Glossenger Named Volunteer of the Year

Our volunteers’ creativity, enthusiasm and dedication are incredibly important pieces in our mission to inspire a lifelong love of learning.
And throughout her time at the museum, Doris Kenninger Stump was a passionate and beloved longtime supporter of the Indiana State Museum. Known for her friendly greetings and constant supply of Hershey’s Kisses, Kenninger Stump embodied the best qualities of our volunteers.
The Doris Kenninger Stump Volunteer of the Year Award was created to honor her legacy of enthusiasm and initiative. Supported by the Jaquish & Kenninger Foundation, the award will be given annually to recognize one outstanding volunteer from across the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites who has been nominated by their peers.

The inaugural Doris Kenninger Stump Volunteer of the Year Award was presented this September to Dan Glossenger.
A gifted artist and scientific illustrator, Glossenger has used his talents and enthusiasm to help bring many parts of the museum to life.
When the experience department needed drawings to bring Good Night Forest to life for our adult visitors, Glossenger jumped at the opportunity to put his artistic skills to use. Working under tight deadlines, he created 13 original illustrations that appear in the parents’ guide. His drawings fit Good Night Forest so well that the team also used the artwork for interactive parts of the experience.

“We know we wanted to do some illustrations but had no idea we had such a talented volunteer on staff,” said Adam DeKemper, our director of exhibit design. His illustrations really brought the parent guide to life.”
Glossenger’s love for bringing color and energy to the projects he works on is so evident, both in the artwork itself and the attitude he carries throughout the day.
“Our volunteers normally come in one day per week. Dan came in much more often during his work on Good Night Forest,” said Gail Brown, our archaeology specialist. “Even after the exhibition opened, he continues to come in multiple days on some weeks, because he loves what he does here, and you can tell.”

Over the past year, he has also collaborated with our collections department to make scientifically accurate drawings of specimens from our biology, geology, paleontology and archaeology collections — including a series of drawings identifying the differences between various types of skulls.
The drawings will be used in educational institutions around the state.
In addition to being a skilled artist, Glossenger has become a friendly face to our curators and researchers.
“He shares their passion for science and adds an artistic element to the group. You can sense the camaraderie among them, and it’s amazing,” said Damon Lowe, our chief curator of science and technology.

Glossenger’s creativity, ingenuity and genuine care for everyone who encounters the museum is a fitting testament to both his character and Stump’s legacy.
“I just love that this work can be used and people can appreciate it, so I really enjoy it,” said Glossenger. “I like coming in as much as I can.”