Fundraising resumes for scholarship in memory of Ray LeBlanc

Ray LeBlanc

A four-year effort to raise money for a scholarship in memory of Ray LeBlanc is resuming.

The intent of the Ray LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship for Theatrical Excellence is to award a Columbus East High School senior who has been active in the school’s theater department and intends to pursue a college-level major or minor in the theatre arts.

Months after LeBlanc’s death in late 2018, the scholarship was established. But contributions only reached about $200 before COVID-19 eclipsed many other considerations, said East auditorium director Kevin Welsh.

Workers who undertook the $3.8 million renovation of East’s Clarence Robbins Auditorium completed in 2020 told Welsh that if he could transport the discarded wiring and scrap metal to Kroots Corp. on State Street, he was welcome to sell it and use the funds for the scholarship.

Although the transport resulted in minor damage to his vehicle, Welsh was able to secure $1,800 for the scholarship fund.

Welsh and other organizers are resuming their fundraising efforts to increase the endowment of the LeBlanc Scholarship.

A New Orleans native who served in the U.S. Navy, Ray Joseph LeBlanc Jr. first taught at a Florida college before being hired as an English and drama teacher at Columbus East. LeBlanc arrived at the beginning of the 1974 -1975 school year, which was the first full year the auditorium was open.

For the next 21 years, LeBlanc often taught classes in the day, worked on sets from late afternoons into evenings and held rehearsals at night.

In 1985, LeBlanc was chosen First Vice-President of the 500-member Indiana Theatre Association. Two years year, he assumed the presidency of the organization. LeBlanc was also a board member of the Columbus Arts Guild community theatre group, as well as a volunteer with the Bartholomew Association of Gifted Education.

LeBlanc, who was named chairman of the Columbus East Department of Performing Arts, was revered as a caring mentor by countless students and peers, Welsh said. His numerous awards and honors include:

  • 1993 Outstanding High School Theatre Educator for Indiana
  • 1993 Presidential Scholars Award (from President Bill Clinton)
  • 1994 Recognized by Arts Indiana Magazine for having an “impact on the arts and the cultural life of Indiana.”
  • 1995 Columbus Mayor’s Arts Award.

Professional playwright, producer and theatrical entrepreneur Phi Bond, a 1993 East graduate who was inducted last year to the school’s Hall of Fame , said LeBlanc “instilled in all of us a deep sense of professionalism that I carry with me to this day.”

Until the Judson Erne Auditorium at Columbus North High School opened in 1985, major companies like Cummins, Inc. and the now-defunct Arvin Industries booked the East Robbins auditorium for their annual shareholders meetings. Working with corporate representatives, LeBlanc and his student staff made sure these important corporate events were staged without a hitch.

Away from East, LeBlanc often directed Mill Race Theatre productions, as well as assisted other community theatre productions.

But he only stepped into the spotlight once in 1979 to fulfill one of his life’s dreams — to portray Fagin in the Mill Race production of “Oliver.”

“I was in that show with him,” Welsh said. “I was one of his street urchins. It was great to perform side-by-side with him.”

When LeBlanc retired in 1995, he moved to Leesburg, Florida, where he volunteered his talents with “The Melon Patch” community theatre. Using his skills as an English teacher, he also volunteered to tutor students with disabilities at Beacon College. In appreciation, Beacon awarded him with an honorary degree.

Although he occasionally made social visits back to Bartholomew County, LeBlanc had not been a part of the Columbus community for 28 years, Welsh said.

“People forget things so easily,” Welsh said. “You mention the name ‘Ray LeBlanc’ and so many in Columbus don’t know who he was. But anyone who has been connected with theatre in this community? They still seem to know his name.”

In terms of his legacy, Welsh feels it’s worth noting that East has only had three drama instructors and auditorium directors over the past 50 years: LeBlanc, English teacher Janelle Runge and Welsh.

“And both Janelle and I are Ray’s former students,” Welsh said. “That made him feel proud.”

How to help

Contributions to the Ray LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship for Theatrical Excellence can be made in the following ways:

Online: Through the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation (BCSF) at bcsfstars.org. Be sure to type “Ray LeBlanc Scholarship” in the area marked ‘special instructions to seller.’

Check: Made payable to BCSF and mail to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation, 1200 Central Avenue, Columbus, In 47201. Make sure to put “Ray LeBlanc Scholarship” in the memo line of the check.

Donation directly to the school: Your check can be made out to Columbus East Theatre and mailed to Columbus East, 230 S. Marr Rd., Columbus, IN, 47201. Put “Ray LeBlanc Scholarship” in the memo line of your check.

Questions: Contact East Auditorium Director Kevin Welsh at [email protected].