Community spirit, involvement unites South Bend Hall of Fame inductees for 2023

Kathy Borlik
·4 min read

Community spirit, involvement and social action are words that describe the individuals who will become the newest members of the South Bend Community Hall of Fame.

The South Bend Alumni Association will have its 36th annual Hall of Fame induction dinner on Oct. 10 at Century Center. The event will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

The year's inductees are:

⬤ Jack Champaigne, local businessman and philanthropist

Local businessman and philanthropist Jack Champaigne will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.
Local businessman and philanthropist Jack Champaigne will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.

⬤ Dr. Steve Gerber, ophthalmologist, educator, and advocate for free eye exams and glasses

Ophthalmologist, educator, and advocate for free eye exams and glasses Dr. Steve Gerber will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.
Ophthalmologist, educator, and advocate for free eye exams and glasses Dr. Steve Gerber will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.

⬤ James Kapsa, educator, administrator and community activist

James Kapsa, an educator, administrator and community activist, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.
James Kapsa, an educator, administrator and community activist, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.

⬤ Ambassador Timothy Roemer, former U.S. Representative and former ambassador to India

Shown in 2017, Tim Roemer, a former ambassador to India and U.S. Representative from Indiana, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.
Shown in 2017, Tim Roemer, a former ambassador to India and U.S. Representative from Indiana, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.

⬤ Kathy Schneider, retired executive director of St. Margaret’s House

Kathy Schneider, retired executive director of St. Margaret’s House, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.
Kathy Schneider, retired executive director of St. Margaret’s House, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.

⬤ Adeline Wigfall-Jones, longtime businesswoman, barber and community supporter.

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Adeline Wigfall-Jones, a longtime businesswoman, barber and community supporter, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.
Adeline Wigfall-Jones, a longtime businesswoman, barber and community supporter, will be inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center.

⬤ Elizabeth Fletcher-Allen will be inducted posthumously for her work in the 1930s to 1960s for equal rights in the African American community in South Bend. She was an attorney and pro tem judge. She and her husband, J. Chester Allen, were instrumental in desegregating the Engman Natatorium. He was honored by the hall of fame in 2010.

Elizabeth Fletcher-Allen, a lawyer and civil rights activist, will be posthumously inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center. She and her husband, J. Chester Allen, were instrumental in desegregating the Engman Natatorium in South Bend.
Elizabeth Fletcher-Allen, a lawyer and civil rights activist, will be posthumously inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame by the South Bend Alumni Association on Oct. 10, 2023, at Century Center. She and her husband, J. Chester Allen, were instrumental in desegregating the Engman Natatorium in South Bend.

Community service awards will be given to Rita Glenn, Center for Hospice Care and Patrick McMahon. Glenn will receive the Ideal Baldoni Award for Distinguished Public Service. She is the retired St. Joseph County Clerk.

Rita began serving in the clerk’s office starting in 1990. In 2021, she was named Indiana Clerk of the Year by her fellow clerks from across the state.

Since 1980, the Center for Hospice Care has provided hospice, home health, grief counseling and community education services. More than 43,000 patients have been served.

Patrick McMahon has spearheaded business growth and development in the community. He is also committed to the growth of youth hockey organizations.

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Mary Baker, chairman for the dinner, said the inductees are a cross section of the community. “They are amazing and they represent the best of South Bend. We have a philanthropist like Jack Champaigne. Then we welcome Dr. Gerber, who goes into schools to give eye examinations. And we have Mr. Kapsa, who was involved in all levels of education and the Hall of Fame for more than 30 years. Tim Roemer has devoted his life to community service.”

Mary added how pleased she is to honor Kathy Schneider and Adeline Wigfall-Jones. “They give their hearts to the community, and that makes us all better. Kathy helped the homeless women find direction and a purpose for 30 years. Miss Addie has been the cornerstone in the West Washington neighborhood for more than 60 years.”

Elizabeth Fletcher-Allen (1905-1994) was a “tireless supporter of civil rights, housing, employment for the African American community. She was remarkable,” Mary said.

Mary said the inductees “give us all hope’’ that we will continue to grow and thrive.

The community awards honor ongoing contributions. “The community awards are a way to honor people and organizations that have done so much for us, to improve the quality of life. We are familiar with the names but don’t know the depth of their involvement,” Mary said.

As for the proceeds, Mary said, the money is used for an important mission — funding extracurricular grants for all the schools.

The South Bend Alumni Association supports scholarships and presents extracurricular grants to the schools. “Extracurricular activities are not supported by tax dollars. SBAA presents grants to sports teams, to the arts, science clubs, mock trial teams and cheerleaders, to name a few. Then, in turn, the students do community service,” Mary said.

The students rake leaves, pack food boxes, clean a neighborhood or dozens of other things.

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“The students do good work for the community," Mary said. "The service teaches civic pride and responsibility. It makes them look seriously at good deeds again. It closes the circle. If we can get another Jack Champaigne, or Jim Kapsa, or Adeline Wigfall from a group of students, then we are accomplishing great things. That’s why I love SBAA. I love the impact on the community and on the students. I love the way the SBAA makes us better citizens.”

Tickets are $100 a plate. For information about tickets, visit the website southbendalumni.com/sbaa-hall-of-fame. Deadline for registration is Oct. 3.

Kathy's email is kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Community Hall of Fame names class of 2023 for induction