Paul Helmke
Democratic ideals are often conflated with the Democratic Party of today, but long-time Republican (now more of an Independent) Paul Helmke’s Indiana ‘67 view of self-governance reaches across time. Even his membership to Phi Kappa Psi spans generations, his father and grandfather having been brothers before him.
When Paul visited the Indiana University Phi Psi house in 1966, it wasn’t just his family that influenced his decision to join. Impressed by Phi Psi’s campus leadership and commitment, they promoted good grades and civic discourse. Navigating the campus helped young Paul to learn people skills and brotherly debate.
“There’s no bumper sticker solution to any problem,” he laughed. “There are a lot of nuanced issues, and you’ve got to learn the nuance before you can really make a difference.”
Paul’s major in political science helped him when he was elected student body president in 1969. Earning a 3.96 GPA, Paul went on to Yale University Law School, perhaps the most prestigious program in the country. This empowered Paul not only to practice law but also to pursue a political career of purpose, running for mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and winning his initial race in 1987, along with two subsequent re-elections. His 12-year tenure is marked by Paul’s outreach to minorities and serving as president of the US Conference of Mayors. In 1998, Paul won the Republican primary for US Senate, but he found himself campaigning against another Indiana Beta—Democrat Evan Bayh Indiana ‘75!
“We ran a simple campaign. Disagreed on a lot of things but agreed on a lot of things. Part of [campaigning] was that camaraderie and a feeling of brotherhood,” Paul said.
Paul then focused his energy on an epidemic that kills nearly 40,000 Americans per year. According to the Center for Disease Control, firearms are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1 to 17, claiming more lives than illness or automobile accidents. Paul became president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, named after James Brady, who survived the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. Brady’s 2014 death was ruled a homicide due to the brain damage he sustained from the shooting.
When discussing sensitives issues like gun deaths and second amendmant rights, Paul said, “Educate yourself, and learn as much as you can about the issue.”
Paul’s shining career taught him lessons he wishes to impart to young people. “Have fun, find new experiences, and become a more well-rounded person.”
His engagement with the community and greater world still aligns with a passion for self-governance. Paul now teaches full-time at IU as a ‘Professor of Practice’ and directs the Civic Leaders Center, a living-learning community for first-year undergrads interested in civic engagement. As part of this program, he takes students on study-abroad trips to Greece, the birthplace of democracy, where they read classics and visit sites like Ancient Olympia.
“We discourage [the students] from wearing too much Greek letters. It confuses the Greeks,” Paul said, while he credits his service to others to the fraternal experience. “I treasure those memories and those moments.”