History Happy Hour: Father Boniface Hardin

Stay connected with the stories of your state. Bring your own beverage and join us for a series of insightful conversations with some of Indiana’s most interesting scholars.

Father Boniface Hardin

A priest, educator, and civil rights leader whose actions helped shape the fight for equality in Indianapolis, Father Boniface Hardin was an instrumental figure whose teachings on faith and equality helped shape the lives of many throughout Indiana. Join Dr. Nancy Chism and Professor John A. Hardin to discuss the life and experience’s of Father Boniface Hardin, who fought for equality in Indianapolis and founded Martin University.

Free Program. Additional opportunities available to support IHS as we continue collecting, preserving, and sharing Indiana’s history.

Registration closes 2 hours prior to the start of the program.

John A. Hardin is a Professor Emeritus of History from Western Kentucky University

His central scholarly interests are 20th century African American history. In 2015, the University Press of Kentucky published the Kentucky African American Encyclopedia. He served as one of the three general editors of this unique book. Also, during his tenure at WKU, he served as an elected member of the Governing Board of the Kentucky Historical Society and appointed member and vice-chair of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission.

His publications include the following books: Onward and Upward: A Centennial History of Kentucky State University 1886-1986 (Frankfort: 1987), Fifty Years of Segregation: Black Higher Education in Kentucky 1904-1954 (Lexington: 1997) and The Pursuit of Excellence: Kentucky State University 1886-2020 (Charlotte, NC: 2021).  He has chapters in the following: Community Memories: A Glimpse of African American Life in Frankfort (Lexington: 2003) and A Commemoration of WKU’s Integration/1956-2006 (Bowling Green: 2006).

Dr. Nancy Chism is a Professor Emerita from Indiana University

From 2005 to 2011 she served as Professor of Educational leadership and Policy Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington. She is a past president of national professional organization and consistent leadership service in other roles; reviewer on major journals; member of many committees at Indiana University on academic issues; Interim Director of Center for Urban and Multicultural Education in 2006-07; extensive past service as administrator and doctoral advisor to over 25 students.

In retirement, she has served as Chair, Martin University Board of Trustees; as Secretary to the Franciscan Hermitage Board of Directors; Secretary for the Greater Naples American Association of University Women Charitable Foundation; and with the Literacy Volunteers of Naples, Florida.

Her publications include Pickin’ Cotton On The Way To Church (IHS Press, 2019), which is an autobiography on Father Boniface Hardin. She has published Peer Review of Teaching: A Sourcebook (Wiley and Sons, 1998), and she has been published over 90 publications, including edited books or journals, book chapters, refereed articles, invited articles and technical reports.

Presented by the Charlitta and Robin Winston Family Fund for African American History

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does it last?

History Happy Hours are informal conversations with IHS staff and scholars that usually last around 60-minutes.

Do I need to be camera ready?

Nope. We will use the Zoom webinar platform, so you can join us from your kitchen table, couch, or the porch. Just make sure you’re ready to type, as we will make sure there is plenty of time for your questions through the chat feature.

What do I need to participate? 

History Happy Hour takes place virtually over Zoom. You can either join through an internet-connected device or calling-in via phone. We will send you a link and phone number through the email you used to register around two hours before the program begins. Don’t see the email? Make sure to check your spam or junk folder.

Do you have other History Happy Hours that I can watch?

We sure do! Check out all our past programs here. (Scroll down to the History Happy Hour menu to see the recordings.)