Family and friends of the late Tony McClendon are hoping his memory and life’s work will live on through sharing books promoting diversity in Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. schools.
“One of his many goals was to create a rotating ‘Diversity Library’ for all BCSC schools to enjoy and experience how differences can enhance our lives,” said Suzi Bruin, Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation executive director.
His wife, Pat McClendon, still recalls the day her late husband told her about his dream for the library.
Sitting together one afternoon as they always did, Pat McClendon remembers the conversation about diversity — something they agreed was more than just awareness. The conversation came just after the couple had attended a local cultural event.
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“He said that doesn’t really get to true diversity and inclusion and embracing diversity,” Pat McClendon recalled. “He started talking about how he could start putting a little bit more into the schools.”
Avid readers, Pat and Tony McClendon started talking about books they had read that painted an accurate picture of diversity.
Knowing he had a little extra money, Tony McClendon brainstormed the idea of purchasing books to share with teachers across the corporation’s elementary schools through a traveling library program.
“We’re always constantly talking about the dilemma of, ‘How do we close this divide with people thinking that diversity is just what you see versus how do you get to know a person?’” Pat McClendon said.
Tony McClendon, 66, died March 7 before he could see his idea come to fruition, but Bruin wanted to honor his passion in some way.
Beginning this August, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation will divide the funds in the Diversity Fund evenly between the district’s 18 school libraries. The fund currently stands at just below $5,000. With this money and any additional donations, each school will receive books reflecting the diversity of the student population.
Inside each book will also be a note acknowledging Tony’s desire for students to be exposed to diversity.
“We believe this is a great way to continue his (Tony’s) work for years to come and still follow the original intentions of the BCSF Diversity Fund donors,” Bruin said.
Pat McClendon said Tony would “almost be embarrassed” to have his name honored in this way.
“He didn’t ever want to put the spotlight on him, but I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” Pat McClendon said. “It speaks to who he was — someone who really was impassioned for children and young people, because if we take care of the young people, the future begins to take care of itself.”
The long-time Columbus resident dedicated his life to breaking down the barriers faced by Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. students, teachers and staff, his wife said.
An Atlanta native who grew up in the segregated south, McClendon said everyone around him looked like him — his classmates, his teachers, his church congregation.
“Everyone was African American,” said Pat McClendon, Tony’s widow. “He was very protected because he was isolated. His first encounter with anyone was college, and he was shocked. He had this drive to make sure other kids weren’t shocked; that they weren’t isolated like that.”
When Tony McClendon came to Columbus where he worked as the BCSC director of multicultural diversity, he sought ways to create a more welcoming culture for the array of diversity across the city and school district. He celebrated the history and strengths of all people, and he especially wanted each person who stepped through the doors of a BCSC building to feel welcomed.
Over the next two months, Pat McClendon said she will recommend books for the foundation to purchase through the fund. She said she wants to give young people a look into what America really looks like from a cultural perspective — highlighting the good and positive sides of culture to give everyone a glimpse.{div}”Columbus is majority white Caucasian, but yet every one of those students, regardless of where they’re from, will end up in the rest of the world,” Pat McClendon said. “The rest of the world and the rest of corporate America does not look like Columbus. Children of the 21st century have to be open to diversity. The globe is now smaller.”{/div}
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The Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation Diversity Fund is an active fund that is open to accept donations. Those wanting to donate to the fund can send donations to BCSF, 1200 Central Ave., Columbus, Ind. 47201 or online at bcsfstars.org.
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Tony McClendon, 66, of Columbus, died on March 7, 2019 at his home. McClendon worked for BCSC as its director of multicultural diversity. He was also pastor at Faith Ministries.
The former Dartmouth College football player served as a football and track coach through the years with area schools and with youth programs such as the Police Athletic League.
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