Trends: Summer 2008 (Volume 4, Issue 3)

King of the Mountain:

Don King Volume 4 / Issue 3 The Magazine for Students, Alumni & Friends of Indiana Tech

Big Day for Grads:

Commencement Make Your Plans Today:

Homecoming 08 bonus feature:

A Week in Paris Experience the City of Lights through the eyes of our students

End of an Era

Bidding Farewell To Our Good Friend Dan Kline

Letter from the President

Greetings!

“I expected we’re still going to see a lot of Dan around campus,” President Arthur Snyder

I hope you are all having an enjoyable summer. We had a wonderful spring here at Indiana Tech, and you’ll read about much of it in this issue of Trends.

The highlight of the spring was, of course, the annual Commencement ceremony. Shaking the hand of each student as they receive their diplomas and seeing the smiles of the friends and families is truly one of the great joys of being a university president. It’s a chance to see the results of hard work, not only by our faculty and staff, but more im“Shaking the hand of each student portantly by the students themselves.

This year’s event was particularly speas they receive their diplomas cial, thanks to the witty and insightful and seeing the smiles of the words of guest speaker Steve Forbes.

As our graduates begin the next friends and families is truly phase of their lives, they will find that one of the great joys of being their college experience has shaped a university president.” them in more ways than they imagined. The career-oriented skills and knowledge they acquired while attending Indiana Tech certainly have prepared them well for professional success. But although we strive to make all of our degree programs practical, we realize that exposure to things like art, history, and culture are essential to a well-rounded education. We want our graduates to be more than experts at engineering or business or computer studies or any other chosen field. We want our graduates to be people who know how to think and feel with awareness of the world around them. With that in mind, we offer short study abroad trips to give students the opportunity to earn credit while creating memories that last a lifetime. You’ll find one student’s account of this year’s spring break trip to Paris illustrated in the center of this magazine.

So, as the 2007-08 academic year becomes history, we look to the future. In upcoming issues of Trends, you’ll find more news on academics with a column

by Dr. Elaine Pontillo, vice president of academic affairs, and features on successful students and alumni. We’ll still include news about events on campus, profiles of faculty and coaches, and alumni activities, but academic excellence is the key to our future and we want to share our vision and our success with you.

I hope to see you soon. Homecoming is approaching quickly, and that’s a great time for a visit. There are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy, and alumni of all ages can swap stories about their days at Tech. I look forward to seeing you there and hearing your story.

Dr. Arthur E. Snyder, President

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Departments

2 Letter from the President

4 Tech Happenings

16 New Column: Richter’s Notes

17 Alumni Updates

18 In Memoriam

19 Faculty & Staff News

20 From the Archives

6

Features

8

6 All the King Men

Forget climbing the corporate ladder.

This alum set his sights even higher... to Mount Whitney!

8 End of an Era

8

Tech won’t be the same without Dan Kline on campus. Join us as we bid farewell to one of Tech’s living legends.

10 Paris in Seven Days Take a trip to Paris without leaving your seat— sophomore Nate Davidhizar shares photos from the humanities class’s spring break trip.

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12 87th Commencement Photos See highlights from our graduates’ big day.

14 Homecoming!

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Homecoming 2008—Warrior Weekend— is just around the corner. Get all the info you need to start making your plans.

Trends volume four, issue three. © 2008 Indiana Institute of Technology Arthur E. Snyder, Ed.D., President

Trends is published quarterly for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Indiana Tech by the university’s Creative Services Department.

Janet Schutte, Marketing Director Jeffrey Melton, Marketing Specialist Drew Kora, Graphic Designer Nathan Davidhizar Marketing Intern

Please send comments, news, and feature story ideas to: Indiana Tech attn: Creative Services 1600 E. Washington Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46803 (260) 422-5561, extension 2250 e-mail: JLSchutte@indianatech.edu

For alumni news, please send to the address at the left, attention Alumni Office, or call: (260) 422-5561, extension 2219 e-mail: alumni@indianatech.edu.

The editors reserve the right to edit articles for length and clarity.

Articles may be reproduced with permission and proper attribution.

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tech happenings

Rockin with the Prez Around the Fort Wayne campus, we’re used to seeing our university president take center stage in a suit and tie. On April 30th, Indiana Tech saw a new side of Dr. Snyder.

At the first ever “Rockin with the Prez” concert, Dr. Snyder sang and played guitar along with members of the Warrior pep band and choir. They played a host of classic tunes from the past few decades.

Was this a rare treat or the start of an annual tradition? Only time will tell.

Outstanding Grads— Take a Bow! Each year we take time out to honor the seniors who are graduating with the university’s highest honors. Students and their families, along with an influential faculty member of their choice, were invited to Fort Wayne Country Club for the annual Outstanding Graduates Awards banquet. After the awards ceremony, honorees took the opportunity to snap a few last group photos with their fellow students before their final school year wound down. photo: left to right—Felicia Raupp, Joshua Anderson, and Gina Shulz pose with their trophies.

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Clinton Kick-Off Rally Held at Indiana Tech For the first time in decades, Indiana was a major player in the Democratic primary, and Indiana Tech was right in the center of the action. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton held her Canvass Kick-Off at Andorfer Commons on May 4th. She spoke to Hoosiers about her solutions for America and helped her volunteers prepare for canvassing.

Organizational Leadership Program Off to a Great Start

photo: Steve Forbes answering questions

In March, the College of Professional Studies began a new program, the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL). The program is taught by combining online work, self study, and classroom work.

The 12-month leadership program is designed to guide students through a personal assessment of their strengths and weaknesses as a leader, a study of leadership theory and best practices, and development of a personal leadership action plan.

Highlights of the program are special guest speakers who meet with students throughout the course. So far, the students have benefited from guest speakers Dr. Eugene G. White, author of Leadership Beyond Excuses: The Courage to Hold the Rope, and Steve Forbes, founder of Forbes Magazine.

The event was hosted as an opportunity for our campus community to participate in a unique presidential race. It’s not often presidential candidates vying for nomination make a stop in Fort Wayne.

Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members came for what may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see history as it happens.

Getting Tough on Gun Violence Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and former Fort Wayne mayor, spoke at Indiana Tech’s University Forum.

His talk entitled “Guns, Politics, and the 2nd Amendment” was attended by many students, staff, and faculty members, as well as members from the local community.

After his discourse, Helmke held a Q&A session about his work to ban assault weapons. Helmke is an Indiana native and graduate of Fort Wayne’s North Side High School.

He’s been active in seeking solutions to gun violence for many years, so he was glad to discuss his work and answer questions in his home community.

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All the King men

Don King, (’59, BSCE) was one of three generations of Kings who hiked to the top of Mount Whitney in 2007.

Beginnings

On Indiana Tech

“I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. I graduated from Waite High School and attended the University of Toledo for two years before being drafted into the service.” When he returned home in ’55, he got engaged and married his wife Sally, and they had their first son.

“A good friend of mine told me about Indiana Tech and said ‘That’s the place to be’, because of its great accelerated program. I started at Tech in ’57 when I was 23 and graduated in November ’59, with a degree in civil engineering.” King was active in the Civil Club and Kappa Sigma Phi fraternity.

“I had been working for A&P, but their idea was for me to work my way up to management rather than as an engineer. After graduation, I moved to Canton, Ohio to work at Republic Steel. I was an energy engineer — which they called ‘combustion engineering’ at the time — managing the fuel fires and startup and shutdown of the equipment.” He worked there for eight years, going between two plants.

“I was offered a job in maintenance at one of the plants, which I did for seven years. Then, I went back to Canton to work in operations.

It’s ironic: I helped modernize, shrink and ultimately shut the place down,” he says with a laugh. He went on to work for LTV Steel and the employee-owned Republic Engineered Steel, from which he retired.

“When I left Tech, they had me so cross-trained, I was able to use all my skills when I started working. Tech taught us to think, use good logic, be self-motivated, have high ideals, and do the job to the best of our abilities. I always took pride in everything I did. They used to give us a lot of latitude that you don’t find as much now.”

“I’ve always said if you don’t enjoy what you do, you’re in the wrong field. I really enjoyed it. You only have yourself to blame if you don’t like what you do. If you lie to the man in the mirror, you’re in for a lot of trouble.”

“I came to Homecoming in 1994 and was so overwhelmed by the campus, I was really fired up. They needed people for the Alumni Board, so I volunteered right there on the floor. I did it for something like 14 years, and last year was my last year.” He went through acting as all the chairs, was the past president, and had been in charge of the alumni side of Homecoming events for ten years. “We used to drive 225 miles one way for board meetings on campus. We were heavily involved. Homecoming was a big part of it.”

As King recalled, “At one of the first Homecomings, we had a parade through downtown Fort Wayne. We had a king and queen, and the city shut off the streets for us.”

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Hiking Mount Whitney “My oldest son, Donald Jr., hiked the John Muir Trail from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney in California. It was about 264 miles and took him 26 days. Then, my other sons Douglas, from California, and David, from North Carolina, came out on a whim and they climbed the east side of Mount Whitney, which is 11 miles up and back and requires a permit. I was inspired.”

“They asked me around Christmas what I wanted to do, and I said let’s climb Mount Whitney — all the King men, including my grandson Patrick, who has mild autism and was 14 at the time. Our route was 42 miles.”

Part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the continental United States. The trip had plenty of challenges: lower oxygen levels from higher elevation, rough terrain, unpredictable weather, heavy backpacks with water and food.

“I started training at the local Y in January. About one week before our trip, I got a shin splint and they said I shouldn’t go. But I said I’d take pain pills if I had to. Climbing Mount Whitney was the most exciting thing I’ve done so far.

“I have a pilot’s license. I’ve flown a Stearman [an open-cockpit biplane], won a gold medal in the triathlon, and done a lot of things.

Whitney was the biggest challenge I’ve had. We backpacked, carried all our water and slept on the ground. The last night we wanted to leave early, so we had our tents packed. Those stars at night seemed like they were just eight feet above me, the sky was so clear.”

“We were climbing at 25 degree angles. There were 50 switchbacks on the way up and 99 on the way down. When we came off, we heard that usually only 40% of people actually finish.”

The following excerpts are from Don King’s journal entries during their hike: Day 2: Sunday, July 1 We all have a dull headache from the altitude. We have to pump water and filter it every chance we get for drinking, cooking and cleaning up. It has been unseasonably hot, and some of the water holes on the map simply aren’t there. Patrick got fired up going down the mountains. He and Uncle Doug love to lead. I just kept one foot in front of the other.

Day 3: Monday, July 2 Coming down out of New Army Pass gabled my knees. I used a lot of sport cream. Don Jr. stuck it out with me. We hummed ‘Amazing Grace,’ and I thought a lot about ‘Footprints in the Sand.’ Tonight I feel whipped, but I am giving thanks to God for the three sons and grandson we have.

Day 4: Tuesday, July 3 Today, we started earlier to try to avoid some of the extreme heat. We crossed a creek and headed to Guyot Pass, a climb of 45 degrees. We passed through a Sequoia forest, which was absolutely breathtaking.

These beautiful redwoods are around 3200 years old. Each one weighs about 600 tons and is around 38 feet in diameter. They grow to amazing heights. The tallest one in the forest is 269 feet tall! These trees are majestic, and their canopies were so high above us! They only grow in California. I feel privileged to have seen them. They will be around long after we’re gone.

Day 5: Wednesday, July 4 I’ve thanked the boys many times for their support and encouragement

Future Plans

during the challenges of the hike. They always say the same thing: ‘We’re

For his next adventure, King would like to go back to Alaska, stay on the land and fish. “I really enjoy that. I also work on some engineering projects with my son, and it’s fun using my expertise. After I retired, it was only about one year before I was back at it.” He’s also active with church projects and goes to the Y about three times a week to exercise.

“Tech has been our life. The school, the people are great. I talk to someone there about once a week, and had lunch recently with Mark Richter, the new V.P. of Institutional Advancement. I hope I can continue to help Tech grow.”

doing it because we love you.

Day 6: Thursday, July 5 We started very early, at 5:50 this morning and reached the Trail Crest (13,650 feet) at 10:10. Trail Crest is where the trails from the west and east sides meet. We dropped our packs there and made the climb to the peak. The trail was pretty treacherous. Numerous rock slides covered the trail, which was extremely narrow, with 2500-foot drops on the side. If we had slipped, we would have been goners! At 12:20 p.m., we reached the top where there is a stone house (no one lives there!) and a register log.

We all signed our names and had the opportunity to write a comment. I

Don King (’59, BSCE), with his wife Sally, was the inaugural recipient of the Alumni Volunteer of the Year award

wrote, ‘God created the earth.’ Patrick wrote, ‘It was a great experience, and I loved it!’ David wrote, ‘I hiked this mountain with my hero.’ I thanked God for allowing us to reach this moment. We headed back down at 3:15 p.m. to a place on the east side called base camp. We got to base camp at 7:30. I was so exhausted, I just climbed into the tent and fell asleep with no supper.

Day 7: Friday, July 6 Today was a difficult day—6 miles downhill and an elevation drop of 5500 feet, and my knees were already shot. I was using my poles defensively.

Finally, we made it to the end of the trail. I wore a pedometer the whole time we hiked. At the end, it said I had taken 89,000 steps!

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END OF AN AN ERA ERA A

s students and staff filed into the Schaefer Center gym for Indiana Tech’s first convocation last fall, the large screen behind the stage showed a video of students and staff talking about what “character” meant to them. When asked for examples of individuals with “character,” one name was mentioned more than any other: DK, Dan Kline. This fall, for the first time in nearly 30 years, this man of character will be a just spectator in the Warrior stands after announcing his retirement on April 22.

“It’s creeping into my mind that come September, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m sure I’m going to be lost,” he said during an early morning discussion in his Andorfer Commons office. “I’ll be looking in the paper or on the Web site for the scores.”

Those who know Kline suspect that he won’t need to read the papers for scores because he’ll be watching much of the action on the courts and playing fields.

“I expect we’re still going to see a lot of Dan around campus,” President Arthur Snyder said. “He and (his wife) Nancy bleed Warrior orange.”

Dan Kline joined Indiana Tech as athletic director and men’s basketball coach in 1980.

8 TRENDS Summer 2008

He also handled student activities, intramurals, and taught classes in sociology, psychology, and kinesiology.

“I took the job because of basketball. You think, ‘five or six years, then I’ll move on to something bigger and better,’ ” he said. “But I liked what we stood for, I liked the kids, and I stayed.”

Few would dispute that Kline is, in Snyder’s words, “a fierce competitor.” But even fewer would dispute that the character and success of students, whether athletes or not, have been the real focus of his career at Indiana Tech. He concedes that “the kids” are what he’ll miss the most after retiring.

“You could probably throw out the name

of any student, and I’ll have a story,” he said.

“It’s amazing to know all the kids.”

The feeling appears to be mutual. Indiana Tech accounts payable coordinator Phyllis Thieme, who has worked with Kline throughout his 28 years, recently ran into a graduate who had heard of Kline’s retirement. This graduate told her that the true loss wasn’t for the university, but “for the future students who would not have an opportunity to know Dan.” As Thieme describes him, “Dan was a role model, mentor, advocate, judge, father, brother and a friend to countless students.

Dan was principled and straightforward.”

Mentor, father, friend … those words keep coming up when asking about Dan Kline.

Chris Dickson, associate vice presidentstudent services, was a student when he met Kline in 1989. At that point Kline was a father figure to him. Later, when Dickson became housing director, Kline became more of a mentor. Now, Dickson sees him as a lifelong friend.

“I know he will always be someone who I could call regardless of where he is if I needed someone to talk to for some ‘brutally honest’ feedback,” Dickson said.

“What I hope to be able to carry on in Dan’s

absence is to give the students the same thing he gave me: a positive example, a fatherly figure, a mentor, and hopefully impact their lives in such a way that when they walk across the stage they will have fond memories of Indiana Tech.”

That positive example is something that resonates for President Snyder as well.

“As much as Dan wanted to win—and he definitely did not like to lose—it was the students that were his top priority,” Snyder said. “Their success as students was No. 1 in his mind. The dedication he has shown over the years is something we should all emulate.”

Jason Kline has had a unique perspective on his father’s career, by playing and coaching for him. Playing for his father was tough, but he learned a lot.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Jason said. “If I had to change anything, I wish I would have listened even more. As a coach’s son, you think you know it all. He really shaped and molded me.”

The elder Kline concedes that he was probably tougher on Jason than on the other players. Former President Don Andorfer later hired Jason as a coach.

“When he was coaching, I was nervous,”

serious when I say that we should erect a Dan Kline says. “You want to win, and you statue of him on campus. He is that imporwant your son or daughter to succeed. But tant to our institution. After Dan retires, he really did well. He took it to the next Indiana Tech will go on. We will just be level.” missing our heart and soul.”

Jason has since moved on to coach at Kline, as fits his character, takes a more Park University, just one of many changes understated view of during Dan Kline’s the future. He says years as athletic “I expect we’re still going to see it’s simply time for director and vice him and Nancy to do president for stua lot of Dan around campus,” some things they’ve dent life. put off. “You never “The campus President Arthur Snyder said. know what tomoritself is amazing. row’s going to bring.

When I got here “He and (his wife) Nancy bleed We don’t feel old, and all the old buildwe have our health.” ings were here. In Warrior orange.”

But he concedes it my mind, I can still won’t be easy. see the old gym “It’s going to be tough for us, not just me where they’re building the new dorm,” but for Nance. Tech’s been the center of our he explained. But the changes have been lives. There may be times when we just sit more than just construction. “Student life there looking at each other thinking “Now has really picked up. We have a lot more what?’ ” he said. resources available to us.”

The athletic department has a motto: Student activities for the last couple of Graduate with good memories. It seems years have been in the hands of Joel HarKline will be doing just that. meyer, who calls Kline “the best boss I have “It’s been a good run,” he says of his ever had” and wishes he had more time to career. “Of all the things that happened, you learn from him. Harmeyer, who is rarely remember the good things. It’s been fun.” completely serious says, “I am completely

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Paris in depth

by Nate Davidhizar

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W

hat could be better than traveling to Paris for spring break? Getting college credit for it! The week of March 14-21, I and 19 of my fellow students flew to France as part of a humanities class focused on studying the Parisian culture in depth. Additional requirements for this trip were attending Saturday morning classes, completing a photo and ethnographers journal, and writing a research paper.

While in Paris, we visited many of the numerous attractions that Paris has to offer.

Studying the museums and monuments up close and personal was unbelievable, and whether it was the Louvre or

Musee d’ Orsay, the delicate intricacy of the various works of art paled the photos in our textbooks in camparison.

It was a week of new sounds, sights, smells and tastes, and the value of these is immeasurable.

Experiencing things first-hand really changed my perception of the Parisian culture and was an unforgetable experience. I learned much from our trip to Paris and would recommend a trip like this to any student who wants to travel the world and get college credit for it. Discovering Paris in depth has been the highlight of my academic career so far, and I hope to attend another class like this in the future.

spring break...

Saturday

After arriving in Paris, we checked into our hotel and took a brief walking tour. This gave us a chance to set our bearings and get to know our tour guide more intimately.

Sunday

Touring around on a bus, we visited Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and Conciergie. We ended the tour at the palace of Versailles.

Monday

Continuing our exploration of Paris, we visited the Louvre, the Latin Quarter, Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower.

Tuesday

Tuesday was more of a free day and we were allowed to explore Paris on our own.

We ended the day with a night boat tour of Paris on the Seine River.

Wednesday

Visiting one of Paris’ more famous museums, Musee d’Orsay, we experienced painting by various artists such as Manet, Renoir, Pissarrro, and Van Gogh first hand.

Thursday

Our last day in Paris we explored for most of the day and ended with a night tour of the Eiffel Tower where we ascended to the top and observed a bird’s eye view of Paris.

...a week in paris TRENDS Summer 2008 11

87th Commencement may 17, 2008 1

S

tudents receive something of immense value when they graduate—no, it’s not just a piece of paper. A college degree is a symbol of what’s to come, it’s a key that opens the door to the next step—a career, success, and hopefully some excitement and adventure in the years ahead.

May 17, 2008 marked the celebration of Indiana Tech’s 87th Commencement ceremony. Graduation ceremonies are, of course, solemn and respectful occasions. They are an academic tradition carried on by institutions of higher learning for centuries. They are also, however, a time for joy and celebration, and we let it show at Indiana Tech.

Before the degrees were conferred, President Snyder addressed the thousands of family and friends in attendance, telling them not to hold back when their graduates cross the stage. They were happy to oblige his request; the cheering was non-stop during the conferring of degrees. (There were

12 TRENDS Summer 2008

even a few air-horns that blasted off.)

Highlights from the ceremony included a lively speech by Steve Forbes, founder of Forbes Magazine. As the United States settles in a time of economic uncertainty, he spoke optimistically about the power of creative thinking and good ideas. After his speech, Mr. Forbes was conferred an honorary doctorate degree from the university.

The next page contains a few snapshots of the joy that all in attendance shared. It’s been a long haul, graduates, but you made it. Congratulations on all your hard work.

We wish you the best as you continue your journey toward success.

1. Jamaris Tubbs, BSBA, happily displays his degree during the closing processional.

2. Dr. Elaine Pontillo, VP for Academics, and President Arthur Snyder, drape the doctoral vestments over Steve Forbes after conferring upon him an honorary doctorate degree.

3. It was especially heartwarming to see our own Dr. Walls climb the platform to congratulate his daughter, Korinda, after receiving her degree.

4. With thousands in attendance, it was tough for graduates to spot family and friends, but they managed.

5. The rambunctious Aaron Benanzer— his antics will be missed on campus.

6. Kaylee Swanson, BS Sports Management, receives her degree.

7. Professor Rose Arrant, Faculty of the Year Award recipient, with Joseph Jefferson, BSOL, former Indianapolis Colt.

8. Well said!

9. Go get ‘em!

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warrior weekend

This year’s celebration features a variety of events involving alumni, current students, and faculty and staff. The more the merrier, so contact your former classmates and encourage them to attend. Make your plans today!

Here’s a peek at what we have planned for Warrior Weekend 2008. Whether you’re with us for the entire weekend or can only make it for one day, we’d love to see you again. Of course, some events and times may change, but we’ll be sure to let you know if that happens.

Thursday, September 18 ► President’s Club Dinner: 6:00–9:00pm President’s Club members, donors who have contributed $1,000 or more during the previous fiscal year, are invited to enjoy a special recognition dinner to learn how their contributions impact Indiana Tech. Anyone who established a scholarship in the previous year will be honored.

Cocktail hour reception followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. and program at the Fort Wayne Country Club.

By invitation only, please.

Friday, September 19 ► Spirit Day: Show your school spirit by wearing your favorite orange and black Indiana Tech clothing. Alums receive a 20% discount! ► Registration/Meet & Greet: 9:00am–4:00pm Check-in with the Institutional Advancement Office in the Abbott Center (clock tower building) to pick up your registration packet. ► TECH-nology 101: 1:00pm Learn about our newest engineering program, energy engineering, and what you can do to be greener. Alumni will meet in the atrium of the Zollner Engineering Center. ► Guided Campus Tour: 3:00pm If it has been a few years since you were on campus, you will definitely want to take a tour to see the many improvements to the academic and social campus environment. Student Ambassadors will lead the tour that will take you through the engineering labs, computer science department, and some of the finest residence facili-

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ties in the state. Alumni will meet in the atrium of the Zollner Engineering Center and the tour will end at Evans-Kimmell Hall. ► Evans-Kimmell Hall Dedication: 4:00pm Ribbon cutting, formal dedication and tour of Indiana Tech’s newest residence facility. ► Kick-Off Reception: 5:00–6:00pm Join us for the official Homecoming 2008 kick-off where we recognize our 50 year reunion alums. Take a walk down memory lane as you reacquaint with former classmates and meet current students. ► Alumni Banquet: 6:00–8:00pm The 2008 Indiana Tech Alumni Hall of Fame and Award Recipients will be introduced, as well as Mr. and Miss Indiana Tech. This event takes place in the Andorfer Commons Conference Center, located on the second floor of Andorfer Commons. Price for an individual meal, if the Homecoming package is not purchased, is $35 per person. ► Tailgate Party: 6:00–8:00pm Looking for something for the whole family? Begin Homecoming 2008 with a pregame pep rally that includes food, games, and fun. Come out and show your school pride, support Indiana Tech’s athletes, and socialize with old friends while making new ones. The crowning of Mr. and Miss Indiana Tech will also take place.

Wear your school colors, orange and black, decorate your car, or go ahead and paint your face, just make sure you are prepared to have fun!

► Alumni Athletic Games: 8:00–11:00pm Women’s & Men’s Alumni Basketball Games 8:00–11:00pm Women’s & Men’s Alumni Soccer Games

Saturday, September 20 ► Prayer Service: 8:00–8:30am All are welcome at this non-denominational prayer service in the Heinz & Nanalee Wegener Worship Center in Andorfer Commons (second floor). ► Breakfast with the President: 8:30–9:30am Start your day off right by sharing breakfast with fellow alumni, students, and Dr. Snyder in the dining hall of Andorfer Commons. Price for individual meal, if the Homecoming package is not purchased, is $10 per person. ► Alumni Association Annual Meeting: 10:00–11:30am Election of new officers and a report from the association, along with a university update from the president. The meeting is held in the Andorfer Commons theater. ► Lunch: 11:30am–12:30pm Enjoy a nice lunch in the Andorfer Commons Dining Hall. Free for alums. ► Alumni Athletic Games: Noon Women’s Soccer Match Noon Alumnae Softball Game at Memorial Park 1:00pm Alumni Baseball Game 2:30pm Men’s Soccer Match ► Open Bowl: 12:30pm–4:00pm The recreation center, located on the lower level of Andorfer Commons, will be open for free bowling.

► Alumni Reception: 6:00pm–8:00pm Share your favorite stories with fellow alumni in conference room A of the Abbott Center. A food buffet will be available for $15 per person, if the Homecoming package is not purchased. ► Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet: 6:00pm–midnight at Don Hall’s Guest House, located at 1313 W. Washington Center Road. Featuring inductees, dinner buffet, cash bar, casino games, DJ, and a silent auction. $39/person for full evening; $10 for casino only. Event is free for 2008 inductees and Warrior Club members. Please RSVP by September 5, 2008 to the athletic office at 800-937-2448 ext. 2227.

Sunday, September 21 ► TWIST XIX (Trask/Walls Invitational Student Tournament): Noon shotgun start, 4-person scramble, 18-holes, at Brookwood Golf Course. Price includes green fees, electric golf cart (2 golfers per cart), lunch or dinner, and prizes.

The entry fee is $80/person and $20/day students.

TWIST is an annual golf outing. The event was started by former professor Walter Trask, as well as current professor Dr. Jeffrey Walls, and was designed as a networking event for the students. Over the years, the tournament has evolved and grown significantly into an Indiana Tech event involving students as well as faculty, staff, and alumni. Proceeds benefit the Moore/Trask Scholarship and the Warrior Club. Contact Julie Morrison at 800-937-2448 ext.

2270 if you would like to sponsor an event or a student golfer.

REGISTRATION FORM A discounted $50.00 registration package includes all events on campus.

Children under 5 years of age are free.

The additional cost for the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet is $39/person. TWIST XIX is $80/person, $20/day students.

How to register: Please fill out this form and send it to the Institutional Advancement Office. send by mail: Indiana Tech Alumni Office 1600 E. Washington Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46803 send by fax: 260-422-1578

register by phone: 800.937.2448 ext.2219 register online: www.IndianaTech.edu/homecoming e-mail your registration:

Participant Information First_______________________________ Middle_ ___________________ Last Name__________________________________________ Maiden Name_ ________________________________________________ Spouse/Guest Name__________________________________ Street Address_ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ City_ ________________________________________________________ State_ __________________________ Zip Code____________ E-mail_ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Home Phone___________________________ Cell Phone_ __________________________ Work Phone____________________________ Graduation Year_____________________ Degree_______________________________________________________________________

Event Registration

# of packages

□ Homecoming Package—all events ($50/person)*................. _____ *A savings of $10/person! Includes all events except the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet and TWIST Golf Outing.

Please put a check by each event you plan on attending, whether purchasing the homecoming package or not. Please fill in the total number of attendees, including yourself, in the column on the right.

Friday, September 19

# of attendees

Payment Please total your registration fee(s) and/or fees for additional activities you are participating in and fill that information in below.

□ Check payable to Indiana Tech Credit Card: □ MasterCard

□ Visa □ Discover □ American Express

Card Number:_____________________________________________

□ TECH-nology 101................................................................................... _____ □ Guided Campus Tour........................................................................... _____ □ Evans-Kimmell Hall Dedication........................................................ _____ □ Kick-Off Reception/50 Year Reunion............................................ _____ □ Alumni Banquet ($35 without package)...................................... _____ □ Tailgate Party.......................................................................................... _____ □ Alumni Athletic Games....................................................................... _____

Card Validation Number:____________________________________ (The card validation code is a three digit number found in the signature area on the back of your credit card, after your credit card number.

On American Express cards, the four digit CVC appears on the front

Saturday, September 20

Credit Card Authorization: I hereby certify that I am the above

□ Prayer Service......................................................................................... _____ □ Breakfast with the President ($10 without package).............. _____ □ Alumni Association Annual Meeting.............................................. _____ □ Lunch......................................................................................................... _____ □ Alumni Athletic Games....................................................................... _____ □ Open Bowl............................................................................................... _____ □ Alumni Reception ($15 without package)................................... _____ □ Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet*....................................................... _____ * Event is free for 2008 inductees and Warrior Club members.

Banquet costs an additional $39 for all other guests with or without Homecoming package. $10 for casino only.

Sunday, September 21

□ TWIST XIX Golf Outing*..................................................................... _____

of the card under the card number.)

Expiration Date:___________________________________________ Name on Credit Card:_ _____________________________________ credit card owner and authorize Indiana Tech to debit my credit card in the amount of $_ ________________________________________ Signature:________________________________________________

Thanks so much for participating in Homecoming 2008—Warrior Weekend! Our alumni and friends are at the heart of Indiana Tech. This institution couldn’t be the success it is today without your support.

See you in September!

*Additional fee required, with or without homecoming package. $320/foursome, $80/individual, $20/day students.

Cut along dotted line or photocopy and return this form to us.

You can also fax, call, or e-mail us with your registration information.

TRENDS Summer 2008 15

Richter’s Notes Mark Richter recently joined Indiana Tech as vice president of Institutional Advancement.

In each issue of Trends, Richter will share his observations on the university, development activities, and alumni relations.

Gratitude Attitude A

friend recently directed me to a new book entitled Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier. Its author, Dr. Robert Emmons, makes the point that we can dramatically improve our quality of life and well-being by applying a psychology of gratitude.

Dr. Emmons opens the book with experimental evidence showing how gratitude can increase happiness by 25%. Not too shabby. Here are a couple of passages that caught my eye: “Gratitude is an important dimension in our lives as we interact with one another in our everyday affairs. It is impossible to imagine a world where individuals don’t receive gratitude and give gratitude to one another on a regular basis. Binding people together in relationships of reciprocity, gratitude is one of the building blocks of a civil and human society.”

“Gratitude implies humility—recognition that we could not be who we are in life

16 TRENDS Summer 2008

without the contribution of others.”

How true! As I read I started to think of ways this applies to my work at Indiana Tech. I know that many of our supporters give to the school because they are grateful for the role that Indiana Tech played in their lives. Perhaps it is recognition of the quality of education they received. Perhaps they remember the encouragement of a favorite professor. Perhaps they recall the scholarship or work study program that made it possible for them to attend Indiana Tech in the first place. Whatever it was, they now feel a sense of wanting to “give back” to others. It is a wonderful way of saying thank you to all those who helped along the way.

Gratitude is also something we encourage in our students. Each year, hundreds of students at Indiana Tech receive scholarships that are made possible by the generosity of others. Many of our scholarship recipients write heartfelt letters of thanks to those who have helped them achieve their dream of a college education (and remember, two-thirds of our students are the first in their families to attend college).

I have read some of these notes. They never fail to ignite my enthusiasm for the work we do.

Gratitude is also something that I try to practice every day. After all, our supporters give generously of their time, talent, and treasure. We literally could not do what we do without their help. So, to all of you who help us each and every day—thank you!

We are grateful for your support.

And may the happiness and joy you experience from helping others be yours forever and always.

Alumni Events

Learn about upcoming alumni events and view our alumni photo gallery online at www.indianatech.edu/alumniandfriends

► Stanley A. Clemenz, BSEE 1942, recently visited the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. The trip was sponsored by the Emerald Coast Honor Flight and fully paid for by local businesses in Pensacola, Fla. Veterans from 82 to 95 years old made the trip, including two Congressional Medal of Honor winners and about 40 Purple Heart recipients.

► Robert (Bob) Graziano, BSEE 1967, celebrates 30 years with Technology Service Corporation, located in Trumbull, Conn., this year. Over his 30 years of employment at TSC, he became the president of the company and transformed it from a subsidiary of Westinghouse to an independent, employee-owned company.

► Francis M. Northrop, BSEE 1949, had a successful career with 30 years in the aerospace field with work at Cape Canaveral and Boeing. He currently resides in Saint Mary, Mo. ► Murray Feller, BSEleE 1958, is president and owner of Micanopy Measurement and Controls, Inc. in Micanopy, Fla. Feller has expertise related to heat flow and fluid flow instrumentation of many different types and in particular to the design, testing and production support of the basic metering hardware. He has been granted more than 50 U.S. patents. ► Robert Wise, BSME 1961, is retired but still consulting. He has his state PE license and had based his career in thermodynamics, heat transfer and internal fluid flow. He has two sons, Robert and Michael.

Wise resides in Cypress, Calif., and his email address is rawi3@earthlink.net. ► Ed Loescher, BSChE 1964, has over 40 years experience in leasing and facility management, acquisition, planning, design, construction and maintenance of major corporate, airline and airport properties and related support services.

He has held the position of vice president of properties and facilities for both Federal Express and Midway Airlines, holds a private pilot license, is a Registered Professional Engineer, and is currently earning his master’s degree in aeronautical science. Ed and his wife April, who owns and operates a hotel interior design company, live in Houston, Texas.

ohiomarriageresources.org. He and his wife Carol have been married 37 years and live in Dayton, Ohio. His email address is rcronk@woh.rr.com ► Hank Greene, BET 1973, is living in Las Vegas, Nev., where he is employed at Bechtel SAIC as a nuclear quality assurance engineer. He has been working at Bechtel since 1993 and can be reached at GreeneHank@aol.com. ► Joseph A. Knecht, BSEE 1980, has recently been hired by WCI Steel in Warren, Ohio, as vice president for quality and continuous improvement. His most recent position was that of operations manager and director of process and continuous improvement at Titanium Metals Corp. plants in Morgantown, Pa., and Toronto, Ohio.

Robert Graziano

► Robert (Bob) Nichols, BSCE 1967, is the owner and president of Robert L. Nichols & Associates in Union City, Tenn. He also is the lay leader for the Dyersburg district of the United Methodist Church, teaches Sunday school, and sometimes fills in for pastors in his area. He is going to start teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee in Martin starting in the fall. ► Richard Cronk, BSAE 1969, was recently honored by the National Museum of the USAF for contributing 2000 hours of service time as a volunteer docent.

One of the galleries in which he serves is the Modern Flight Gallery, which was the location for the cover photo of Volume 4 Issue 2 of Trends. Cronk also volunteers as the webmaster for the Ohio Marriage Resource Center web site, http://www.

Joseph A. Knecht

► James Anderson, BSEE 1991, recently took the position of network design engineer at One Communications located in Manchester, N.H. He currently resides in Haverhill, Mass. ► Brandan A. Haines, BSCIS 1999, was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the National Fraternity of

TRENDS Summer 2008 17

Sigma Phi Epsilon for his outstanding service to Indiana Tech’s chapter since he became an active volunteer in the spring of 1999.

► Shawn Lang, BSBA 2001, welcomed daughter Abigail Marie Lang to his family in January 2008. Lang is employed by OmniSource in Fort Wayne as a nonferrous metal trader. ► Viola Moore, BSBA 2004, lives in Gary, Ind., and her e-mail address is vmoore@ edgewatersystems.org.

Brandan A. Haines

► Robert Crothers, BSBA 2000, was recently named project manager for LHP Software, in Columbus, Ind. Crothers also has received two patent awards to date. ► Timothy J. Diberardino, MBA 2000, has joined the National Lime and Stone Company, in Findlay, Ohio, as group vice president of product distribution. His previous position was at Lafarge North American located in Olmsted Falls, Ohio where he had been employed as the commercial manager of the Great Lakes Land Markets since 2002.

► Jim Brodsky, MBA 2005, has relocated to Florida and is working at Kennedy Space Center for Lockheed Martin Manned Space Systems Company. He is the manager of Production Support on the Orion Program. Orion is the next generation space vehicle which will be replacing the Space Shuttle. He lives in Merritt Island, Fla., and his e-mail is James.H.Brodsky@lmco.com ► Terry Holley, BS 2004, MBA 2006, recently left the corporate treadmill after 20 years and has become a private consultant in project management, new product introduction, and quality management. He is also a fast car enthusiast as well as a ham radio operator with the

call sign KO9C. The web site for his company is: www.terryholleyconsulting.com ► Deborah Allison, BSBA 2007, recently returned to Indiana Tech to work toward CPA certification. ► Julie Kuespert, BSBA 2007, has been working as a management trainee at Menards since November 2007. She is living in LaPorte, Ind., and can be contacted at JulieKuespert@yahoo.com.

Now accepting nominations for the Alumni Hall of Fame!

The Alumni Hall of Fame was established to honor former students who have exhibited exceptional merit and achievement which brought fame and honor to the college.

To submit your nomination, go to: www.IndianaTech.edu/alumniandfriends Click on the link for “Alumni Hall of Fame Nomination.”

We have learned of the deaths of the following alumni & friends: Richard Babylon Smithsburg, MD BSME ‘52

Frank J. Dolgos Norwich, NY BSCE ‘50

George L. Jackson Houston, TX BSME ‘49

Benjamin S. Liff Charlottesville, VA BSME ‘48

Thomas R. Short Fort Gratiot, MI BSEETGR ‘59

John Bauman Monmouth, NJ BSANE ‘48

Thomas D. Finley Sarasota, FL BSRE ‘49

Frank M. Kittredge Temperance, MI BSME ‘49

Donald J. Michna Slidell, LA BSAEE 1956

Thomas F. Shovlin Hew Hope, MN BSME ‘49

Donald A. Copenhaver Columbus, OH BSME ‘57

Moshe Gershenson Mohegan Lake, NY BSME ‘66

Paul L. Kleinsmith West Hills, CA BSCHE ‘52

Edward Nacey Little Falls, MN BSCE ‘54

Gerald W. White Tavares, FL BSEE ‘64

Robert Davis Smithtown, NY BSANE ‘49

Paul D. Hancock Fort Collins, CO BSRE ‘55

James (Jim) A. Landefeld Dayton, OH BSAEE ‘43

William J. Rottman Roswell, NM BSEE ‘42

Ralph P. Wilcox Grand Rapids, MI BSANE ‘44

Paul D. Dean Kingsport, TN BSMA ‘60

Robert E. Hockman Springfield, OH BSEE ‘71

18 TRENDS Summer 2008

faculty & staff news

University Welcomes New Staff

Indiana Tech is pleased to announce several additions to the university staff:

Shayne Abrahams, admissions representative, College of Professional Studies-Indianapolis Deborah Agler, director of advancement communications Sarah Ambler, associate admissions representative, College of Professional Studies, Elkhart Joseph Avance, associate admissions representative, College of Professional Studies, South Bend/Mishawaka Kathleen Gibson, administrative assistant, Student Support Services Faculty Earn Lilly Grants Lilly Faculty Development Grants were awarded to four projects this year: ► Dr. Kathleen Barlow, “The Art of Narrative: Storytelling in the Classroom and in the Boardroom” ► Craig Dyer, “Support of Advanced Study and Research in Sports Management”

Jay Kroft, women’s basketball coach Dale Marbell, campus director, College of Professional Studies-Indianapolis Jackie Miller, administrative assistant, College of Professional Studies, Elkhart

► Steve Malloris and Susan McGrade, “The Shakespeare Experience: Engaging Students through the Humanities”

Tina Moore, administrative assistant, College of Professional Studies, Fort Wayne

► Dr. Barbara Perry and Susan McGrade, “Continuing Best Practices Developmental Education at Indiana Tech”

Aaron Moss, enrollment manager, College of Professional Studies-Greenwood

Trustee is Citizen of the Year Indiana Tech Trustee Diane Humphrey was named Wells County’s 2008 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. She received the honor for her philanthropy at the annual Wells County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development dinner.

Humphrey is a retired elementary school teacher and currently serves as a board member for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic; Wells Community Boys & Girls Club, Inc.; and Civic Theatre. Her past civic and professional activities include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, Inc.; Creative Arts Council of Wells Co., Inc; North Side High School Alumni Association; and Caylor Nickel Foundation, Inc.

Maurice Napper, development specialist, Student Support Services Mark Richter, vice president, Office of Institutional Advancement Holli Robb, administrative assistant, College of Professional Studies, Plainfield Esaias Rodriguez, student service representative, Student Information Center Sean Sparks, admissions representative, College of Professional Studies-Indianapolis Michelle Whitson, academic resource specialist, College of Professional Studies-Indianapolis

TRENDS Summer 2008 19

From the Archives

H

ere’s a photo of John McKinney demonstrating motor-generators at a Tech open house in 1951. Were you around for open events like these in the 50s, 60s, or 70s? Join us this September for homecoming and see how much the campus has changed.

Have a photo or story you’d like to share? Send it to us! We’d love to share your memories of Indiana Tech.

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