Arthur Wesley Shumaker papers

Born October 15, 1913 in Indianapolis, Arthur Wesley Shumaker was the son of Edward Seitz Shumaker and Flora May (Hollinger) Shumaker. He earned his undergraduate degree from DePauw University in 1934 and went on to earn graduate degrees from Indiana University and the University of Iowa. He taught French for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration in Indianapolis from 1934-35. He taught English and French, and coached debate at Washington High School in Indianapolis for seven years before joining the DePauw faculty in 1942. After a year teaching at DePauw, he joined the U.S. Army to serve in World War II. He remained in Germany after the war, acting as principal of the First Infantry Division High School. In 1946, he returned to DePauw where he remained a professor of English for 34 years. He retired in 1979 and became a professor emeritus. He continued to teach part-time until 1986. While at DePauw, he served as the director of convocations, secretary of the faculty and chairman of the department of general studies. A well-known expert on Indiana literature, he was the author of the award-winning "A Literary History of Indiana." He was a frequent contributor to numerous professional journals and was a public speaker. He also authored a study guide, "Study Less, Achieve More." A member of many professional organizations, he served as president of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature, was on its editorial board, and received the Mid-America Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Study of Midwestern Literature. He was a past president of the Indiana College English Association. After retiring, Mr. Shumaker was active in AARP, holding several local and state positions, including state director for Indiana and lobbyist. He was a member of the DePauw Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, playing the clarinet. He was a member of the Putnam County Historical Society, Indiana State Historical Society, Putnam County Heritage Preservation Society, and the Rocky Fork Club. He served as secretary of the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry and had been a member of the steering committee for the Indiana Medical Review Organization since 1993. He was a 46-year member and past president of Greencastle Kiwanis Club. As a member of the National Council of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, he was commended for distinguished service and received the Order of Merit. He was a host of the Elderhostel program at DePauw University for five summers, and had been an active member of Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir for 40 years. He earned the Governor's Voluntary Actions Program Community Service Award for his commitment to his community, and a place in the Hall of Fame for the Xi Zeta Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He died September 15, 2000.