APPLAUSE

APPLAUSE is a yearly event when the IPFW Office of Development recognizes donors who have given $1000.00 or more in support of IPFW since the previous APPLAUSE event.  This event of recognition is a formal “Thank You” which takes place in the fall.  Donors are properly recognized for their support to our university.  Donors meet with other donors, as well as with faculty and staff, in a social sit down dinner setting where we inform them of special aspects of our planning and progress.  We also showcase some of the many students who are recipients of scholarships of those in attendance. 

The APPLAUSE event is also the host of the annual presentation of The Shaffer Medal.  The Shaffer Medal is awarded to individuals who have shown outstanding support and dedication to IPFW.  Reference the tab above for more information on the Shaffer Medal. 

Linda Ruffolo and Arnie Ball at APPLAUSE 

The APPLAUSE event is also the host of the annual presentation of The Shaffer Medal.  The Shaffer Medal is awarded to individuals who have shown outstanding support and dedication to IPFW.  Here is some background on the medal.

The Paul E. Shaffer Medal

The Paul E. Shaffer Medal was awarded to Mr. Shaffer in 2002 to recognize his civic leadership activities and financial support to the many civic organizations in the Fort Wayne community and especially to IPFW. He served as Treasurer of the first Community Campaign to raise funds for the IPFW Library. Later he served as Chairman of the one-million-dollar fund drive to improve and expand the Library. He is Chairman of the IPFW Public Members who elect five Board members to the IPFW Foundation. He serves as a Director of the IPFW Foundation and is a member of its Executive Committee. For several years he has been a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee.

Dorothy and Paul Shaffer have committed $500,000 for scholarships for IPFW students and have recently committed $250,000 toward the Paul E. Shaffer Chair in Finance at IPFW.

Before his retirement Mr. Shaffer had been employed at Fort Wayne National Bank for 43 years and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for over 20 years.

For over 50 years he has shared his time and financial support with many civic organizations in our community.

2002 - Paul Shaffer
2003 - Ione Auer
2004 - Ruth Rhinehart
2005 - Ken and Linda Balthaser
2006 - Glenn and Elsie Rossman
2007 - Ron Venderly
2008 - June Enoch
2009 - Howard and Elizabeth Chapman
2010 - Arthur Friedel

Recipients of the Shaffer Medal at some of the recent APPLAUSE events.

Ron Venderly, Paul Shaffer and Chancellor Michael A. Wartell

Paul Shaffer and Howard and Elizabeth Chapman

Paul Shaffer and Arthur Friedel