Clarinetist turned sociologist honored with a naming

The Karl F. Schuessler Institute for Social Research recognizes the contributions of the long-time IU faculty member. Schuessler joined the IU sociology faculty in 1947 and later became chair of the department. He retired in 1985.

As chair of the department from 1961 to 1969, Schuessler pushed for the creation of the Institute of Social Research as the research arm of the sociology department. The facility at 1022 E. Third St. is interdisciplinary in scope and serves other units of the campus and university.

Schuessler was one of the department’s first Ph.D.’s, receiving his degree in 1947 after his graduate career was interrupted by naval service in the Pacific. He joined the faculty and wrote numerous articles and chapters on methodology and on the substantive area of criminology. His books include Statistical Reasoning in Sociology, Analyzing Social Data, and Measuring Social Life Feelings.

In addition to his many academic accomplishments, he plays jazz clarinet in the Café Jazz Society. One of his first paying jobs was in 1929 at the Bloody Bucket, a speakeasy in Evansville. He was too young to drive, so his older sister had to pick him up after the gig. Later, he played clarinet on river boats going up and down the Ohio River. In the fall of 2000, Schuessler and the Café Jazz Society played at the rededication of the institute now named in his honor.

http://www.angelfire.com/in2/cafejazzsociety/