Robert Wise, born in 1914 in Winchester, IN, grew up in Connersville, IN. He attended Franklin College during the 1932-33 academic year but returned home due to the financial difficulties of the Great Depression. However, he remains associated with the class of 1936. While at Franklin College, he contributed to the athletics section of The Almanack and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Later in 1933, he headed west to Los Angeles and worked at RKO studios where his brother was an accountant. By 1939, he had risen to the role of editor, and in 1944 he directed his first film. Best known for directing West Side Story (1961) and The Sound of Music (1965), he won Academy Awards for best picture and best director. At age 84, he directed his last film in 2000 before passing in 2005.
Throughout his star-studded Hollywood career, Wise never forgot his roots and stayed involved with Franklin College. In 1968, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of fine arts, and he served on the board of trustees from 1970-1979. Afterward, he was named an honorary trustee and was later awarded an alumni citation award in 1994. He visited campus to engage with students in 1981 and later returned in 1987 to emcee the rededication of Old Main. He was even known to host alumni gatherings at his home in Los Angeles.
This collection consists of autographed materials, news clippings, and other sources relevant to his life, career, and legacy.
This is an article from the Franklin, IN newspaper, the Daily Journal, announcing the death of Robert Wise and explaining his connections to Franklin.
Full access to the article is available through the Daily Journal.
This article ran originally in the Franklin Star noting a different, larger article in the Indianapolis Sunday Star Magazine about Robert Wise and the upcoming premiere of his movie The Sand Pebbles.
This is an excerpt from an article in the Indianapolis Star written by Dawn Mitchell on February 9, 2020, entitled "Director of 'Sound of Music' never forgot Hoosier roots" reminiscing on Robert Wise's connection to...
This inscription is in the memory of Robert Wise of Franklin College. It is written by David "Tiger" Bean during an interview with Doug Jaggers, Franklin College journalism professor, in January of 2024. Bean played the part of...
Robert Wise '36 earned his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in sound effects editing, film editing, film production, and directing. Winning Academy Awards as Best Director for The Sound of Music and West Side...
Photo of Robert Wise's initiation into the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity accompanied by Roger Branigin, Elba Branigin Jr, Robert Miller, and Tom Cartmel. Robert Wise is pictured front row, third from left, and Roger Branigin is...