Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2002

About Merle R. Draper

Merle R. Draper received an M.S. in Education from Western Illinois University in 1955 and a Doctorate in Counseling and Guidance Education in 1965 from Indiana University. Upon graduation, she became a counselor at the Indianapolis Downtown Campus of Indiana University. She taught Introduction to Teaching and undergraduate and graduate courses in reading. When the School of Education was formed, she served as the Assistant Director for Student Services, then concurrently as the Assistant Director for Administrative Services, Director of the Curriculum Resource Center and Director of the IUPUI Guided Study Program.

In 1970 she established the Curriculum Resource Center. The Center is currently housed in the Education Social Work Building and has grown to become an impressive collection.

Since her retirement in 1986, Dr. Draper has been actively involved in public relations, and in technical and production aspects of the Pine Box Musical Theatre, Nashville, Indiana. She has continued to support the school, and is honored today for the creation of the Merle R. Draper Fund for the Curriculum Resource Center. She intends that the Fund will continue to improve the Center by providing resources for curriculum development and the professional improvement of students, faculty and alumni.