26th Anniversary Hall of Fame Banquet
Wednesday November 14, 2012
South Bend Century Center
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees
Bonnie Boilini Baxter
Bonnie Boilini Baxter, a founder of Southold Dance Theater and cretor of the Dancenter. Ms. Baxter has been one of the most influentual promotors and motivators of dance in the South Bend area for almost 40 years. She believes “to dance is to live in a very special way.” A native of North Judson, she became interested in dance while still a child. As a founder and artisitc director of Southold Dance Theater, she reached more than 100,000 local students over the years through youth concerts and performances. Under her direction, more than 5,000 students have had an opportunity to perform. She opened the Dancenter in 1975 in Granger, and more recently opened the Children’s Dance Workshop and created the Michiana Dance Ensemble. With the idea of children performing for children, her ensemble has offered free concerts to area pre-schools, home-schooled groups and elementary schools.
John Charles Bryant
John Charles Bryant, authority on local black history. Mr. Bryant is a life-long resident of South Bend who has an extensive collection of black history memorabilia. He is a descendant of the Farrow Powell family, one of the first black families to settle in the South Bend area. Mr. Bryant was able to trace his family to 1755. He has researched and contributed extensively to the African American Historical Archives at the Northern Indiana Center for History. He also has donated historical documents to the South Bend Public Library Genealogy Department, the Mishawaka Penn Public Library and the Civil Rights Heritage Center of Indiana University South Bend. He has given black history presentatiuons at numerous schools, churches and other organizsations. He has been active in the religious community, serving as a member of Olivet A.M. E. Church, the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Bah’i Faither Community. Mr. Bryant has cared for senior citizens and helped to send medical supplies to Haiti, Mexico and the Harlem Hospital. He co-chairs the Central High School All-Class Reunion each year.
Jack Colwell
Jack Colwell, political columnist and retired reporter for the South Bend Tribune. Mr. Colwell came to the Tribune as a police beat reporter in 1960, after graduating from the University of Illinois College of Journalism. He broke the story on December 9, 1963, that the Studebaker Corp. would end autmobile production in South Bend. He also was the lead reporter in covering the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes, coverage that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He became the newspaper’s political writer in 1964 and held that position until he retired from the paper in 2003. He covered 20 national policial conventions, including the tumultuous Democratic Convention of 1968 in Chicago. In 2000, Mr. Colwell began teaching journalism at the University of Notre Dame, where he is on the faculty of the Gallivan Program in Journalism, Ethics & Democracy. In April 2000 he was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.
Elmer Crockett
Elmer Crockett, the 2012 historical inductee, was a lifelong resident of St. JosephCountyfrom 1844 to 1924. He is best known for being a co-founder of The South Bend Tribune. However, it is the breadth and diversity of his commitment to our community that merits attention. After graduating from college, he enlisted to serve in the Civil War. Returning from the war, he became integrally involved in practically every facet of South Bend’s rise to economic, social and political prominence for the next 50 years. He learned the printing trade at the Mishawaka Enterprise and later became foreman of the St. Joseph Valley Register. In 1872, he and his brother-in-law, Alfred B. Miller, co-founded The Tribune, the city’s largest and most influential newspaper that is still co-owned by their descendants. Mr. Crockett served as postmaster during the time of the city’s great growth spurt in the 1880s and ’90s. He supported the development of the NorthernIndiana Center for History, the city’s foremost historical repository. He was a primary contributor to the city’s first comprehensive medical clinic, the South Bend Clinic. Mr. Crocket served on numerous local and state committee and organization.
Anthony Johnson
Anthony Johnson, retired football player and current chaplain of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mr. Johnson grew up in South Bend, where he attended Stanley Clark School and Adams High School. At Adams he played football on a team that ascended to the NIC championship. He won numerous honors for his skills on the field. When he graduated in 1986, Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz recruited him as a part of the Irish offense. The team won the national title in 1988. Mr. Johnson led the team in scoring during his four years at ND, crossing the end zone 35 times. After graduation, he was the first Domer selected as a second-round NFL draft pick. He played professionally with the Colts, Jets, Bears, Panthers and Jaguars. His most notable year was 1996 while playing for the Panthers. He started in only 11 games but rushed for 1,120 yars and became a Pro Bowl alternate. After retiring from football, Mr. Johnson accepted a position with the Athletes in Action to serve as chaplain for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Joan and Charles Lennon
Charles and Joan Lennon. Charles Lennon, a native of Joliet, Ill., settled inSouth Bend in 1961 after graduating from Notre Dame. He served as director of several local public agencies, including South Bend’s Model Cities Program and the city’s Redevelopment Department. He became director of the ND Alumni Association in 1981, and in 1999 was named associate vice president for university relations. He retired June 30, 2011, and is now on emeritus status. At Notre Dame’s 2011 commencement, he received an honorary doctor of law degree. The Notre Dame Monogram Club awarded Mr. Lennon the Moose Krause Distinguished Service Award in 2011. In 2012 he became an assistant baseball coach at Ave Maria University in Florida. Joan Lennon was a co-founder in 1976 of the Shamrock Pre-School. In 1994 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and since then she has been a leader in the fight against the disease. She founded the Women’s Task Force of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend to provide support for cancer patients. With the help of the Secret Sisters Society Style Show, the Task Force has raised more than $1 million to fund mammograms for women who cannot afford them. It expanded in 2011 to provide cervical cancer screenings. Mrs. Lennon is one of only 38 individuals who have been named an honorary alumna of the Notre Dame Alumni Association.
Richard Rice
Richard J. “Rick’’ Rice is the retired president and CEO of Teachers Credit Union. During more than 30 years at TCU, most of them as its president, Rice was committed to the credit union’s mission of promoting education and being a positive force in the community. TCU grew during his tenure to become a $1.6 billion statewide business, the largest credit union in the state. He served as a member of numerous boards and organizations, including the Memorial Home Care, CONNECT, Project Future, WNIT-TV, Coalition for Educational Successes in St. Joseph County, United Wayand Junior Achievement. He was the 3rd District representative to the State Board of Education from 1998-2002 and was on the Holy Cross College Board of Trustees. In 2002, Rice received a Distinguished Hoosier Award from former Gov. Frank O’Bannon.
Luther Taylor
Luther Taylor served asSouth Bendfire chief for 21 years. Mr. Taylor joined the fire department in 1972 and was promoted through the ranks, becoming chief in October 1985. He held that position for 21 years until his retirement in April 2007. In 2004, Mayor Steve Luecke granted Mr. Taylor a one-year leave of absence to serve as director of the State Emergency Management Agency under former Gov. Joe Kernan. He was responsible for maintaining a level of readiness to respond to any emergency that might occur or threaten within the state. He returned as South Bend’s fire chief in 2005. He served as president of the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, chair of the Indiana Emergency Response Committee and board member of the local Red Cross. After retirement, he became manager of emergency preparedness at St. JosephRegional Medical Center. He also has been a member of the South Bend Board of Public Safety.
Ideal Baldoni Distinguished Public Service Award
Howard Buchanon
Howard Buchanon
Howard Buchanon joined the South Bend Fire Department in 1973 and served as its chief from 2007 to 2012. As chief, he managed a staff of 252 firefighters with an annual budget of $23 million. He had the ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate with others to establish and maintain personal relationships. He said he considered issues of racial, ethnic and cultural diversity when developing, implementing and evaluating action plans, documenting and recording information and solving problems. While he was chief he oversaw the building of a $2.5 million fire station, $1 million in renovations to other stations and the purchase of more than $40 million in new equipment. He received more than $2 million in grants. In 2011, Chief Buchanon was named the Indiana Fire Chief of the Year. In addition to his work as a firefighter, he has been on the board of 100 Black Men, where he participated in mentoring training. He has been a member of numerous organizations throughout the community.
Joan Janicki Pawlowski
Joan Janicki Pawlowski
Joan Janicki Pawlowski retired in 2012 as executive secretary to the St. Joseph County Council. In that capacity, she helped the general public in dealing with sometimes complex governmental matters. Her role with the council involved helping to set agendas, prepare legal advertisements, and create legislation pertaining to appropriations, transfer of funds, salaries, zoning issues and other matters. She also stepped in from time to time to help other departments during busy times of the year. Prior to becoming executive secretary, Ms. Pawlowski worked in various departments at IUSB, including the office of the president, office of the chancellor, dean of economics and dean of music and theater.
Community Service Award
The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County
The Boys & Girls Club has been in theSouth Bendcommunity since 1974. It was founded in response to rising gang activity involving youths. It works with at-risk children and teens to provide them a sale place to develop their academic skills, along with health and fitness and character development. Its mission is “To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible adults.’’ The club works out of five sites in the county. Its flagship site is theO.C.CarmichaelYouthCenteron the south side ofSouth Bend, but it also has programs at Harrison andWilsonPrimaryCentersinSouth Bendand at Battell andLaSalleElementary SchoolsinMishawaka. Clubs are open five days a week after school when parents are working, and in the summer during the hours when parents typically are at work.
Mamas Against Violence
Mamas Against Violence was started in 2003 by Bobbie Woods, whose 28-year-old son was shot and killed at a downtown restaurant. Five grieving women came together to pray, support and encourage each other, and they became known as the Mamas Against Violence. Their mission was to offer prayer, emotional support and encouragement to those who have lost a loved one to violence. The organization works with schools, businesses and other organizations to increase awareness of violence and to prevent its recurrence. It hosts an annual remembrance service and walk in memory of those who died similar deaths, and an annual conference for children in fifth through 12th grades to help them learn how to avoid violence. The group also gives out a scholarship and learning materials.
Distinguished Achievement Award
Gary Gilot
Gary Gilot
Gary Gilot served for 12 years asSouth Bend’s public works director under former Mayor Steve Luecke. He retired, but agreed to remain as an unpaid volunteer on the Board of Public Works until Mayor Pete Buttigieg could name a replacement. In June 2012 the city hired him as a full-time consultant on public works operations, capital and strategic direction. As Public Works director, Mr. Gilot had been responsible for overseeing the city’s street maintenance, sewer and water operations and waste management. A licensed professional engineer, he has been engaged in applied research and commercialization of research through his aggregate 28 years of pubic service. He received the Ivan H. Brinegar municipal management award from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. In 2010 American City & County magazine name him the nation’s “Public Works Leader of the year’’ for innovation in local government. He credits the 330 employees in the various Public Works departments for the successes of the department and said he shares the Distinguished Achievement Award with them.
Ed Friend
Ed Friend
Ed Friend, who died May 10, 2012, was aSouth Bendpolice officer whose courteousdemeanor earned him the nickname of Captain Friendly. He started his career as a patrolman, then progressed through the ranks, doing a little of everything over the years. His worked ranged from dealing with juveniles to aiding senior citizens. He also hosted a local TV show aimed at children, and a radio show. He also was active in TRIAD and other community organizations. He was an outstanding ambassador forSouth Bend, working to improve the relationship between the police and the community.
Contributions to Education Corporate Award
1st Source Bank
Founded in 1863, 1st Source Bank has a history of giving back to the community to help create a good place to live and raise families. In 2011, it donated almost $1 million to support education; social welfare and human services efforts; the arts; and other community programs. Of that amount, almost 40 percent was directed to education, including $102,000 for the New Tech High School, $20,000 for the Public Education Foundation and funds for the South Bend school corporation’s Spelling Bee. 1st Source has consistently been named the favorite bank by readers of The South Bend Tribune and other area newspapers. It operates 75 banking centers in seventeen counties, along with twenty-three 1st Source Specialty Finance Group locations nationwide. It also has nine Trust and Wealth Management locations and nine 1st Source Insurance offices. In 2011, 1st Source was recognized as the No. 1 provider of SBA Patriot Express Loans inIndiana.
Recommendations for these awards are welcome at any time. Go to the Activities link on the South Bend Alumni Association Home Page and click on the award for a list and photos of former recipients and the criteria for the award.
Located at the Century Center120 S. Saint Joseph Street, South Bend, IN 46601
Primary Goal:
To publicly recognize individuals whose achievements and services have distinguished both themselves and the South Bend Community.
Secondary Goal:
To provide a visible tribute to Hall of Fame honorees for residents and visitors to our community to view and know better how these people made our community what it is today.
Hall of Fame Categories of Recognition
These are categories to be considered by the Search Committee, but the search for honorees is not limited to this list, and the list can be amended as needed. Often nominees qualify in more than one category.
- Arts—Architecture, Dance, Literature, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts
- Athletics
- Business and Industry
- Education
- Historical (people who have been deceased fifty or more years)
- Public/Community Service
- Science & Technology
Eligibility Requirements
1. Candidates must have resided or worked in the South Bend Community for ten (10) or more years
(a) ‘South Bend Community is defined by the Hall of Fame Committee
2. Candidates must have notable personal achievements and/or made notable contributions at the local, state, national or international level.
PROCEDURE FOR NOMINATING HALL OF FAME CANDIDATES
There is no official nomination form If a person you are nominating meets the eligibility requirements, simply send written nominations to: South Bend Community Hall of Fame c/o South Bend Alumni Association, 215 South St. Joseph Street, South Bend, IN 46601 including: 1. A detailed biography and 2. Two letters supporting the nomination. Please include the following information.
COMPLETE NAME OF CANDIDATE: _________________________________________
NAME OF PERSON SUBMITTING THIS NOMINATION:_______________________________
YOUR ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________
PHONE(S):_________________________________________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________
Nominations:
The Hall of Fame Organizing Committee welcomes and considers only written and documented nominations. A Search Sub-Committee seeks out qualified candidates and sends a list of 20 or more nominees’ names to a Selection Committee that compiles a list of 8-10 candidates in order of choice for induction. An Oversight Committee reviews the work of the Selection Committee and reports to the Hall of Fame Organizing Committee. There is a one-year waiting period from the time a person is first nominated to the time he/she can be inducted.
If you have questions please make contact via email. Click the email icon on this site or you can use our email address: sbaa@sbcsc.k12.in.us