These days, life is much different for Dr. Monroe Little Jr. The self proclaimed “book worm” plans to keep his nose buried in some sort of literature, but instead of looking up from written works at students, he will look up to views of his backyard.
He’s spent close to 50 years in academia, nearly 35 of which as a professor at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), and has decided to retire.
“You reach a point in your career when you realize it’s time to do something different,” said Little. “And there are other people there who can continue the work you started.”
During his tenure at IUPUI, Little was an associate professor of Africana Studies and History. Most importantly, he was the founder and former director of the Africana Studies program.
Africana Studies is an evolution of what began as African-American studies, which focused on Blacks in the U.S. Over time scholars realized Blacks are worldwide. Africana Studies represents Blacks’ global presence.
After student teaching and graduating from Denison University with a major in history; receiving his masters and doctorate in History and Afro-American studies at Princeton University; and beginning his professional teaching career at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Little and his wife came to Indianapolis where he began his incumbency at IUPUI in 1980.
“I actually started out wanting to do medicine, but I found teaching more interesting,” he said.
Little said during that time, IUPUI was a school primarily attended by working adults and Afro-American Studies, which is what it was called at the time, was only a minor degree with a handful of courses. He said in the late 90s, the green light was given to hire more faculty members and develop a major in Black studies. Today the Africana Studies major has 16 full-time faculty and five associate faculty members.
“This is one of the pieces of my unfinished work that hopefully those that come after me will be able to correct. Unfortunately we were not able to create a department. So we’re still a program,” said Little. Africana Studies is a program in the School of Liberal Arts.
“What department would’ve really cared about Michael Brown and what happened in Ferguson? Or Freddie Gray in Baltimore? Or even care about the future development of the Black community in Indianapolis,” he added.
To say Little is pro-Black and a staunch advocate of Black history is an understatement.
“Many people contributed to the institutionalization of African American studies, but even when he had to operate in very difficult circumstances, Professor Little’s contribution was large and, above all, sustained over decades,” said Missy Dehn Kubitschek, professor of English, adjunct professor of Africana Studies and adjunct professor of Women’s Studies.
She said there were years of budget crises, miniscule staff and times when Little would have to explain to university brass why Africana Studies is crucial to IUPUI. Little was the assurance that scholarships and classes on African-American subjects were available to all IUPUI students.
Little said throughout his years at IUPUI, he enjoyed and willingly quenched his students’ thirst for the truth about Black history. It was easy to give his students what they desired because he loves history so much.
“I’ve always loved to read. In fact, I gave away boxes of books when I moved out of my office,” laughed Little, who said even as a child growing up in St. Louis, while others were playing, he was reading books on subjects such as the history of the U.S. Navy and World War II.
Now that he’s retired, he can spend his time doing more of what he loves most and said he also plans to rejuvenate the Indianapolis “Joseph Taylor Branch” of the Association for the Study of African American Life & History, of which he is an executive board member of the national organization.
Little’s last day as a professor at IUPUI was May 31. He said he has yet to feel “different” and jokes that time will tell if his wife enjoys him being at home more.
“It probably won’t hit me until next August when I won’t be returning to class,” said Little.
