Indiana Statesman For ISU students. About ISU students. By ISU students.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Indiana Statesman
@ISUstatesman
isustatesman
Volume 125, Issue 73
Presidential inauguration of Dr. Deborah J. Curtis ISU welcomes its first female president Rus’sel Butts Reporter
Photos by Danielle Guy
From top clockwise: Former Indiana State President, Dan Bradley and Charles Ambrose, President at the University of Central Missouri. Tanner Smith, current SGA President. Mr. Jeffery Taylor, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.
On April 13, Dr. Deborah J. Curtis was officially inaugurated as the 12th President of Indiana State University. “As an alumnus of this grand institution I found myself to be expectantly compelled to seek this presidency,” Curtis said during her inaugural address at the Hulman Center. “After quiet and intense reflection, it made all the sense in the world for me to aspire to return to this incredible university, to do my best to give back to the Institution that prepared me for my career.” Dr. Curtis obtained her P.H.D from Indiana State University in Curriculum and Education with a specialization in Supervision of Instruction. She formerly served as provost of the University of Central Missouri from 2012 to 2017 and Dean of the College of Illinois State University from 2006 to 2012. President Curtis requested that the inauguration activities focus on the University and its partnerships rather than on her. This led to many entities being recognized including non-profit
partners, student organizations, and faculty members as they were all in attendance for this historical ceremony. “Today is indeed special as we are inaugurating an alumnus of Indiana State and our first female president,” said Vice-chair of the Board of Trustees, Edward Pease. Dr. Curtis is only the second individual who has graduated from ISU to serve as the University’s president. SGA President, Tanner Smith, said, “I am proud to say I’ve seen the genuine invested interest in student success and well-being that this president still maintains. The past few months serve as an indicator that the future is bright for this institution under the leadership of our 12th president, Dr. Deborah J. Curtis.” Many government officials were in attendance including U.S Senator Todd Young who stated, “We should strive to place more of our talented women in university leadership, corporate boardrooms, and even elected office. ISU’s mission to help our citizens better themselves through knowledge, achievement, and merit is enduring. There is no better time for a new
and creative leader, like Dr. Curtis, to take the reins and lead the University in its next chapter.” During the installation, Mr. Jeffrey Taylor, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, stated that “Dr. Curtis is a leader that possessed the traits we were looking for in our presidential search process; boundless energy, tremendous dedication to students, visionary thinking, and a sense of humor. We found a woman of great intellect who had a humility that is quite rare in University leaders.” After the formal installation, President Curtis delivered her inaugural speech, which focused on the recognition of University affiliates and the future of ISU as an educational institution. “Our faculty are dedicated, incredibly accomplished, and enthusiastic about higher education,” said Dr. Curtis. “They are creating an environment in which students are engaged and enlightened every day. Indiana State University is blue through and through, and blue is brilliant.” President Curtis made it a goal to stay in touch with graduates
SEE CURTIS, PAGE 3
Spring Week: tandem race Katelynn Cook Reporter
Students came together in support of their peers, participating in Spring Week’s final event on Saturday, April 14, at Rec East. The event started off with a few words of encouragement from President Curtis and was followed by the national anthem sung by Will Buchanan. “Tandem is about organizations coming together to achieve a common goal,” Jed Caron freshman member of Pi Kappa Phi tandem team said. The winners of this year’s Tandem race were Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Theta Chi fraternity. Followed by Sigma Chi and Alpha Omicron Pi in second and the Residence Hall Association in third. “You have to have a lot of dedication on and off the track,” Caron said. The people in the stands were all there cheering on their teams and friends. Some even made posters for the people participating in the race. “I love going to the event and cheering on my sister on and watching them,” Leann Winegard sophomore member of the Sigma Kappa, said. At the beginning of the first lap there was an accident with paring Alpha Phi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Resident Hall Association. Alpha Phi and SAE forfeited the race due to injuries that Sara Latini, Alpha Phi member, occurred when she was run over by another bike after the crash. “It’s very energetic and lively. But when something goes wrong or someone gets hurt you can almost feel the tension,” Winegard said.
ISU Communications & Marketing
Dr. Elonda Ervin is the Executive Director of Multicultural Services and Programs.
Esteemed women of Indiana State honored at Her Color Shines Jada N. Holmes Reporter
Taking place in University Hall Saturday, April 14, the third annual Her Color Shines ceremony continued a tradition of recognizing the exceptional efforts of female faculty, staff, and students at Indiana State University. Upon entering the event, attendees were met with graceful greetings, photograph opportunities complimented by a signature Her Color Shines backdrop, and the soft vocal stylings of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Tina Turner selections as they seated themselves for the program. Beginning at 6 p.m., Women of Promise committee members and masters of ceremony Nuri Rodriguez—sophomore elementary education major—and University college advisor Hope Williams facilitated a warm introduction and reflection of Her Color Shines origins. With a commitment to acknowledging the various demographics of women on campus—student or employee—the evenings focus centered on the accomplishments of women representing that of African-American, Hispanic & Latina, Pacific Islander and Asian descent. Blessing the stage as the first performer of the night was Mrs. En Sun Jung, remarkable instrumentalist of the gayageum. The audience, grounded in the melodic twang of plucked strings, abstract in nature, sat silently to observe the stylings of Jung, who
demonstrated two captivating selection before the MCs returned to the forefront. Rodriguez, young and poised, speaks of the original Women of Promise initiative that conceived the Her Color Shines implementation under the director of Multicultural Services and Programs Executive Director, Elonda Ervin. An effort to not only provide adequate representation of minority accomplishments, the initiative suggests a power in establishing community among women who strive for greatness at or beyond the collegiate and professional level. The program proceeds with the gifting of the Longevity Award, for which Azizi Arrington-Bey operated briefly as the presenter. In dedication of the determination, grace, and “seasoned” experience, the longevity award honors the longtime employment of its recipients. Among those individuals were Rita Anderson with 20 years of service, Nancy Hauger with 19 years, Theresa Ortega with 12, Venita Stallings with 23, Dr. Karen Liu with an awesome 29, Dr. Catherine Paterson with 7, and Dr. JaDora Sailes with 7. Recipients, distinguished and grateful, were encouraged to remain on stage as the audience embraced them with a trembling applause. Following immediately behind was a word from additional speaker, Dr. Namita Goswani, who recited “Wishful Thinking,” a poetic work conveying the reality of one’s success being awaited by more than themselves.
“You have nothing to prove to anyone,” she affirmed. The MCs returned to the stage to explain the special order in which student awards would be given, requiring a personal submission and a 3.0 GPA for qualification. The average GPA for all student award recipients rested at an exceptional 3.47. Rodriguez and Williams expressed that, while over 200 applications were submitted, only 40 of them were fully completed, establishing the selection pool from which winners were chosen. “Electric Lady” by Janelle Monae, as fitting as it was, stuck out as the soundtrack for the next distribution of awards. This time, students would be in the spotlight. The Savvy Award, given to freshman and sophomore recipients who have displayed “discernment and practical knowledge throughout their academic career,” according to the program made way for the recognition of Ashleigh Adams, Markila Hall, Carey Roan, and Yadira Diaz Romero, with testimonies from both Adams and Roan to accentuate the moment. Next, the Galvanize Award, given to juniors and seniors who have exhibited admirable motivation and leadership in their journey—recipients were Keralynn Little, Olivia Martin, Chinonye Olumba, Destini Turner, and Michelle White. Bless The Mic asserted themselves as the
SEE HER COLOR, PAGE 3