Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

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Theodore Clement Steele O ER in Brown Count}- where Na- ture paints the In- diana skies and the Indi- ana hills with the most delicate brush, there works a master. His name is Theodore Clement Steele. In turn, with a delicate brush he transports the wonders of nature that lie ' ' w I - before his eyes onto canvas to be viewed by men where- ever they are and whatever time the} ' live. Born in Indiana, he was educated abroad and returned to paint his own State. A thousand beau- ties which we have passed by, he has seen and made permanent. This is the work of an artist. It has been remarked that the Indiana school of artists, no less than her men of letters, holds high rank in this country only because of merit. Nlany honors have come to him and great praise has been showered upon him, but Mr. Steele is as the Indiana people think him to be, a citizen and modest gentleman of fine and scholarly tastes, who is inclined to shrink from public praise. However, it is well that his merits be recognized. So Indiana University at the 1916 commencement admitted him to academic fellowship by conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. The following beautiful tribute to Mr. Steele was made by President W. L. Bryan inconferring the degree: He was born nearby, in Owen County. He was educated as a painter in Munich. He did not, like Sargent and W ' hi.stler, leave America to live in Europe. He returned to Indiana. He painted E r a n k 1 i n County. He painted Brown County, He painted parts of south- ern Indiana in everv month of

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The Hoosier University A PEOPLE who, by the strength of their arms and the stability of their character, created from dense forests and unpopulated fields a great commonwealth rich in material things and known to dis- tant parts for the products of its minds, is the Hoosier people. A people that has marched ever forward in steady progress while others talk of progressivism ; a people who move with a unity of action. The work of Hoosier brawn cleared the way for the work of Hoosier brain, which has made itself a living part of literature, art, politics, education, and all the branches of science. Yet, with all his accomplishments, the Hoosier is a man of home. While the people of other States are loyal, the Hoosier loves his soil with a passion that ever remains wherever future residence may take him. Anyone who answers to the same proud name is his neigh- bor and welcome to his goods. And Indiana University is the Hoosier University. It, too, had the humblest beginning, passed through the stern- est difficulties, and emerged a great university on the high road to still greater success. On her wide campus today, as on her smaller one of former years, there is no aristocracy of birth or wealth, and if one there be, it is an aristocracy of individual worth and proven ability.

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the year, in every kind of weather, under a thousand different exquisite skies. He revealed the thrilling beauty that plays over our home land every day of the year. His art has been recognized by those who know. He has won prizes in high competition. He has served in three international juries for the acceptance of American paintings for exhibitions in Paris, St. Louis and San Fran- cisco. He has received the highest honors which can come to a painter in America, — election as associate member of the National Academy of Design. He is one of those who have come up from among us to learn from the academic East and then to do line things out of their own genius at home. He was born in Owen County. He works as Master in Brown County. And now, Theodore Clement Steele, this University which lives to find the upward ways for this people. Joyfully invites you to fellowship. By the direction of the Faculty and Board of Trustees of Indiana Uni- versity, I confer upon you the degree Doctor of Laws. - w ' ' ' ' - ' • « « fj3»fc» j ' — ' S i T-A . i wt • . . ■m ■ Wk L t-; - j. ' ' -j. l-t u. M X J 1 III Brown Count '