THE INDIANAPOLIS BRANCH OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION: A SHORT HISTORY By James P. Fadely, Ph.D.
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The cultural life of Indianapolis has been enriched since 1949 by the Indianapolis Branch of TheEnglish-Speaking Union (ESU), an educational organization that celebrates shared interests in the English language, literature, and history. Its mission statement: "The English-Speaking Union of the United States expands minds, strengthens friendships, and unlocks opportunities through the use of the English language." The Indianapolis Branch supports that mission by sending an area high school teacher to a British university each summer to study; partnering with Indiana University to bring a British student to study in Bloomington; and providing programs throughout the year that explore topics related to the English language, literature, and history.
The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth, headquartered in London, was established in 1918 and now has Branches in over 50 countries around the world. HRH Princess Anne is now the royal patron. Two years later, in 1920,Sir Evelyn Wrench founded The English-Speaking Union of the United States to help foster the Anglo-American friendship so evident during World War I and to connect people through the English language. The Indianapolis Branch, one of 65 ESU Branches across the country, was established in 1949 by Charles J. Lynn, an executive with Eli Lilly and Company. William Howard Taft, former President of the U.S., served as the first President of the ESU of the U.S. Other notable persons serving the organization over the years include President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was chairman of the ESU after he left the White House, the poet T.S.Eliot,historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, and writer George Plimpton.
To fulfill its educational mission, the Indianapolis Branch of the ESU supports the TLab: Travel and Learn Abroad scholarships, which allow American secondary school teachers to study in Great Britain each year. Teachers may become students again at the University of Oxford, the International Shakespeare Globe Centre, or the University of Edinburgh, where they may study literature, theatre, or history. The Indianapolis Branch has sent teachers to Britain from throughout the metropolitan area and the state. In addition to sending a Hoosier teacher to the UK, we partner with Indiana University to sponsor a British student – our ESU Fellow - in Bloomington. Ours is IU's oldest international student program. The national ESU also provides travel-and-learn opportunities in the UK for lifelong learners.
Several other educational programs are offered by the national English-Speaking Union, which is headquartered in New York City. The National Shakespeare Competition for high school students is a premier initiative; English in Action is an English-as-a-Second-Language tutoring program; a public debating program for middle school students; the Luard Morse Scholarships are merit awards offered to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),enabling recipients to spend their junior year at the British university of their choice; and the Secondary School Exchange (SSE) enables American and British teenagers to spend a post-graduate semester or year in the opposite country on a full scholarship provided by participating schools. Both Park Tudor School and The Culver Academies have participated in the SSE program.
From September through June,the Indianapolis Branch of The English-Speaking Union holds local programs of interest for its membership. The organization has been a part of the vibrant cultural life of Indianapolis for over 75 years.
A September 2nd, "Meet and Greet" was hosted by Jim and Sally Fadely in their lovely home and garden. Several guests attended whom we were most happy to see. Jim gave a presentation on the many educational programs sponsored by ESU around the world.
Kathryn Lerch spoke about our Book Club, this year's schedule, and gave out copies of the books scheduled for this year.
The first Book Club discussion, "Digging for Richard III", was held at Woodstock on a Saturday afternoon, October 2nd, 2021.
On November 14th, 2021 we enjoyed the Woodstock Brunch in the East Room and our speaker was ESU member and Vice President, Toni Morris, PhD. Her topic, "Trends in the Development of English: New vocabulary and changes in grammar and usage". Toni is the retired Chair of the English Department at University of Indianapolis. All those attending were asked to consider the correctness of several sentences and it led to a very enthusiastic and length discussion.....much fun!
The Woodstock Club's Annual Dicken's Brunch and Dicken's Carolers' presentation provided us with a wonderful start to the holiday season on December 5, 2021. This was followed by a brief board meeting.
February 6, 2022, saw the Book Club met again in time to coincide with the anniversary of the Yalta Conference. The book, "Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War". This was a fascinating book.
Toni Morris invited our next speaker, Dr. William Watts from Butler University to speak on "'The Dream of the Rood' and the Ruthwell Cross". The Dream of the Rood, Old English lyric, the earliest dream poem and one of the finest religious poems in the English language. The Ruthwell Cross is a stone Anglo-Saxon cross probably dating from the 8th century.
Jim Fadely invited Dr. Jason Kelly IUPUI Arts & Humanities & History Department Chair to speak at our April 24, 2022 Brunch. His presentation was based on his book, "The Society of the Dilettanti." It was well received and followed by a lengthy period of Q & A.
To round out this most interesting year, our Annual Meeting is being held in the Jens Jenson Garden at Marian University to be followed by the Queen's Tea at the Allen Whitehill Clowes Oriental Garden and Tea House.
In closing, I would like to share a point of pride. Our branch is invited to participate in the ESU's 'HAPPY HOUR' programming. On Wednesday, June 8th, our own Nancy Kriplen, and her daughter, Madelyn, will give an interview style presentation of Nancy's book, "The Eccentric Billionaire". Be sure to sign up before the 8th.
One last note of appreciation to my board members. They have been so helpful in so many ways and willing to help pull me out of my frequent computer mishaps.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary-Patricia Warneke
President 2021 – 2022
Toast to Queen Elizabeth - "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN"
Toast to President Biden - " MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE"
Photo from left front: President Mary-Patricia Warneke, down the left side of table (red jacket) Dr. James Fadely (Past President), standing far right, Keith Lerch (Past President)
Photo from left to right: Rosanna Hall, standing Toni Morris (1st VP), Keith Lerch (treasurer), Holly Day (Past President)
Join Us for a Special ESU Centennial Event An Original Radio Play
Mystery Comedy Hosted by Region VI Branches: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Kentucky, St. Louis
Mark your calendar for Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:30 pm EST as ESU's Centennial celebrations continue with a very special event—An Original ESU Centennial Radio Play Mystery Comedy. This is an old-fashioned radio play in the genre of the 1930's and 1940's Sam Spade Detective Radio Plays but with a modern-day twist. This will be a live production with professional actors performing a mystery comedy titled, "The Case of the Missing Parents." Listeners will hear the actors perform, just like the old radio plays.
The story goes like this: Daughter Myra Bradley's parents have been missing for four days. She receives a cryptic postcard in the mail from her parents which says, "We are attending a most glorious celebration. How perfectly marvelous it is to be able to mark this 100th anniversary. We are so looking forward to seeing our friends from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Kentucky and St. Louis. Signed Momsy & Popsy." Myra is frantic. This is not like her parents to leave without letting her know. Myra hires a private detective to find her missing parents. The search begins. It is a fun mystery comedy with many twists and turns.
On Sunday, September 30th the Indianapolis Branch hosted recent TLab scholarship recipient Hilary Miller for a meet and greet. Below is Hilary's presentation.
"Twenty-some members and guests joined our reinstated book club on June 6, 2018 to Skype with author, Brooke Stoddard, about his book World in the Balance: The Perilous Months of June-October 1940. Bookmarks were passed out and the group decided the next book discussion will feature TM Devine's book, To the Ends of the Earth: Scotland's Global Diaspora 1750-2010
The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, and members.
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