Bakerman Student Research Awards

The Bakerman Student Research Awards recognize excellence in undergraduate and graduate research papers. The winning papers will incorporate exceptional skill and creativity in utilizing the services, resources, and collections of the ISU Library, while demonstrating an understanding and application of information literacy skills.

Jane Schnabel Bakerman (1931 2004)

Jane Schnabel Bakerman, Professor Emerita of English and Women's Studies, was born July 4, 1931, in Gary, IN. She died in her residence in Terre Haute on June 25, 2004. She was preceded in death by her husband of twenty four years, Professor Theodore Bakerman. She is survived by one daughter, Judith Lindley; one sister, Mavis Reeves; brothers James Schnabel and John Schnabel; one grandchild, Ian Lindley; and several nieces and nephews.

Professor Bakerman did her undergraduate work at Hanover College and received a graduate degree from the University of Illinois with additional work at Indiana University. Before joining the faculty of the Department of English at Indiana State University in 1964, she taught at Lew Wallace High School in Gary, IN, and West Virginia Wesleyan College. As Professor of English, her areas of specialization included American Literature, Women's Literature, Popular Literature, and Detective Fiction. She was one of the founders of the Women's Studies Program at Indiana State University. Her excellence as teacher was recognized by the Caleb Mills Award. A prolific scholar, she wrote or edited several books and many articles. Active professional affiliation included the Popular Culture Association and the Society for the Study of Midwest Literature. Her scholarly work was capped by receiving the George N. Dove Award for excellence in the serious study of crime fiction and the MidAmerica Award for scholarly contributions to the study of Midwestern Literature. In addition, the Women's Caucus of the Popular Culture Association named after her a prize given to promising young scholars.

Jane gave generously of her time, energy, and intelligence to her department and to the greater university community through faculty government and the local, state, and national levels of the American Association of University Professors and to countless individuals of the university community who came to her for advice and guidance in matters involving the actions of the Faculty Senate and its committees or for personal issues of academic freedom, tenure, promotion, or equity. A staunch defender of individuals' rights and a foe of all forms of discrimination, Jane Bakerman served her university, often in opposing segments of it, with dedication to principle and personal integrity.

Text from "In Memoriam" prepared and read at Faculty Senate Meeting, October 21, 2004