For Jerry Bulger, retired USI maintenance supervisor and current part-time University employee, the preparation for the 2021 Fall Fest started in late June. Working off and on over the months leading up to the annual October festival, Bulger brought to life a vision that was first laid out by University of Southern Indiana graduate and supporter Bob Roeder. The float featured a beautiful back sporting the USI academic logo and torch, as well as blooming, colorful mums.
But the fantastic centerpiece of the float was a half-scale model of the Reflection Lake gazebo, which was built and placed on campus by the West Side Nub Club. Bulger's creativity and skill, combined with this idea from Roeder, resulted in a memorable float which earned the Parade Chairman's Award during the Fall Festival Main Parade Saturday, October 9, 2021.
This year, the float featured four members of USI's 1971 graduating class: Gary Adler, Karen Markham, Charlie Scheidegger and Mike Tiemann. Also joining the classmates on the float were Jenny Cissell '98, wife of Steve Cissell, and Mary Roeder, wife of Bob Roeder '71. A dedicated supporter of the University, Bob Roeder put together his memories and experiences from USI in a small booklet titled "A Lifetime of Memories" with help from the USI Foundation. In this, Roeder outlined his wish to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1971 class graduation together with the 100th anniversary of the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.
As part of this recognition, Roeder hoped USI would be represented in the annual Main Parade with a float that featured a miniature design of the gazebo that overlooks Reflection Lake on campus. This gazebo, built in 2005, was a project of West Side Nut Club President Steve Cissell, who was a long-time friend of Roeder's. Cissell and members of the Nut Club designed the structure, including the landscaping, and it has since become a well-loved and recognized spot on campus.
"I believe the gazebo signifies the important closeness between the Nut Club's and the University's growth and continued success," Roeder wrote.
Credits:
Barbara J. Goodwin Janet L. Johnson