William Hawthorne Wiggins Jr.

William Hawthorne Wiggins, Jr. William Hawthorne Wiggins, Jr., Professor Emeritus of African American and African Diaspora Studies and Fellow in the Folklore Institute at Indiana University Bloomington, passed peacefully at IU Hospice House surrounded by the love of God and his family on December 24, 2016. He was an incredible human being who made a tremendous impact on the lives many of students, colleagues, and friends. He had a great sense of humor and was a gifted story teller. Bill was born May 30, 1934, in Port Allen, Louisiana to William H. Wiggins, Sr. and Mabel Leora Washington Wiggins. He graduated from Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky where he enjoyed playing basketball and in 2012 was inducted into the Central High School’s Alumni Hall of Fame. Bill attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio where he lettered as an outstanding tennis player. Bill came to Bloomington in the fall of 1969 with his wife, Janice and their 3-year old daughter, Mary Ellyn, to enter the doctoral program in Indiana University’s Folklore Institute. He became the first African American male to receive a PHD in Folklore. His previous academic training had been religious in nature: Ohio Wesleyan University (BA pre-theology), Phillip’s School of Theology (B.D.), Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (M.TH.), Louisville, Kentucky. As a graduate student he sought to supplement his Folklore Institute fellowship by serving as the First Associate Instructor in the Afro-American Studies Department. He collaborated with Rozelle Boyd, then the Dean of University Division, and History graduate student John F. Moe, to develop the A150 Survey of the Culture of Black American, a course that remains the basic introduction to the department’s curriculum. In addition, he created another course that remains a staple offering, The Black Church in America. He created and taught the course, “Sports and the Afro-American Experience”. This course was featured in an ESPN documentary on collegiate student-athletes. Bill’s previous professional experiences include: Professor of Religion, Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee; Pastor at Freeman Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Director of Religious Life, Texas College, Tyler, Texas. In 1993 Bill was promoted to the rank of full professor at Indiana University. Over the span of his career, Bill wrote and published extensively in various professional journals on topics ranging widely across his field of studies. Among these included: “O Freedom!” Afro-American Emancipation Celebration; The Rapture Family, a 60-minute color film; and The Rapture Family, a 30-minute film. He did extensive research and produced a promising manuscript on Joe Louis: American Folk Hero the National Boxing Champion. Because of this research he was awarded the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship. His research on Joe Louis was shared with the national audience via CBS Television late night show, “Night Watch”. Bill served on many University and National Committees and boards. For many years he served on the Indiana Historical Society Board. He consulted widely with many institutions as a member of the Smithsonian Institute Advisory Council. He represented the Institute in Ghana, Liberia, Jamaica, and Trinidad selecting traditional performers for the Festival of American Folklife. During his tenure he was asked to serve as interim chair of the African American and African Diaspora Studies Department; The Dean of the Office of African American Affairs; and the FASE Mentoring Program. His life calling was teaching and he was the recipient of numerous teaching awards. He was the first recipient of two notable awards, the Dr. Herman B. Wells’ Lifetime Achievement Award and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Building Bridges Award. The Dr. Herman B. Wells’ Lifetime Achievement is presented to individuals who demonstrate overwhelming dedication and love for students and Indiana University. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Building Bridges Award is presented for dedicated service and outstanding leadership. Both awards truly exemplified Bill as a compassionate and dedicated teacher. Students will always remember Bill fondly for he was and will be affectionately remembered as “Doc”. He had an enormous impact on so many students’ lives. As one former student recently wrote, “Bill may not know it, but he had a profound impact on me and my career. I believe he helped shape me to be able to earn the Dean position at the University Of Missouri School Of Journalism”. He and his wife, Janice were recognized as being living legends at Indiana University and in the Bloomington community. They have been influential figures in the lives of so many IU students both inside and outside the classroom, helping to create an environment that is welcoming, nurturing, and encouraging of student success. Most recently, the IU Athletic Department honored them among of the Elizabeth “Buzz” Kurpius Visionaries of Academic Excellence. Bill’s distinguished service and contribution to IU Athletics was named an honorary member of Indiana University’s I-Men’s Association. He also served four-years on the IUB Big Ten Conference Committee. Even with his countless professional obligations and accomplishments Bill’s interest was varied. He enjoyed writing a Community Column in the Herald Times entitled “Wiggy’s Diner”; Bloomington’s first literary diner and a weekly column in the Indianapolis Recorder, “Gumbo”. Bill’s zest for life touched all those who knew him to the legions of former students, colleagues, and lifelong friends he leaves behind. He was a role model and mentor to all who knew him – a man who was so loved. Bill was a devoted husband, a wonderful father and cherished family man. Preceding him in death were his parents, and a brother, Hubert Wiggins, who died in infancy. He leaves behind a loving wife of 51-years, Janice Louise (Slaughter) Wiggins; his children, Wesley Howard and Mary Ellyn Wiggins; a grandson, William Howard Wiggins; a brother, Alfred (Barbara) and a sister, Anna (David) and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 1, 2017 from 2pm to 5pm and from 6pm to 8pm at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 2, 2017 at Lighthouse Community Church. There will be a 10am viewing with services starting at 11am. Memorial contribution may be made to the William H. Wiggins, Jr. Scholarship at the African American and African Diaspora Studies Department c/o the Indiana University Foundation, P.O. Box 6460, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6460. In addition, contributions can be made to the Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospice through the Indiana University Health Bloomington Foundation. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to Bill’s family at www.allencares.com

Tributes

William Hawthorne Wiggins Jr.

May 30, 1934 - December 24, 2016