IU recognizes Clapacs’ career achievements

In 1965, Terry Clapacs rode his last Little 500, packed up his room at Delta Upsilon and graduated from IU with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Forty-four years, six IU presidents and 661 building projects later, the vice president and chief administrative officer is retiring, bringing to an end a career that shaped every IU campus. His work was celebrated Thursday in Alumni Hall by friends, family and coworkers.

“Terry has overseen the construction of nearly half of the buildings on all Indiana University campuses,” said IU President Michael McRobbie in a speech. “It is virtually impossible to look at any Indiana University campus without seeing the impact of Terry Clapacs.”

The ceremony began with an introduction by McRobbie, followed by a video put together by some of Clapacs’ coworkers. McRobbie, Provost Karen Hanson, University Architect Bob Meadows and others gave speeches lauding Clapacs’ long career.

Clapacs was then presented with several awards, including a Sagamore of the Wabash Award and IU Medal, becoming only the ninth recipient of the prestigious medal.

As vice president, Clapacs oversaw several offices and was in charge of IU facilities across the state. Working with the architect’s office, improvements and new construction under his direction is estimated at more than $3 billion, with $750 million more in projects in progress.

He was also in charge of building renovation, human resources and campus police, among other offices.

He was responsible for outdoor spaces and developing IU’s renowned landscaping, leading to IU being named as one of the five most beautiful campuses in the country in Thomas Gaines’ “The Campus as a Work of Art.”

“It is a remarkable achievement,” Hanson said. “He’s really been a guiding spirit in terms of developing IU’s campuses.”

In addition to Clapacs’ facilities duties, he served as interim athletics director and chaired search committees for new men’s basketball and football coaches.

Even though Clapacs’ work duties are finished, he plans to keep an office on campus. For the next couple of years, he will be working on a book about the architectural history of IU.

At the end of the ceremony, the crowd gave Clapacs a standing ovation as he wore his IU medal and shook hands with the other administrators on stage.

Reflecting on his years at IU, an emotional Clapacs came to one conclusion.

“Almost everything good in my life has come from this University,” he said.