Five Nights on Campus explores the life of Jim Thorpe, March 18, 7:30 p.m.
Whitman Discusses Athlete of the Century
Ohio State Marion Communications
MARION, OH - The Ohio State University at Marion’s Five Nights on Campus cultural arts series welcomes La Rue native and author Robert L. Whitman, who will present, A Historical Look at The Life of Jim Thorpe, America’s Greatest Athlete of the Century, Thursday, March 18, 7:30 p.m., in Morrill Hall Auditorium on the Marion campus.
Whitman will delve deeply into the history and life of Thorpe and what makes him a Marion County and national legend. A large collection of memorabilia from Thorpe’s life, especially those items from his NFL days in La Rue, will be on display. Whitman will also share pictures of the man known as, America’s Greatest Athlete of the Century.
According to Whitman, “This great sports figure, of mainly Sac and Fox Indian ancestry, spent some of his life in the Marion area with the Oorang Indians, and NFL franchise.”
“Thorpe excelled in many athletic endeavors, winning gold medals in both the pentathlon and decathlon at the Olympics,” said Whitman.
“His life went far beyond his tribal beginnings,” he explained, “but continued to reflect his Native American Heritage.”
Throughout his career, Whitman has been actively involved in research and writing. Books he has written include: Planning, Promoting and passing School Tax Issues, A Resource Manual for School Levy Campaign Leaders and Jim Thorpe and the Oorang Indians: The NFL’s Most Colorful Franchise.
Realizing that there was an expresses need to document Jim Thorpe’s life through pictures, Dr. Whitman has spent the past year in selecting and researching the stories behind over 200 pictures.
The evening’s presenter, Robert L. Whitman, was born, reared and educated in La Rue, Ohio. He is presently the Director of Chamber Programs and Membership of the Union County Chamber of Commerce in Marysville, Ohio.
A retired school superintendent of 24 years, Dr. Whitman received his B.S. and M.A. degrees from The Ohio State University and his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.
Whitman’s in-depth look into the life of Jim Thorpe is the fourth of five annual performances in the Five Nights series. Tickets for this event are available in advance or at the door. Tickets are $8 general admission, and $3 student admission. For tickets and information on Five Nights on Campus contact Ohio State Marion’s Office of Community Relations at 740-389-6786, ext. 6340.
Five Nights on Campus is a cultural and musical arts outreach to the residents of the seven-county regional service area of Ohio State Marion. The series features a variety of entertainment styles, from jazz to Broadway to early rock n’ roll. The mission of the series is to provide unique cultural and educational opportunities about diverse cultures and backgrounds to the community, while encouraging area residents to take part in university life. The Five Nights series offers residents of north central Ohio an affordable entertainment venue close to home.
This year’s sponsors for the Five Nights series include: Clear Channel Radio, Marion; Herald Printing; Marion Area Health Center; Marion Steel; Smith Clinic; Verizon; Warren Brown Family Foundation; Whirlpool Corporation; and Wyandot Inc.
Five Nights performances slated for the remainder of this academic year are:
FIVE NIGHTS EXTRA! Song Stories by George Kalbouss, April 22, 2004
Kalbouss brings his unique blend of story telling, patriotic, and show tune musical melodies to the Marion campus stage after touring throughout the state of Ohio
The GeezeCats, May 20, 2004
This group of four seasoned musicians with uncommon vocal capabilities will perform classic songs of the late 50’s and early 60’s combining their musical ability with an improvisational style comedy.