Events and Programs on and around the Campus
Past Events
University College Renamed After Joseph T. Taylor
Speaker Remarks
Scott Evenbeck
Good afternoon. It is a very special day for Indianapolis and for IUPUI. I joined IUPUI in 1972 and during my first years, I had the good fortune to meet Dr. Taylor and to learn from him. I remember well a faculty retreat he sponsored on the northwest side. He was a giant on campus and a giant in the community. But he never called attention to himself. His quiet manner coupled with his commitment to students and their learning set a high standard for all of us to follow. He was a generous mentor to faculty, staff, and students.
I think sometimes that some amongst us are visionaries and that others are able to roll up their sleeves and do the work required to make things better. Dr. Taylor’s leadership coupled both these crucial aspects of leadership—he could see and articulate the big picture. But, he also worked and worked hard to make things better.
I think Dr. Taylor would be very pleased to have the building named in his honor, the building where we will be intentional in living out his legacy, including University College and the Multicultural Center (and of course, next door to the School of Liberal Arts). The collaboration of these units, taken together with the School of Science, provides the foundation for undergraduate education for the campus serving the largest number of first generation and low income students and students reflecting diversity in our state, a campus where 97% of the students come from Indiana and where well over half are the first in their families in higher education. Dr. Taylor celebrated and supported all students, but he was always first to support our students from Indiana.
There's an inscription in the basement of St. Paul's, London, about Christopher Wren, the architect. It says "if you wish to see my memorial, look around you." I think Dr. Taylor might make that claim about the work that goes on here. Dr. Taylor helped launch IUPUI's legacy in supporting the academic achievement and persistence of our students. And, we live out his legacy here today and into the future in Joseph T. Taylor Hall.
It is an honor for all of us in the building to be able to work in a place where we always, every day, will be reminded of his legacy.
We are planning a major event this year—to celebrate IUPUI's 40th anniversary, University College's 10th anniversary, and the birthday of the Multicultural Center. By then, we will have in place additional ways to celebrate Dr. Taylor’s life and leadership at IUPUI.
