Return to Table of ContentsSoutheast's Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center, in its first year of operation, has proved to be a busy academic and community facility.
Dedicated last March, the center has played host to symphony orchestras, political debates, Shakespearian plays and chamber music groups. The Glenn Miller Orchestra made an appearance as did the Coasters, the Drifters and the Platters of rock 'n roll fame.
When the center was dedicated, then-Chancellor Leon Rand said that it was "the result of the vision of many farsighted people." A successful IU Southeast 50th anniversary capital campaign was launched in 1991 and raised more than $5 million that helped make the vision a reality. More than 1,400 alumni, faculty, staff, students, corporations, foundations and friends of the university made contributions to the campaign. The largest gift was a $2 million challenge from the Paul Ogle Foundation of Jeffersonville.
"Our community has been blessed with the center," said New Albany Mayor Doug England. "It is up for all of us to support it and make it a success for our entire region."
Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan commented that "as an educational facility, the center will allow students to express their creativity. It will enhance the quality of life in our region for future generations."
The center includes the 500-seat Richard K. Stem Concert Hall, the 350-seat Robinson Theatre, a 100-seat recital hall and a studio theater, in addition to classrooms, faculty offices and practice rooms. It serves as the home of the IUS Orchestra, Madrigal Singers and Pop Singers, who perform community concerts frequently throughout the year.
The center has made particular efforts to serve young people. Last year it played host to U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton's annual regional congressional student art contest. More than 700 elementary and secondary students from throughout the region participated.
Many of the productions that are held in the center plan special student performances during school hours.
A major activity for young people at the center has been the new IUS Arts Institute, supported through a Strategic Directions grant. The institute seeks to instill a love for the arts at an early age. Director Christine Brown says IUS faculty members agreed that the institute "had to be a community outreach program. It's exciting to see how much interest our faculty has generated."
Ogle established the foundation before his death in 1989. Robert Lanum, a member of the foundation's board and a Jeffersonville attorney, said that the center "reaffirms that the people of southern Indiana believe in their university and in their community and will support them with their time, their energy and their money." He described Paul Ogle as "a true gentleman and a man of vision."
As a gift to the campus when he stepped down as chancellor in June of last year, the couple set up a competition for the commission with the assistance of IUS fine arts faculty members.
Paul Fields, a noted Louisville artist, was selected to create the unique sculpture of Indiana limestone. The work is scheduled to be put in place and dedicated in May. The work includes two major pieces and a bench. One of the pieces will be approximately 14 feet in height and 6 feet in width; the second piece will be about 10 feet high and 5 feet wide.
The two pieces will be installed on a large grassy area in front of a brick wall that is approximately 30 feet high.