Richard Paige — It was fitting that on a day where the Indianapolis Association of Wabash Men hosted its Leadership Breakfast with a presentation that spotlighted effective leadership of K-12 education in a changing world, most of the audience was there to honor a teacher.
As the IAWM bestowed its Man of the Year award Thursday on Dr. David Blix ’70, one of Wabash’s most beloved teachers used the words of a classmate – and perhaps the College’s most revered teacher – to pinpoint his thoughts.
“When I started teaching at Wabash I was filled with great anxiety about what to do and how to proceed
and I got some advice from my friend and colleague Bill Placher ’70,” Blix started. “Bill said to me one day, ‘if you can come to love the minds of our students, then you will be able to be a teacher.’
“I took that to heart, and I’d like to think that over the years I have been able to do that.”
Marcus Manges ’10, Regional President of Accelerent, agreed with the sentiment as he presented Blix with the award. “Professor Blix is always imparting wisdom for life and cares deeply for his students, both current and former. In my mind, you could give this award to him every single year.”
Unfortunately, the Associate Professor of Religion’s remarks were brief. He had to hustle back to campus to teach.
Blix was among an impressive group of speakers, including Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education; Jim Williams ’88, Muncie Community Schools School Board President; and Scott Bess, Head of School, Purdue Polytechnic High School.
