About Us/Supporters

     Mike Downs came to IPFW in the fall of 1966 for what he thought would be a temporary position while he finished his Ph.D. That temporary position became a 34+ year career that provided great benefit to IPFW, Indiana, and to Mike. After Mike passed away in January of 2001, a group of his friends, colleagues, and family were trying to think of an appropriate way to honor his service and life. The challenge was to come up with something that combined the different ways in which Mike touched people's lives. For some, Mike touched their lives as a teacher. Mike touched other lives by providing invaluable advice on political matters. Still others were touched by the fact that he treated all people with dignity and respect and expected others to do the same. No matter how a person met or knew Mike, one thing that always came through was his love of politics and his understanding of the role politics and government play in our lives on a daily basis.

     After much thought and discussion, the decision was made to create a center that studies state and local politics in a way that emphasizes the importance of the role citizens play in political and public processes. As Mike knew, each generation has a duty to pass on to the next the beauty, strength, and transcendent principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. If we fail to do this, we will be failing to do our part to protect and preserve the basic principles that helped create our nation.

     The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics is the first non-partisan center in Indiana devoted to helping people understand the importance of active participation in the free society and the ways that politics impact our daily lives. No other process allows us to effect so much potential, positive change in our community and state. The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics is the first center devoted to studying the politics of a particular state.

     The Board of Directors has 8 members.  Three are family members or their designees.  One represents the Department of Political Science at IPFW.  There is one representative for each political party that received at least 10 percent of the vote in the most recent race for Indiana’s Secretary of State.  An IPFW student or alumnus also has a seat on the Board.  The final member is a member of the community elected by the supporters of the Mike Downs Center.  The Secretary/Treasurer of the Board is an ex-officio member.  The Secretary/Treasurer may cast a tie-breaking vote.

The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics wishes to recognize those who have served on the Board of Directors in the past and thank them for their service. 

     The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics is the first non-partisan center in Indiana devoted to helping people understand the importance of active participation in political and public processes.  To accomplish our goals of increasing understanding and active participation, the Center strives to appeal to scholars, teachers, candidates, campaign workers, political junkies, voters, and the general public.  The Center does this by providing a diverse list of high-quality projects.

     The work of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics is supported through the generous support of IPFW and donations from community-minded people like you.  To become a supporter, make out your check to “IPFW Foundation” and write “Mike Downs Center” on the memo line of the check.  Mail the check to:            

Mike Downs Center
2101 East Coliseum Blvd., LA209
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805

     If you would like to make your contribution with a credit card, please go to IPFW’s Development web page or call Paula Rice at (260) 481-6962.

     The Mike Downs Center also can provide services for a fee.  If you have a project you would like to discuss, please contact the Director at (260) 481-6691 or downsa@ipfw.edu. 

     If you would like more information about the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, you can contact the Director at (260) 481-6691 or downsa@ipfw.edu. 

The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics wishes to thank all of the people and organizations that have provided support over the years.  All support is appreciated, but we want to pay special attention to those who have been the most generous either by providing great financial support or by providing consistent support over the years. 

Below are lists of the supporters who have provided the most support and on-going support.  Thank you.