clippings File, St. Joseph County Public Library;

“Assign Professor to Logansport for Extension Course,” Logansport Pharos-Tribune, July 17, 1933, 7, Newspapers.com; “Will Present Course in English Novel,” (Munster) Times, September 15, 1933, 13, Newspapers.com; Indiana University Extension Division, “Extension Classes: South Bend – Mishawaka Center,” [Indiana University South Bend Bulletin], 1934, Indiana University South Bend Archives and Special Collections; “Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” May 10, 1937; “County’s 32 Pupils at I. U. Looking to Annual Xmas Season,” Rushville Republican, December 15, 1936, 3, Newspapers.com; Indiana University Extension Division, “Extension Classes: South Bend – Mishawaka Center,” [Indiana University South Bend Bulletin], 1940, Indiana University South Bend Archives and Special Collections; Indiana University South Bend, “Jubilee Year Historical Information,” accessed https://www.iusb.edu/jubilee/historical-information/index.html. [Newspaper articles from the Clippings File of the St. Joseph County Public Library were collected and submitted by Scott Shoger, Archivist, Indiana University South Bend.

The Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University for June 1933 show that the board approved funds requested by R. E. Cavanaugh, Director of the Extension Division for “South Bend – Mishawaka Work.” This included the printing of the class schedule and bulletin and for expenses of traveling instructors. In May 1933, the South Bend News-Times reported:

High school graduates wishing to take college work without incurring the expense of living away from home will have an opportunity offered them next fall. For through increased facilities of its extension division, Indiana University will bring to South Bend classes in any university subject desired.

Helen Dernbach, director of vocational and education guidance in South Bend public schools, told the News-Times that while the city had I.U. classes for graduate students and post grads, these would be the first I.U. classes for undergraduates. In June the South Bend News-Times reported that the classes would start September 18. In September the South Bend Daily Tribune and the South Bend News-Times reported on the new faculty and courses which included: chemistry, psychology, composition, literature, economics, vocational education, drama, foreign languages, history, algebra, trigonometry, public speaking, and drawing. Seven classes were listed at the YMCA, Six at Central Senior High School, and the Madison School.  The 1934-1935 IUSB Bulletin for the “South Bend – Mishawaka Center” of the Indiana University Extension Division shows that classes were held at several local schools, with the majority at Central High School. The offices of the Extension Center were located in the Administration Building of the South Bend Public Schools. On September 29, 1933, the South Bend News-Times reported that 150 students were registered for 23 classes in the “South Bend division of the Indiana university extension department.”

By 1937, the Rushville Republican reported that enrollment at the South Bend extension center had gorwn to 292 students. According to Scott Shoger, archivist for IUSB Archives and Special Collections, the administrative office moved to Central Senior High School in 1940. During the 1940-1941 school year, all classes save one offered by Purdue were held at the high school. The IUSB Bulletin for the 1941-1942 school year shows the high school as the “primary location for the Extension Center.”

[6] “County’s 32 Pupils at I. U. Looking to Annual Xmas Season,” Rushville Republican, December 15, 1937, 3, Newspapers.com; “L. Keith Caldwell Becomes Executive of I. U. College,” Hammond Times, August 13m 1940, 2, Newspapers.com.

In 1937, the Rushville Republican reported on the enrollment records released for IU campus and extension centers. The South Bend Extension Center had 292 students, a much lower number than Fort Wayne (930) and Calumet/East Chicago (1226). By 1940 that number greatly rose. The Hammond Times reported in 1940 that “more than 500 students” were enrolled at the South Bend – Mishawaka Extension Center.

[7] “I. U. To Build New $1,500,00 South Bend Extension Center,” Indianapolis Star, October 5, 1957, 11, Newspapers.com; “$5.5 Millions for State School Uses To Be Asked,” Logansport Press, April 30, 1959, 15, Newspapers.com; “IU Purchases Property for Future Expansion,” (Columbia City) Commercial-Mail, November 3, 1960, 1, Newspapers.com; “I. U. Buys Property,” Terre Haute Star, November 4, 1960, 18, Newspapers.com;

“Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University,” September 10-11, 1961.

The Indianapolis Star reported in 1957 that the State Budget Committee announced approval for “a new $1,500,000 Indiana University extension center for South Bend.” The new building was to be located at North Side Boulevard and Greenlawn Avenue. The Star reported that the building would contain “20 classrooms, eight laboratories, a library and a small auditorium and theater” on a six-acre plot. The building would serve approximately 1,500 students. In 1959, an AP article, published in the Logansport Press, reported that Indiana University requested use of $2,700,000 from the State Budget Committee for “new construction at the South Bend extension center.” In November 1960, Indiana newspapers reported that Indiana University had bought two more acres of land adjoining the extension center property for future expansion of the center. In April 1961, the Trustees of Indiana University announced that they were accepting bids from companies “for furnishing and installing fixed seating and lecture room tables in the South Bend Extension Center Building.”

According to the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University for September 10-11, 1961, “the South Bend Extension Center Building has been accepted as substantially complete for beneficial occupancy.” This meant that parts of the building were open to use as classrooms. The minutes also reported that the dedication for the “South Bend Center” was “established” for March 24-25, 1962.

[8] “I. U. President Concerned: Stahr Says Budget Cut Would Be Hard To Take,” Indianapolis Star, January 21, 1967, 17, Newspapers.com; “Public Notices,” Indianapolis News, September 14, 1968, 20, Newspapers.com; “Buildings of Indiana University South Bend,” IU South Bend Collections, Archives & Special Collections, IU South Bend Libraries, https://library.iusb.edu/search-find/archives/finding-aids/iusb-buildings.html.

According to IU South Bend Libraries, the school changed the name of the building to Northside Hall in 1966. On January 21, 1967, the Indianapolis Star reported on the “finishing and remodeling of basement areas in Northside Hall.” In September 1968, the Trustees of Indiana University announced in a public notice that they were accepting bids from installing” an instructional Television System in Northside Hall.”  According to IU South Bend Libraries report, “Buildings of Indiana University South Bend”:

The most attractive feature of the building was its 800 seat auditorium with a fully equipped stage and ample dressing rooms. The concrete-faced five-story addition known as Northside West was built in 1970-1971 to add desperately needed classroom, laboratory, library and office space, as well as a 300-seat performance space for music and theater productions as well as large lecture classes.

[9] Indiana University South Bend – Mishawaka, “Commencement Ceremonies,” program, June 7, 1967, Indiana University South Bend Commencement Programs Collection of IUSB Archives; “”regional I.U. Campus Students Given Degrees,” (Richmond) Palladium-Item, June 7, 1967, 5, Newspapers.com.

[10] “Indiana University South Bend Master Plan for Development, 1976-1986,” reviewed  November 8, 1976, Indiana Collection, Indiana State Library; IUSB Campus-wide Building Overview Print, 1980, Flat File Storage Collection of the Indiana University south Bend Archives; Indiana University South Bend Pedestrian Bridge Plans and Blueprints, 2003, Indiana University South Bend Photograph Collection of the Indiana University South Bend Archives; “Buildings of Indiana University South Bend,” IU South Bend Collections, Archives & Special Collections, IU South Bend Libraries, https://library.iusb.edu/search-find/archives/finding-aids/iusb-buildings.html;

According to the report “Buildings of Indiana University South Bend,” by IU South Bend Libraries: “Rapid growth in enrollment and state authorization for four-year degree programs” created a need for new buildings. The University purchased and remodeled the Huckins Tool & Die Co. Inc. factory in 1966. The school renamed the building Greenlawn Hall; it mainly served the School of Education. In 1969, the school built Riverside Hall to provide desperately needed office, laboratory, as well as clinical facilities for new programs in dental assisting and dental hygiene. In 1975 the school purchased the Stanz Cheese Co. warehouse and turned it into the Fine Arts Building. In 1977, the university purchased the large building that had previously served as headquarters for the Associates Investment Co. This became the Administration Building. It is attached to University Center which includes a daycare center. In 1989 the school opened the Schurz Library. The university purchased the Army Reserve Center and converted it to the Purdue Technology Building with classes beginning there in 1993. It is owned by IU and leased to Purdue. In 1998 the university acquired Wiekamp Hall from Coca-Cola to add more space for humanities and social science classes. The Pedestrian Mall was completed in 1998, featuring “architecturally harmonious buildings arranged around a grassy quadrangle partly shaded by a variety of deciduous trees and ornamental plants.” The Student Activities Center opened in 2004. The River Campus Apartments were completed in 2008 and house 400 students. It is connected to campus via a pedestrian bridge; “With its large letters spelling out INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTH BEND [the bridge] has become the most recognizable . . . symbol for the campus.”