Last modified: Monday, May 6, 2013
Vice President Emeritus Clapacs to discuss history of IU's limestone buildings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2013
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Forty-three years, 661 major building projects.
The legacy left by Indiana University Vice President Emeritus Terry Clapacs upon his retirement in 2009 is as cemented in Hoosier history as the classic limestone buildings that dot the university's celebrated landscape.
Terry Clapacs
During his tenure, Clapacs, one of the longest-serving vice presidents in IU history, supervised the development of over two-thirds of what is now IU, including more than half of the buildings on the university's eight campuses. In the process, he worked diligently to preserve the natural beauty of the campuses for which IU is nationally recognized.
"It is no exaggeration to say that over the years Terry has become a living archive of the transformations that have taken place across the university," IU President Michael A. McRobbie said at Clapacs' retirement reception.
Clapacs will discuss IU's architectural heritage -- as well as the major role he played in carving the university's landscape -- when he delivers the third-annual Rosemary Miller Lecture on Friday, May 17, at Bloomington's City Hall, 401 N. Morton St. The 7 p.m. lecture, "Indiana University and Limestone: The Tie That Binds," will be accompanied by a 15-minute presentation on limestone walls by Neil Rippingale, master craftsman at Dry Stone Conservancy of Lexington, Ky.
Clapacs retired from IU in 2009 after having served as vice president, chief administrative officer, head of facilities planning and management, and athletic director.
During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of numerous award-winning facilities at IU Bloomington, including Simon Hall, the Arboretum, the Student Recreational Sports Center, North End Zone Facility, Cook Hall, Chemistry Addition, Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Hutton Honors College and Atwater Parking Garage.
While at IU, he also amassed a number of individual accolades, including two Sagamore of the Wabash awards, the Thomas Hart Benton Memorial Medallion, the IU President's Citation and, at his retirement reception, the Indiana University Medal, one of the most prestigious and exclusive awards given by IU. He is one of only 13 individuals to have received the honor since its inception in 1982.
Even in retirement, Clapacs continues to be active. He is the co-author of a soon-to-be-published book from IU Press, "Indiana University: America's Legacy Campus."
The Rosemary Miller Lecture Series is presented by the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission and the Monroe County Historic Preservation Board of Review. The series honors the late Rosemary Miller, an artist and founding member of Bloomington's Historic Preservation Commission.
