Dr. Byrum E. Carter

Dr. Byrum E. Carter, Former Vice President, Indiana University- Bloomington, age 92, passed away peacefully January 1, 2015 at Bell Trace Health and Living Center in Bloomington, Indiana. He was proceeded in death by his wife Beth Carter (Peter) and is survived by his children: Terry Elizabeth Hedrick and Keith Madison Carter (wife Sheila Carter) and two grandsons: Timothy Scott Hedrick (wife: Katherine Karakas) and Kenneth Byrum Carter. He was known for his patience, his humor and his ability to deal with difficult situations. He will be missed by his family and friends. Born March 3, 1922 in Oklahoma Territory, Byrum Carter's life was dominated by a devotion to scholarship and Indiana University. He began work on his B.A. at Frederick Jr. College in Oklahoma with his studies interrupted by service to the War Labor Board. Following his discharge he continued his undergrad education at Oklahoma University eventually obtaining his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1951. He had already accepted a position on the faculty of Indiana University in the Department of Political Science at a time when large numbers of veterans were seeking education throughout the country. He achieved full professorship in 1960 and began what was to be a long career in the administrative ranks of the university - Acting Dean of Faculties, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1966), Chancellor of Indiana University-Bloomington (1969). The Chancellor position was eventually retitled Vice-President of Indiana University - Bloomington. He oversaw the university during a time of substantial student unrest nationally in the 1960s and 70s concerning the Vietnam War and was seen as a peacemaker on campus. Byrum E. Carter carried on his scholarship with publication of The Office of Prime Minister in 1956 (reviewed by the New York Times) and a Faculty Research fellowship for studying the theories of John Stuart Mill. He was devoted to teaching and received the Fredric Bachman Lieber Award for Teaching in 1957. After resigning from administrative duties in June 1975 he continued to teach as a member of the Department of Political Science and almost always taught a course while he was in administration. He retired from the Department of Political Science in 1986 as Professor Emeritus and more than 30 years of service to the university. Most of his life he read a book a day, wearing a path back and forth to the IU Library. A date for a celebration of his life will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his name to the I.U. Foundation. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old Highway 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at. www.allenfuneralhome.org.

Tributes

Dr. Byrum E. Carter

March 3, 1922 - January 1, 2015