Serving the music

It wasn’t something she planned.\nThat is what Helen Clouse says of her life and age. \nClouse has been serving the Jacobs School of Music by assigning students to practice rooms and assisting them for various needs. She is currently the oldest employee at IU. On May 1, she turned 100 years old.\nShe has been assisting music students, offering them not only practice rooms for their duties but a listening ear as well.\n“I don’t feel any older,” Clouse said. “I’m still 99. I wish I could live to be 100 years older and help more students.”\nOn her birthday, the Jacobs School hosted a celebration in front of the music practice building. The school dedicated the decorated bench area in front of the building as “Helen Clouse Plaza” in honor of her services to the \nUniversity. \nCharles Webb, dean emeritus of the Jacobs School, spoke during the celebration, telling of how Helen has touched the lives of students and faculty throughout the years.\n“Many, many people would not be who they are today without her help,” he said. \nIU President Adam Herbert said that Clouse’s dedication and service have made a difference. \n“We wish you another 100 years of a wonderful life,” Herbert said, admiring Clouse’s sharp senses and memory. \nDuring the celebration, Clouse remembers all the students who have come back to visit her. \n“The students have done remarkably well,” she said. “They are all different with all different attitudes. I’ve enjoyed them all; we’ve gotten along very well.”\nClouse has assigned rooms to dozens of other students, but along with assigning the placard with the specific room with the time, Clouse has been investing in something more than the music that flows from the instruments: the student’s lives.\n“The title I have is a proctor – that entitles assigning practice rooms and help(ing) the best I can,” Clouse said. “But it got to be a bigger job than that as I became involved in the students’ lives and their problems.”\nBut Clouse does not say that negatively. While the students’ problems have become a part of her life, Clouse said she helps them in any way she can. \n“Everyone has different problems and things they need,” Clouse said. “I want to help the students, and I like to. \n“I’ll miss the students, because when you’re with them for four years, or more, you know their parents and the things that happen to them ... You become close to them. I didn’t do anything for them. They did it all for me.” \nBefore Clouse came to IU, Clouse married her husband and went with him overseas, where he served in the navy as a captain. Clouse worked as a teacher.\nAfter the navy, Clouse and her husband came to Bloomington in 1960, and her husband found a job in IU’s chemistry department. Clouse, who said she has always worked, found a job in the Jacobs School as the music practice room supervisor where she has been ever since. \n“Oh yes, I’ve been busy,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of people and still hear from many of them... it doesn’t seem like that long.” \nClouse’s husband passed away 12 years ago but she still remembers their 50th anniversary celebration. She has two children. Paul, who passed away last year at 80, and Peter, who is 68 and a graduate of Yale.\nClouse remembers when she first came to IU in 1960, when a credit hour cost $7.50. \n“Everyone has education if they want it in this day and age,” she said. \nClouse’s services to the University will end when she leaves July 1, but until then she will help students in whatever way she can.\n“But you know, life continues and you have to make room for someone else,” Clouse said, noting that her life hasn’t been all that glamourous. “It’s never been a chore to come to work. I’ll miss the students and faculty.” \nClouse will continue to stay in Bloomington after she leaves her job at the Jacobs School of Music. \n“I will try to remember what I’ve done for the first 100 years. I’ve got a bit of writing to do,” Clouse said.\nShe said she plans on using the time after her retirement to write about her experiences. She imagines beginning her book with, “Now I’ve arrived, I’m 100. ...” and continue listing what she believes to be important. \n“I haven’t had time for hobbies. It gets busy when you assign students to rooms – you have to type up the cards and post them on the doors. By the time you’re done it’s another semester,” Clouse said.\nBut Clouse doesn’t look back on her life with regrets. She’s content with where she is and what awaits her.\n“If I was even 80 years old, there are a lot of things I’d like to do, but I’m not,” she said. “I’ve got to be satisfied.”