A book chronicling the history of Ƶ has been published and is available for purchase.
The Ƶ Story: Ƶ, from Normal School to University by Ƶ professor emeritus of history Charles Cashdollar, tells the university’s story from its 1875 beginning to the present.
Proceeds from the sale of the book, available through the Ƶ website or in Indiana at the and the Book Nook in downtown Indiana, go to the Foundation for Ƶ to promote and support the educational purposes of Ƶ. The book will also be for sale on December 11 at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex through the Co-Op Store during the day as Ƶ celebrates commencement ceremonies.
In addition to his professor emeritus status, Cashdollar, a 1965 graduate of Ƶ, is an Ƶ Distinguished University Professor and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. He is the founding director of the liberal studies program at Ƶ and served as the committee chair that led to the establishment of the Cook Honors College. He retired from Ƶ in 2005.
His 400-page, hardcover book includes a number of photographs and is organized in 14 chronological chapters, with an additional chapter on Jane Leonard. Known as “Aunt Jane,” Leonard was a teacher and administrator and a key leader during the school’s first 45 years.
Ƶ President Michael A. Driscoll authored the book’s Afterword.
“It has been my honor to contribute to this book,” Driscoll said. “It’s a very entertaining and informative read. Dr. Cashdollar, in addition to his outstanding skills as an historian and researcher, is an incredible writer and storyteller, looking at life at Ƶ through the eyes of students, and showcasing how the Ƶ experience has contributed to their successes after they graduated.
“The book has all the important facts and information about Ƶ through the years, including the many changes at the university, and it tells the stories of the diverse collection of people who built and rebuilt Ƶ through some very challenging times,” Driscoll said. “Dr. Cashdollar was careful not to sugarcoat the problems and issues that this university has faced, but he has made it clear that the Ƶ story is one of resilience and commitment to student success. He is skillful in presenting the stories of so many Ƶ heroes and heroines, including ‘Aunt Jane,’ who contributed so much to this institution.
“Ƶ is very fortunate that he agreed to take on this important work,” Driscoll said. “I believe that this book will continue to inspire us all to keep Ƶ moving forward, and that it will add to the great pride our alumni, friends, employees, and students feel for this university. That is a great gift to the Ƶ family. We also appreciate the financial support for our current and future students that we will see from the proceeds from this book.”
Along with a distinguished career as an educator, Cashdollar has written three previous books and a number of articles, reviews, and book chapters.
In May, the Ƶ Council of Trustees recognized Professor Cashdollar and his wife, Donna Cashdollar, for their “generous philanthropic commitments to Ƶ, including the Charles Cashdollar Endowed History Scholarship benefiting Ƶ students in perpetuity while dedicating their time, expertise and talent to documenting the history of the institution and publishing The Ƶ Story, From Normal School to University for the benefit of the Foundation for Ƶ.” The resolution also recognized Cashdollar’s “meritorious leadership and service promoting Pennsylvania history.” The resolution approved naming Ƶ’s Humanities and Social Sciences building as Jane E. Leonard Hall; the Cashdollars advocated for Leonard’s recognition.
This building is the third classroom facility named in Leonard’s honor on the Ƶ campus. The original Jane E. Leonard Hall was built in 1903, destroyed by fire in 1952, rebuilt and opened in 1954 in the same Oak Grove facing location. That Leonard Hall was razed in 2017 to make way for John J. and Char Kopchick Hall, home to the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.