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R IUD S

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A publication for alumni and friends of Indiana University East

Fall 2013Volume 3 Issue 1

Musician James Strong opens up about being an online student and

getting the degree he always wanted.

p. 34

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ChanCellor: Kathryn Cruz-UribeVICe ChanCellor For external aFFaIrS: rob ZinkanDIreCtor oF alUmnI relatIonS: terry hawkins Wiesehan, Ba’96

DIreCtor oF CommUnICatIonS & marKetIng: John oak DaltonWrIter/eDItor: hali CarteePhotograPhY: Susanna tannerDIreCtor oF SPortS InFormatIon: Kyle Wright

radius: a campus magazine for Indiana University east alumni and friends, is published by the office of external affairs at IU east. Copyright ©2013 Indiana University east.

ContaCt US: Send correspondence, address corrections, and mailing updates to: IU east alumni relations, 2325 Chester Boulevard, richmond, In 47374. Phone: 765-973-8221 email: radius@iue.edu

opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Indiana University east.

radius is published twice a year. the magazine serves its readers by providing information about the activities of IU east alumni, students, faculty and staff through the publication of accurate and balanced content that informs and stimulates intellectual discussion.

text, photographs, and artwork may not be reprinted without written permission of the Vice Chancellor for external affairs.

IU eaSt alUmnI aSSoCIatIon:officers 2013-2015

President: trisha renner, BS’08 Vice President: trevor Jones-grimes, BSW’08 Secretary: amber hall, Ba’06 Immediate Past President: abby Clapp Ba’08 BoarD memBerS Carolyn Britt, BSn’01, mSn’04 Jeff Cappa, aS’98 Kelly Coffman, BS’13 angela Fairchild, BS’97 Pam haager, BS’92 rena holcomb, Ba’06 ron martin, aSn’06, BSn’10 Sommer martin, BSn’10 Kraig rose, BS’13, Ba’13 rachel Selby, BS’12 Jaime Shuler, BSn’13 rick St. John, BS’13 alyssa tegeler, BS’11 Kate Vu, BS’08 Blake Watson, aS’05, BSW’07

The future of our region restsin our greatest asset: our people.The new Student Events Center will have a transformative impact on our ability to attract, retain, and graduate the high-quality students who will, in turn, shape and lead our region.

Save YOUR Seat

Save your seat today! Your seat(s) will be saved and permanently recognized in the Student Events Center on a seating chart in the atrium. It’s also a great way to honor or memorialize friends and family, or an organization.For questions or for gifts, please contact the Gift Development Director, Stephanie Hays-Mussoni, at 765-973-8331 or shaysmus@iue.edu.

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Fall ’1304

Q+a Kathryn Cruz-UribeIU east welcomes its sixth chancellor, Kathryn Cruz-Uribe.

She resonates with the mission of a comprehensive university —one with strong regional connections, yet connected nationally and globally, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate programs, but

with a graduate mission as well.

06a tug of the heart

Jonathan holzback had a keen sense that he belonged in a foreign country to help. his first trip to haiti changed his life 100 percent.

20Sabbatical road trip

Frances Peacock’s project was designed to tell how IU east alumni communicate as professionals, especially in regard to online

writing and the accompanying technology they use. 04In this edition10 match Play: IU east golfers12 Searching for more: Financial Forensic Investigation14 a legacy of Breaking records24 outside the radius26 memories with momentum28 Volleyball Schedule29 IU east’s Distinguished alumnus30 master of Science in management32 Campus Update33 School notes34 Class notes35 Parting Shot36 one Book Project

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Table of CONTENTS

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Hometown: It is now Richmond! But I was born in upstate new York, and I grew up in Huntington, n.Y. (on Long Island).

BackgRound: I am an archaeologist, specializing in the analysis of animal bones from archaeological sites. I went to college in Vermont and graduate school in Chicago. I spent many years doing fieldwork in Spain and South africa, working in museums and digging at archaeological sites. I am happy to get my hands dirty!

What do you thInk you WIll enjoy moSt about your job? I will enjoy meeting students, faculty, staff and community members and learning about their lives, their hopes and dreams and their accomplishments.

What IS one thIng you WISh everyone kneW about Iu eaSt? that it is a tremendous asset to the community and the state.

hoW IS Iu eaSt dIfferent (or even SImIlar) to CalIfornIa State unIverSIty monterey bay? I see numerous similarities: both universities focus on students, and emphasize the importance of good teaching and learn-ing. the size of the student body is similar, and both feature close community connections. and finally, both Iu east and CSu monterey bay enroll many students who are the first in their families to attend college. as such, universi-ties like Iu east make a tremendous difference in the lives of their students.

What dreW your attentIon to Iu eaSt? colleagues nominated me for this position, but I was already familiar with Indiana university and the higher education scene in the state, so the position was very attractive to me. and then, once I learned more about the campus and its progress in recent years, my interest deepened. I was particularly impressed by the way the campus has re-envisioned itself—I would describe it as very courageous and forward-looking.

What WaS your fIrSt ImpreSSIon of Iu eaSt When you arrIved at CampuS? I could see that, even in the dead of winter, it is a very attractive campus, and it is very well kept. everyone I met was very warm and friendly. I

Q A+as we welcome our new chancellor, kathryn cruz-uribe, to Iu east, take a few minutes to know her better through this Q & a.

was pleased to be able to spend some time looking at a current exhibit in the art gallery, which I enjoyed very much. and the weather was not as cold as people had warned me!

Why IS thIS CampuS a good fIt for you? I have a lot of experience working in state-supported universities, and particularly as a smaller campus within a larger group of campuses. I am also committed to the idea of faculty as teacher-scholars; who value teaching and learning and working closely with students. I also resonate with the mission of a comprehensive university—one with strong regional connections, yet connected nationally and globally, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate programs, but with a graduate mission as well.

When you arrIved on CampuS, What WaS the fIrSt thIng that you dId? took a tour of the campus, and I am meeting as many people on campus and in the community as I can.

famIly SnapShot: I have been married to my husband, gene, for 31 years. He is a historian, specializing in ancient egypt. we have two grown daughters; one is married and lives in flagstaff, ariz., and the other is in graduate school in State College, pa., and will be married next january.

one Word that beSt deSCrIbeS you: enthusiastic

favorIte tv ShoW: nCIS

favorIte book: I read a lot, mostly nonfiction, so it is hard to pick one book. But I also love mysteries, especially those written by donna Leon.

your proudeSt aCComplIShment: winning the outstanding teacher-Scholar award at northern arizona university.

What’S one thIng that ColleagueS at Iu eaSt don’t knoW about you? I have a red mini cooper with racing stripes and a checkerboard roof, and I love it, even though it is getting old and a bit creaky.

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“ ”I was particularly impressed by the way the campus has re-envisioned itself—I would describe it as very courageous and forward-looking.

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fAs the world watched the country of Haiti following a devastating earthquake in 2010, Jonathan Holzback had a keen sense that he belonged in the foreign country to help. Watching from his home in Rushville, Ind., the high school junior had been trying to find his calling in life, or as he describes it, his niche.

Watching the efforts to recover people and the devastation to build-ings, land and lives, Holzback felt drawn to Haiti. He went to Haiti that year on a mission trip through Haitian Christian Mission, a non-profit organization that provides food, education, medical care, child sponsorship and employment.

“I just knew the country of Haiti needed me. I just knew that’s where I had to go,” Holzback said.

The first trip to Haiti, he said, changed his life 100 percent. The work was hard but getting to know the Haitian people – hearing their stories and helping to make a difference – compelled Holzback to return to the country three more times, as a senior in high school and as a freshman and sophomore after he enrolled at Indiana University East. He traveled to Haiti in February 2012 and March 2013.

But there was one problem.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for Holzback to be a full-time student while fulfilling his calling to be in Haiti. He considered drop-ping out of college for a semester so he could focus all of his time on his mission work.

A meeting with Liz Ferris, Career and Experiential Learning Coor-dinator, directed Holzback to Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Katherine Frank. Together, they developed a plan that would allow Holzback to remain in college while working in Haiti.

finding his niche

“I just loved every minute of being in Haiti. I didn’t know how this could work and still continue school. IU East really is focused on me. At any other school, I would have been just a number. At IU East, you’re not. You’re family.”

“ ”

8Images supplied by Jonathan Holzback

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“He was feeling a major ‘tug’ on his heart to serve in Haiti, having fallen in love with the people and mission work there as a result of previous trips. His plan was to take time off of school to spend a few months in Haiti in the spring of 2013,” Ferris said. “He knew his parents were not thrilled with the idea of him dropping out of classes, and he was torn about what to do. I suggested to him that we (IU East) might be able to find course credit for his experi-ence so he could still go to Haiti, but could do intentional reflection around it and use it to help him figure out the next step of his life.”

Frank said it was a pleasure to work with Holzback as an independent study student while he was in Haiti.

“When Jonathan approached me regarding this possibility, it was clear that he was committed to both the opportu-nity to travel to Haiti and devoted to his studies at IU East,” Frank said.

Frank found two independent study courses that could be catered to his needs – one course in writing and a first-time offered Biomedical Ethics online course taught by Ange Cooksey.

“After speaking with Jonathan about his plans, goals, and expectations, it was simply a matter of matching him with instructors in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences who could help align curriculae with experiential learning in Haiti. Assignments like reading reflections, blogs, and formal papers required Jonathan to showcase his knowledge of the subject matter, think critically about assigned material and his experiences, and make connections between the subject matter and his life in Haiti. His writing for my class was informed, interesting, and passionate,” Frank said. “It was clear to me as his professor that his work in Haiti magnified his learning in a deep and personal way, just as his IU East coursework influenced his perspective as he immersed himself in this experience.”

Holzback also received an internship credit for his mission trip with the Haitian Christian Mission.

He said his experience at IU East was truly an example of the school’s motto, “IU – focused on You.” He said he felt like his professors joined him from a distance to work with him, all because they knew how important this was to him personally.

“I just loved every minute of being in Haiti. I didn’t know how this could work and still continue school,” Holzback said. “IU East really is focused on me. At any other school, I would have been just a number. At IU East, you’re not. You’re family.”

During this past trip to Haiti the mission founder, Etienne Prophet, pulled Holzback aside. He had observed Hol-zback’s work and was impressed by previous team member’s comments on the work he was doing. Holzback said he was offered a part-time position with the Haitian Christian Mission as the executive assistant. A job offer wasn’t something Holzback was expecting, but he sees the opportunity as a blessing. He now lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., and travels across the United States to talk with organizations, churches, and businesses about the mission and to develop partnerships.

“It all sums up to one memorable experience. Each time I go, I fall in love more with the people and the country,” Holzback said. “I couldn’t have done it without IU East, my church, my family and the mission.”

Holzback plans to finish his degree online, in business administration, while continuing to work with the mission.

Images supplied by Jonathan Holzback

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IU East golfers past and present share drive to succeed

Stories like Nick Ary’s allowed IU East and the school’s golf program to make the turn from club sport to National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) program.

Ary is a Brookville, Ohio, native who started his career at Urbana University but found a better fit at IU East.

Ary’s first season at IU East — the spring of 2008 — coincided with the program’s move from club sports to NAIA varsity sports.

Ary describes his career as a “Rubik’s Cube” of experiences that twisted and turned in many directions — he was associated with four coaches in three-and-a-half years — but ultimately formed the picture that is IU East golf today.

There were plenty of on-course victories. IU East won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship — the school’s first NAIA conference championship of any kind — at the end of Ary’s freshman year. Ary finished in the top three in the KIAC Player of the Year standings

Ryan mikesell, nick ary and joey Smart attended Iu east at different times under different circum-stances, but all three say Iu east gave them a shot at success they would not have found elsewhere.{ }

Pictured left to right: Nick Ary, Ryan Mikesell, and Joey Smart.

They’ve never met, but their stories connect like the shared greens on a links golf course. Three student-athletes. Three eras of Indiana University East golf. One shared story.

in all four of his IU East seasons. Ary was a three-time academic all-conference honoree.

Ary carded another big win when he was selected for a prestigious internship with the Indiana Golf Association, Indiana’s golf governing body, during his senior year. Ary was responsible for organizing the IGA’s junior tour.

Ary completed his degree in business administration in the spring of 2012. He parlayed his experiences into his current position as the assistant pro at Delaware County Club in Muncie. Ary provides golf lessons, is a certified club fitter, assists the head pro with events, tournaments and merchandising at the pro shop, and manages the staff.

Ary also is taking steps to become a full-fledged PGA professional with the even-tual goal of becoming a head pro.

“The biggest thing about attending IU East was being able to play golf and get the Big Ten degree,” Ary said. “That has really paid off for me in the long run, that Indiana University degree.”

Match Play:

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Stories like Ryan Mikesell’s provided the opening drive for the growth of IU East and the school’s golf program.

Mikesell is a Richmond native who spent time at IUPUI’s Herron School of Art but found that IU East felt more like home. Mikesell’s first year back at IU East after his time at IUPUI — 2004 —coincided with the formative years of the school’s club golf team. It was a harbinger of the campus’ very near future - more and more on-campus programs to entice students to enroll at IU East and then take part in the everyday life of the campus once they arrived.

Mikesell says the club golf team was a motivating factor that drove him to complete his bachelor’s degree in general studies with an arts and humanities concentration in 2006.

“Golf was a connection to the campus and made my time at IU East more of a college experience as opposed to a place where I only came to attend classes,” Mikesell says. “Participating in sports gave me a sense of pride in the school.”

After graduation, Mikesell got his foot in the door in the golf business as part of the outside operations staff at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., near Jacksonville. One year later he moved across the street to Marsh Landing Country Club, where he has worked for the past six years and currently is the assistant golf professional. The course has attracted visits from two-time Super Bowl champion coach Tom Coughlin, numerous members of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, and PGA Tour professionals like Jim Furyk and Fred Funk.

Mikesell is currently in the PGA Professional Golf Management Program and is on course to become a Class A Head Golf Professional in 2014.

Stories like Joey Smart’s moved IU East and the school’s golf program higher and higher on the higher education and NAIA golf leaderboard.

Smart is a Brookville, Ind., native who started his college career at Morehead State University but found a better fit at IU East.

Smart came to IU East for the 2011-12 school year after an injury derailed his golf opportunities at Morehead State. Smart says IU East was probably the only school that gave him a way to balance two jobs, a full class load and a college golf schedule.

“Being here, the time management makes me more responsible,” Smart said, who crams all of his IU East classes and responsibilities into two weekly 11-hour visits to the Richmond campus.

Smart has been responsible for plenty of success on the golf course. He completed his first season at IU East by winning the KIAC Player of the Year award. He holds the IU East spring school records for lowest 18-hole, 36-hole and 54-hole score.

“Even at the NAIA level, there is still plenty of competition, and the more rounds you play in competitive golf, the better off you are,” said Smart, who had plenty of NCAA Division I opportunities coming out of high school. “It doesn’t matter if you are NCAA Division I or NAIA, you are still playing the same courses.”

Smart is a business administration major who is on course to graduate in 2015. Like Mikesell and Ary, he hopes to become a club pro and/or manage a golf course one day.

The actual words are Mikesell’s but could have come from any of the three golfers in this shared story.

“It was really a privilege,” he concluded, “to be able to further my education on a beautiful campus, get a great education from Indiana University and participate on a golf team conveniently located in my hometown.”

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Cori Burnside wants more out of her future careerShe dreams of being an accountant, just not the stereotypical accountant sitting behind a desk all day.

“I don’t want to be an accountant who does taxes. I want to work for the FBI,” Burnside said. She plans to graduate in December 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-CPA track (concentration in Accounting and a Minor in Financial Forensic Investigation).

The minor program is appealing to Burnside. When she began college, she didn’t know what she wanted to do once she graduated. She knew she wanted a job that would be different day-to-day. And, she wanted excitement. The two requirements for her future job led her to her current ambition.

“The first year I went here, I took an intro to criminal justice (J101) class with Stephanie Whitehead. She mentioned in class one day that there would be a new forensic accounting minor program starting soon and I thought it sounded interesting,” Burnside said.

Now a senior at IU East, Burnside is gaining experience in the field of forensic accounting. She received a Summer Research Scholarship in 2012 to work with Anita Morgan, assistant professor of accounting, to research the financial statement fraud uncovered at the Olympus Corporation. The Summer Research Scholar is a competitive program providing undergraduate students $2,000, provided by the Indiana University Office of the Vice Provost for Research and IU East, to conduct a research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

Burnside and Morgan are writing a case study on a Wall Street Journal article, “Olympus to Retain Top Executives,” about Michael Woodford, former CEO and president of Olympus, who exposed financial fraud in the company’s accounting records and was subsequently fired in October 2011.

“This research project will help me to understand what it would be like to become a certified fraud examiner through studying the Olympus case and attending the Association of Certified Financial Examiners conference,” Burnside said. “My expectation is that through this project, I will not only

Searching for More

A Minor in Financial Forensic Investigation

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become more knowledgeable about my future profession, but also use it as confirmation that becoming a certified fraud examiner is what I have envisioned it as being. I am eager to take on this task and I am confident that the development of the case study will be beneficial to me in my future endeavors.”

Woodford, Morgan said, was the first non-Japanese CEO of Olympus and the fourth Westerner to lead a Japanese company. The former president and CEO was dismissed from Olympus after he questioned the board of directors about the company’s failure to report investment losses.

According to Woodford’s biography, he was dismissed after four months in the position when he uncovered financial irregularities. The story reverberated around the world - just as four UK newspapers named Woodford their Business Person of the Year. Woodford discovered hundreds of millions of dollars had been transferred to mysterious accounts,

Burnside graduated from Tri-County North High School. Her parents are Pam and Gary Burnside, of Lewisburg, Ohio.

many in the Cayman Islands tax haven. When he brought it to the attention of his Chairman and board, and informed a contact at the Financial Times, he was instantly sacked. Told that he should fear for his safety, he returned to London and briefed the Serious Fraud Office, setting in train a series of investigations which would involve the SFO, the FBI and the Tokyo Police. The scale of fraud is estimated to be $1.7 billion, over twenty years. Keen to right the wrongs, Woodford also offered to return to Olympus, but was rejected by shareholders.

Burnside and Morgan had the opportunity to meet Woodford during the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners conference in 2012. He was the keynote speaker and met with both while attending the conference. Morgan said Woodford took the time to talk to them about the Olympus case and encouraged Burnside to contact him with questions as she proceeded to work on her research project.

Burnside received a scholarship to attend the ACFE conference. She was one of 12 students to receive a scholarship based on a submitted essay. While at the conference, and as a part of the scholarship, she worked 10 hours at the bookstore to help participants find materials. She also received a scholarship from the IU East School of Business and Economics to attend. While there, she had the opportunity to network with other students interested in the field, professionals and she met Joseph Wells, the founder and head of the ACFE, the world’s largest anti-fraud organization.

Since the conference, Burnside has continued to research Olympus and is writing a case study with Morgan. The research initially focused on the case and whistle blowing but has evolved to include research on the impact of Japanese culture on corporation culture, especially as it relates to fraud. The case study once completed could be used to help students understand financial fraud, whistle blowing, and international ethics.

Burnside is also completing her courses in forensic accounting.

The financial forensic investigations minor prepares students for possible careers in forensic accounting, forensic examinations, and fraud investigations. The minor program is expected to provide students with a foundational knowledge of how to deter and detect fraud.

This summer, Burnside interned at Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) as a revenue protection analyst. She assisted her colleagues with cases of theft by going out to the field to see first-hand how the energy is being stolen, helped to research the person who is suspected of stealing, and completed a written report. She also kept up on daily reports that needed tending to and completed various other tasks that pertain to the department’s needs.

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The Class of 2013 made history as Indiana University East’s largest graduating class. The university conferred 560 bachelor’s and master’s degrees at this year’s commencement ceremony. Today’s graduates joined the 6,000 member IU East alumni network.

This group of graduates share unique characteristics and experiences. Consider many from this group as incoming freshmen in 2009. As students entering college straight from high school, this class has always had access to electronic books and women have always outnumbered men in college, according to the Beloit College Mindset. for example, of the degrees conferred this year, a majority were awarded to women (403). additionally, the convenience the Internet has provided for students has added to the popularity of Iu east’s online degree completion programs, giving students an option in the region as well as across the united States and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degree. the online degree completion programs offer the high quality of an Indiana university degree and the flexibility to fit studying around work and family schedules. of the total number of graduates, there are 42 Indiana counties represented, 21 states and five countries.

Iu east hosted a luncheon for the online students attending commencement to welcome those traveling from a distance. the luncheon provided an opportunity for online students to tour the campus, to meet faculty and staff that they have communicated with online, and to attend the ceremony.

a few of the newest members of the alumni network share their Iu east experience.

a leg

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HeatHer BesHears traveled to the Commencement Ceremony with her husband, Kyle, from London. Until May 9, the day before Commencement, Beshears had never visited the IU East campus. She said as a truly distance education student, she has had the opportunity to share her experiences through different outlets and forums over the last three years. She added that she has enjoyed getting to know classmates, faculty, and staff.

“I transferred to IU East after my husband and I moved to Cambridge, England, for his job. Since I was midway through my undergraduate degree at another university, we weren’t sure what the options were for completing my degree after moving overseas. My husband, originally from Merrillville, Ind., suggested I look into IU East,” Beshears said. “IU East turned out to be the best option that allowed me to study business at a world-renown university, even though I was halfway across the globe. Therefore, my most enjoyable experience at IU East was the opportunity to complete my degree while also exploring different cultures and amazing parts of the world.”

Beshears plans to complete a master’s degree and then use her international experience to manage or direct international operations of a global employer based in Mobile, Ala. She said she has a passion for multinational relations and globalized social responsibility.

In addition to her coursework, Beshears was a member of Delta Mu Delta, inducted in spring 2011.

“Graduating means more to me than I can fully express. I grew up in a very transient military family. As a result, I was home-schooled for all of my high school years. I never had a high school graduation, so walking across the stage is a huge moment for me,” Beshears said. “My time at IU East and some memorable professors have been a huge encouragement to continue on with my education by pursuing an M.B.A. at Auburn University starting this coming fall.”

ruth eaSley of Connersville, Ind., is receiving her bachelor of general Studies. a first-generation college graduate, easley was researching her genealogy to support her financial aid application for military veterans and dependents. She found that her grandfather, born in 1852, was born into slavery through a 1900 u.S. Census report provided by ancestory.com. Slavery officially ended with the thirteenth amendment to the u.S. Constitution in 1865. She knows that her grandfather was born in the nashville, tenn., area and that he was at the age of 65 when her father, one of four sons, was born.

“my brother and I are the last two of the second generation of that family,” easley said.

her father was a World War I veteran and served in the infantry. easley herself is a u.S. army veteran. She served in the military for 20 years in military intelligence and communications. She is a veteran of vietnam and dessert Storm.

easley began her college career while in the military. She chose Iu east because of the curriculum and the help she received from staff. While a student, she was a peer mentor and volunteered as a student member of the diversity Commission for two years. She is also a barista at Brewfus, the on-campus coffee shop

easley said receiving her diploma was a time of joy as she reflected on her family’s history.

“at this stage, it’s about honoring my family,” easley said.

easley is continuing to complete a second degree, a bachelor of Science in political Science. She would like to be a lobbyist advocating for female veterans in Washington, d.C. once she completes her second degree.

2HamId ZakaeIfar of Richmond, Ind., graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While at IU East, he was a Library assistant, Summer Research Scholar, Supplemental Instructor (SI), member of the Sigma and Theta Tau Honor Society.

As a Summer Research Scholar in 2010, Zakaeifar researched “Aging as a Contributing Factor to Oxidative Cellular Resistance in Domestic Dogs.” The purpose of his research was to investigate the cellular resilience to oxidative stress of small breed dogs and the gene expression of specific genes associated with longer life spans and aging.

At the time, he said the project, the topic, and laboratory experience allowed him to look at genetics from beyond a textbook perspective, and helped him to understand the genetic risks involved with many diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as equipping him to educate individuals while providing care as a nurse in the near future.

The Summer Research Scholar program was an opportunity that provided a unique and enjoyable IU East experience for Zakaeifar.

“I enjoyed the amount of opportunities and involvement available ranging from employment to extracurricular activities. The amount of active student organizations and activities allows you to fill most of your free time,” Zakaeifar said. “Graduation is the culmination of the hard work of myself and my peers finally coming to fruition. On the surface, I just put on a cap and gown and receive a piece of paper, but in reality the gate has finally been opened for me to pursue my career.”

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JessIca skInner of Richmond is planning to pursue a Ph.D. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and has been accepted to the University of Cincinnati for a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Biochemical Pharmacology.

While at IU East, Skinner participated in the National Science Foundation funded research project and collaboration between IU East and Earlham College that explores soil bacteria in soybean and corn fields.

“The collaboration between IU East and Earlham was great. I was able to meet new people, students and faculty, and we had so much fun trekking around the corn fields sampling data and working in the lab. It was a learning experience on what research could be like in the future,” Skinner said.

Skinner said her time at IU East and completion of her degree in biochemistry will provide her with opportunities. She said, “It is the start of my future, and the faculty and staff at IU East have fully prepared me to use this degree to my full potential. I feel that it is just the first step to many great experiences in my life. This degree has started me on the path to medical science which is vastly changing.”

As an undergraduate, Skinner received a 2012 Summer Research Scholarship to lead a team of undergraduate students in the research lab for more than a year. She was named the Outstanding Student in Biochemistry for 2013 at the Honors Convocation this spring. Now as she heads to the University of Cincinnati this fall, she is looking for a graduate degree that will provide more opportunity for her.

“I believe that this will open many doors and opportunities in career options. I hope to work in industry, but I have always enjoyed tutoring and helping students, so maybe a teaching position with research will be calling my name. I know that whatever I choose, will be the right fit for me and I hope to make serious contributions to the medical science world,” Skinner said.

Clay Hurd is proud of the work he did in class and as a full-time father and employee to accomplish earning the first college degree in his family.

after graduating high school, hurd attended Sinclair Community College in Dayton in 1993. he said he struggled immensely and was not ready to attend college. he left Sinclair and started a career in law enforcement.

“I promised my mom that one day I would go back to school and complete my degree,” hurd said.

hurd stayed in law enforcement until 1999. a year later, he enrolled at IU east.

“I was a much different student this time around, as I was more mature and ready to succeed at IU east and to keep my promise to my mom,” he said.

he remembers sitting in Whitewater hall room 202 on his first day back in a classroom in 17 years.

“I looked around the room and thought to myself that I am the oldest person in the classroom, and began to doubt myself,” hurd said. “I sat at the edge of my seat, and I started to convince myself that I didn’t belong here. I actually started to stand up to walk out of the room and something came over me. It was my passphrase that I made up when I registered for classes at IU east. the passphrase was ‘live strong every day,’ and this made me sit back down in my seat and realize that I needed to fight for what I wanted,” hurd said.

that first semester back in school, hurd made the Chancellor’s list by earning as in all of his courses.

“From that point forward I never doubted myself again if I was capable of doing it,” hurd said.

the full-time father of three and student knows the struggle that completing a college degree can bring to non-traditional students. In addition to his classes, work and family, hurd was a coach for his children’s team sports and heads a charity in new Paris, ohio, that has a mission to restore a park. he is a basketball and softball official, volunteers as a football coach at national trail Youth Football and he is currently the northeastern Knights head Junior Varsity Baseball coach.

this may, hurd received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary education. he plans to be a social studies teacher.

“I really do encourage anyone that is thinking of returning back to school to do it. I know it will be very difficult, but I promise you the reward is worth it,” hurd said.5

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JamIe dykes is living her dream. As an incoming freshman, Dykes was a cashier at a local grocery store but she dreamed of more for herself and a career. It wasn’t until her first criminal justice class at IU East that she was certain what that future could hold. The first course wasn’t without trepidation and she asked herself how she would make it through.

“After surviving that class, and the semester, I was in love at the thought of one day becoming a lawyer. I had no idea where to start or how, but I didn’t care. I was going to do it,” Dykes said.

With each criminal justice course she took, she was more certain that this was the right career choice for her. But she still wanted more involvement and hands-on experience. Dykes went to a professor who suggested finding an internship. It didn’t take long for her to know she wanted to pursue an internship in her hometown of Brookville.

After four years and an internship with Mullin, McMillin, & McMillin Law Firm working for State Representative Jud McMillin, Dykes is continuing to work toward her dream of becoming a lawyer. She is now a legal assistant and researcher at the law firm. She was attracted to the family law firm not only for its hometown convenience but because she also admired McMillian’s work ethic.

“I finally worked up the courage to contact him (Jud McMillan), thinking he’s way too busy to consider helping me. He replied, and I was ecstatic. A few court proceedings and one-on-one conversations with him later, I was hooked! I knew his firm was where I wanted to intern,” Dykes said. “I eagerly hopped right in my first day and kept my smile on my face throughout the whole internship. My experiences throughout the internship were simply amazing.”

The last day of Dyke’s internship ended with an offer by McMillian to stay and work with the firm as a legal assistant and researcher.

“I look at how far I’ve came from four years ago, and it started at IU East. With a smile on my face, and tears in my eyes, I want to say thank you. Thank you, IU East,” Dykes said.

6Kelly Coffman knows a little something about patience and perseverance. The 2013 Naomi Osborne Scholar, an honor given to the graduate with the highest grade point average, pursued her degree in Elementary Education against personal obstacles and with sheer grit. Coffman came to IU East in 2009 after receiving her associate degree from Sinclair Community College in 2008. At the time, she had a three-year old son and one-year old daughter.

With a year of classes toward her degree, Coffman began having complications for a heart condition she was diagnosed with at the age of 16, atrial fibulation. The American Heart Association describes atrial fibulation (AF) as a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. In December 2010, Coffman underwent major heart surgery.

“During my first year at IU East, my heart problems became more severe,” Coffman said. “I developed some complications after surgery and had to be monitored weekly, but I was back to school for the 2011 spring semester. I just had to be careful with what I did.”

The challenges that year kept coming but Coffman continued working diligently to complete her courses. That same year, she underwent two sinus surgeries in order to help her breathe better. In addition to her own surgeries, her husband had two knee surgeries. A year later, her mother-in-law had major foot surgery, her father-in-law almost died because his heart stopped, and her mother was hit by a car. Then, just before her student teaching portfolio presentation, her daughter, Kierstyn, had to have surgery to have her tonsils and adenoids removed.

“During the spring of 2011, I woke up one morning and I went to check on her and she wasn’t breathing. I shook her and she started breathing. I was so shaken I called her doctor. They had to do a sleep study and found out she had sleep apnea because her tonsils and adenoids were so huge.”

Though her time at IU East was inflicted with obstacles, Coffman remained positive and got involved in campus events, established relationships with friends and faculty and was the Student Education Association vice-president during the 2012-2013 academic year.

If there is one thing Coffman exemplifies in addition to perseverance, it’s being a go-getter. The inspiration to choose to be a leader, came as a gift from her mother, Iva-Laura Self.

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For ANDREW BRITT of Richmond, IU East is home.

“There is so much that I enjoyed about IU East, it’s hard to narrow it down. I guess, the simplest way I could put it would be to say that the best part of my experience at IU East was the people. The faculty that I got to know and who helped me and taught me were extremely valuable, the friends and classmates that I have made, and the staff who guided me and helped me in all the various ways I didn’t even know I needed, all of those

people are what crafted my experience here into the amazing journey that it was, and me into the person I am,” Britt said. “I could not have asked for a better group of people to spend my undergraduate years with, IU East really was my little home away from home, complete with my extra family.”

Throughout his time at IU East, Britt has been involved in Campus Life activities, student organizations and clubs, and was the Career and Experiential Learning intern for the Office of Career Planning and Placement. He was a writer and photographer for the student newspaper, The Howler. He served as president of the Student Government Association, as a Peer Mentor and he was a member of the Student Activity Advisory Team, History/Political Science Club, Sequential Art Club and Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow. Seeing the need for students to be more active on campus and meet others, he founded the Foam Dart Society and served as the organization president, recruiting students to join together every Friday for fun-centered Nerf gun games on campus. In 2013, he was voted Homecoming King.

Britt was also interested in welcoming incoming students to campus. He was a New Student Orientation Pack Leader and New Student Orientation Intern.

At Commencement, Britt revealed he was one of the campus’ first students to give life to Rufus, a role he played from 2008-2013, by walking across the stage wearing Rufus’ shoes.

“I know that I’ll never forget the first time I put on that big furry wolf suit, and the subsequent games, events, all the high-fives, the tail pulling, going to the fair, and all the other craziness I endured in that suit,” Britt said.

Britt has made countless memories and helped to build campus traditions for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. In August, he will move to Buffalo, New York, to attend Canisius College to pursue a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration.

“Not only am I leaving campus, I’m leaving the state that is the only place I’ve ever known as home. So, graduation is a lot of finality for me, and it means a lot, because while it means a lot of sad departure, it is also the capstone of a very important time in my life, and the official celebration of a lot of accomplishments for me,” Britt said. “I’m excited to be an alumnus as well, since I’ve spent so long working with the IU East Alumni Association as a student, I am pretty happy to get to be involved from the other side.”

8“When I was in my early teens, my mom didn’t have a lot of money to get us things for Christmas. She wanted to do something special. She created a book called Words of Wisdom,” Coffman said. “One of the letters included in the book was from President George H.W. Bush. In his letter he told me to “...be a doer, not a critic.”

This has always inspired me. In my thank you for Naomi Osborne, I wrote about this and how I have been a doer and not a critic and how I will pass this to my future students. For graduation, mom wrote a letter to former President Bush telling him an impact he had on one young girl. She told him how I had become Valedictorian of my graduating class and became the Naomi Osborne Scholar through much adversity. She thanked him for having a positive influence on me. After mom went back to Virginia after my graduation, an envelope from the former president was waiting there. He wrote to my mom telling her that her letter ‘...touched my heart.’ He said he sent a note for me. He wished me congratulations and said ‘Well done, Kelly; very well done indeed.’ He said:”...we Bushes wish you continued success and great happiness.” He signed it: ‘Sincerely and with pride in you, George Bush.’”

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to IU East students after they graduate? For my sabbatical project in 2012, I decided to find out. My project was designed to tell me how IU East alumni communicate as professionals, especially in regard to online writing and the accompanying technology they use. I met the alums where they live and work—all over the United States—and learned how they’ve developed as professional writers and expanded their knowledge of the use of technology in the workplace.

What I learned was that IU East graduates live and work in exotic places, and IU East graduates in all professions are technical communication specialists.

Many alumni stay in the East Central area (86 percent) and work as teachers, nurses, and communications consultants like Jessica Brannum, ’07, in Indianapolis and IU East chemistry laboratory coordinator Anna Box, ’02, in Richmond. But many east-central natives take their degrees and scatter across the

Column by Frances Peacock, English Adjunct Instructor

United States: occupational therapist Brian Duff, ’09, works in San Antonio; political blogger Rick Bradbury, ’12, calls southern Colorado home; and case manager Ranae Allen, ’09, has settled in the south near Tampa. I met with property tax analyst Keith Saddler, ’11, in beautiful San Diego and special education teachers Teresa Noah, ’95, and Dale Noah, ’04, in Nashville. All alums graciously answered my questions about real issues they face daily in regard to professional and online writing; all had much to teach me about professional writing and the communication skills required to compete in today’s workplace.

LISA WIERETER, ’10, matriculated to Eastern Michigan University to work on her Masters degree, where I visited with her. Lisa was a faculty secretary and she was baffled by the students and professionals alike who didn’t appear to realize that the online writing they do, whether it’s chatting with professors or more official

emails between faculty and staff, communicates much more than

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Sabbatical

just the intended message, “For example,” Lisa said, “sloppy writing makes me think there’s a possibility the writer is lazy,” and since part of Lisa’s job required her to hire and supervise work-study students, a sloppy message from a prospective work-study applicant had dire consequences.

It was exciting for me to meet with Lisa. She was in my Elementary Composition fall 2005, her first semester at IU East. Lisa earned her master’s degree in student affairs in May 2013. The next stop, she hopes, is as a director of First-Year Programs in a college or university just like IU East.

SHARON HAYWARD, ’02, graduated with a degree in elementary education and worked for several years as a teacher, but because teaching wasn’t a great fit for her, she switched to human resources and eventually, information technology at a pharmaceutical company in Allegan, Mich. A few years later Sharon went back to

school, earned a master’s degree from Cornerstone University in business management, and is now a project manager in information technology.

Sharon estimates that writing-related tasks involve at least 70 percent of her work time. Many of her writing projects are collaborations; she and her colleagues from Israel, for example, use WebEx to design documents and collaborate on projects together, despite the fact that their offices are thousands of miles apart. Intercultural communication is an important aspect of Sharon’s job, and she strives to improve her understanding of other languages as well as cultural values. She respects the way colleagues from other countries learn about their U.S. co-workers and she works to do the same.

“The clients I work with in other countries, they’re very aware of western culture ... when they work with us they know how to adjust,” Sharon said.

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RICK AND JULIE BRADBURY live in southern Colorado. Rick started at IU East as an on-campus student, but finished his degree in humanities online from Colorado. Julie completed her bachelor’s degree through the online English degree

completion program. Currently, Julie is a social worker who travels all over southern Colorado to meet with clients. Most of the online writing Julie does is connected to reports she has to file with the state and emails to her supervisors; she keeps her emails short and to the point.

“I keep professional in terms of complete sentences and grammar, but use social work lingo to shorten the message; use of jargon also makes the message more precise,” Julie said. Rick’s online writing life is unique. I met with him a year after he graduated. His use of professional writing involved posting to employment application sites and inquiries about graduate programs. Most interestingly, Rick is an active participant in the political process through reading and writing messages on political blogs. Rick believes this is one way any American can contribute, uncensored, to discussions that can frame U.S. policy. He believes the information he gains and shares on the blogs is more pure than information available from the mainstream media.

“This is real—straight from people who pay attention, and isn’t watered down or heightened up,” Rick said.

He makes a good point about blog posts and English grammar, too.

“If you post something that isn’t correct grammatically, people won’t ‘hear’ you—you’ll be sidelined. So—if your post isn’t clear, no one will read your message, and the whole point of

your opinion on that discussion blog is moot.”

So many of the alums I met with were online students at IU East. KEITH SADDLER lives and works in San Diego and has never been to Richmond.

“I searched around for a good online degree program and found IU East. I tried other online schools, but the IU East classes were by far the best—participating in online classes

at IU East was the most like attending an on-campus setting,” Keith said.

Keith is careful about his online writing as well as phone texts; he believes that personal chats need to be constructed carefully. He chats from time to time with a friend who also used to be his manager.

“Even though she’s not my manager any more she is close to being an assistant controller, and I do know that if it was ever my interest to move back over into accounting, that she would be a really good reference for me,” Keith said.

Keith understands that writing presents an image of himself to the reader, and he wants to make sure that image isn’t muddied by sloppy texts or chats.

HOLLY BARBOUR lives and works in Phoenix. I remember Holly well—I met her when she was a freshman in my Elementary Composition I class, so when I met her at a Barnes and Noble bookstore last February, I was excited about seeing her again on her “turf.” Holly doesn’t do as much online writing for her

profession as she does in her personal writing, but she values personal writing as career-shaping. One of her favorite past-times is writing stories with a co-worker—they take turns with the plot and story line and journal together with the help of their iPhones.

Frances enjoys the quiet time of driving, talking with students, and viewing the various landscapes across the United States.

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How does this “fun” kind of writing impact her professional writing or her career?

“Writing these stories is a good way to build a relationship with a person and use writing as a way to make deeper connections,” Holly said.

Holly believes that the “instant” part of communication is the least important—taking the time and making the effort to communicate clearly and completely is what matters to her. She carefully constructs every text and email she sends out.

Much of the writing in the medical profession involves detailed notes written in patients’ charts. BRIAN DUFF is an occupational therapist in San Antonio and he showed me how his work-supplied iPod makes his communication tasks convenient, but because the notes and messages are online, the rules he must follow in regard to the messages he communicates are more complex. Brian interacts with clients’ families, doctors, nurses, other facility workers, and health care product suppliers. His iPod helps him communicate with everyone in a patient’s repertoire but he has to keep privacy in mind.

“The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HPPAA) privacy laws are a positive thing, of course, but they make comm-unicating online very complex,” Brian said.

One way Brian makes sure that he doesn’t transmit an online message to a personal friend is by keeping his personal device totally separate from his work iPod.

“When I get to work in the morning I put my personal cell phone in my desk drawer, and I don’t take it out again until after my shift is over,” Brian said.

This drives his friends and family members crazy, he said, because they can’t reach him as conveniently, but he thinks it’s necessary to protect his clients and his job.

RANAE ALLEN has the same experience with HPPAA privacy laws. She is a case manager for a small company that helps match disabled clients with services available to them, so she has to be careful about how she composes every email and text message.

“We have to be vague in the subject line and message, and we’ve been told over and over and over again that it’s a $10,000 fine per occurrence of HPPAA violation,” Ranae said.

One fine like that could shut her employer down, which would mean Ranae’s out of a job and the 50-plus clients she serves will experience unneeded hardship. Ranae loves her job and understands its impact on her clients; she works with “forever children,” or mentally disabled

clients. She uses her own laptop and her cell phone to communicate with clients and personal friends as well—because of the nature of the social services position she’s in, she’s not offered a cell phone for work use. Use of her own technology is a reality she accepts because it’s worth it, she thinks. Ranae recently discovered that a client who doesn’t communicate verbally is able to communicate somewhat via text message, so she sends occasional messages to this client.

“This is exciting,” she said, “because it means that I might have found a way to better understand what he needs and help him get those things.”

The social workers and teachers I met with are supplied with standard desktop computers, and in most cases their computing equipment is shared with colleagues. They typically use personal cell phones and laptops to complete work both during office hours and after hours.

TERESA NOAH AND DALE NOAH never use school computers for personal reasons, but do use their home computers and personal cell phones for school work.

“Some of the teachers even give out their personal cell phone numbers and make themselves available to parents and students at all hours and that’s their choice, but that doesn’t work for me,” Dale said.

Most of the alums I spoke with are comfortable with not using work devices for personal reasons—but few limit their personal device use strictly to personal use, and none use work devices for personal communications.

Professionals and nonprofessionals alike must learn to balance their time in regard to the use of communication devices that provide them with a constant connection to work and non-work others, and re-learn how to connect with those who are in the same room with us.

This project has enlightened me in regard to online writing—I learned something different about professional writing expec-tations from every alumnus with whom I met. I presented as-pects of my research about online professional writing at the Feminisms and Rhetorics conference at Stanford University in September 2013; and will continue to research and write about online professional writing.

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outsidetheradius

twenty years ago, james Strong decided to put aside his pursuit of an m.B.a. at Indiana university to travel the world as a professional musician, playing the bass guitar for world-renowned artists.

In that time, Strong has established a successful and respected career in

his industry. In addition to being a professional musician, he’s also a producer and musical director. He’s played for LL cool J, including his grammy award winning performance at new York city’s famed Radio city music Hall, new edition, toni Braxton, en Vogue, tupac, and mC Smooth. he’s played before sold-out

crowds at madison Square garden and has worked for Rca, warner Bros, Sony, virgin, atlantic, universal, j Records, Jive, and capitol records.

But he wanted more. He wanted to finish what he had started as an undergraduate at Indiana university.

this may, Strong received his bachelor of Science in business administration. He traveled to Richmond to attend the commencement ceremony and to tour the campus during a luncheon hosted by the university for online students graduating this spring.

“I’ve always had a burning desire to finish what I started over 20 years ago and that was to complete my degree and go on to get my m.B.a. I started my undergrad at Iu bloomington and I wanted to finish at Iu. Iu east presented the perfect opportunity for that,” Strong said. “one of the most memorable for me at Iu east was recognizing that I had finally achieved my goal of completing my degree, traveling back to Richmond, Indiana to walk with my class and walking across the commencement ceremony stage to receive my degree, hands down one of the best weeks of my life.”

david frantz, dean of the School of business and economics, met Strong for the first time in person at the luncheon. they had talked several times over email and in online forums through classes.

“It was a great pleasure talking with James when he came out for commencement. we both have interest in music, although James is farther advanced than I am, but it gave us something to talk about beyond his class schedule,” frantz said. “We chatted every semester, but in meeting face-to-face, it was an opportunity to see what a wonderful person James is. I am really pleased to have someone like James represents us as a graduate.”

the Iu east online degree completion programs offer the high quality of an Indiana university degree and its flexibility can open the door to a promising profession or lead to career advancement.

“James is an example of someone who started at Bloomington, but because of life circumstances and changes couldn’t finish on campus. the online program gave James an opportunity to complete his Iu degree and maintain his life pursuits,” frantz said.

the online degree completion programs, which include 10 degree programs and one certificate program, enrolled students in 36 states and nine foreign countries during the fall 2013 semester. In recognition of Iu east’s online degree programs, Iu east was ranked by u.S. news & world Report as the 56th most connected four-year campus in the united States, the highest among all Indiana institutions based on internet speed, internet access, applications, and resources. the report measures schools’ effectiveness in providing online services, including online courses, student technology and social networking.

“the (online) program has been very well thought out and thorough. the professors are very engaged and active in responding to online student’s needs,” Strong said. “I’ve enjoyed the entire experience, but to be successful you as a student must show up! time management, prioritizing your schedule is a must.”

Strong built extra planning into his schedule in order to make sure he was on time for class assignments and meetings.

“as a professional musician traveling all over the world, I had to literally advance all my activities, by determining if the hotels we stayed at abroad had a proper internet connection, informing my instructors of my schedule.” Strong said.

T

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á

“Iu east’s online program is not an easy lift by any means, but well worth it once you complete your degree.”

He was also the recipient of the 2013 Iu Herman c. Hudson award, an honor bestowed by the african american arts Institute to memorialize its founder. while a student at Iu Bloomington, Strong was a member of the Iu Soul revue, a student-based performance group that exhibits the timeless sounds of R&B, soul, funk, and contemporary urban black popular music as one of the finest collegiate popular music ensembles. Strong said his experience at Iu and with Soul revue was a priceless experience. he credits then director James e. mumford, with establishing a creative environment, mentorship,

and the tools and confidence that inspired him to pursue a career in music.

Strong traveled to bloomington in april 2013 to accept the Herman c. Hudson award. Hudson founded the afro-american arts Institute in 1974, believing the institute should strive for the highest levels of excellence in performance.

the annual Hudson alumni award was created in 2005 to recognize former student ensemble and staff members who, after leaving Iu, have made outstanding contributions in the arts. Recipients of this award serve as models of high achievement for present and future aaaI participants. previous winners have included opera singers angela Brown and Janet williams; famed keyboardist Isaiah Sanders; broadway

performer Justin Johnston; the late dancer gabriel paige; professor/scholar dr. cheryl keyes; international touring artist Crystal taliefero-pratt; and platinum singer/songwriter kevon edmonds.

“graduating and receiving my degree means the world to me, the experience is priceless. I started something years ago and although I was lured away by the bright lights of the music industry, the burning desire and need to complete what I started never left,” Strong said.

Never Too Latealumnus returns to finish the business degree he started

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the stories of wayne county and its residents are told through the art of India Cruse-griffin in an original three-panel piece, “memories with momentum.” the community-inspired art was unveiled during the positive place Initiative’s booSt (building on our Strengths together) event in January 2013.

the piece is composed of separate panels that can be featured individually or together, reflecting Cruse-griffin’s interpretation of the stories and visions of wayne county collected through the positive place Initiative survey. the panels carry a seasonal theme while showcasing the best of Wayne County. the artwork grew out of the county’s positive place Initiative and Iu east’s “one book, many voices” project.

“this has been one of the most difficult pieces that I have had to do. I spent a lot of time thinking about wayne county and where we should go as a community,” Cruse-griffin said. “I hope that people love it. I’m very proud of it. I’m very pleased with the outcome.”

the artwork will continue to serve as a catalyst as the community conversation continues during 2013. “memories with momentum” was on display at the Richmond art museum april – may. the piece will be available for public viewing at the Iu east School of business and economics gallery from august – october. organizations or businesses interested in featuring “memories with momentum” at their location may apply online at the positively Wayne County website, positivelywaynecounty.com.

“we hope that this piece that was created to capture the story of wayne county and positive potential in the area will inspire people to react and respond,” said katherine frank, dean of the School of humanities and Social Sciences at Iu east. organizations and businesses hosting the piece will be asked to create programming that encourages people to visit

memories with momentum: artist shares the story of Wayne

county to Build on the Positiveand view the piece as well as to think about it in more detail. Like India’s process that establishes form through layers of collage and creativity, this piece invites viewers to look and think deeply about it and to connect it to their own lives and experiences. we expect that people will recognize area stories in this remarkable piece as well as find connections with their own personal stories.”

fredricka joyner, associate professor of busines administration and organization behavior for the School of business and economics, is working with the positive place Initiative, one of several projects that have grown out of the Richmond mayor’s council on economic Vitality. this group of business, community, and political leaders was convened to identify the area’s best opportunities for economic advancement and find solutions to problems that stand in our way.

“the positive place Initiative in Wayne County is built around the concept of shifting the culture through shifting the conversation and we are working to identify and build on points of positive potential,” Joyner said. “the arts have a deep and positive tradition in this region and provide an important point of positive potential. the ‘memories with momentum’ project will build on this, offering many opportunities to shift the conversation.”

Cruse-griffin was chosen for this project due to her strong reputation as an artist, deep ties and commitment to wayne county, and unique style that is rich in layers, depth, and complexity. She said she did a lot of soul searching while working on the piece.

“we are community, and what a community we have! I hope when people look back at my painting they see wayne county and remember who we are, where we are and where we can go,” Cruse-griffin said.

India Cruse-Griffin, Artist

katherine frank, dean of the School of humanities and Social Sciences at Iu east

fredricka joyner, associate professor for the School of Business and economics at Iu east

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2013 IU East’s Distinguished Alumnus

Robert A. Coons is the 2013 IU East Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Coons is currently the senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. He served Rose-Hulman as the interim president during 2012-2013.

Coons said he was honored and humbled to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

“Returning to Richmond to receive the award and to participate in Commencement was an awesome experience. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to visit campus; something I’ve not done in almost two decades. I was amazed at how the campus had grown and changed since I attended,” Coons said.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding IU East alumni who have distinguished themselves through personal and professional accomplishments, community service, involvement with the university and involvement with the alumni association.

Coons received his associate degree from IU East in 1981. He was presented with the award during the 42nd Commencement Ceremony held May 10.

“When I was there, IU East was only one building and granted only associate degrees. After completing my associate degree, I continued to work full time and commute to IUPUI three nights a week from Richmond to obtain a bachelor’s degree. I am thrilled to see how IU East has grown in terms of not only facilities but also program and degree offerings,” Coons said.

Prior to his appointment as interim president at Rose‐Hulman, Coons has held various finance and management‐level positions since joining Rose‐Hulman in 1989; from his start as controller to his most recent position of vice‐president and chief administrative officer to which he was promoted in 2005. He was the recipient of the Rose‐Hulman President’s Outstanding Service Award in 2010. Coons is currently serving as vice‐president of the Indiana Risk Management Association Board of Trustees, a member of the UPA Clinic, LLC Board of Managers, a member of the Union Health Systems Finance Committee and has been a member of the Terre Haute Downtown Rotary Club since 1999.

He is a past president of the Indiana Association of College and University Business Officers and has held various committee appointments on the Central Association of College and University Business Officers during his tenure. He is a past treasurer and finance committee chair of the United Way of the Wabash Valley, a past president of Vigo County Lifeline, and is a graduate of Leadership Terre Haute.

Coons earned an M.B.A. from Indiana State University, a CPA from North Carolina, a B.S. in Business from Indiana University, and is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Institute for Education Management Program.

“IU East is truly one of Richmond’s most valuable resources. It has provided educational opportunities for thousands of first generation college students like myself well beyond our expectations and I feel confident it will continue to do so in the years to come. I sincerely appreciated this recognition of my accomplishments from the place where it all started. Thank you for the opportunities,” Coons said.

Returning to Richmond to receive the award and to participate in Commencement was an awesome experience. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to visit campus; something I’ve not done in almost two decades. I was amazed at how the campus had grown and changed since I attended.

“ ”—Robert Coons, AS ’81

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Indiana University East’s first graduating cohort in the Master of Science in Management program received their diplomas during the 42nd Commencement Ceremony May 10. The M.S.M program is a part of the School of Business and Economics. The cohort – composed of 22 graduate students – began

coursework in January 2012 and meet on weekends during the next 15 months to complete the program.

“We are so excited to send our first cohort of masters-prepared graduates out into the region. Their graduation is the culmination of years of dreaming, work and planning by many people at IU East and our partners throughout the region,” said Fredricka Joyner, director of the Graduate Program and an associate professor of business administration and organization behavior.

The M.S.M. is designed for employed professionals seeking a graduate-level business degree. This graduate degree provides a highly interactive learning environment that includes

analysis, communication, leadership, and innovative thinking. The learning outcomes

are designed to help individuals sharpen their entrepreneurial and leadership skills to take their careers to the next level. This is accomplished through focused self-assessment, project-based learning and peer interaction.

Adam McQueen of Richmond works as an adult probation officer. He was attracted to the M.S.M. program not only for the cost and convenience but also because he felt it could help him become a more well-rounded person.

“Specifically, my bachelor’s degree was in criminal justice and I could have very easily gotten a master’s degree in the same field, but I did not want that. I wanted something different and did not know what that was until I entered this program,” McQueen said. “The reach of this degree is expansive. The themes and content of this program are applicable to almost any field.”

After completing the program, McQueen said he is better prepared for a leadership position.

“Prior to this program, I had a perception of what a leader should be, but now realize that perception was wrong. A leader should not just involve his or her employees; he or she should be transparent in his or her actions, engage them and motivate them when the situation calls for it,” McQueen said.

Amy Houpey, of Liberty, Ind., received her undergraduate degree from IU East. She said the time frame for the program was appealing because she was not looking for a program that would take years to complete.

master of science in management graduates

ready to put advanced leadership, professional skills to use

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“While attending the initial informational meeting, I learned that the entire schedule for the program had been set. As a full-time employee with a busy family life, this afforded me the opportunity to know exactly when class would be from the first day to the last day,” Houpey said. “The M.S.M. program has given me the tools I needed to advance my leadership skills. In addition, I have further developed my technical skills, presentation skills, and communication skills.”

Phil Williamson of Aurora, Ind., matriculated to the graduate program after completing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2010 through IU East’s off-campus program in Lawrenceburg.

Williamson chose the IU East M.S.M. program after researching online programs and hybrid programs (a mix of in class and online degree programs). He said IU East’s program appealed to him because of the cohort structure, which was similar to his undergraduate experience,

and feels this structure is the most effective method of education.

“After meeting many of the faculty and realizing how committed they were to this program, I immediately knew this was the program for me,” Williamson said.The program also provided Williamson with tools he could use at his job as a maintenance coordinator for Duke Energy from the beginning. “My primary role is managing employees. This program offers tools beginning in the first semester that can be immediately implemented into your role as a manager and leader of people. Additionally, the program offers the student a different and unique perspective in leadership that will greatly enhance the management career of all that graduate with this degree,” Williamson said.

Currently, the M.S.M cohort is accepting applications for its third cohort to begin

August 2013. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis with priority given to applications received prior to July 1. The IU East master’s in management is designed for individuals who performed well academically in a wide range of degrees at the undergraduate level. Applicants should have at least two years of work experience in either a management position or position leading to management.

“I left this program with so many memorable experiences that to name one that is more significant than another would be very difficult. From the very first day of the program, through to the final day of class I have had memorable experiences. I will always look back and cherish my time in this program. What I hold of most value, is the incredible relationships that were built with my fellow classmates and faculty members,” Williamson said.

IntroducIng the FIrst Iu east M.s.M. graduatIng cohort

M.S.M. Graduates (L to R): Terry Stephens, Jeff Foglesong, Liz Johnson, Liz Ferris, Carol Wels, Amy Houpey, Myra Hisle, Anita Reckers,Scott Welte, Phil Williamson, Sarah Mitchell, Adam Dillman, Nathan Beck, Josh Gooding, Adam McQueen, Sarah Soper, Marci Asher-Whalen, and Molly Vanderpool.

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IU East’s Center for Service-Learning was named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Center for Service-Learning is housed in the Campus Library.

This designation is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll honors the nation’s leading higher education institutions and their students, faculty and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through service. These are institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.

There were 775 IU East students who engaged in academic service-learning or community service programs in 2012.

PresIdent’s Honor roll Honors IU east’s CommItment to servICe

reCord enrollment ContInUes at IU east for tHe 17tH ConseCUtIve term of groWtH

A record-breaking 4,456 students are enrolled for classes this fall at Indiana University East, marking the university’s 17th consecutive term of enrollment growth. Since fall 2007, IU East’s headcount enrollment has grown 96.6 percent.

IU East’s fall headcount of 4,456 represents a 6.5 percent increase compared to the same time last year. Students are enrolled in 40,543 credit hours this fall, a 3.1 percent increase over last year.

Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe welcomed new and returning students to campus during the annual Back with the Pack celebration the first week of classes, August 26-30.

“Within the last six years, IU East has doubled its enrollment. From fall 2007 to fall 2013, the university has continued to experience an increase in the number of students obtaining a four-year or graduate degree in the classroom and online,” Cruz-Uribe said. “Our dedication to the region to provide a top-quality, affordable degree focused on the personal experience of each student continues to make IU East the university of choice.”

IU East increased both the number of new freshmen and the number of new transfer students compared to last year. Transfer students increased 15.7 percent.

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IU east, Women’s tennIs assoCIatIon annoUnCe PartnersHIP for onlIne edUCatIon

Indiana University East and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) formed an agreement that the university is the primary provider for baccalaureate online degree completion programs for WTA players. The agreement was made official August 13 with a public signing at the Western & Southern Open tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center held in Mason, Ohio just north of Cincinnati.

The agreement was signed by IU East Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe and Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA) Chair Lisa Grattan.

Founded in 1973, the WTA is the global leader in women’s professional sport with more than 2,500 players representing 92 nations.

IU East online degree programs can also offer the high quality of an Indiana University degree to students throughout Indiana, nationally and internationally. While the agreement was made official Monday, WTA players have been enrolled at IU East since the spring 2013 term. The quality of IU East’s online programs has attracted internationally-known tennis superstar Venus Williams, who is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration online completion program at IU East.

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Neil Sabine is the Dean of the School of Natural Science and Mathematics, effective May 1, 2013. Sabine has served the campus as the interim dean since August 2011 in addition to teaching as an associate professor of biology.

As dean, Sabine is responsible for all aspects of the school, including faculty recruitment, development and evaluation; program development, assessment and improvement; student recruitment and success; budget management and fundraising; and other matters related to the continuing well-being of the school and its faculty, staff and students.

Sabine first joined IU East as an assistant professor of biology in 1991. He was promoted to associate professor in 1998.

While at IU East, Sabine has received the IU East Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2002, the Indiana University Trustee’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003, and IU’s Frederic Bachman Lieber Award in 2004.

sCHool of natUral sCIenCes and matHematICs WelComes neW dean

sCHool of nUrsIng dean reCeIves Honor for oUtstandIng servICe

Dean of the School of Nursing Karen Clark was recognized for her dedication to service on campus and within the community as one of this year’s recipients of the Indiana University W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service. The Indiana University Faculty Council established the Pinnell Award in 1988, which recognizes faculty members or librarians who have shown exceptional breadth of involvement and depth of commitment in service to the university, their profession or the public.

Through her position as dean and associate professor of nursing, Clark views service as a necessity to improve the nursing profession and to make an impact. At IU East, Clark has been a member of the Institutional Review Board and has helped to lead the campus in defining its mission as a premiere bachelor and master’s degree institution and its vision to move the university forward. Clark serves the community with a commitment to improving the health of residents. She is a member of the Reid Hospital & Health Care Services Governing Board. Professionally, she volunteers her time as the president of the Indiana League for Nursing Board of Directors. She

IU east to estaBlIsH doWntoWn rICHmond art Center

Indiana University East took possession of 912 E. Main, located in downtown Richmond, in July. The space will house an art gallery, individual studios for faculty and students, and a classroom. It is slated to open to the public late this fall 2013.

Planning for this space has been underway for more than a year under the direction of Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Katherine Frank.

Part of the mission of IU East as a regional, public institution is to contribute to the cultural and economic development of the communities it serves. The downtown location was selected in order to create more of a direct community presence, to make resources more accessible to the community, and to help improve the quality of life in the area.

Immediate plans focus on making the gallery and studio space operational and exploring possibilities for use of the classroom for IU East students as well as community art partners. Long term plans include to further develop community partnerships and to launch community-based initiatives that focus on the arts.

has worked with the East Indiana Area Health Education Center, the United Way Health Visioning Task Force, and the Wayne County Health Vocations Advisory Committee. Outside of the world of nursing, Clark has been a leader in education. She helped establish a charter school to help fill a community need for educational opportunities.

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1997Keith Fargo is the director of Scientific Programs with the National Alzheim-er’s Association. He started in the position July 1, 2013.

Jeffery Stinson established Stinson Law Firm, LLC. His firm will focus on helping older adults, persons with disabilities and their families plan for long term care needs.

1998Jeff Cappa, Wayne County Sheriff, was named the 2013 Sheriff of the Year by the Indiana Sheriff’s Association. Cappa received the honor July 27, 2013.

2006Amber Hall is the administrative secretary in the Office of Academic Affairs at IU East. She started the position July 1, 2013.

2008Abby Clapp is a customer service representative at Henny Penny. She began her position in May 2013. She is also a member of the fall 2013 cohort for the Master of Science in Management at IU East.

2010Derek Bogue is the manager of Lease Administration and Development Con-sultants for Chipotle Mexican Grill in Denver, Colo. He accepted the position in August 2011 after leaving The Finish Line in Indianapolis, where he was the director of Lease Administration for the previous 12 years.

Regina McQueary is a social worker at AseraCare Hospice in Richmond.

Jacquelynn Steele will begin teaching Spanish at Centerville Jr./Sr. High School this academic year.

2012Nicole Dickson is the interactive specialist at FORUM Credit Union Corporate Headquarters in Indianapolis. Her position began in January 2013.

Matthew Garringer is a conservation officer for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at Brookville Lake.

2013Heidi Lanzer received the Costa N. Miller Scholarship Award given to out-standing direct support professionals pursuing higher education to further their human service careers. She received the award March 13, 2013, during the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF) Annual Conference Awards in Indianapolis.

Jaime Shuler is a registered nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. She started working at the hospital July 15, 2013.

Britany Swallow is the family consultant at Lifeline Youth and Family Services.

We WANT to hear what you’re up to! To make a submission, go to iue.edu/alumni/updates

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS Sarah Mitchell, MSM’13, Tony Foster II BS ’97, and Beth Fields, AS ’95, work with the city of Richmond and were part of the development team working on the Indiana Stellar Communities Designation. The city of Richmond was notified that it was one of the two Stellar Communities on June 17, 2013. The development team wrote the grant proposal and prepared the presentation to key stakeholders in the community. Stellar Com-munities is a collaboration between the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and the Indiana Department of Transporta-tion (INDOT). The program pools funding sources to assist communities in achieving their long-term comprehensive strategic goals for targeted areas of their community.

Foster is the executive director, and Mitchell is the planning technician, for the Department of Metro-politan Development. Fields is the program director for the Urban Enterprise Association of Richmond.

Congratulations to the following School of Educa-tion alumni who were nominated as Richmond Community High School Teacher of the Year. Susi Hasecoster, ’89, was nominated for Hibberd Pro-grams Building’s Teacher of the Year (Early Col-lege 8th grade Science) and Cassandra K. Maule, ‘05, was nominated for Test Intermediate School’s Teacher of the Year (Special Education).

Melissa Jordan, ’01, was nominated for and re-ceived the Elementary Teacher of the Year Award. She teaches fourth grade at Elizabeth Starr Acad-emy.

NEW RED WOLVESAdam McQueen, ’13, and his wife Courtney, wel-comed a baby boy, Grayson. He was born June 2, 2013.

Stephanie Nicholson, ’04, and husband Robby Tummers, welcomed a daughter, Naya, Jan. 1, 2013. She was the first baby born at Reid Hospital & Health Care Services this year.

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Parting Shotneon trees rocked the red Wolves during this spring’s concert present-ed by Indiana University east office of Campus life and the Student activity advisory team. Students had the opportunity to meet band members tyler glenn, lead vocal; Branden Campbell, bass; elaine Bradley, drums; and Chris aleen, guitars, following the show.

For more photos from the concert, visit iue.edu/flickr.

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2325 Chester Boulevardrichmond, In 47374

address Service requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DPermit No. 862Richmond, IN

Indiana University East will celebrate the second year of the “One Book, Many Voices” project with the fea-tured book Wine to Water, by Doc Hendley. Just as the subtitle indicates, the book is about “how one man saved himself while trying to save the world.” A bartender from North Carolina, Hendley became aware of the global water crisis and decided that he needed to and could do something about it.

Hendley mobilized his network of colleagues, family, and friends and began fundraising in order to contribute aid towards this cause, traveled to Darfur, entered some of the most dangerous areas in the region with little training or support, and started the work that led to the emergence of his non-profit organization, “Wine to Water.” The book tells the story of this journey and emphasizes how one individual, who possesses the will-ingness to act, can have a profound impact on the world.

The “One Book, Many Voices” project’s mission is to foster a campus and community discussion about themes and ideas inspired by a common text in an effort to develop camaraderie, inform knowledge, and inspire action towards positive civic engagement and improvement.

The project will take place throughout the fall semester, ending December 2013. Hendley will visit Richmond and speak at an event open to the public on November 13 at IU East as well as at the university’s annual Spirit of Philanthropy Luncheon on November 14.

For more information about the project, visit iue.edu/onebook

Campus celebrating second year of “One Book, Many Voices” project

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