Last Updated on July 6, 2019 by cassnetwork
One of Logansport’s long-time music educators is recognized this week for his many contributions to education and the arts.
Dan Mordenti has been named Citizen of the Week by Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell.
“Logansport was well known in the 20th century for producing several outstanding music educators, and while many returned to Logansport, Dan went on to perform some great things not only as a musician, but as an administrator at the high school and college levels,” Kitchell said.
While at LHS, Mordenti was active in various musical groups and worked at Marocco’s Music Mart in the 500 block of East Broadway. After college, he began his teaching career at Young America School which became part of the Lewis Cass School Corporation. He returned to Indiana University for his master’s degree and completed it while teaching at LHS. He began his doctoral work in music and administration at IU and was hired to teach music and choral instruction at Indiana University Kokomo. He organized, conducted and interpreted for a 1972 Indiana University Kokomo Goodwill Singers tours of Italy.
For several decades, he judged vocal and instrumental competitions in Indiana. He was the research chair for the Indiana Music Educators Association from 1974 to 1978.
After earning his superintendent’s license, he became the first principal at Lafayette Central Catholic High School who was not an ordained priest. He then became the administrator of Logansport’s Ivy Tech State College campus where he worked until retirement. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash for his dedication to education.
He was recently honored at Anderson High School for his impact on the career of Richard Geisler, a Logansport native who now heads Anderson’s music programs.
One of his former students, Bill Stephenson, credits Mordenti with enabling him to earn a living as a musician. Now a professor and academic administrator in Florida, Stephenson, a 1978 LHS graduate, still keeps a music stand in his office with an Arban’s private lesson music book marked up by Mordenti to remind him to practice and emulate his compassion, discipline, dedication and joy.
Mordenti will receive a $20 gift certificate and a certificate from the Mayor’s Office. The program recognizes Logansport natives, current and former residents and is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office.
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell