STATE Magazine Spring/Summer 2023

is published by University Communication of Indiana State University. ©2023

PRESIDENT OF INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Deborah J. Curtis, Ph.D. ’86

CHIEF OF STAFF, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Rex Kendall, ’88, GR ’91

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATION & STATE MAGAZINE EDITOR

Zeke Torres

GRAPHIC DESIGNER, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATION

Kelli Cheever

CONTRIBUTORS

Andrea Angel, Advancement

Tony Campbell, Photography

Tracy Ford, ’88 BS, GR ’05, Photography

Seth Montgomery, Athletics

Sophie Morgan, ’20, Photography

Christopher Olsen, Provost/Academic Affairs

Allanee Quick, ’18, Alumni

Amber Stinson, ’19, GR ’21, Advancement

Jeremiah Turner, ’19, Advancement

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05

STATE OF INDIANA INVESTS IN INDIANA STATE

Read more about the $66 million investment coming to the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology

09

NEW DEAN ON CAMPUS

The Bailey College of Engineering and Technology has a new leader

10

INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY GOES INTERNATIONAL

Hear how an ISU education is now available in Cuba

17

A SECOND CHANCE FOR FORMER STUDENTS

A new program is letting people transform their lives and careers

25

GROUNDBREAKING EDUCATORS RECOGNIZED

Read more about three faculty members who have been recognized with ISU’s highest award

28 TRANSFORMATIONAL GIVING

Recent donors are improving the lives of our students

34 ALUMNI NEWS Class Notes, Homecoming 2023 date

06 STEVE & GLORIA BAILEY

Meet the people behind ISU’s largest individual gift

19 READY TO CHANGE THEIR WORLD

Learn more about two influential ISU graduates

22 SYCAMORE SUCCESS

Records broken, conference championships, and history made: a lookback at ISU Athletics

In December 2022, the cornhole community was captivated by Indiana State University freshman aviation student Kole Brewer. He won the National College Cornhole Singles title, which was aired on ESPN, and was awarded a scholarship.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Sycamore Family and Friends,

Summer is always a busy time on campus and this summer season is no exception. Soon after celebrating the commencement of 1644 new Sycamore alumni on May 6, 2023, final plans were being made to welcome the Class of 2027 to campus for State Orientation. At the time of publication, we are in the final weeks of introducing our newest Sycamores to campus and preparing them for their first day of classes in August. How lucky are we as a University to be the stepping stone for our recent graduates and our incoming students who will make a difference in our communities?

Donors and the State of Indiana continue to make transformative investments in Indiana State University. In December 2022, Steve and Gloria Bailey made the largest individual donation in the University’s history of $8 million. In recognition of their generosity, the ISU Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology (BCET). In April, the State of Indiana’s Budget passed providing $66 million of capital funding for renovating the Technology Annex Building in the BCET.

Both are truly transformational.

While these dollars reflect ISU’s dedication to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and the growth of University programs that align with the state’s workforce priorities, this paints a bigger picture; Indiana State’s unique positioning to be a pipeline of talent that keeps Indiana’s best and brightest minds in the Hoosier State. Data from an annual survey shows ISU’s class of 2022 had a 94% placement rate into jobs, graduate school, or the military.

Our University is transforming to stay current with what higher education looks like today and in the future. New faces are in different positions, and buildings are being remodeled, but our mission remains to provide students with a high-quality education. In this edition of STATE Magazine, you’ll see and read about the transformation on our campus, the students we’re impacting, and the excellent faculty/staff leading the charge.

Last but not least, our Athletics programs. These Sycamores are champions on and off the field, court, diamond, and track. Our teams are proving that ISU belongs with the best. Our athletes have lit a fire within our community that is felt across all venues resulting in postseason runs, championships, and a new sentiment of Sycamore pride.

As you read this edition of STATE Magazine, I encourage you to reflect on your connection to ISU and to visit campus. Come see why we’re proud to be the State of Indiana’s university, visit what’s happening, and find out what’s to come.

Sincerely,

Deborah J. Curtis, Ph.D. President

A transformational investment for Indiana State University and the State of Indiana

In the early hours of April 28, the Indiana General Assembly passed the 2023-25 State Budget; it contained $66 million of capital funding for the renovation of the Technology Annex Building in the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.

This is the largest capital project funded by the State of Indiana in University history.

The project will result in several modernized upgrades, including state-of-the-art instructional and laboratory space for the College.

Construction and renovation are anticipated to begin in the summer of 2024. The project should take about two years to complete.

Indiana State University is in the process of soliciting responses to a request for qualifications/proposals for architectural and engineering services for the project. Once

an architect/engineer is selected, several months of design work are ahead.

The Technology Annex Building was built in 1980.

“This much-needed facility will provide a tremendous long-term return on investment for the State of Indiana. If we don’t provide that workforce pipeline to fill high-paying STEM jobs, other states and countries will. ISU is now better positioned to do what we do best: educate students in critical fields like technology and engineering who are likely to remain in Indiana to live and work,” ISU President Deborah Curtis said.

Like many educational institutions across the country, Indiana State University is adapting to the changing workforce in the United States.

ISU officials carefully considered several buildings across campus for this repair

and rehabilitation project plan. They factored in critical areas like growth for university programs that align with state workforce priorities.

“Thank you to our legislators and the Indiana General Assembly for believing in us. This is a historic day for Indiana State University and the State of Indiana,” Curtis added.

Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs: “We are so grateful to the State of Indiana for its investment in our Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. Their generous support will ensure that our students have the most up-todate, world-class facilities. The education they receive in these critical, high-demand fields will be vital for the economic development of Indiana and beyond for the next several decades.”

with Indiana State’s largest individual donation ever

On December 9, 2022, Indiana State University announced its largest individual donation ever — $8 million from Steve and Gloria Bailey — and the ISU Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology (BCET).

The gift reflects ISU’s dedication to STEM education, the strength of its engineering program, and its support of the state of Indiana’s workforce goals. The donation created scholarships, faculty fellowships, and a Dean’s fund, with a goal of attracting even more great students and faculty.

“We are deeply grateful to Steve and Gloria Bailey for this historic gift,” ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said. “It shows great confidence in the mission of Indiana State University and generous support for our tremendous faculty and students. As an alumnus, Steve built upon his experience at ISU to become incredibly successful in business. With this gift, Steve and Gloria will impact more lives than we can imagine and leave a lasting legacy.”

Steve Bailey is a 1970 alumnus of ISU who graduated with a degree in automotive technology and went on to lead Diesel USA Group as CEO until his retirement in 2019. He serves on the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology Dean’s Advisory Council and the ISU Foundation Board of Directors.

Gloria worked in interior design and human resources before her retirement in 2014. In 2020, she helped ISU Interior Architecture Design students redesign and furnish the atrium in the John T. Myers Technology Center.

The Baileys, who live in Naples, Florida, and Louisville, Kentucky, are loyal supporters of ISU and have been heavily involved in the advancement of engineering and technology students through their generous donations. In November 2022, the Baileys were honored as

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Gloria and Steve Bailey

Gloria and I are so impressed with the direction of Indiana State under President Curtis’ leadership.

—Steve Bailey

March On! Award recipients in recognition of their philanthropy to ISU.

“Gloria and I are so impressed with the direction of Indiana State under President Curtis’ leadership,” Steve Bailey said. “We have seen firsthand the great work being done to provide first-generation college students with a high-quality education through mentorship, curriculum, and experiential learning. We feel passionately that the three prongs in this gift — the student scholarships, the faculty fellowships, and the Dean’s fund — will positively impact the lives of engineering and technology students for years to come.”

Said Gloria Bailey: “Every facet of Indiana State, and this gift, excites us because we know how much of an effect it can have on students. Steve attributes much of his success in his career to his time at Indiana State. We are hopeful that this gift will be the best investment of our lives.”

The Bailey College of Engineering and Technology earned the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation for its engineering program in August 2022. The college currently holds 13 ABET accredited programs. ABET accreditation verifies that programs provide the quality standards of the profession that’s being taught.

“This is an exciting time for engineering and technology students, faculty, and staff at Indiana State,” said Dr. Jim Smallwood, Interim Dean of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to amplify our programs and recruit more gifted students thanks to the Baileys’ belief in our mission.”

The gift will be used for three funds. The first will create Bailey College of Engineering and Technology Scholars for incoming freshmen majoring in a

program within the college. The $3,000 scholarships are renewable for up to two years. Fifty such scholarships will be offered in Fall 2023, the inaugural year.

The second fund will be the Bailey Faculty Fellowship Fund, a $10,000 award to five outstanding faculty members. The fellowships, renewable for up to three years, fund activities such as research and conferences, but do not supplement salaries. The fund will not only recognize high-achieving faculty members already at ISU, but will help the University recruit new faculty to the BCET.

The third fund provides support to the Dean of the College. The gift will dedicate $50,000 to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence for the first three years of the donation. The fund will assist the dean with new industry partnerships, expanding existing partnerships, and recruiting students.

The gift implements a new vision to adjust and restructure current BCET programs to meet everchanging industry needs and prepare students for careers using applied learning. The altruism of the Baileys paves the way for the creation of additional opportunities in the BCET by funneling funds in support of students, faculty, and programming.

“Steve and Gloria Bailey are the embodiment of joyful giving,” said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the ISU Foundation. “They have been boldly supportive of our institution by volunteering their time, dedicating their resources, and creating experiential learning opportunities for the betterment of our engineering and technology students. Their recent gift is transformational, and I am humbled by their generosity and faith in the mission of Indiana State University.”

Steve Bailey addressing the Board of Trustees

Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, announced in March that Dr. Divya Choudhary had been selected as the new Dean of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology after a national search.

Choudhary, who starts at ISU on August 1, will lead the college during an exciting time.

Last year, the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology received accreditation for its engineering program from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

“I am just delighted that Dr. Choudhary is joining us as Dean of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology,” said Provost Olsen. “She has a wealth of experience with programs in engineering and technology at institutions that align well with Indiana State. It’s an amazing time to be in the Bailey College as we launch the Bailey Scholars and Bailey Fellows programs, and I am eager to see the impact of Dr. Choudhary’s leadership on the entire college. We are ideally positioned right now to take the college to the next level of success.”

Said Choudhary: “I am looking forward to joining Indiana State University’s exceptional faculty, students, and staff on campus as the new Dean of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. The generous gift of donors Steve and Gloria Bailey presents an incredible opportunity to take the College to the next level by

expanding its quality programs and creating new initiatives to address the demand for engineering and technology professionals in this region and beyond.”

Since March 2022, Choudhary has been Dean of the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology at Texas A&M University at Texarkana. She was also a Professor of Electrical Engineering.

She led a college with 1,000 students, with responsibility for new programs, student success, new building development, enhancing engagement with faculty and students; annual evaluations of faculty; advisory boards, and developing relationships with the local businesses and community. She also had responsibility for the Electrical Engineering program on a satellite campus in Bryan, Texas.

From 2010 to 2022, Choudhary was at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. She served in positions including Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of Electrical Engineering.

Choudhary was the founding director of Christian Brothers’ STEM Center for Women and Diversity. The Center hosted summer camps and workshops to encourage girls and minorities in high school and middle school to pursue STEM majors.

Choudhary earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Mumbai in India. She earned her master’s degree and doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Memphis.

A TRANSFORMATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISU AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA

Earlier this year, Indiana State University completed an educational exchange agreement with the University of Havana. It will offer students and faculty opportunities to conduct collaborative research and study in Cuba. With this agreement, ISU joins nearly eighty other U.S. universities, including Harvard and the University of Alabama, who have agreements with Cuba’s oldest university.

“Indiana State University is pleased to include the University of Havana on our list of global universities with which we partner for educational exchanges,” said Dr. Christopher Olsen, ISU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This will give us the chance to develop a wide-ranging set of opportunities for students, in particular.” Olsen noted that, given the size and comprehensive array of programs at the University of Havana, the partnership can develop similar to some of ISU’s other international relationships with institutions such as Edge Hill University (England) and the University of Zagreb (Croatia).

The agreement includes the Center for Hemispheric and United States Studies and

its Latin American School of Social Sciences, also known as FLACSO, offering students and faculty the chance to gain a greater worldview on public policy, political science, social and natural sciences, humanities, and community healthcare. Indiana State anticipates that students will participate in study abroad beginning in January, 2025, as plans are underway for the first new faculty-led trips at that time. ISU students previously traveled to Cuba under an earlier agreement that had expired. Several ISU faculty, led by Cuba scholar Mike Erisman, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, have worked extensively on topics of Cuban history, political science, and public policy, and have long-standing connections with faculty at the University of Havana. Dr. Raul Rodriguez, Director of the Center for Hemispheric and U.S. Studies, plans to visit ISU’s campus in fall, 2023.

“This partnership is part of Indiana State’s ongoing efforts to further internationalize our campus and provide a global perspective to our students’ academic experiences,” said Dr. Chris McGrew, director of ISU’s Center for Global Engagement. “It will offer another option for

ISU students to leverage their ISU Advantage Experience Grants to study abroad. Dr. Jill Moore, Executive Director of the ISU School of Nursing, was part of the ISU team that traveled to the University of Havana in March, 2023, and she was impressed with opportunities that ISU students could access when traveling to Cuba. This is particularly relevant, she noted, in terms of ‘cross-cultural research with the University of Havana in the areas of nursing, social work, and human development and family sciences.’”

Burton named new Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Indiana State University welcomed Dr. Xavia Harrington Burton, a well-versed equity strategist that focuses on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented populations within PK-12 and higher education, as the new Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

Burton’s primary responsibilities are to recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff throughout campus and to address issues of implicit bias in and out of the classroom. She will also provide leadership on issues of diversity and faculty excellence, and help ISU achieve several strategic goals and benchmarks.

“I am excited to join the Indiana State community and to lead meaningful work that will positively impact the campus, faculty development, and vulnerable student success outcomes for years to come. As

a champion for all faculty, staff, and students, I am thrilled to call Indiana State home. Let’s get to work!” she said.

Her career includes being a civil rights investigator and human relations commissioner of equity. She worked at the University of Southern Indiana as an instructor of Africana studies, gender studies, and English, and Assistant Professor of Equity in Education.

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Christopher Olsen said, “I am very grateful and excited that Dr. Burton is joining us at Indiana State. She has a wealth of experience in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and belonging and will bring a new perspective to campus. I know Dr. Burton is ready to build on the good work we’ve done in the past but also take us in new directions.”

She earned a bachelor of arts in English and secondary education from Claflin University, a master of arts in composition and cultural rhetorics from Auburn University, and a doctorate in education from Bellarmine University.

Indiana State University Provost, Dr. Christopher Olsen, and University of Havana Rector, Dr. Miriam Nicado Garcia, sign the exchange agreement between their universities. The opposite page photo shows a view of Havana from the top of the main steps of the university. Photos were provided by Provost Olsen.

$100,000 gift to ISU’s Theater Department furthers experiential learning for the arts

Billy Joe and Nerissa Jay, avid supporters of arts and education, generously contributed $100,000 to Indiana State University’s Theater Department on Give to Blue Day. This gift was made in honor of their daughter-in-law Dr. Alicia Jay, an Assistant Professor of Theater Management and Administration at ISU.

Give to Blue Day is dedicated to advancing the University’s mission of student success in a 24-hour period. When supporters sign up as social media ambassadors, they help spread the word to raise funds for the betterment of Sycamores. Dr. Jay was a social media ambassador and shared the giving link with her family, which spurred this transformative donation.

The Jays’ gift reflects their strong belief in the revitalizing power of the arts and their commitment to ensuring students have access to hands-on, creative experiences. The two envision a world where individuals from all backgrounds can express themselves through fine arts.

“When we visited campus in the fall, we were able to tour multiple areas in the Theater Department and see the meticulous work being done behind the scenes. Having some background in stagecraft and costuming, we were very impressed that these areas were geared to allow students to have first-hand experiences in every facet of drama production while in school,” the Jays said. “Alicia was so engaged in her explanations of how each area was used—we know that with this gift, she and Indiana State University can develop and enhance each student’s journey in the arts and their futures.”

Dr. Jay was instrumental in connecting her in-laws to the program.

Indiana State offers many educational opportunities to students, including this spring break trip to London to study Shakespeare in 2022

In 2021, the Department of Theater’s summer program, Crossroads Repertory Theatre, produced its season online. Despite the challenges, there was one advantage: accessibility. One of the shows that season, I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Jacqués Lamarre, inspired Mr. and Mrs. Jay to have spaghetti for dinner while streaming the play; they have been champions of the department ever since.

Dr. Jay’s inclusive teaching approach, embracing each student with equality and without discrimination, makes her an invaluable asset to Indiana State University and beyond.

“This generous gift to the ISU Department of Theater is an opportunity to help many students over the next few years — especially through scholarships and outside-of-the-classroom learning experiences,” said Dr. Alicia Jay. “The Jays’ gift affirms that ISU theater students are making impactful art that can speak to people inside and outside of the Sycamore community.”

The significant contribution will undoubtedly strengthen educational opportunities within the Theater Department at ISU that will enable the department to further its commitment to empowering students as they embrace their creativity and contribute to the cultural and artistic enrichment of society.

BY DR. LLOYD W. BENJAMIN III

One of the most prolific architectural families this past century in Terre Haute was the Miller family and no single architect did more to shape the Indiana State University we see today than Ewing Miller II.

Miller, who died in 2021, designed or contributed to the design of 31 buildings and developed a master plan for the campus from 1955 to 1973.

In 1954, two friends encouraged Miller, then 31, to settle permanently in Terre Haute, where his family of architects had earned a solid reputation. Miller was skeptical. One friend wrote to him: “Well, you ought to come back and try it one more time because Indiana State’s beginning to grow, and we really think the university is going to expand considerably.”

The campus had a limited number of buildings clustered about the quad. These included Old Main, North Hall, the Vocational building, Normal Library, Science building, Parsons, Reeve and Tirey Halls, and the Fine Arts and Commerce Building. The most recent buildings were Dreiser and Gillum Halls.

The Miller and Yeager architectural firm, having started in 1910, was firmly established in Terre Haute when Ewing II settled there. Predating Ewing joining the firm, his family was responsible for several landmark buildings in Terre Haute, including the Elks Lodge, the Federal Building (now home of the Scott College of Business), Woodrow Wilson School, and, on the ISU campus, Tirey Hall and the Arts and Commerce Building.

College campuses of the 19th and early 20th century were conservators of historical styles such as the Romanesque, Neo Gothic, Neoclassical, and Tudor, etc. At the Normal School, the first name for ISU, a classical style was adopted for Normal Library — a building

Burford Hall

(Miller, Vrydagh, and Miller)

The glazed tile below windows removed in renovation.

elevated on a base with appropriate classical elements (columns, pediments, etc.) and an interior stained glass dome with a figure of Philosophy in the center drawn from Raphael’s representation of the same subject in the Vatican Apartments in Rome. It suggested a noble grandeur associated with antiquity, the liberal arts, and connection with other elite universities in larger cities.

Adjacent to the campus, Fairbanks Library was built in a similar style. By contrast, at Indiana University, the Student Services Building and Maxwell Hall were done in Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles.

Prior to Ewing Miller’s campus designs, all of the buildings, with the exception of Dreiser and Gillum Halls, were constructed in revival styles. Ralph Yeager Jr., Miller’s professional partner, was a graduate of the University of Illinois where early interest in a modern idiom of building was practiced. President Tirey favored his work and the commissions for Gillum and Dreiser grew out of that relationship. What, one might ask, was modern about these two buildings located on the quad that differed noticeably from the other nearby buildings that were done in revival styles? The modern elements Miller pointed to were the glass blocks incorporated in the façades used for illuminating the stairways and the small portecocheres that off-set the starkness of the brick boxes. Miller referred to the style derogatorily as “Mussolini Modern.”

A brief discussion of several of his buildings that exemplify the modernism Miller introduced on campus follows:

Burford, Erickson and Pickerl Halls

The growth in the number of students necessitated the expansion of campus housing and the Miller firm designed Burford,

Sycamore Towers (Miller, Miller, and Associates)

Erickson, and Pickerl Hall. All three buildings were 6 stories high, built in an L-shape and shared common dining facilities. Miller once remarked that the profit margin from dormitory design and construction didn’t favor stylistic innovation. To distinguish Burford from costsensitive public housing he inserted glazed tile on the building surface under the windows — a feature he had seen in England.

Sycamore Towers (Blumberg, Cromwell, Mills and Rhoads Halls)

Sycamore Towers were conceived as an integrated group of high-rise buildings that were completed in the mid-1960s. Enrollment growth necessitated additional housing for women and, eventually, men shortly after Burford, Erickson and Pickerl Halls had been completed.

Building high-rise housing represented a new development in campus architecture. The twelve story Towers doubled in height the previous three dormitories. Miller explained that the decision to go higher was influenced, in part, by the cost of land. But the overarching

(continued on page 16)

Blumberg, Cromwell, Mills and Rhoads Halls before and after renovations.

influence, he stated, was the desire of the trustees to have iconic tall buildings visible at a distance that would signify ISU was a modern urban campus in contrast to housing at IU and Purdue.

Cunningham Library was dedicated in 1974. It was a boldly modern statement, one which pleased Miller, who said, “…the library is the best building we did…” He described it as a “formalist building” with its concrete exterior (a modern international feature) noting its minimalist classic simplicity.

“(Former ISU President) Alan Rankin also felt that the library was the statement of the University,” Miller said. “We wanted a building where the mass and the breadth of the building carried it as an important building and you get that best by being more formalist.”

Enrollment growth had driven the need for a much larger library to replace the older Normal Hall which could only accommodate about 4% of the student body while the new library was designed to meet the needs of 25% of the student population at any given time. Miller, I believe, saw the building as a sculptural object that deserved to be seen from the front and sides in a parklike setting. Miller had intended for the covered walkway in front of the building to continue south past Holmstedt Hall to connect with the quad but street closure issues intervened.

Rankin Hall (Link Building)

Rankin Hall was dedicated in 1972. This was the last major “modernist” architectural statement on campus. It was named the Link Building because it joined the Elks Building to the south with the Tirey Hall facilities to the north.

Miller thought of it as a monumental gateway to the quadrangle off 7th Street. The circular design and unadorned exterior limestone slab walls continued his interest in formal monumentality.

Miller had the rare honor of being elected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and was the recipient of numerous distinguished awards including the Indiana American Institute of Architects President’s Award 2008 and the first Indiana AIA Gold Medal in 2013 for his exemplary practice as architect and designer. For his military service he received the Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medals.

His wife, Donna Barnard Ari, described him lovingly: “Always a gentleman, Ewing endeared family, friends, and strangers with the twinkle in his eye, his humor, wisdom, steadfastness, intellect, warmth and bow ties.”

Dr. Lloyd W. Benjamin III served as Indiana State University’s tenth President from 2000-2008.

Cunningham Library (Miller and Associates and Archonics) Southeast view.

Rankin Hall (Miller and Associates)

Cunningham Library

HOW A NEW PROGRAM LETS SYCAMORES TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES

Graduating from college is a daunting but rewarding task. There are late nights of studying, assignments, and a social life to balance. For others, financial obstacles, family obligations, etc., have stopped Indiana State University students from becoming alums, sometimes with less than 15 credits remaining.

But now, the Leadership and Professional Development program is repowering Sycamores who want to transform their personal lives and careers.

This curriculum offers students that need just a few credits to graduate from Indiana State a chance to earn a bachelor’s degree through a customized track.

Since being established in the fall of 2022, five students have graduated, with around 20 members actively enrolled.

Dr. Lindsey Eberman said: “This is a huge opportunity. Indiana State is a university that has historically served Indiana in a unique way. We are in a place to serve more members of the Hoosier community, allowing them to have a greater degree of social mobility. We have a chance to elevate people who want to better their lives, and we should.”

The curriculum structure involves only a handful of foundational classes and five credits of core classes. A student’s track is custombuilt based on their previous education and career

aspirations; their degree can be completely different than when they first attended school if their life is taking a new direction.

Recruitment started by using institutional data for people that completed 75 credits at Indiana State previously and contacting them about

returning to complete their degree and graduate. ISU later emphasized recruitment through digital and radio advertisements.

Although a university-wide degree, the program is housed in the College of Arts and

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Paula Glover

“Finish what you start. That is a phrase I have used with my children. After almost 25 years, I made the decision to finish what I started with my college degree,” said Paula Glover.

Glover attended Indiana State University in 1994, majoring in textiles, apparel, and merchandising, but left in 1999 before finishing her degree.

After working in the corporate world for over two decades and watching her children earn their college degrees, Glover finally felt it was time to finish what she started.

After reconnecting with Indiana State, she learned she only needed 11 credit hours to finish her degree. Glover enrolled in the Leadership and Professional Development program and began classes in January 2023. In May, Glover accomplished her dream and graduated from ISU with a bachelor’s in leadership and professional development.

Her story isn’t done. Glover’s passion for learning has been reignited, and in June, she started pursuing her master of business administration degree.

New Program (continued)

Sciences and is offered online only through a mix of eight- and 16-week courses. The program is supported by all the academic units; for instance, Dr. Eberman is working with the Bayh College of Education to help students finish their degree to become eligible for our transition to a teaching program. Those who pursue this route could help address Indiana’s teacher shortage and transform young lives in the classroom.

Eberman adds “All of the colleges, particularly collaborators and administrators in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Academic Affairs, the Provost, and many people across ISU’s campus have been influential and supportive of the program’s success.”

Almost all of the current and recently graduated students remember the exact moment or reason they stopped attending school and they aren’t taking this second opportunity to earn their degrees for granted. These students are resilient. Most attended ISU before leaving, but the educational backgrounds of all the students vary quite drastically. Like many Sycamores, they balance life outside the classroom while managing coursework. They often have full-time employment, and completing college often results in a promotion, more money in their careers, and most importantly, a sense of accomplishment.

The program’s future includes adding more career-focused tracks and targeted recruiting across the state on people who may need more credits (up to 45 credits) to graduate. ISU will also accept students if they have not attended Indiana State previously.

Current and future tracks include Caregiving; Educational Entrepreneurship; Criminal Studies; Non-Profit & Civic Leadership; Health Care & Health Care Policy; and Open Track.

MORE THAN A DIPLOMA, TWO GRADUATES TAKE FIRST STEPS TO CHANGING THE WORLD

On May 6, during spring commencement, the class of 2023 and hundreds of attendees listened to two of the newest, most influential Indiana State University alums.

Corey Christman and Xandria Futrell were undergraduate student speakers and shared personal stories of resilience, sacrifice, and success.

Christman graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing with a minor in Spanish. At Indiana State, he was a President’s Scholar; the president of the Student Nursing Association, and helped the club win ISU’s 2022 Philanthropy Organization of the Year award; and a member of the College of Health and Human Service’s Dean’s Board.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Christman selflessly gave his time to administer free vaccines to Vigo County residents. His philanthropic efforts also include building homes through Habitat for Humanity.

Christman is staying in the Wabash Valley; after graduation, he accepted a job as an Intensive Care Unit nurse at Union Hospital in Terre Haute and plans to pursue a degree to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Futrell is best known for being an accomplished leader and community activist. Her legacy as a Sycamore includes founding the Urban Arts Initiative, a student organization dedicated to creating a culture that changes communities through arts and service. As a campus and community leader, she participated in Miss Indiana State University Scholarship Program and served as a community engagement coordinator for the Sycamore Food Pantry. She also hosted Sycamore Session talent shows.

She graduated with a degree in Multidisciplinary Studies that she designed with her faculty, focused on the social determinants of health. She plans to attend graduate school and one day create appealing communities that ensure happier and healthier living.

In different fields, but with same mission in mind, these students want to transform the world and leave it a better place than how they found it. Christman and Futrell are shining representations of what it means to be a Sycamore.

world-renowned faculty

Sycamore difference

connection and community humility faculty

ence community

bracing change

college challenge

economic prosperity

powering student success

the next generation of leaders

Building a legacy

perity success

ation of leaders

Breaking through barriers

social barriers

Sycamore to the core

Providing amazing experiential learning opportunities barriers

generational expectations

Leaving it better than you found it

experiential learning opportunities

undergraduate research

pectations

you found it opportunities research

opportunity for all

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Engaging with world-renowned faculty

Discovering the Sycamore difference

a sense of connection and community

amazing experiential learning opportunities

Innovating with undergraduate research

ational expectations

better than you found it

learning opportunities

graduate research

Ensuring opportunity for all

ISU ATHLETICS WINS

In the spring season, Indiana State’s softball, baseball, and track and field teams each added more history to ISU’s decorated athletics program. From individual accomplishments to team hardware, the Sycamores were able to uphold the blue and white to a high standard and prove to the naysayers that Indiana State competes with the best in the nation.

Softball

The Indiana State softball team had a season to remember this past year as the Sycamores set new program records in both overall wins (32) and Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) wins (17). The Sycamores overcame early adversity in the 2023 season but used it to band together in conference play. ISU boasted a stretch where the team won 10 out of 12 games midway through the season including wins over Pittsburgh and Purdue. The Sycamores went into the postseason on a tear winning seven of their last eight contests before heading to Carbondale for the MVC Tournament.

ISU used the momentum from the regular season to propel their way through the single-elimination MVC Tournament. The Sycamores handed top-seed Northern Iowa its second loss in the 2023 season to eliminate the preseason favorite in the conference semifinals. Indiana State continued to roll in advancing the MVC Tournament Championship game for the first time since 2015.

The Sycamores were well-rewarded with five players voted on the postseason All-Conference team. Additionally, Isabella Henning and Annie Tokarek were voted to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region Team. Following the season, Head Coach Mike Perniciaro received a contract extension carrying through the spring of 2027.

WINS BIG IN SPRING

Baseball

Indiana State baseball completed one of the most successful seasons in program history in the spring of 2023. The Sycamores swept the MVC regular season and tournament championships in advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time overall and third in the last four tournaments.

ISU hosted an NCAA Regional for the first time after being awarded the No. 14 national seed by the NCAA. The Sycamores lived up to the billing as ISU topped Wright State and Iowa (twice) on the way to winning just the second NCAA Regional in program history and first since 1986. The Sycamores advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time since the tournament format changed back in 1999. ISU’s postseason run came to an end against TCU at the Fort Worth Super Regional, but the Sycamores left their mark on college baseball in 2023.

Indiana State finished the regular season ranked in all six major NCAA baseball polls and posted a top-10 RPI for a majority of the year. With a mantra of playing anyone, any time, any place, ISU was the only team in the NCAA RPI top-15 to boast more than 20 road wins on the year. The Sycamores finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the nation winning 34 of their last 38 games and did not lose a non-conference game since March 21 with wins over Indiana, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Purdue, and Ball State during the stretch.

Eleven Indiana State athletes were honored on the MVC postseason All-Conference team including MVC Pitcher of the Year Connor Fenlong and Defensive Player of the Year Grant Magill. Head Coach Mitch Hannahs was also voted as the league’s Dan Callahan Coach of the Year by his peers around the league.

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FENLONG

MAGILL

COACH HANNAHS

Track & Field

Indiana State added another chapter to its storied track and field history, as the Sycamores won the MVC Men’s Outdoor Championship for the second straight year and 12th time in program history.

Kevin Krutsch (high jump), Brett Norton (shot put) and Shomari Rogers-Walton (triple jump) all won individual titles for the Trees, who accumulated 186 points, while Angela Martin was named the MVC Coach of the Year. ISU also earned its first No. 1 regional ranking in program history and was in the top five in the region for nearly the entire season.

Krutsch, Trevor Thompson and Lawrence Mitchell swept the high jump podium, while Norton and Wyatt Puff went 1-2 in the shot put. As a team, Indiana State collected 16 allconference honors on the men’s side, earned six all-conference honors on the women’s side and placed third in the women’s team standings with 115 points.

The Sycamores also shined on the big stage, earning 15 entries into the NCAA East First Round. Will Staggs (pole vault) and Ryann Porter (triple jump) were named Honorable Mention All-Americans after top-20 finishes at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Staggs and Porter also were stellar in the classroom and earned the MVC’s Elite 17 Awards, which go to athletes with the highest GPA and finishes at the conference championships.

PORTER PUFF ROGERS-WALTON

KRUTSCH MITCHELL NORTON

STAGGS THOMPSON COACH MARTIN

REORGANIZATION OF SEVERAL ACADEMIC AREAS

Over the past academic year, Indiana State University officials completed a reorganization of several key areas across the university, including the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) and University College (UC).

With final approval from the Faculty Senate, ISU reorganized the centralized College of Graduate and Professional Studies in favor of a more decentralized administrative structure. The newly created Office of Graduate Studies, headed by its first Director, Dr. Kent Games, will coordinate overall distribution of university resources and facilitate recruiting, admissions, and new initiatives. But regular administration of graduate program policies and requirements will be housed more directly in the five academic colleges in which the programs, faculty, and students reside.

“The overlap in administration was striking,” noted Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Many other universities have moved in this direction, too, removing a layer of administration that sometimes confused students. All of these programs have program directors, faculty, and a college dean.” The CGPS did a lot of work, however, and all of that work still has to be done, but those overall responsibilities will now lie directly with College Deans’ offices, department chairs, and program faculty. One way to think of it, Olsen noted, is that administration of graduate programs will now look much more like undergraduate programs.

“This was an important move to make our administration leaner and more efficient,” Olsen said. “The CGPS staff did a great job, but in order to maximize our resources this is a good decision.” He noted that ISU is committed to graduate education and expanding enrollment in graduate programs. Primary responsibility for recruiting new graduate students now resides in the Office of Admissions, centralizing communication and outreach as the first point of contact for any and all students interested in attending ISU.

For the past ten years University College, under the leadership of Dean Linda Maule, has overseen the registration and professional advising of all first-year students at Indiana State. It has been incredibly successful, raising first-year retention rates consistently and by about ten percentage points. Embracing a bestpractices model of holistic advising, University College has set a high standard.

“Over the past decade Dean Maule and her advisors have demonstrated the critical importance of intensive advising that offers students access to professionals who are versed in many aspects of student life such as financial aid and mental health services, in addition to curriculum and career readiness,” summarized Provost Olsen. “It’s difficult to overstate the positive impact University College has had on students and the recent history of ISU.”

One additional measure of the success of the UC advising model is the $9.5 million Lilly grant received in 2020. This generous grant, part of their “Charting the Future” initiative, has allowed ISU to expand professional advising and reduce advising loads. Focused on narrowing achievement gaps among academically underprepared students, the first two years have shown remarkable gains in retention and overall academic performance.

Early in the past year Dean Maule announced her intention to step down as Dean and return to a full-time faculty role in the Department of Political Science. As part of this transition, the University College has been eliminated as a separate unit, although the University Student Success and Advising Center (USSAC) will continue much of its work. Most important, the model of professional advisors working in collaboration with faculty advisors is being extended to all undergraduate students. Every student, in other words, will have the luxury of two advisors—based in the USSAC, the academic colleges, and in departments—on whom they can rely. Professional and faculty advisors will work together on behalf of students. This approach has been successful at ISU and across the country, and will provide students with even greater support.

SYCAMORES SUCCEEDING IN THE WORKFORCE, SURVEY SHOWS

According to Indiana State University’s First Destination Survey, the Class of 2022 is making a strong impact in the state and national workforce. Data indicates a 94% placement rate into jobs, graduate school, or the military.

“We are thrilled to report another year of outstanding results from the First Destination Survey. The University-wide commitment that ISU has made to career readiness is resulting in great outcomes for our graduates. Employers recognize the value of an ISU degree,” said Dr. Nancy Rogers, Vice President for University Engagement.

The First Destination Survey reported that 66% of graduates stayed in Indiana, and the average starting salary for a Sycamore alum is $56,845.

Indiana State University, Union Health, and Indiana University Health were the top employers.

Transformational leaders recognized with the 2023 President’s Medal

On April 20, three veteran educators were honored with the President’s Medal, Indiana State University’s highest award for faculty. The recipients were Dr. Chris MacDonald, Dr. Timothy Hawkins, and Dr. Liz Brown.

Dr. MacDonald, Professor and Chair of the Department of Applied Clinical and Educational Sciences, has been at ISU for 30 years. She has served on a variety of university committees and initiatives and was chosen as Chair of the Faculty Senate on two occasions (20152016 and 2019-2020). She was instrumental in helping guide the university through the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and the move to online instruction for the last part of the spring 2020 semester. She teaches various courses, from first-year classes to doctoral seminars in her area of expertise. As department chairperson, MacDonald has led efforts for the accreditation of multiple programs with several different

bodies, and she oversees the interdisciplinary Grosjean Clinic.

Dr. Hawkins, a Professor in the Department of History, is in his twenty-third year at ISU. He has served twice as Chair of the Faculty Senate, 20162017 and 2018-2019, in addition to numerous roles on other Senate committees, the Senate Executive Committee, and special initiatives. He is an internationally acclaimed scholar in the field of Imperial Spain and the independence period in Latin America, having published two major books and numerous articles in multiple languages. Hawkins served as President of the Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies after twice receiving its prestigious Sturgis Leavitt Award for Best Article; he has received a Mellon Research Grant and a Fulbright Fellowship for research in Guatemala. He teaches courses on Latin American history and Latin American studies, at multiple levels, both in person and online.

Dr. Brown, Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, has been at ISU for twenty-two years. She has excelled in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Mathematics, Foundational Studies, and Honors in offering 38 unique courses. Her accolades include winning the 2009 College of Arts and Sciences Education Excellence Award, the Outstanding Dedication to First Year Student Success Award, and the Caleb Mills Award in 2011. She has maintained a steady pace of scholarly production while serving as Department chair and as Chair of the Faculty Senate, 20172018 and 2020-2021, and in numerous other university and college positions of leadership, including Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Brown has been critical in the expansion of online graduate programs in Mathematics and the creation of new degree programs in Mathematics Education and Data Science.

MACDONALD HAWKINS BROWN

The impact of donor giving at Indiana State University is helping establish and advance University programs and initiatives. The philanthropic passions of our donors are improving the lives of our students through scholarships, hands-on learning, program and facility development, and much more.

Steve ’70 and Gloria Bailey made the largest individual gift to ISU with their $8 million donation to name the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. The gift will support three areas—student scholarships, faculty excellence, and the Dean’s Innovation Fund.

Darwin McCallian ’75 gave $1.225 million to create the McCallian Executive Leadership Forum to bring influential thought leaders, including C-suite and senior executives, to ISU to share their leadership philosophy, business expertise, and experiences. His gift also created

an endowed professorship in the Scott College of Business.

Don Dudine ’67 increased his planned gift to the School of Music and Student Philanthropy Organization by $1 million. He has now committed more than $2 million to support multiple initiatives at ISU.

Bob ’61, ’63 and Penny ’67, ’70, ’91 Schafer made a gift commitment to support the men’s and women’s basketball programs, the insurance and risk management program, and the school of nursing. Bob is the former Vice President

Darwin McCallian Bob and Penny Schafer

of Administrative Affairs at ISU, and both are steadfast Sycamore supporters.

The trust of Dr. J. Lewis ’38 and Florence Stoelting supports the area of greatest need at Indiana State. Dr. Stoelting was an OBGYN who practiced for more than 37 years in Terre Haute, and Florence was a registered nurse with strong ties to the community.

The trust of Edith B. Neiman ’44 provided a $500,000 gift to the general scholarship fund at Indiana State University. Students must have a 3.25 GPA or above to qualify for the scholarship.

The estate of the late B. Curtis Wilkinson, Jr. ’69 will endow the Curt and Leslie Wilkinson Presidential Scholarship in the Honors College.

Union Health gave a $300,000 gift to fund a nursing student success center and provide professional support staff and peer tutors for nursing and pre-nursing students. Recognizing this gift, the Union Health Nursing Skills Lab was named in the College of Health and Human Services.

Tammi Spence and Bill Watson ’87, ’00 gave $250,000 in support of men’s basketball, alumni association initiatives and priorities of the Be So BOLD Campaign. Tammi and Bill are champions of the Terre Haute community and are proud to support the Sycamore experience.

Dr. Erik Dalton, the creator of myoskeletal alignment techniques, made an estate commitment of $250,000 to the massage therapy program. Dr. Dalton is an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation at ISU.

Dr. David Perrin ’77 made an additional $220,000 commitment in his estate to the David H. Perrin Graduate Athletic Training Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship will support diverse graduate students studying athletic training.

The estate of the late Dr. Dale McKee ’57, ’60 provided an additional $200,000 to scholarships established by the McKee family. These include support for nursing student scholarships and the honors college.

Li Xiao ’99 gave $200,000 in support of the faculty in the Economics Department. Mrs. Xiao wanted to celebrate the legacy of the economics faculty members that positively impacted her career and life.

The John W. Anderson Foundation provided a $150,000 gift that supports the Fund for ISU and the Project Success initiative.

Dave and Jeanne Husain made a $150,000 gift to support the Project Success endowment. Project Success is a Lilly Endowment funded initiative that provides support and programming to increase the retention rates of students.

Walt ’71 and Kristy Botich made a $125,000 gift to support the men’s basketball program. As a long-time supporter of Sycamore basketball,

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Steven M. Holman of Union Health with President Curtis

the Botichs enthusiastically stepped up and made this generous contribution in support of Coach Schertz and the staff.

Sean Manaea, former Sycamore baseball standout and ISU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, made a $125,000 gift on Give to Blue Day to support the Sycamore Baseball team. Sean played baseball at ISU from 2011-2013 and is currently a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.

Dr. Karla Hawkins Wendelin ’68, ’69 and her husband, Tom, established an endowed scholarship to support students pursuing a degree in elementary education. The scholarship gives preference to first-generation college students from Indiana.

The ISU Credit Union, under the leadership of CEO Marie “Sam” Shanks ’85, continued its long-standing support of multiple initiatives, including the President’s Dinner, President’s Society Tailgate, alumni events, and athletic sponsorships.

Trustee Troy ’97 and Melissa Woodruff gave $100,000 to the men’s basketball program. The Woodruff’s have supported multiple causes at ISU, including the Porter Cancer Research Center, the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology, and Sycamore Athletics.

Jack ’55 and Joyce ’54 Rentschler made a $100,000 gift on Give to Blue Day to support Sycamore Athletics and the Bayh College of

Education. The Rentschlers received the March On! Award in 2022 for their long-time support of their alma mater.

Republic Airways gave $100,000 to create two endowed scholarships in support of minority students in aviation. The scholarships are named after Willa B. Brown and Esteban Hotesse, two individuals who significantly contributed to advancing diversity and inclusion in aviation.

Billy Joe and Nerissa Jay contributed $100,000 on Give to Blue Day to support the Theater Department. Inspired to give by their daughterin-law, Dr. Alicia Jay, a professor in the Department of Theater, the Jays’ gift will support students and faculty within the department.

Dr. Jan McCarthy, an emeritus faculty member, made a new $100,000 gift commitment to support the Bayh College of Education Early Childhood program. Dr. McCarthy was a leading expert in childhood education, developing multiple childhood education degree programs and earning more than $6.3M in grant funding during her career at Indiana State.

Doug Egly ’81 committed $100,000 in his estate to support the general scholarship fund at Indiana State.

Dr. Denise Collins, former Dean of the Graduate School at Indiana State, made a $100,000 estate commitment to support the Be So BOLD Campaign.

*Donor gifts are reflective of giving from August 2022 through April 2023.

Li Xiao

Dr. Denise Collins

Major League alum gives back to ISU’s baseball program

Sycamore baseball alumnus and 8-year major league player, Sean Manaea, made a remarkable contribution of $125,000 to the University’s baseball team as a part of a donor challenge on Indiana State University’s fifth annual Give to Blue Day. This generous donation highlights Manaea’s unwavering commitment to his alma mater and the advancement of ISU’s baseball program.

Born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana, Manaea joined the Sycamore baseball team in 2011 after completing his high school career at Andrean High School and playing Junior College baseball. During his time at Indiana State, Manaea established himself as one of the most talented pitchers in the history of the program. His remarkable achievements on the field caught the attention of major league scouts, and in 2013, he was selected as the 34th overall pick in the MLB Draft.

After a successful collegiate career, Manaea continued to excel in professional baseball. He made his Major League debut in 2016 and in 2020, achieved a significant milestone by throwing a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, cementing his name in baseball history.

Sean Manaea’s exceptional career and accomplishments have not only brought pride to Indiana State University but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring student-athletes within the baseball program. Recognizing the invaluable role ISU played in his development, Manaea gave back to the University that nurtured his talents and provided him with a solid foundation for success.

Manaea’s generous gift of $125,000 to the ISU baseball team is an extraordinary show of support that will significantly impact the program. The donation will provide critical resources to enhance the student-athlete experience and empower the Sycamores to compete at the highest level of collegiate baseball.

The transformative impact of Sean Manaea’s gift extends far beyond the baseball field, symbolizing the enduring spirit of generosity and support among the Indiana State University community. Supporters like Manaea are making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Sycamores.

Indiana State University’s fifth annual 24-hour giving day on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, resulted in $1,385,877 for the University to enhance the academic experience for Sycamores. This is a recordsetting fundraising amount in a single day for Indiana State.

1,710 donors from all 50 states and 3 countries contributed during this 24hour fundraising event.

Funds raised on Give to Blue Day support a variety of projects, programs, and scholarships across Indiana State’s divisions and colleges. The donor chooses where their gift will be designated, which continues to be a feature that Sycamores and friends utilize to highlight gifts in memory of loved ones and in honor of those they care about across campus.

As Indiana State University celebrated 5 years of an annual

giving day in 2023, it was important to remember where it all started in 2019.

“The support for Give to Blue Day by the Sycamore faithful continues to impress,” said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the ISU Foundation. “We are humbled by the generosity of our donors on Give to Blue Day and beyond. Let’s get ready for another successful giving day on March 20, 2024!”

Give to Blue Day continues to be a digitally driven event in which ISU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends share links to the giving page on their social media accounts. In 2019, there were 346 social media ambassadors and in 2023, that number jumped to 537.

There has always been friendly competition between divisions and colleges to see which area can raise the most money.

2019’s leaderboard was topped by the Honors College and followed by the Bayh College of Education, the Scott College of Business, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Sycamore Athletics took the lead in 2023 and was followed by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Scott College of Business, and the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.

“Give to Blue Day shows us all the power of philanthropy at Indiana State,” said Miah Ferran, Student Philanthropy Organization President.

“We are excited to continue amplifying the voices of Sycamores and celebrating the importance of giving for the next Give to Blue Day!”

Give to Blue Day continues to be transformational with the support of alumni and friends of the University. Mark your calendars for next year’s Give to Blue Day on Wednesday, March 20, 2024!

ALL TOWNS & CITIES LISTED ARE IN INDIANA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

1970s

Ellen Hartman ’70, of Indianapolis, was awarded a Master of Liberal Studies degree from Indiana University in 2021.

Richard Pearson ’73, of Valparaiso, received the honor of being inducted into the Michigan City Area Schools Wall of Fame for 2021.

Dennis Faulkenberg ’75, of Indianapolis, retired from APPIAN, Inc. in Indianapolis, where he was owner and president for the past 14 years.

Noma Gurich ’75, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was named the Woman of Influence by the Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice.

P. Gordon Stroufe ’76, of Omaha, Nebraska, has recently authored and released his first novel, ‘It Started on a Tuesday.’

Denise Callaway ’78, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was inducted into the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame in November 2022. This follows Denise’s selection into the Chicago/ Midwest National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle.

Rodney Desvigne Allen ’79, of Nottingham, Maryland, received a Ph.D in Curriculum and Teaching

in the Spring of 2022 from North Central University.

1980s

Douglas Meagher ’80, MPA ’87, of Indianapolis, has held a career within the Indiana state government since 1983 where he most recently received his fourth appointment to the Worker’s Compensation Board.

David Daggett ’82, of Winston Salem, North Carolina, competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in St. George, Utah. He was first over 60 in the Ironman Executive Challenge. This race was just three weeks after David competed in the iconic Hawaii Ironman World Triathlon Championships for the ninth time.

Miluna Fausch ’84, of Monterey, California, has launched her first book with Forbes: Uplevel your Communication, Evolve your Prescence, and Speech to Change Everything

David Gregrow ’84, of Newark Valley, New York, was formally inducted on October 23, 2021 into the New York State Section IV Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sally Belknap ’85, of Avon, received the Mary Louise Mandrea Doyle Panhellenic Award from Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority. Sally

has served as President for both the Indianapolis Alumnae Panhellenic and Detroit Alumnae Panhellenic Association.

William Niederer ’85, MS ’88, of South Bend, retired from Elkhart Community Schools in June 2021 after 35 years public school teaching in Indiana and Iowa.

Alan Clayton ’86, of Campbellsville, Kentucky, has joined the Board of Directors for the Green River Ministries, the local homeless shelter for Campbellsville.

Shaune Shelby ’87, of Carmel, was awarded his Doctor of Practical Theology, March 2021, by Master’s International University of Divinity. He has also began a new Non-profit called Mission 223, A people focused development corporation.

1990s

Philena Mead ’91, MBA ’93, of Carmel, was promoted to Director of Business Systems at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance on September 24, 2022.

Michele (Stuffle) Bizik ’93, of Indianapolis, received her Master of Science in Urban Education from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BECOME A MEMBER!

Ronald (Ron) Pitcock ’93, of Fort Worth, Texas, served as the Dean of the John V. Roach Honors College at Texas Christian University for the past 15 years.

Angela Davis ’95, MS ’05, of Madison, Wisconsin, was named Director of Grantmaking at Madison (WI) Community Foundation in April 2022. She will help facilitate grantmaking for A Fund for Women, the Community Impact Fund, MCF’s Field of Interest Funds, and the Fund for Children.

Jennifer (Schmidt) Olson ’98, of FPO, California, has been named the PreK-5th Literacy Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS) for Ft. Stewart and South Carolina.

Jennifer (Petersen) Schultz ’98, of Zionsville, was awarded the 2021 North Central Business Education Association teaching award as the Secondary Business Teacher of the Year Award.

Tiana Baker ’99, of Van Buren Township, Michigan, recently received the “Five Star” award from FedEx for her ability to enhance service, profitability, and to exemplify the spirit of teamwork.

2000s

Michelle (Martin) Cook ’02, of Lafayette, was named the new CFO of West Lafayette Community School Corporation as of October 2022.

Daniel Askren ’03, of Covington, was elected to a second term as the Fountain County Indiana Prosecuting Attorney for the 61st Judicial Circuit. He obtained his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in January of 2010, and worked in a private practice until being appointed as Prosecutor in December of 2016. Daniel then was elected to his first term in November of 2018.

Ashley Emsweller Hungate ’03, of Saint Paul, was recently promoted to Deputy Director of Strategy & Operations for the Indiana Management Performance Hub.

Megan (Siemens) Scott ’03, of Frankfort, was named the 2020 Indiana School

Librarian of the Year by the Indiana Library Federation.

Djibril Kante ’04, of Bloomington, was announced as a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 2023 Men’s Silver Anniversary Team.

Misty Mercer ’04, of Indianapolis, accepted a position has Corporate Counsel with Ports of Indiana.

Jennifer Wright ’05, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, published a debut novel ‘If It Rains,’ was published in 2021 by Tyndale House Publishers. ‘If It Rains’ is a historical fiction drama, it is a billed as a story of

(continued on page 36)

Best friends Margaret Weust (left) and Mary Anne Tackett (right), posed with Clint Weddle, Executive Director of the ISU Alumni Association, on their visit to campus on April 6, 2023 when they became Lifetime Members of the Alumni Association. Not only did they both attend Indiana State University in the 1950s, they are cousins and share the same birthday. They will both be 91 in July.

resilience and redemption set against the backdrop of the Dust Bowl.

Chris Purnell ’06, of Indianapolis, was admitted as a partner of CapinCrose in June. Chris has been with CapinCrose since 2019.

2010s

Katie (Fitzgerald) Burris ’10, of Bloomington, has welcome her second child with her husband Michael. Patrick Fitzgerald Burris was born in the family on 3/20/21. The couple also has a 3-year-old daughter, Cecily June Burris.

Robert Tye Sullivan ’10, of Vevay, was named the new Executive Director for the Community Foundation of Switzerland County. CFSCI invests endowed funds created by individuals, families, organizations and businesses and uses the income to award grants and scholarships that benefit the Switzerland County community.

Taylor Schaffer ’11, of Indianapolis, was named President and CEO of Downtown Indy, Inc.

Evan Norris ’14, of Zionsville, received the 2022 Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana ‘Outstanding Young Lawyer’ award. The award is presented to a member of the Defense Trial Counsel who is younger than 35 years old.

Amanda Carleski MPA ’15, of Cincinnati, OH, was recently hired as the new Marketing and Events Manager for the Covington Business Council. As manager, she is responsible for the planning and

Questions? Contact the Alumni Association office at 812-237-6100 or alumni@indstate.edu.

execution of the more than 100 events that the CBC runs each year. Additionally, Amanda is responsible for the implementation of the marketing strategy and brand.

Kaitlin Weger ’15, of Olney, Illinois, was accepted into Graduate School. She will pursue the Master of Library and Information Science degree at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Zachary Moore ’16, of Terre Haute, accepted a position as the Senior Visual Designer for Colorado.

Jeff Papa ’16, of Sheridan, has been named Mensa Research Journal Editor-InChief.

Brennan Hadley ’17, of Coatesville, was admitted to Tufts University Medical School in Boston for their accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He began classes in January, and was voted President of the Cohort for the Class of 2022. Brennan also founded the Tufts University Physical Therapy Student Society.

Calvin Blank ’18, of Terre Haute, has joined the law firm of Lorch Naville Ward LLC in New Albany where they conduct the general practice of law.

Dr. Kelli Bernedo ’19, of Louisville, Kentucky, has been hired as an Assistant Professor of English as a New Language Education

at Indiana University Southeast.

2020s

Samantha Lewis ’20, of Indianapolis, has accepted a position as senior accountant with the Pacers.

James Carilli PhD ’21, of Land O Lakes, Florida, released a new book titled, “Program Management Redefined: Techniques to Improve Organizational Agility.”

Karen Torres ’21, of Columbus, started a marketing company in Indiana to serve small and local shops all around the Midwest.

Class Notes are self-reported to the Alumni Association.

If you have noteworthy news to share, please visit indstate.edu/alumni or scan the QR code to submit your Class Notes.

IN MEMORIAM

Indiana State University remembers employees that passed away during the academic year. All four were pivotal in providing exceptional learning experiences and giving students the skills and resources to become transformational leaders. This page is dedicated to some of ISU’s most innovative minds who may be gone but never forgotten.

Robert William Elsey Sr.

Dr. Robert Elsey Sr. had a decorated 30-year career at Indiana State University that included serving as the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs when he retired in 2022. He earned his undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. from Purdue University and worked at Purdue and Illinois State University in several positions related to student life before coming to Indiana State. He was best known for helping young adults navigate life’s challenges both on and off campus. Outside of the office, he was known for his involvement in the community and his church. Above all, he loved spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Stephen L. Gage

Dr. Stephen L. Gage lived a life dedicated to his family, music, and music education. At Indiana State University, Gage was the Interim Director of Bands, conducted the Wind Orchestra and Concert Band, taught conducting, and was part of the ISU Music Education Faculty. He touched the lives of countless students in a career that lasted over four decades. He was a former music professor at Youngstown State University, where he was the Director of Bands and the Dana Symphony Orchestra. He worked at colleges in Illinois, Kansas, and New York. Gage wrote numerous published articles on conducting, rehearsal techniques, and wind band literature.

Dr. Stan Buchanan

In Dr. Stan Buchanan’s over 20-year career at Indiana State University, he advised and taught hundreds of Master of Public Administration students who would have successful careers in Indiana and across the country. In ISU’s Department of Political Science, he served as an Associate Professor, Chair, and the Director of the MPA program. He graduated from California Baptist University (BA English, History), Baylor University (MPPA), and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (Ph.D. Political Science). He won the 2006 “Pollyprize” for developing an election forecasting model accurately predicting a Democrat Party takeover of the House of Representatives. He co-authored a paper in 2019 focused on more accurately measuring the degree to which LGBTQ citizens have equal rights at the municipal level for The Journal of Sexuality, Gender, & Policy

Dr. Stephen F. Wolf

Dr. Stephen F. Wolf was a seasoned educator with decades of experience. At Indiana State University, he was a professor of analytical chemistry and cosmochemistry. His passion for teaching won him several prestigious accolades, including the Educational Excellence Award in 2005, Promising Scholar Award in 2007, and the Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award in 2010. He graduated from Purdue University (BA, Chemistry) and (Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry). Wolf’s research interests focused on developing methods for determining the concentration and disposition of major, minor, and trace elements in meteorites. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including Analytical Chemistry and Meteoritics and Planetary Science

COMMENCEMENT, 2023

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