Staff members reflect on ‘extraordinary’ alumnus

Residential Programs and Services hopes to create a scholarship in the name of an alumnus known for his dedication to civil rights, said RPS Director of Academic Initiatives and Services Nancy Lorenz.

Thomas Irving Atkins, the namesake of IU’s Atkins Living Learning Center, showed his leadership and passion for success by becoming the first black president of the IU Student Association in 1960. Atkins died last month at the age of 69 after suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a degenerative muscular disease.

An Indiana native, Atkins rose far beyond the segregation that existed in his time. In Boston, he was known for being one of the most active civil-rights attorneys and was the first black candidate to be elected to the Boston City Council. He was president of the Boston chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and later served as the national organization’s lead lawyer.

He was recognized by IU for his hard work after college. Along with having the Atkins Living Learning Center named after him, he received the Thomas Hennessy Award from the Residence Halls Alumni Association, an award that recognizes success in an individual’s professional or public service work; as well as an award for distinguished alumni, said Lorenz, who was also in the task force that established the Atkins Living Learning Center in 1994.

Lorenz acknowledged that Atkins fought an “uphill battle all his life.” Atkins had polio as a child, grew up in segregation and suffered from sclerosis for almost 20 years.
Lorenz said she saw great qualities in Atkins when he visited the center.

“It was amazing how the students immediately responded to him,” she said. “That is real important. It seemed so easy for him to interact with younger students. They had a common bond immediately.”

The Atkins Living Learning Center celebrates black history while promoting community service and academic success, according to the RPS Web site.

Janet C. Bell, IU alumna and author of a book depicting her own life as a black woman growing up in Indiana, said she cannot believe Atkins became a student leader during a time of rigid segregation.

“He must’ve been an extraordinary person,” she said. “To be able to transcend the traditional view of blacks (at the time).”

Bell also gave credit to IU students, saying it’s important to know one detail about them – being open to change.

“Historically and currently, the students here at IU are more open and willing to change than the institution they attend,” she said. Atkins made sure to take advantage of that.
Dean of Students Dick McKaig, who said he had the pleasure of meeting Atkins once, remembers him as a very well-spoken, accomplished man.

“His being elected as the first black class president at IU is a clear indication that he was a leader,” he said.

IU was just the beginning for Atkins. Bell said she remembers him being a major figure in Boston as well.

“I lived in Boston while he lived there,” she said. “His extraordinary qualities of leadership continued throughout his life.”

Lorenz said she was astonished by Atkins’ leadership and, most importantly, his kindness.

“One of his last wishes was that anyone who wished should make donations to the Thomas Atkins Living Learning Center through the IU Foundation,” she said.