The Marching Band building was renamed to Kindley Hall in honor of Dr. Kindley and her late husband.
Briana Blankenship had never met Dr. Caroline Kindley before coming to teach at IWU, but she knows all about the retired music professor.
“Just her legacy and the stories that I heard during my arrival, of just what she meant to the division of music,” Briana Blankenship said, “and the imprint she left on the many hearts of several alumnus.”
Blankenship is the director of Athletic Bands and runs the marching band during football season and pep band during basketball season.
“It’s just going to continue to showcase the importance of what Dr. Kindley means to the university,” Blankenship said.
The official renaming and a ribbon cutting ceremony occurred Saturday.
“I’m not a star, that’s the way I see me,” Kindley said, “So any praise for all of this, and what’s done, is to the Lord for the way that he has helped the department to grow and expand its offerings.”
Faculty and President Kulaga spoke to Kindley’s legacy at the ceremony.
“(Dr. and Mr. Kindley) have put their money where their heart is, and we are so grateful,” Kulaga said during the ceremony.
Kindley came to IWU in 1967 from Canada beforing retiring in 2005.
“We were pretty small as a department in those days, so each of us taught several things,” Kindley said.
During her time at IWU, Kindley was a choir director and taught piano, music appreciation and music history.
“As we grew and got more students, we were able to do more things and to spread out,” Kindley said, “And seeing this marching band, I just think, ‘Oh my!’”
Kindley was the force behind much of the growth for IWU’s music department.
“I wouldn’t be in marching band without her,” Katie Ousley said.
Ousley is a junior trumpet player in marching band studying music education.
“Countless professors have told me stories of her legacy and how she changed their lives,” Ousley said.
Now four years old, the marching band has grown each year and is becoming more involved in campus events like Homecoming.
“I love marching band. I love making music, and I love bringing pep and spirit to the football games,” Ousley said, “And honestly, every person in this ensemble is lovely.”
The band represents over 37 majors including several non-music majors.
“Come to a football game. Come see what we’re about, and we would love to get you involved,” Blankenship said.
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