Indiana State University Newsroom

The Indiana State University Foundation has recognized individual donors, a foundation with a long record of support to the university and a corporate partner with its 2015 March On! Awards to thank them for their philanthropy.

The Weston Wabash Foundation received the Foundation Award, Robert and Bonnidell Clouse received the Faculty, Staff and Emeriti Award, Methodist Sports Medicine received the Corporate Award and Mike and Janet Fread were honored with the Individual Award. Alumni Donna and Doug Power received the sixth annual John P. Newton Spirit of ISU Award.

Weston Wabash Foundation

The Weston Wabash Foundation has been an influential leadership donor to Indiana State. Its longstanding relationship with Indiana State has had a broad impact on the institution, starting with the funding of an annual scholarship throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The scholarship significantly supported the education of deserving junior and senior level students while providing a notable hands-on learning experience at the Weston Wabash Paper Co.

Even after the closing of the company's Terre Haute plant in 2007, long after it was acquired by International Paper Co., the foundation's generosity has remained consistent in ensuring that the Indiana State educational experience remains accessible and affordable through support of scholarships for student-athletes as well as the greatest annual needs of the university, ISU Foundation President Ron Carpenter said.

"The Weston Wabash Foundation continues to help uphold Indiana State's commitment to helping students become productive citizens for Indiana and the world. We are proud of our lengthy partnership and are pleased to recognize the foundation with this award."

Robert and Bonnidell Clouse

Robert Clouse and Bonnidell Clouse have dedicated their time and talents to Indiana State. Robert Clouse served as a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences' history department for 40 years, while Bonnidell Clouse was a professor of educational and school psychology in the Bayh College Education for 34 years. Their longstanding service to the institution has impacted generations of Sycamores, and, as emeriti, the Clouses have remained an engaged part of the Indiana State family.

The couple has given generously to Indiana State. The Dr. Bonnidell Clouse Research Award in the Bayh College of Education is an endowment given to graduate students who research ways that psychological or educational theory can be applied to a school problem. This endowment is ensuring that new and relevant research in psychological and educational theory is happening at the university. They have also made a significant impact on the resources available to the College of Arts and Sciences. These gifts allow for greater hands-on experiences and other opportunities that meet the needs of today's students.

Methodist Sports Medicine

Methodist Sports Medicine has been a valued partner of the Indiana State University Athletic Department for more than a decade. Its generous commitment to Indiana State has provided in-kind service to Sycamore teams and ensures that student-athletes have the resources they need to compete at the highest level in the Missouri Valley Conference and NCAA Division I athletics.

Methodist Sports Medicine's support of Indiana State extends beyond medical services. Its philanthropy has been important to the university's President's Scholars program and in establishing the Larry Bird Scholarship. These scholarships support the university's high-quality education and help deserving students achieve their academic goals.

Mike and Janet Fread

Indiana State has played an essential role in the lives of alumni William "Mike" and Janet Fread. Mike Fread graduated in 1969 with a pre-law degree and Janet earned her special education degree from the Bayh College of Education in 1971. Their campus involvement resulted in numerous connections and relationships, including their marriage. Indiana State provided a solid foundation for their successful careers in the business and education fields.

The couple's desire to give back to Indiana State has provided a transformational commitment to the future success of the university, Carpenter said.

"The Freads' planned gift commitment, through a charitable remainder trust, has helped to set a prominent example of philanthropy among all alumni," Carpenter said. "The Fread Trust is a unique and meaningful legacy that will support generations of Sycamores in the Bayh College of Education and Scott College Business."

Donna and Doug Power

Donna and Doug Power received the John P. Newton Spirit of ISU Award in recognition of their longstanding support of their alma mater. They are members of the Big Blue Booster Club, have volunteered at Homecoming and the NCAA Cross Country Nationals and have season tickets to men's and women's basketball games. Donna has traveled as far as Costa Rica to root for the Sycamore women.

"We speak often of Sycamore Pride. The Powers had Sycamore Pride before we had even coined the phrase," Patty Butwin, outgoing foundation board member said in presenting the award. "As students they cheered on our athletes at every game. It wasn't just fun, it was the right thing to do! Their dedication to this institution became a way of life for their family. For decades they have supported Indiana State and, as so many like to say, ‘They bleed blue.'"

Butwin said the Powers have also passed on their Sycamore pride to their son Greg, and his wife, Korenna, who are also Indiana State graduates, and have asked the broader community to join with them in support of Indiana State.

The foundation inducted the following new members into the 1865 Society in recognition of planned gifts to the university: Paula and Nancy K. Anderson, Roger K. Duncan, Richard F. Duwelius, Richard J. and Linda L. Easton, Randall P. and Mary A. Keko, Damian T. and Eleanor J. Macey, Mardel E. Miller, Gregory E. and R. Elisa Moreland, Ferne E. Price, Steven R. Rodin, Sudipto Roy, Nancy J. Smith and Hollis and Catherine Thomas.

Inducted into the Book and Torch Society in recognition of lifetime giving at levels of $100,000, $500,000 and $1 million or more were Donald W. Buttrey, Rex and Kathy Breeden, Karl Joehrendt, the State Farm Companies Foundation, J. Laurence and Barbra A. Passmore, Jerry R. and Joan Reel and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation.

Photo: https://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2015/March-on-Awards-2015/i-WzK8KtW/0/X3/July%2025%2C%202015%20March%20On%20Awards%201281-X3.jpg - Dr. Tom Klootwyk of Methodist Sports Medicine addresses the audience as Ron Prettyman, Indiana State University athletics director, looks on during the ISU Foundation's March On! Awards program July 25, 2015 in Indianapolis. (ISU/Rachel Keyes)

Photo: https://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2015/March-on-Awards-2015/i-d8jdVNz/0/X3/July%2025%2C%202015%20March%20On%20Awards%201321-X3.jpg - Kandi Hill-Clarke, dean of the Bayh College of Education, presents Mike and Janet Fread with their Individual Award during the Indiana State University's 2015 March On! Awards program. (ISU/Rachel Keyes)

Photo: https://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2015/March-on-Awards-2015/i-2Vfm5Zw/0/X3/July%2025%2C%202015%20March%20On%20Awards%201098-X3.jpg - John P. Newton (center), emeritus vice president for alumni affairs and constituent relations, poses with Donna and Doug Power, recipients of the foundation's 2015 John P. Newton Spirit of ISU Award. (ISU/Rachel Keyes)

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu