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Personal Perspective: WILLIAM PLATER ON IMAGINING INDIANA "And a voiceless chorus chanting That the Old Times were the best." James Whitcomb Riley With the new century only seven years away, many of us are enjoying the now fashionable pastime of imagining what life and times in the year 2000 will hold- There oldThere is something special about the changing of the century, and predicting what WILL happen is less risky than accounting for what HAS happened. Imagining the year 2000. Imagining America with a fresh start on a new century. Imagining Indiana. A state of diversity if not extremes, Indiana's place in this possible future is at hest uncertain. Contrasts between rural and urban life, between conservative and liberal testes, between younger and older generations, between health and poverty, to name only a few of the differences which define us, represent fissures in the state's social geology which could fracture under the pressure of national and world forces. In the United States, Indiana is nearly unique in holding so many contrasting values, tastes, aspirations, and fears intact as part of a shared, common culture. While there may be multiple explanations for this inherent sense of "Where We Live," a theme the Humanities Council has recently explored, James Whitcomb Riley's explanation may be the most accurate — as Hoosiers self- referentially look to their past to explain why things are as they are ... and always should be. Indiana seems to live with its past in an elastic envelope of time and place. Indiana has been fortunate to retain this sense of place — something very much akin to the idea of community so highly valued by social philosophers — despite the dislocations of world wars, racial and economic inequalities, and Technological infringements which in this century have torn other places and states Imm what Riley once called "the land of Used -to -be." Yet Indiana's community — like some midcontinent Brigadoon — is one that time is passing by as we lag further behind in the educational attainment of our citizens, as adult illiteracy grows, and as real family income falls. So how do we reconcile nostalgia with anticipation, memory with dream — and why do we care, anyway? Precisely because it retains its sense of community and its sense of place, Indiana — alone of all the states — has the best chance of imagining a real future for itself and of self-consciously, intentionally creating a new American dream worthy of pursuit. But its citizens must be bold and dare to imagine a state where expectations for educational attainment are high, where quality of life is a matter of community rather than personal achievement, and where diversity is recognized as a resource for growth. The humanities offer Indiana's citizens the toots needed to build a new state out of such raw materials as dreams, hopes, and desires. Using the humanities for the public good, as what Kenneth Burke called "equipment for living," we can imagine an Indiana which even Riley would celebrate over what used to be. William Plater is Dean of the Faculties and Professor of English at Indiana University -Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Dr. Plater served as an IHC Board member from 1987-1992. Regional Focus: INDIANA'S CULTURAL CLIMATE As a statewide organization, the Indiana Humanities Council has to know its territory. What do Hoosiers think and feel about the humanities, and, with regard to cultural and intellectual issues, what is the state of the state? Each summer, Board and staff members of IHC make a systematic effort to find out. The Council invites community leaders representing business, education, local government, and other institutions to luncheon meetings in selected cities and towns. These gatherings have provided both an opportunity for citizens to become acquainted with IHC programs and services and a setting for conversations about the quality of cultural life in Indiana. Not surprisingly, when most people think about the humanities, they think about education, and when they think about education, they think initially about youth. People are concerned about the quality of public education and about shortfalls in funding that mean the disappearance of special programs and enrichment activities. So cultivating an appreciation for the humanities in our young people becomes difficult for many Hoosier communities. In the area of adult education, however, needs also exist and are increasing. Longer life spans, combined with the bewildering complexity of the Information Age and the evolving global framework, mean that adults must also continue to learn. In particular, the impact of technology on the way we create and store knowledge, and communicate with each other, is changing the universe of the humanities. Or, as one discussion participant put it, "Computers are fast, people are slow." Sometimes, the problem can be one of access. Many communities take justifiable pride in the resources they offer their citizens: schools, colleges, museums, libraries, historical and arts organizations. But they wish that more people could be helped, or persuaded, to take advantage of these cultural and intellectual riches. And finally, a community has to deal with the factors that can hold it together or tear it apart. People around Indiana are beginning to feel a need to explore the meaning of cultural and ethnic diversity in the state and nation. IHC is in the process of planning for a major initiative in this area. In 1992 IHC hosted regional meetings in Bloomington, Columbus, Lafayette, Richmond, South Bend, and Terre Haute. The Council welcomes invitations from other communities to make presentations NO. 16 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1993 COUNCIL NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Indiana Humanities Council welcomes six new members to the Board of Directors effective January 1, 1991 Vicky A. Bailey is Commissioner for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. "The i humanities have always meant freedom to me. As a board member, I'll enjoy sharing my passion for the humanities with others," she says. She is a graduate of Purdue University and president of the Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation. Philip Baum is President of Baum Farming, Inc., Treasurer of Indiana Soybean Growers, and a supporter of the Warren County Historical Society and arts groups. A Beloit graduate, he says he hopes his "presence on the Board will represent a new grassroots constituency. I look forward to much challenging debate." J. Herman Blake is 19rVice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education and Professor of Sociology, Anthropology & Education at IUPUI. He JA received his Ph.D. from Berkeley and is a past president of Tougaloo College. He remarks: "I feel strongly about the humanities and I approach my appointment with full commitment." William Coats holds a doctorate in education from the University of 4 Michigan and is now Superintendent of Fort Wayne Community Schools. He expresses a "strong interest in the humanities and meaningful dialogue about our common strand of values in a pluralistic society." He has served as an educational consultant to IBM and Dow, and as a member of local community advisory councils. Thomas Sebeok is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and Semiotics at Indiana University in Bloomington. He earned his doctorate b1From Princeton. "For a long time and in many ways, I have been involved in the spectrum of the humanities and their outreach to the physical sciences," says Dr. Sebeok. A professor since 1943, he has taught in Argentina, Hungary, Canada, and many other countries. Sandra M. Singer holds Ph.D.in psychology from the University of Colorado and is Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of Psychology at Purdue University -Calumet in Hammond. "When our professions force us into narrower areas of expertise, the humanities serve as common ground that everyone can relate to," comments Dr. Singer, who is a board member of the Community Foundation Alliance, Youth as Resources and United Way. NEW OFFICERS ELECTED Robert L. Reid With the beginning of the 1993 program year three new officers will provide leadership to the Humanities Council Board of Directors. Robert Reid, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of History at the University of Southern Indiana, has been elected Chair of the Board. Bob has extensive experience with the work of IHC, and most recently provided outstanding leadership for several aspects of the Always A River project. Frances Sargent, one of Muncie Indiana's leading civic activists, has been elected Vice -Chair. Frances serves as a public member of the IHC Board. David Mills, Sr. Vice President of National City Bank, has been re- elected for a second term as Treasurer. Together with Council PresidentfExecutive Director, this team provides key leadership for IHC. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT Reading and discussing good books is a naturally engaging communal activity. For years, IHC has offered various theme versions of the Let's Talk About It book discussion program to public libraries, in a package that includes grant funds and texts on loan. For the first time. IHC is making the Let's Talk About It program available to other not-for-profit venues such as senior citizen centers or community interest groups. Each Let's Talk About It set consists of 5 books on a broad theme. Toni Morrison, Kurt Vonnegut, Arthur Miller, and Anne Tyler are a few of the authors featured among the 11 available themes: • Being Ethnic, Becoming American • Work and its Rewards in America • Seasons in the Modern American Family • The Myth in Popular Fiction • Individual Rights and Community • Images of Romantic Love • Where We Live: The Indiana Experience • Bestselling Hoosier Authors • Heroes and Heroines of the Ohio River Valley • The Ohio River and the Nation: Encounter and Change LTAI sponsors recruit up to 20 participants from the community, invite e scholar to add insights into the literature, and appoint discussion leaders. IHC offers a $500 grant to be used for the scholar's honorarium, publicity, and so on. Let's Talk About It is a substantive program that encourages community dialogue. To receive brochures on the themes above, guidelines, or an application, contact Anne Laker at