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Gene Elwood Sease, who served as president of the University of Indianapolis for nearly two decades and led one of the city’s top public relations firms, is being remembered for “leaving an indelible mark on the city of Indianapolis.”
Sease, who died May 30 at age 92, was also a prominent civic, corporate and philanthropic leader in Indianapolis, serving on a long list of boards and community organizations.
An ordained minister with five earned degrees and several honorary ones, Sease was president of UIndy from 1970 to 1988 and chancellor in 1989 during a period of major transformation for the university.
Under Sease’s leadership, the university changed its name from Indiana Central College to Indiana Central University in 1975 and from Indiana Central University to the University of Indianapolis in 1986.
The UIndy campus also transformed under Sease with the construction of the Lilly Fitness Center, Krannert Memorial Library, Key Stadium, the Zerfas Wing of Lilly Hall and New Hall, which was renamed Ray & George Crowe Hall in 2012.
The Sease Institute at UIndy is named in his honor.
Under Sease, UIndy saw significant growth in enrollment, fundraising, market presence and academic offerings, the school said in a news release.
“In honoring Dr. Sease’s legacy, we are reminded of the profound impact that one person can have on an institution and a community,” the university said. “His passing leaves a void in our hearts, but his legacy reminds us to continue the work that he dedicated his life to. Dr. Sease was a tireless champion of higher education and we owe him a debt of eternal gratitude for helping build a strong foundation that will continue to serve generations of students.”
Sease, Lou Gerig and Sease’s son David purchased a public relations firm founded by Howard Wilcox in 1987. With Sease serving as chairman of Sease Gerig & Associates from 1988 to 2022, the downtown firm was one of the most active communications firms in the city.
Sease served as chairman of the Indiana State Fair Commission for three governors over nine years and he chaired the Central Indiana United Way campaign in 1979.
He served as board chairman for numerous organizations over the years, including the 500 Festival, American Cablevision of Indianapolis (now Spectrum), Community Hospital of Indianapolis, the Holiday on the Circle Committee and the Downtown Public Safety Task Force. He was also vice chairman of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (now Visit Indy).
Sease also spent time as president of the Associated Colleges of Indiana (now Independent Colleges of Indiana), Japan-American Society of Indiana, Sheriff’s Merit Board of Marion County (under three sheriffs) and the St. Francis Hospital Advisory Board.
A recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash award from four Indiana governors, Sease helped lead the formation of Martin University, the only predominantly black university in the state.
He hosted “Portraits,” a program on WTTV, for six years, where he interviewed Hoosier personalities.
Born in Portage, Pennsylvania, Sease moved to Indianapolis in 1968. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Joanne, three children, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
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