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Voices from the IU Bicentennial Indiana University

Romola Latchem Hicks: IU Northwest’s Speech and Theater Legend

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By: Bre Anne Briskey, Bicentennial Graduate Assistant

Romola Hamilton Hicks née Latchem at the University of Iowa. Courtesy of the University of Iowa Yearbook, 1919

The 1930s and ’40s are considered by many to be the “golden age of radio.” This golden age spread all over the United States, and reached the Indiana University Northwest campus through Romola Latchem Hicks, a professor at the school and former actress and popular radio host.

Hicks was hired by what was then called the IU Calumet Center in 1942 as a lecturer and went on to spend two decades on the campus. During her time working for Indiana University at Calumet, she constantly engaged with the community to make an immense impact on both the campus and the region.

Early Life and Education

Born on August 19, 1898 to Frank and Kate Latchem, Hicks grew up in Washington City, IA.[1]

Hicks attended the University of Iowa, where she participated in the Women’s Championship Debate and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1919.[2] After graduation, Hicks worked as a public school teacher first in Iowa City and then in Emmetsburg, IA.[3] Hicks went on to earn a master’s of arts degree at the University of Iowa in 1925.[4]

Using Her Voice: Work in Academia and Radio

 By 1925, Hicks moved to Rockford, IL with her husband and son.[5] It was there that Hicks first began working in higher education, as a professor in the speech department at Rockford College.[6]

In addition to her teaching, Hicks had a budding career in radio. Throughout the late 1920s and early ‘30s, she was listed as a “hostess” for a radio station, which meant Hicks hosted radio shows and played characters in skits.[7] One radio station that Hicks worked for was KFLV in Rockford, where she performed  in many roles, including  station secretary, the actress who played the recurring character Nancy Lee, and director of  the home maker’s hour.[8]

Apart from her work at Rockford College and KFLV, Hicks was involved in several acting troupes and did work for several other organizations before coming to the Indiana University Calumet Center. She was part of the Orpheum Players, Rockford Players, and Belfry Players. Hicks also worked as a radio dramatic artist for Columbia Broadcasting Network (CBS) and National Broadcasting Networks (NBC).[9]

In 1939, Romola Hicks and her family moved to Chicago, where Hicks began work as an assistant psychologist at the city’s Bureau of Child Study.[10] However, Hicks decided to return to teaching, which eventually led her to the IU Calumet Center.

Romola Latchem Hicks at Rockford Colleg.Courtesy of the Rockford College Yearbook, 1927

Coming to Indiana University

In 1942, Hicks became an instructor at the IU Calumet Center. At the time, the campus was still known as the Calumet Center; in 1962, the Calumet Center and the Gary Extension Center joined to form  Indiana University Northwest. Hicks ended up staying at IU for twenty years and rising to the rank of assistant professor emeritus of speech and theater.

As an instructor at IU’s northwest extension center, Hicks utilized her academic education and real-world experience in the radio business to lecture on 20th century drama and speech. In addition to these subjects, Hicks also taught classes on literature and composition.[11]

Hicks also gave performances and lectures on other IU campuses. During the 1946-1947 academic year, she gave three lecture-recitals at the IU South Bend-Mishawaka Center in Room 114 of Central High School. The first one, “Theater Backgrounds for Today’s Playgoers,” took place on March 26, 1947. The second one took place two weeks later on April 9, titled, “Seeing a Play with Heart and Mind.” The final lecture-recital Hicks gave was on April 23, titled “Plays and Playwrights of the 1946 Season. The cost for the entire lecture series was $2.[12]

While teaching at the extension center, Hicks was an active lecturer and professor. In 1954, Hicks taught a course on “Improving Your Voice,” which aimed to instill the basic fundamentals in voice training through using professional equipment.[13]

During the second semester of 1959-60, Hicks taught a course titled, “Plays and Playwrights of the 20th Century II.” This course was divided up into sixteen lectures and was a study on English, Irish, and American playwrights’ dramatic literature. The cost for noncredit students at IUN was $15. Originally appointed as an instructor for the Calumet Campus, the IU Board of Trustees appointed Hicks assistant professor in May 1960.[14]

Her Legacy

Even though she was busy teaching, Hicks remained active in her community and offered opportunities to educate her community on the arts. Her academic training and work experience as an actress and radio hostess launched her interest in teaching the greater Northwest Indiana community about the arts.

During 1956, Hicks gave a free public lecture at the Center Lounge in East Chicago on the “1955-1956 Theater.”[15] In 1957 Hicks presented a program at the Highland Dairy Mothers Club.[16] At the December 1958 meeting of the East Chicago Woman’s Club, Hicks reviewed three Broadway plays: “Look, Homeward, Angel,” “The Music Man,” and “Edwin Booth.”[17] In December 1960, Hicks narrated “On a Christmas Eve” for the University of Chicago Service League’s Christmas program.[18] Hicks never stopped engaging with her community and voicing her thoughts on the arts industry.

In the fall of 1963, Hicks retired as assistant professor emeritus of speech and theater after more than 20 years at the IU Calumet Center.[19] After Hicks retired, she relocated to Chapel Hill, NC. Hicks continued to engage with  her new community. She taught classes such as “Effective Speech” at Meredith College, located in Raleigh, during their 1970 Learn-In. The workshop had four courses, including “Mrs. Romola L. Hicks teaching Effective Speech.” Hicks was noted in the program as a distinguished “former actress and producer of radio programs with NBC and CBS.”[20]

Hicks passed away on July 6, 1991 in Fairfax, VA.[21] Both Northwest Indiana and IU Northwest have Romola Latchem Hicks to thank for the development of the region and campus’s appreciation of arts and culture.

As an actress and participant in the golden age of radio, Hicks taught hundreds of students both on the campus and in the community about the importance of the arts.

Bibliography

  1. “Ad: Indiana University Calumet Center,” The Times, 26 January 1960, pg. 5. https://www.newspapers.com/image/310031082/?terms=%22Romola%2Bl%2Bhicks%22.
  2. com. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.
  3. com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc26&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=eHBGvkfckxqJqwpNsj%2BO9A%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=hicks&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=1233284738&dbid=2469&indiv=1&ml_rpos=4
  4. “Bruce Hicks,” The Times, 21 November 1947, pg. 2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/308914490/?terms=%22Romola%2BHicks%22%2B%22obituary%22.
  5. Conferring of Advanced Degrees in Arts, Science by President Jessup,” The Daily Iowan, 9 June 1925, pg. 1. http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1925/di1925-06-09.pdf.
  6. “E.C. Woman’s Club Departments in Joint Party,” The Times, 18 December 1958, pg. D-4. https://www.newspapers.com/image/310362903/?terms=%22Romola%2Bl%2Bhicks%22.
  7. “Highland Mother’s Club Meeting,” The Times, 07 October 1956, pg. C-2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/54750809/.
  8. Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830–1950.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records. https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc24&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=tZ5LK7hd%2Bmp%2BMwzdHO5RJw%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=latchem&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=1071815&dbid=2547&indiv=1&ml_rpos=3.
  9. Iowa Department of Public Health; Des Moines, Iowa; Series Title: Iowa Marriage Records, 1880–1922; Record Type: Textual Records.
  10. IU Trustee Minutes, 16-19 May 1960, IU Archives, Bloomington. http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/iubot/view?docId=1960-05-16.xml&chunk.id=d1e1630&toc.depth=1&toc.id=d1e1630&brand=iubot&text1=Romola%20Hicks&op1=and&op2=and&field1=text&field2=text&field3=text&startDoc=1#1.
  11. IU Trustee Minutes, 24 April 1964, IU Archives, Bloomington. http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/iubot/view?docId=1964-04-24.xml&chunk.id=d1e116&toc.depth=1&toc.id=d1e116&brand=iubot&text1=Romola%20Hicks&op1=and&op2=and&field1=text&field2=text&field3=text&startDoc=1#.
  12. “KFLV Family One Busy, Lively Group,” Radio Digest, February 1930, pg. 67. https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Early-Radio/Archive-Radio-Digest-IDX/RD-IDX/Radio-Digest-1930-02-Page-0069.pdf.
  13. “Language, Voice Classes Added At IU Center,” The Times, 24 January 1954, pg.33. https://www.newspapers.com/image/305091136/?terms=%22Romola%2Bl%2Bhicks%22.
  14. “Meredith College Plans Learn-In July 13-16,” Rocky Mount Telegram, 07 July 1970, pg. 7. https://www.newspapers.com/image/340166917/?terms=%22Romola%2Bl%2Bhicks%22
  15. “The Modern Theater,” in Adult Education Series: Indiana University, 1946-1947 Second Semester, (Bloomington: Indiana University, December 1946), vol. 1, no. 2, pg. 7. Archived in the Indiana University Archives of Institutional Memory. https://www.newspapers.com/image/54750809/.
  16. “PTA Plans Tea for Mothers of Freshmen,” Chicago Tribune, 15 September 1946, part 3 pg. 3. https://www.newspapers.com/image/214674590/?terms=%22Romola%2Bl%2Bhicks%22.
  17. “Theater Topic Work at Indiana Center,” The Times, 29 September 1956, pg. 27. https://www.newspapers.com/image/307606521/?terms=%22Romola%2Bl%2Bhicks%22
  18. of Chicago Plans Annual Musical Show,” Chicago Tribune, 08 December 1960, pg. 38. https://www.newspapers.com/image/374750021/?terms=%22Romola%2Bl%2Bhicks%22.
  19. University of Iowa. University of Iowa Yearbook. Iowa City, Iowa. 1919, p. 63.
  20. “U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012”; School Name: Rockford College; Year:  https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc12&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=wN3JHlHcawcfwDz%2B9xbg/g%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=Romola%20Latchem%20&gsfn_x=NN&gsln=hicks&gsln_x=1&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=0&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=243512707&dbid=1265&indiv=1&ml_rpos=1.
  21. Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Deaths, 1912-2014. https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc27&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=eHBGvkfckxqJqwpNsj%2BO9A%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=hicks&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=4837524&dbid=9278&indiv=1&ml_rpos=10.
  22. Year: 1910; Census Place: Washington Ward 2, Washington, Iowa; Roll: T624_427; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0134; FHL microfilm:  https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc24&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=tZ5LK7hd%2Bmp%2BMwzdHO5RJw%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=latchem&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=188293402&dbid=7884&indiv=1&ml_rpos=7.
  23. Year: 1920; Census Place: Iowa City Ward 2, Johnson, Iowa; Roll: T625_496; Page: 3A; Enumeration District:  https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc25&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=tZ5LK7hd%2Bmp%2BMwzdHO5RJw%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=latchem&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=43801407&dbid=6061&indiv=1&ml_rpos=6. AND https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc25&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=tZ5LK7hd%2Bmp%2BMwzdHO5RJw%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=latchem&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=44097189&dbid=6061&indiv=1&ml_rpos=8.
  24. Year: 1920; Census Place: Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; Roll: T625_505; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 190.
  25. Year: 1930; Census Place: Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 0014; FHL microfilm:  https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc26&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=eHBGvkfckxqJqwpNsj%2BO9A%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=hicks&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=88391773&dbid=6224&indiv=1&ml_rpos=3.
  26. Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00935; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 103-477. https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=QQc26&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&qh=eHBGvkfckxqJqwpNsj%2BO9A%3D%3D&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=romola&gsfn_x=1&gsln=hicks&gsln_x=1&msbng=dorothy&msbns=latchem&mssng=frank&mssns=hicks&_83004003-n_xcl=m&catbucket=rstp&MSAV=1&uidh=qit&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=144603945&dbid=2442&indiv=1&ml_rpos=2.

Notes

[1] “Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830–1950.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.

[2] University of Iowa Yearbook, 1919.

[3] Year: 1920; Census Place: Iowa City Ward 2, Johnson, Iowa; Roll: T625_496; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 96; Year: 1920; Census Place: Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; Roll: T625_505; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 190.

[4] “Conferring of Advanced Degrees in Arts, Science by President Jessup,” The Daily Iowan, 9 June 1925, pg. 1.

[5] Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

[6] Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

[7] Year: 1930; Census Place: Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 0014; FHL microfilm: 2340306

[8] “KFLV Family One Busy, Lively Group,” Radio Digest, February 1930, pg. 67.

[9] “The Modern Theater,” in Adult Education Series: Indiana University, 1946-1947 Second Semester, (Bloomington: Indiana University, December 1946), vol. 1, no. 2,  pg. 7. Archived in the Indiana University Archives of Institutional Memory.

[10] Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00935; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 103-477

[11] “Bruce Hicks,” The Times, 21 November 1947, pg. 2.

[12] “The Modern Theater,” in Adult Education Series: Indiana University, 1946-1947 Second Semester, (Bloomington: Indiana University, December 1946), vol. 1, no. 2,  pg. 7. Archived in the Indiana University Archives of Institutional Memory.

[13] “Language, Voice Classes Added At IU Center,” The Times, 24 January 1954, pg.33.

[14] IU Trustee Minutes, 16-19 May 1960, IU Archives, Bloomington.

[15] “Theater Topic Work at Indiana Center,” The Times, 29 September 1956, pg. 27.

[16] “Highland Mother’s Club Meeting,” The Times, 07 October 1956, pg. C-2.

[17] “E.C. Woman’s Club Departments in Joint Party,” The Times, 18 December 1958, pg. D-4.

[18] “U. of Chicago Plans Annual Musical Show,” Chicago Tribune, 08 December 1960, pg. 38.

[19] IU Trustee Minutes, 24 April 1964, IU Archives, Bloomington.

[20] “Meredith College Plans Learn-In July 13-16,” Rocky Mount Telegram, 07 July 1970, pg. 7.

[21] Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Deaths, 1912-2014.

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