Remembering Victor Bogle
Dr. Victor Bogle will be forever remembered for his “leadership and guidance that he provided [to] Indiana University Kokomo,” says Chancellor Michael Harris. Dr. Bogle died Sunday, October 16th, but we will never forget his dedication to IU Kokomo. A memorial service will be held on November 20th at 2:00 p.m. at the Elliott House to honor the life of Dr. Victor Bogle. Let us all remember him and his loyalty to IU Kokomo.
Dr. Bogle was the first chancellor of IU Kokomo. He served as the Chief Administrator from 1959 to1980. He also directed the move from the Seiberling Mansion, where the university started, to our current location, and presided over the construction of the Main Building in the mid-1960s. IU Kokomo History recorded a 108 percent increase in student enrollment in the first year in the new building. With the leadership and guidance of Dr. Bogle, this increase in enrollment was made possible. Chancellor Harris is right when he says that our campus would not be where we are today if it weren’t for Dr. Bogle.
Teaching history was what Dr. Bogle enjoyed, and he never stopped being an educator throughout his tenure at IU Kokomo. He taught courses on Indiana history, the history of the American Midwest, and history of ideas in America. He was also in charge of many educational innovations, such as the development of the baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies.
Among his long list of accomplishments, including membership in the United States Air Force during World War II, and earning his Master’s in American History and his Ph.D. in American Civilization, the growth and achievements of IU Kokomo rank high. Dr. Bogle wrote IU Kokomo’s first long-range academic and physical facilities master plans.
In 2000, Governor Frank O’Bannon awarded Dr. Bogle the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, which is Indiana’s highest service mention, for his dedication to higher education. On September 10th, 2005, IU Kokomo honored Dr. Bogle for the time and effort he put into the campus by dedicating the Victor M. Bogle Conference Room in the Main Building, otherwise known as the Bogle Room, to him. At this dedication ceremony, Dr. Bogle’s wife of 58 years, Fern Bogle, said she recalled small moments about the campus throughout their years of service to IU Kokomo, including a moment when Dr. Bogle planted pansies around a campus sign. Of her husband, Fern Bogle said he “considered IU Kokomo his ‘child’ and I tried to support him in everything he did.”
Dr. Bogle’s compassion and determination for this campus lead to the structuring of the Phoenix, which is the large stainless steel sculpture in front of the Main Building. It was built in the Bogle family’s garage in 1965. The Phoenix is a symbol of the school’s growth.
“Without his tireless effort and clear vision, there would be no Indiana University Kokomo,” says David Brewster, English professor and close personal friend of Dr. Bogle. With Mr. Brewster’s remark, one is challenged with this thought: what if Dr. Bogle didn’t step out of his comfort zone and embark on the journey that was set before him? IU Kokomo would not be the same place, if it even existed. We are endlessly indebted to Dr. Bogle and his desire for this campus to succeed. With his legacy, we can be encouraged that one person can make a difference. Chancellor Harris said that Dr. Bogle “blazed the path for those of us who have followed, and we are forever grateful for his legacy.”
Hollie Boyles
