Trends: Winter 2007 (Volume 3, Issue 2)

Faculty Portrait:

Rose Arant Volume 3 / Issue 2

The magazine for Alumni & Friends of Indiana Tech

New Coach Spotlight:

Kelly Mettert

BIG PLANS For a Small University Meet Young Paik

Engineer, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Author, Alum

Letter from the President

Happy New Year!

I hope 2007 is off to a promising start for all of you. I know that we at Indiana Tech have great things to look forward to this year.

Just before the holidays, the Board of Trustees gave the university a great gift by approving the investment of $3.8 million to address immediate needs in our march on academic excellence. The project is driven by academic development, but also includes significant physical changes to the Fort Wayne campus. The image on the cover shows you a glimpse of the future, and the story inside explains the project’s impact on students of today and tomorrow.

As we continue to become a more comprehensive university, we must support the physical needs of our academic programs as well as the intangibles. Developing programs such as elementary education and computer security and investigation, which will debut in fall 2007, takes a great deal of resources—from tables and chairs to computer hardware and software to faculty and curriculum consultants. Making a significant investment now will allow us to accelerate our progress on the academic front. It also allows us to serve greater numbers of students through continued development of our online programs and support for our College of Professional Studies locations.

This year also will bring the addition of men’s and women’s golf teams, as well as men’s and women’s cross country teams. Golf coach Kelly Mettert is profiled in this issue of Trends, while cross country coach Brad Peterson will be featured in a future issue.

I look forward to seeing what 2007 will bring for Indiana Tech, and I hope you’ll be a part of it. Show your pride with an Indiana Tech license plate, join us for an alumni gathering, or just stop by for a visit. We’d love to show you today’s Indiana Tech and talk about the future.

Arthur E. Snyder, Ed.D.

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Departments 2 4 16 17 19

Letter from the President Tech Happenings Alumni Updates In Memoriam Faculty & Staff News

Feature 9 On the Cover: Big Plans for our Small University Indiana Tech will always be a small university, but that

doesn’t mean the administration can’t think big. The Board of Trustees recently approved a plan that fosters academic growth and transforms the campus. And it’s a fast-action plan; this fall’s students will find a new life sciences lab, a mobile IME lab, a renovated fieldhouse/ warehouse, more green space, and a new fire pit to gather around. Find all the details on page 9.

9

People 6 Faculty Portrait: Rose Arant

Also known as ‘the Candy Lady,’ read about Rose Arant’s lifelong passion for teaching.

8 Alumni Spotlight: Young Paik

Entrepreneur, author, chestnut vendor—all this and more describes this issue’s featured alum.

6

8

14

14 New Coach Spotlight: Kelly Mettert

Just when you thought we were finished covering all the new coaches, we went and added a golf team. Read on and see why Kelly was the obvious choice for a coach.

Trends Volume three, Issue Two

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

© 2007 Indiana Institute of Technology

Janet Schutte, Marketing Director

Arthur E. Snyder, Ed.D., President

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 above address, 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 2006 Career Fair: Indiana Tech’s philosophy includes a commitment to career-focused education and that commitment was clearly displayed at the Career Planning and Development Center’s Annual Career Fair on December 1, 2006.

The first floor of Andorfer Commons was filled with more than 140 recruiters from 74 companies. Employers were able to identify candidates for upcoming full time, part-time, or internship positions; build a pool of candidates for future positions; and create an awareness of their organization at Indiana Tech and within the community. More than 340 Indiana Tech students attended the career fair to talk to employers, and many students were able to set up formal interviews for the following week.

The career fair wrapped up a month of career activities, which included résumé writing workshops, interview technique workshops, mock interviews, and tips for attending a career fair. Each session was designed to better prepare students when meeting employers to discuss their varied talents, abilities, and career goals. Students also were more prepared with quality résumés and in their awareness of professional business attire.

The career fair was publicized campus-wide to traditional day students, College of Professional Studies students, and alumni. For the first time, Indiana Tech extended an invitation to students at the University of Saint Francis, Huntington University, and Taylor University to attend the career fair.

SAVE THE DATE: September 14–16, 2007 Athletic Hall of fame WEEKEND

The athletic staff and teams are already busy choosing the 2007 inductees for the Athletic Hall of Fame. Plans are under way for an entire weekend to commemorate our sports heroes of the 2006–07 year. The Hall of Fame weekend is also the kick-off for homecoming. Start making plans now to attend.

Friday the 14th: Alumni Games Saturday the 15th: Induction Ceremony, Hall of Fame Banquet, and Silent Auction at Hall’s Guesthouse Sunday the 16th: Annual TWIST Golf Outing at Brookwood Golf Course

TE CH

WA RRIORS

Register online at www.IndianaTech.edu/AlumniAndFriends/Homecoming or call 260.422.5561 ext. 2227 for more info.

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Warrior Club wants you!

The Warrior Club is a primary way you can support Indiana Tech athletics. Last year, the club raised enough funds to purchase a “gator” for the soccer, baseball, and softball teams and an aerator to maintain the athletic fields. The club also raised $10,000 for athletic scholarships.

With your help, the Warrior Club can accomplish even more in the years to come. Memberships start at $25. Full $100 Warrior Club members receive a complimentary seat at the Athletic Hall of Fame banquet, an all-sports athletic season pass for the 2006–07 academic year, and a one-day pass to stand on the sidelines with the coach of your choice (total value of $170).

Register online or download an order form at: www.IndianaTech.edu/Athletics For more information or to register by phone contact Rose Schafer at 260.4222.5561 ext. 2219 e-mail: reschafer@IndianaTech.edu

Foundation Grant Helps Fund IME Lab: Indiana Tech has been award-

ed a $7,600 grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to help fund portable lab equipment for the industrial and manufacturing engineering degree program at the university’s Warsaw location.

The bachelor’s degree in industrial and manufacturing engineering (IME) focuses on efficient manufacturing operations and explores topics such as simulation, lean manufacturing, quality management, safety and environmental issues. The program combines technical and managerial skills and includes courses in accounting, management, and marketing. Courses in the IME program will begin in Warsaw in early spring 2007.

Purchase of the portable lab equipment will enable students to complete the full degree program in Warsaw without having to commute to Indiana Tech’s Fort Wayne campus.

The IME program integrates a hands-on approach to learning, and use of a lab with

equipment for Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) is essential for success. The grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation will fund about 15% of the total cost for the lab.

“The Community Foundation is pleased to be able to provide area students the opportunity to reach their educational dreams through this grant to Indiana Tech,” said Suzie Light, the Foundation’s Executive Director.

This IME program will be the first of its kind in Kosciusko County. No other university offers an engineering degree program that can be completed in Warsaw, and no other university offers an engineering degree in an accelerated format in northern Indiana.

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faculty portrait

The Candy Lady When you walk into Rose Arant’s classroom or office, the first thing she’ll do is offer you some candy. If you don’t like the options in the bowl on her desk, she’ll open a drawer and present you another assortment to choose from. If that doesn’t suit your sweet tooth she’ll tempt you with another collection from a box hidden beneath the desk. This is no joke—ask anyone at the Indianapolis campus about Rose Arant and they’ll likely say, “Oh, you mean the candy lady!”

So why all the candy? No, it’s not a clever way to get students to enroll in her classes or a ploy to have people visit her desk. “The candy is just something I started for the students, especially at remote locations where they couldn’t get any kind of snack and would be in a class for almost four hours. I found it came in handy during the last hour or so of class. It just sort of grew from there.” Arant says coworkers also appreciate the sweets in the afternoon when they need a little pick-me-up. This is what Rose Arant is all about—wanting to see people succeed and be happy. Of course, bowls of candy are just the outer shell of how she puts smiles on people’s faces. Arant’s desire to nurture people goes much deeper than that.

At her core, Arant wants to help people by teaching them. Education is her passion and has been the driving force throughout her entire life. Even at a young age, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Unfortunately, after graduating from Ohio State with a bachelor’s degree in English education and psychology, openings for teachers were few and far between. So she took a temporary job in the business world and continued her education, hoping that the job market would open up a little. It didn’t. Her temporary job turned into a 27-year career with Ameritech/SBC (formerly Indiana Bell & Ohio Bell). During that career she held numerous managerial positions in human resources, business development, customer service, sales, and training.

Even though it wasn’t her goal, Arant turned out to be

Arant

TRENDS Winter 06/07

a very successful manager. And just because she wasn’t a teacher in the education field didn’t mean she gave up on her goal to educate people. Through all of her management positions there was a common thread of teaching people to excel at their jobs. “I approached my position as a manager the same way as I now approach my students in the classroom,” she relates, “I was there to help people, to remove the barriers that keep them from reaching their full potential.” Arant feels that an unhappy workforce results when the management doesn’t try to nurture and grow the workforce; when the focus is only on the bottom line and results. “It’s not rocket science,” she says, “if you can help people do what they are good at the business will succeed and you’ll have a happy workforce.” This educational approach to management has left behind a long trail of successful departments and peer recognition and training programs. Many of them have been modeled for use in other states.

And yet, there was still a void in her life; Arant still wanted to be a teacher in a classroom. It was this desire that led her to earn her master’s degree in business administration at Indiana Wesleyan University. This enabled her to teach at the college level, which she started to do almost immediately as an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan after graduating in 1989. She taught there for 10 years while still working full-time at Ameritech. Around this time she transitioned to teaching at Indiana Tech’s College of Professional Studies as an adjunct professor. Shortly after, she retired from Ameritech to teach full-time. In 2001, she became Tech’s director of professional development, a program to help adult students achieve their career goals. Then in 2002, she left the director’s position to take on a full-time teaching position as assistant professor of business, which she is still doing to this day.

It turns out that her experience managing people by nurturing them has helped her become a fantastic teacher.

She became a champion of sorts for relationship-based education, one of the pillars of Indiana Tech’s teaching philosophy. Getting to know the students personally and seeing them progress through their education is what she loves best. “The coolest thing is having a student early in the program and then later on when they are nearing

graduation to see how much they’ve grown. They come in as nervous as can be about returning to school, not sure of their own abilities or capabilities. I love helping them realize that no matter who they are, they can get their degree, they can succeed.”

You don’t have to look hard to find students who have benefited from Arant’s teaching style. Angela Snyder, a student of Arant’s and also a coworker, has observed Arant in the office and in the classroom. “She teaches a tough class—there’s lots of rigor,” says Snyder, “but she’s entertaining and she gets us involved with lots of group work and activities. Even when Arant is done teaching a class, she stays in contact with her students and is always willing to help them out.” Virginia Spencer, another student/coworker of Arant’s, will testify to how interested she is in actually helping students succeed on a personal level: “I still consult Rose about many of my decisions whether they concern my personal life or about my ever evolving career!”

“I didn’t want to be a teacher because I like to stand up and pontificate,” says Arant, “ I wanted to grow people.

Teaching is my gift. Not because I think I’m good at it or because it comes naturally to me. I’ve had to work very hard to hone my skills and train myself to do it right. I call it a gift because it’s something that I truly love to do—it’s what defines me as a person. Some people are artists, some are musicians, I’m a teacher and I can’t separate myself from that fact.”

While Arant can’t separate herself from teaching, she does admit that she enjoys the time off that teaching affords. “Everyone needs a little downtime from their daily routine.” When describing the kind of vacation

she enjoys most, she mentions two things: traveling and being spontaneous. “ I like to hop in the car and go somewhere with as few plans as possible. If something looks interesting along the way we’ll stop and check it out. I love exploring new places.” Recently she and friends have taken trips to Montana and through the Dakotas to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. Arant also enjoys spending her time off with her two children. Her daughter, Lauren, 29, lives in Pasadena, Calif., and works “The coolest for a non-profit organization that thing is having a stuhelps homeless people re-enter society. Her son, Matthew, 23, dent early in the program is a news journalist who reand then later on when they cently graduated from IUPU are nearing graduation to Indianapolis.

By all indications, Arant is see how much they’ve having the time of her life right grown...” now. She’s a teacher like she’s always wanted to be, has plenty of time to travel, and enjoys learning just as much as she ever has. So what’s next in life for Rose Arant? This was one of the few questions she was a little stumped on. Arant sees road trips to New England and the Southwest U.S.A., two places she’s never really explored much, as definite possibilities for travel in the near future. Professionally and personally she was a little less specific, “I’ve thought about getting my doctorate, but even if I don’t do that I’ll still take a few courses, maybe attend a few conferences. I just want to keep learning, keep growing. I love what I do and I love my students.

I just want to keep having fun.”

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alumni spotlight

young paik

Young Paik has come a long way, both literally and figuratively. His autobiography, “The Do or Die Entrepreneur: A Korean American Businessman’s Journey,” chronicles the Indiana Tech grad’s journey from chestnut vendor in Korea to steel magnate in the United States.

photo: Ray Galvin

“I really lived the entire dream, and I’m very proud of it,” Paik said.

Paik learned the skill of roasting chestnuts as a young man in Chestnut Grove, a village near Pyongyang. When his village was torn apart by war and his father was killed by the North Korean army, Paik was forced to flee.

After an arduous journey on foot, boat, and train, Paik eventually reunited with an uncle in Kwangbok Dong who helped him set up a vending stand for roasted chestnuts. In addition to providing money for food and housing, the chestnut stand allowed him to pursue his goal of continuing his education at Yonsei University where he studied physics.

Times were hard for Paik in Korea, and he set his mind to coming to America to study. An independence organization called Hung Sa Dahn helped Paik find a sponsor for the trip. With $50 in his pocket he began

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his life in America. He continued his physics studies at the University of Oregon, but he sought a more lucrative career than teaching physics and was encouraged to pursue engineering. That decision is what led him to a small college in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

At that point, Paik still had hopes of returning to Korea and wanted an education that would be useful to him there. He chose to major in civil engineering, realizing that bridges and roads are needed everywhere. Even in the 1950s, Indiana Tech took a hands-on approach to education, described

by Paik in his book: “I had never been more excited about class-work. The subject matter was real. I was dealing with things I could see and feel, not just the abstract theories in books. … In every class, the professors stressed the practical application, not just the theoretical aspect.”

Paik graduated from Indiana Tech in 1959 with a degree in civil engineering. The dean of engineering, Professor Robert Rule, personally helped Paik find a job in the Van Wert County, Ohio, engineering office working on bridge and highway structure projects. While working in Van Wert, he traveled to Chicago on the weekends, where he met his wife, Sue. Indiana Tech President Archie T. Keene attended Paik’s 1961 wedding in Van Wert, and gave away the bride. The couple lived in Van Wert until he received a permanent visa and they headed for Los Angeles.

As a young engineer working for Soule Engineering Company, Paik always looked for better and cheaper ways to design and build things.

The turning point in his career was the creation of “Paik’s Knee,” a system for using high-strength bolts instead of welding in column and rafter connections. The Department of Defense used it as the standard for military buildings in Vietnam.

In 1974, Paik founded Paco Steel and Engineering Corp., of which he is still chairman and chief executive officer. Paco Steel is now one of the biggest suppliers of light beams and has a reputation for sound engineering advice, quality products, and reliable service. Paik’s ingenuity and work ethic have earned him numerous honors throughout his career, including the 1999 National Entrepreneur of the Year award from Ernst & Young.

In 2006, Paik visited Indiana Tech for the first time in nearly 50 years when the university proudly granted him an honorary doctorate in civil engineering. President Arthur E. Snyder gave him a campus tour, and Paik was overwhelmed by the changes.

“It’s entirely different. When I was at the school in 1956 to 1959, we moved into the Anthony High School. It wasn’t any big college,” he said.

“It’s really changing, that whole area of the city is changing.”

Paik understands that his story is unique, but he encourages today’s students to work hard toward their goals just the same.

“I don’t think I can ask everybody to do as I did,” he said. “I had no money, no English, frankly nothing. I was really working hard. … But I moved step by step and was successful 30 years later. I most appreciated the school and the country.”

BIG PLANS For a SMALL UNIVERSITY above: Sketch of the fire pit enclosed by trees that will be built on the lawn on the south side of the Abbott Center.

When a university develops an action plan for academic improvements, it really shouldn’t be news. After all, academic improvements are a never-ending process in higher education. But when the action plan comes with a $3.8 million investment that will show results within a year it certainly generates excitement.

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Present condition: December 28, 2006

above: You’re looking at the rear entrance of what used to be a Kroger grocery store. Now it’s the main entrance to the fieldhouse/warehouse. above right: By August 1st, any resemblance to the back of a grocery store will be gone.

10 TRENDS Winter 06/07

The cryptic e-mail sent throughout the university in mid-December didn’t provide any detail. The short message just promised “big news” and invited everyone to a news conference. Curiosity was piqued and theories started flying —was it a major gift? A football team?

A name change?

With faculty, staff, and students crowded into an Andorfer Commons conference room along with newspaper reporters and TV cameras, President Arthur E. Snyder delivered the announcement: The Board of Trustees had approved a plan to invest $3.8 million in academic and campus improvements this spring to benefit current and future students.

The project is driven by the university’s commitment to become more comprehensive and focus on the quality of academic offerings. As Indiana Tech reviews and enhances current degree programs, it continues to explore and develop new programs. Attempting to do this within the university’s budget would take several years. Investing $3.8 million now means that current students and next year’s freshmen will see the benefits when they arrive on campus this fall.

“For the past three years we have been steadily increasing our focus on academics, and this investment allows us to accelerate our progress toward excellence,” Snyder said.

The portion of the plan that directly affects academics includes: Establishment of a life sciences laboratory: The university has lacked this basic building block for well-rounded academic programs for decades. That will change in fall 2007 when Zollner Engineering Center becomes home to the life sciences lab. Initially, the lab will support two courses which will serve the needs of students in biomedical engineering, elementary education, therapeutic recreation, psychology, human services and other majors and minors.

In addition, courses using the lab will be required as part of the redesigned general education core.

“This lab will not only serve our student learning needs but also will eliminate the need for our students to enroll in courses at the University of Saint Francis to complete our majors,” said Dr. Elaine Pontillo, vice president for academic affairs.

Continued development of current and future academic programs: The elementary education program, which started enrolling students in fall 2006, officially launches in fall 2007, as does a degree in computer security and investigation. Other programs under consideration are energy engineering, forensic psychology, and more computer studies options for the College of Professional Studies. All

Remodelled concept: August 1, 2007

of these programs will require resources including reference materials, furnishings, computers, software, and other equipment.

Improvements to campus infrastructure in Warsaw and Huntington: Indiana Tech’s satellite location in Warsaw opened in January 2005 and a similar facility is under construction in Huntington. This project will provide the funding for complete computer labs at both locations, including software needed for the industrial and mechanical engineering program in Warsaw.

“It is vital that we provide the necessary tools for our faculty to serve students at our satellite campuses,” Snyder said. “After all, we have thousands of learners who depend on receiving the same high quality education no matter their location.”

Mobile IME and physics labs: The College of Professional Studies is offering the IME degree in several locations beyond the Fort Wayne campus. Equipping mobile labs will support those offerings as well as the traditional student body in Fort Wayne.

Other elements of the academic investment include a two-way videoconferencing system, furnishings and support for new CPS locations, and continued development of online programs.

While academic goals are the driving force behind the improvement plan, it’s hard to deny that the “wow” factor lies in the physical changes planned for the campus.

Design Collaborative created the new look for the campus based on the need to support academics by better utilizing space in current academic buildings, creating room for construction of future academic buildings, and enhancing campus life in general.

“Our experience on many college campuses has taught us that a truly successful project always starts outside the walls of the buildings,” said architect Kevin Scully. “It starts with understanding the dynamics of the campus; where students are coming from and going to, how they walk through and across the campus.”

The campus improvements include (see diagram on page 12 for more detail): (1) Renovation of the fieldhouse/warehouse: Any casual campus visitor can see that the former Kroger grocery store is sorely in need of a face-lift. The renovation, however, goes far beyond cosmetic improvements. The new and improved campus services building will include space for the book room, copy center, and design lab which are currently housed in academic buildings. It also will provide a new home for the buildings and grounds department and a campus mail room.

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The New Campus Plan

fire pit

access road removed, replaced with green space and sites for future buildings

warehouse and fieldhouse to be completely remodelled and expanded to include buildings & grounds and campus services

round-about for easy in-and-out access to parking lot

...a truly successful project always starts outside the walls of the buildings. It starts with understanding the dynamics of the campus; where students are coming from and going to, how they walk through and across the campus. —Kevin Scully, Architect, Design Collaborative

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(2) Transformation of the east side of the campus: The two small buildings now housing buildings and grounds will be demolished and the drive that cuts through campus from Maumee Avenue to Washington Boulevard will be closed off. These changes will transform the east side of campus to a more pedestrian atmosphere to match the west side of campus. It also creates room for growth by providing space for future academic buildings.

“Indiana Tech wants to be and for the most part is a pedestrian campus,” Scully said. “There are limited locations on campus where the path of the car crosses the pedestrian path of travel. …We discovered that we could create three new building sites that naturally fit in with the existing character and density of the campus environment.”

(3) Improvements to Schaefer Center: Adding air conditioning and updating other features of the 17-year-old building will allow increased use of the facility year-round for students and the surrounding community.

(4) Creation of an outdoor fireplace: This gathering area between Abbott Center and Seitz Center will enhance social aspects of the collegiate experience.

“The greatest benefit for this plan other than the aesthetic enhancements is that the newly developed building sites allow growth of the campus environment, allowing for increased enrollment, without crossing a major thoroughfare (Washington or Maumee), and without purchasing additional property to accommodate the growth,” Scully said.

Implementation of the academic portions of the plan is already under way, and renovation of the fieldhouse is expected to begin in late March.

Although academic program development will be ongoing, the campus renovations and repairs are slated to be completed by August 2007.

“These dollars will have an immediate effect on the quality of life, both academic and social, for our students and faculty,” Snyder said.

The announcement made in December is the first phase of university upgrades, with more projects to come in the next two to five years.

Students/faculty/staff view: “My initial reaction to the announcement was good. We need more variety and it’s good to see Tech bringing sciences to campus. As an athlete, I’m ecstatic about the fieldhouse.

That building needs help.”

—Rebekkah Dilley, junior, business administration major, tennis and softball player

“The green space is going to be really nice. And I’m delighted to have the book room moved into the warehouse. It’s going to increase the efficiency of book ships for the College of Professional Studies and make it much easier for day students to pick up their books.”

—Marion Wixted, director of operations, Fort Wayne campus

“I think the change will bring a lot of excitement to Indiana Tech. Currently, the fieldhouse isn’t appealing to look at.

If you look at the main entrance of the building, it just doesn’t look nice. After the remodeling of the building, I think it will be more appealing and better to “show off” as a feature to draw in more Tech students. It’s going to be a nice change to the campus. Right now the east side of the campus seems a little dull, and this project will liven it up.”

—Nick Turpchinoff, sophomore, information systems major

“I think the fire pit will be really neat. A lot of the green stuff will be nice, get rid of some of the concrete. The life sciences lab will be great. I took anatomy and physiology a few semesters ago, and it would have been so much better in a lab.”

—Mary Brubaker, junior therapeutic recreation major

“What an awesome initiative—it’s a win-win-win situation. The students win, the university wins, and the community wins. I’ve been with the college since 1976, so I’ve seen an amazing evolution. I love to see people who know that I work at Indiana Tech because they are full of questions. Indiana Tech is on the move.”

—Sherrill Hamman, associate professor of business

illustrations courtesy of: Design Collaborative TRENDS Winter 06/07 13

new coach spotlight

Golf returns to Tech When the 2007–2008 golf season starts, it will be the university’s first in 30 years.

New golf coach Kelly Mettert knows about golf and Indiana Tech.

In 1977, Mettert was named MVP of Indiana Tech’s golf team—the last year before the sport was discontinued. He graduated in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation management.

In September 2006, he was brought in to restart the program as coach of the university’s new men’s and women’s golf teams.

Mettert brings his years of playing in area tournaments and golfing expertise to the new position. “I’m a rookie coach,” he said, “still learning the ropes on recruiting.”

“Most of the kids have a decent physical game,” Mettert said. “Some have their own swing coaches,” so he plans to focus on improving their mental game, course management skills, learning to play—and win!—by thinking beyond each shot. “I want them to try to make no worse than a bogey.”

The home course will be Cherry Hill, and teams will play conference meets in the fall and tournaments in the spring.

In his recruiting, Mettert promotes the benefits of an education at Indiana Tech: its small atmosphere, class sizes and personal contact with faculty, active student life, and numerous scholarship opportunities. “Recruiting for the men’s team is going very well. The women’s team is a little harder,” 14 TRENDS Winter 06/07

Mettert explained, “because there’s just a smaller pool of players to go after.”

As owner and operator of Custom Golf of New Haven, Mettert has been in the golf business for a total of 27 years. Custom Golf provides custom golf club fitting and club repair and features indoor golf simulators and a heated driving range.

Mettert was named one of the World’s Top 100 Clubfitters by KZG, a leading provider of custom fit golf equipment. He is certified as a “Class A” clubmaker by the Professional Clubmakers Society and served three years on its board of directors.

Mettert has been married for 22 years to his wife Cathy. Together they have three children: a 9-year-old son, 10-year-old daughter, and 14-yearold daughter.

He also has coached softball for girls age 9 to 12 for twenty years—long enough now to be seeing the daughters of some former players.

With so many years of coaching and golfing to draw on, what tips does Mettert give for people looking to improve their golf game? “Don’t play 17 and 18,” he jokes. “That’s where most people add points.” Also, “Practicing your short game can be the fastest way to improve, since a long drive and short stroke both count the same.”

SHORT CUTs Favorite Food. . . . . . . Filet Mignon and a baked potato—I’m a steak and potatoes man.

Role Model. . . . . . . . . My dad—straightforward on everything.

Hobbies . . . . . . . . . . . Golf, coaching girl’s softball and league bowling at Pro Bowl West.

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alumni update

Alumni NEWS Walter M. Chrush, BSEE 1965, has moved from Kent, Wash., to Edmonds, Wash. He is manager of information architecture for the Boeing Company in Seattle, Wash. His e-mail address is chrush2@comcast.net.

David A. Neel, BSAE 1970, is a technical writer for American Augers, Inc., in West Salem, Ohio. He lives in Polk, Ohio, and his e-mail is neeldavid05@verizon.net.

Paul J. Bossert Jr., BSChE 1974, is now North American operations director for safety & protection platform at DuPont.

He and his wife live in Richmond, Va. Robert M. Cunningham, ASBA 1985, is director of administrative services at Danville Area Community College and lives in Covington, Ind. In addition to his responsibility over

maintenance, building service attendants, campus security, all purchasing, campus liability insurance, and campus food service, Cunningham is overseeing a $5.5 million construction project.

Jay Kroft, BSBA 1999, is a business teacher and boys’ basketball coach at Southmont High School in Crawfordsville, Ind. He lives in Waveland, Ind., and can be reached at jay.kroft@ southmont.k12.in.us.

Robert Frost, MBA 2003, is manager of new technology/PMO for Zimmer Orthopedics. He lives in LaGrange, Ind. Quitina Smith, BS 2005, is group administrator for Crowe Chizek in South Bend, Ind. She lives in Mishawaka, Ind. Kelby Kershner, BACS 2005, is a second-year law student at Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Va.

What happened in Vegas…

TECH

2006–07 Roster Ambassadors are a select group of Indiana Tech students who assist the Office of Institutional Advancement at alumni events, the admissions staff with prospective students and campus tours, and are the bridge between current students and alumni.

They are: David Snider (President), Brandi Cassel (Vice-President), Gina Schultz (Secretary), Tony Radkiewicz (Treasurer), Nicole Farmer, Ashlie Sklenicka, Kristy Kiser, Adam Lee, Rebekkah Dilley, Lindsay Reeve.

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A great time was had as several alums and friends of the university gathered for a get-away weekend at beautiful Lake Las Vegas on November 3 and 4, 2006. Not only did the group enjoy gambling, but also touring the Hoover Dam and Las Vegas shows.

PHONATHON 2007

Coming soon to a phone near you!

Indiana Tech’s annual phonathon is approaching fast. The support we received from alumni and friends during the 2006 phonathon was phenomenal: $135,000! With your help we can reach our 2007 goal of $145,000. Your generosity directly enhances the quality of education for students here at Indiana Tech.

Tech students will begin calling February 5th.

You can also make a gift online at:

www.IndianaTech.edu/AlumniAndFriends/Giving

2007 Goal

$145,000

Indiana Tech Lunch Bunch 3rd Tuesday of Every Month 11:30am–1:00pm Calling all Fort Wayne area alums of Indiana Tech: You’re invited to take a break from the busy workday and be a part of Indiana Tech’s Lunch Bunch!

Grab your business cards and head to the Alumni Association’s newest monthly event where you can get a bite to eat, network, and socialize with old classmates, staff and faculty at some of Fort Wayne’s best restaurants.

Mark your calendars now to attend: February 20th Bandido’s

933 Northcrest Shopping Center — Behind Kohl’s

March 20th The Acme

1105 E. State Blvd.

April 17th The Trolley Bar

2898 E. Dupont Rd.

May 15th Flat Top Grill

4140 W. Jefferson — Jefferson Pointe

RSVP to Rose Schafer by calling (800) 937-2448 ext. 2219. See you there!

in memoriam We have learned of the deaths of the following alumni & friends: Rosario Calabrese North Merrick, NY BSEE 1949

Clyde E. Heaton New Castle, DE BSAEE 1944

Abraham Smaardyk Little Rock, AR BSME 1943

Roger B. Eley New Haven, IN BSELE 1960

James F. McCollum Paducah, KY BSRE 1948

Charles R. Stobart Dallas, TX BSELE 1957

Ruth E. Fruechtenicht Fort Wayne, IN BSACC 1980

Craig J. McGinnis Honesdale, PA BSCE 1968

Edward G. Walburn Cromwell, IN BSCE 1948

Eldred Hargens Cape Girardeau, MO BSME 1941

Frank K. Rhodes Dallas, TX BSAE 1950

Remembering J. Forest Bigelow First president of the Indiana Tech Alumni Association J. Forrest Bigelow died December 4th, 2006 at the age of 92. He resided in Conroe, Texas.

Mr. Bigelow received a Radio Course of Study certificate in 1933, a B.S.R.E. in 1945, and an honorary doctorate in 1964, all from Indiana Tech. He was involved in the creation of the Alumni Association under President Archie T. Keene, and organized the university’s first Homecoming event.

Mr. Bigelow was granted 27 patents during his career, and he was instrumental in the invention of the color television in conjunction with Capehart-Farnsworth and served on the National Television Systems Committee, which set the standards for color television.

He donated his original notes and manuscripts as well as memoirs to Indiana Tech, where they are now on display.

TRENDS Winter 06/07 17

alumni update

School Spirit Hits the Road: Indiana Tech License Plates Indiana Tech supporters, there’s a new way to show your pride!

2007

Alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of Indiana Tech are now eligible to apply for their own Indiana Tech license plate through the BMV. Visit www.indianatech.edu/AlumniAndFriends/ LicensePlate.aspx for a printable form and more information, or call Indiana Tech’s Alumni Office at (800) 937-2448 or (260) 422-5561, ext. 2270.

Mascot or Alumni Nuvola Zip-Neck Sweater These high quality cotton sweaters are perfect for lounging around the house, a chilly game day, or a brisk hike. Choose from the mascot emblem or Indiana Tech Alumni embroidery on the left chest.

Special Price: $27.99 Regular Price $34.99 To order, stop by the gift shop in the lower level of Andorfer Commons or call (800) 937-2448, ext. 2150.

18 TRENDS Winter 06/07

faculty & staff news

Douglas Named Coach of the Year Laura Douglas (1) was named WolverineHoosier Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. In the 2nd year of volleyball at Indiana Tech, Douglas has formed a competitive, winning team. The team posted a 10-4 conference record this season, 27-8 overall.

Staff Earn Promotions Alisa Scagnoli has been promoted from student information center representative to academic resource specialist. Faith Maddox was promoted from director of admissions to campus director for the College of Professional Studies in Indianapolis. Also in Indianapolis, Angela Snyder was promoted from academic services coordinator to operations coordinator. Sandy Bradley became the campus director for CPS in Fort Wayne after several years as the director of operations in Indianapolis.

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Professor Earns HR Certification Timothy Allwein (2), assistant professor of business, has been awarded a certification from Michigan State University as a Certified Human Resource Specialist (CHRS). Allwein completed intensive HR training offered by MSU’s School of Labor and Industrial Relations in October 2006.

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Upon completion of the training, he wrote and passed a comprehensive certification examination.

Associate Dean Chosen for Conferences

Mark Botzum, admissions representative, South Bend

Associate Dean Sheldon Goldstein (3) was chosen to speak at two conferences this fall. In December, he spoke at a conference for electric utility executives. The title of his presentation was “How to Gather Information, Analyze It, and Discover Actionable Projects to Improve Customer Satisfaction.”

The event was a national conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. In October, he made a presentation at the Midwest Energy Association conference.

His topic was “Customer Surveys, Satisfaction and Getting Results,” which focused on assessing and using customer feedback to implement change and increase satisfaction.

Peggy L. Coburn, part-time administrative assistant, Career Planning and Development Center

Admissions Rep Honored

University Welcomes New Staff

Indiana Tech is pleased to announce several additions to the university staff: Amy Archer, coordinator of campus books and print center Patricia Bone, part-time assistant librarian

Alison Delicati, director of the Career Planning and Development Center Steve Harter, enrollment consultant, Merrillville Brandon H. Hinton, associate admissions counselor

Jeff Dean (4), admissions representative at the Elkhart campus, was named volunteer of the year by the Goshen Chamber of Commerce.

Sharon Lokuta, associate registrar

Panel Includes Moore

Jeffrey Melton, marketing specialist

Dr. T. Neil Moore (5), director of the Center for Criminal Sciences, participated in a panel discussion on “Violence and How It Affects Fort Wayne Youth.” The forum was developed by Jamal Jessup, a 2006 Indiana Tech graduate now working for the Fort Wayne Urban League.

Kelly Mettert, golf coach Heather Miller, part-time ARC specialist in McMillen Library Julie Morrison, director of alumni relations and annual fund Bradley Peterson, cross country coach

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Have a photo and a story from your days at Tech you’d like to share?

Contact us by e-mailing dlkora@IndianaTech.edu or calling 260.422.5561 ext. 2296.

From the Archives

Indiana Tech—Always Growing It was the 1956–57 school year and Tech was in transition from its downtown location to the new campus. These students are busy setting up the electrical engineering lab inside Hansey Hall. It appears that change has been a constant at Tech for at least 50 years.

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