First Military Professor Celebrated

Seven people of various ages and persuasions stand behind a box with two antique swords and also a pistol.
From left to right: Lloyd Williams, Anthony Giordano, Harold Williams, John Summerlot, Dina Kellams, Evan Brandon, and Provost Shrivastav.
Image courtesy of Noel Photography
Black and White photo of Civil War-looking man. He has a beard and a stern face.
Brigadier General Jacob Ammen  
Photo courtesy of University Archives

On Friday, October 20, 2023, Indiana University Bloomington gathered to celebrate the donation of military artifacts and papers from Brigadier General Jacob Ammen to the University Archives. Bloomington Provost and IU Executive Vice President Rahul Shrivastav was on hand to thank the family for their donation and to note the importance of IU’s first military professor’s possessions coming to the university after 150 plus years. The recognition ceremony took place in the Indiana Memorial Union’s Federal Room, a fitting place for such an honor. Army ROTC and Indiana University Libraries’ University Archives presided over the celebration. 

Ammen’s descendants, Harold and Lloyd Williams, donated Ammen's Colt revolver, his field sword, and ceremonial sword to the University Archives along with correspondence, a diary, and a portrait of the Brigadier General in his military dress. Ammen, who fought in the Civil War for the Union, was a mathematics professor and the first instructor of Military Science at IU. “Big Jake,” the cannon that is fired at the beginning of each football game, is named after him.

The celebration featured several speakers. Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Giordano, current professor of military science, spoke of the foundation Ammen created. Giordano remarked that IU was the fourth institution in the country to provide military instruction. Ammen set IU up for many successes thereafter. 

Next, Lloyd Williams came to the podium and related the story of speaking to Dina Kellams, Director of the University Archives, for the first time. The family wasn’t sure how they would be received, worrying that the IU reception would be one of rejection. Who would want those old things? However, Williams said, the reception was quite the opposite. Kellams and the IU community were excited. Since then, the family has learned of “Big Jake” and other details of their ancestor’s life. 

Last to speak was Bloomington Provost and IU Executive Vice President Rahul Shrivastav, who shared the importance of such historical items in the academic lives of students. He pointed out that artifacts and primary source materials engage students, bringing history to life. 

 

A middle aged man in blue holds onto an elderly man. Next to them is the Provost, who is also in a blue suit. The Lieutenant Colonel is dressed in his military uniform.
Lloyd and Harold Williams stand with Provost Rahul Shrivastav and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Giordano Photo courtesy of Noel Photography

The two swords and pistol were displayed for audience members to enjoy. Archives' staff were joined by John Summerlot from IU  Emergency Management and Continuity and Master of Library Science student Evan Brandon. Summerlot, who used to be the director of the IU Center for Veteran and Military Services, is an avid IU history and military expert. After the program, he shared some of the anecdotes on Ammen he has found while researching. Brandon, a first-year graduate student and employee of the University Archives, had the privilege of describing the collection and wrote a blog post about it.   

 

Two antique swords lay in a box

Table displaying Ammen's picture along with his pistol and two swords

Close up of the photo of Jacob Ammen and his pistol, now in a museum box.

Close up of Ammen and his pistol

The pistol, bronze and wood, up close in a gray box.

Ammen's pistol close-up

Two antique swords, one without its sheath. They are tied with black ribbon into a white box with gray cushions. They are bronze and wooden.

Ammen's field sword and ceremonial sword.

An East Asian Man speaking with an elderly man with a walker and a middle aged man in a blue suit.

Provost Shrivastav listens to Harold and Lloyd Williams talk about Ammen's items.

Provost Shrivastav, an East Asian man, speaks to the crowd at the Ammen event. He stands behind a podium and in front of a woman's portrait and flags.

The Provost speaks about the importance of IU receiving Ammen's items.

A man with gray hair and a beard with glasses in a blue coat speaks behind a podium.

Lloyd Williams talks about his great, great, great, great grandfather's items.

A tall, white man in military dress addresses an audience behind a podium. The American flag is behind him.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Giordano speaks proudly of IU's Military Science program.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Giordano in full dress shaking hands with Harold Williams, an elderly man with a walker. The Provost is looking on while Lloyd Williams helps his father stand.

The Provost and the Lieutenant Colonel show their appreciation.

Two old swords in a box with gray cushioning. They are yellowish as if bronze. Some of the hilt material looks like bone.

Ammen's swords from the side-view.

The elderly man with the walker is shaking hands with the East Asian man. The middle aged-gray haired man holds the elderly man up. Others look on smiling.

Thank yous are shared all the way around.

A crowd of young men surround the Williams family and John Summerlot, who is wearing a pink shirt and light plants. He has on white gloves and is gesticulating above the two swords.

John Summerlot shares his knowledge of the swords.