Written by Cathy Deal, Union Board 1969–1970
“Spend time with people who make you feel good and engage in activities that bring joy.” –Higher Perspective.
That’s the essence of the Union Board experience, isn’t it? Russ Kennedy, Union Board 1971-72, believes so, and his activities both at IU and afterwards reflect that view.
On Union Board, Russ began his participation in 1970 and was on the Board of Directors from 1971–72. Russ was the Director in charge of the Onion Theater. Onion Theatre was created as an opportunity for former high school theatre geeks who did not become theatre majors, to participate in theatre activities on campus at the Union. The Onion Theater had a competition and produced a student-written musical, had a student-written one act play competition with winners produced at the IMU, and also did a “readers’ theater” production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” presented in the IMU’s South Lounge.
Skill in special-event coordination, says Russ, was enhanced by these Union Board responsibilities, as well as savvy in media relations, marketing, and promotion.
The Oaklawn Forum lecture series featured a series of lectures around a central theme for the season, and included speakers on child development, addiction, creativity, and other topics. Speakers included Charles Osgood of CBS News, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo), numerous self-help authors, and Kitty Dukakis, among others. As importantly, he perfected a big picture thinking ability while simultaneously giving constant attention to detail, all while developing leadership in others on his team.
Communications skills training loomed large in Russ’ Union Board experience and laid the foundation for his vocational accomplishments in post-graduate life. Russ was employed as Assistant News Director/Reporter at WNDU Stations in South Bend, IN, and as the Market Communications Director at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in South Bend, IN. Russ has received the Indiana Associated Press Award for Best Breaking News Coverage (outside of Marion County, IN). In the academic world, Russ was Adjunct Faculty in Communications Studies at IUPUI, Associate Dean at ITT Technical Institute in Indianapolis, and Director of Institutional Effectiveness at the Art Institute of Indianapolis.
Music was and remains a key force in Russ’ life, a legacy from his love of musical theatre activity with Union Board. He quotes Vaughan Fleischfresser, who said that, “Making music with others is one of the closest things we have to a superpower.”
An enthusiastic baritone in the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, Russ enjoyed singing in four holiday concert performances, prepared nineteen songs for their holiday concert, and now will sing with the Chorus in multiple events this spring: Muppet Mania, South Pacific in Concert (with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), and a concert supporting the Indiana Youth Group. For personal listening enjoyment, Russ chooses Broadway tunes, the music of Motown, and the roar of Indy 500 race cars while gathering trackside with family on Memorial Day. He also is devoted to live performances of Broadway musicals and especially enlivens social gatherings by singing along to favorite movie musicals (while enlisting friends on hand).
Russ’ involvement with community extends as well to propelling service organizations towards their missions. Russ served as Director of Education and Legislative Affairs for the Mental Health Association in Marion County, IN. A recipient of the CASPER Award from the United Way of Central Indiana, Russ directed a campaign to increase awareness of clinical depression in the Indianapolis area, screening over 1,000 people. He has served as President of the Indiana Society for Hospital Public Relations and Marketing, President of the South Bend Press Club, President and Membership Chair of the Michiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, National Membership Chair for the Society of Professional Journalists, Treasurer of the Indiana Association of Private Career Colleges and Schools, and a participant in the Indianapolis Aids Walk.
Given his wealth of experiences, what is Russ’ advice to current Union Board students? “Take advantage of the friendships that can last for a lifetime. Think about service to your fellow students and not just how Union Board looks on your resume. Involvement in college sets the stage for community involvement later in life.”
Leave a Reply