Trends: Winter 2009 (Volume 5, Issue 2)

Teaching the Teachers

Dr. Lisa Williams High Speed Education

Online Programs Keep in Touch Through

Social Networking Volume 5, Issue 2 / Winter 2009 The Magazine for Students, Alumni & Friends of Indiana Tech

Warrior Athletics A tradition of success

Letter from the President

Contents Departments

Happy New Year!

By the time this issue of Trends finds its way to your mailbox, we will all be settling in to 2009. For many in our country and world, 2008 was a challenging year. Economic downturns dominated everyone’s thoughts for the latter part of the year, and we continue to be at war on two fronts. For Indiana Tech, the fall of 2008 was particularly tragic with the sudden deaths of two young athletes, Elizabeth Lykowski and Jasmin Hubbard, just a few weeks apart.

A new year, however, always brings a fresh dose of optimism. While some may choose to look back, I choose to look ahead with enthusiasm to the potential of great things to come. We at Indiana Tech are laying the ground work for a very bright future for this university. Many of the stories in this magazine hint that the best is yet to come. For example: ■■

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Momentum, our comprehensive fundraising campaign, is well under way. Thanks to generous alumni, friends, foundations, faculty, and staff, we are getting closer to our goal every day.

Our Warrior athletic teams were very successful this fall, and the future is sure to bring a national championship for one of our teams to go with those won by individual student-athletes.

Dr. Lisa Williams is establishing a teacher education program with such emphasis on fieldwork that it could become a model for other programs to emulate.

I encourage each of you to dream a little about where Indiana Tech is headed.

Think also of how you can help make those dreams come true. Maybe you can create a scholarship or support another aspect of Momentum. Maybe you can give your time by volunteering with our alumni office and admissions staff.

Maybe you just want to cheer on our student-athletes by attending an upcoming event.

I hope that your dreams will inspire you to become involved with and connected to Indiana Tech in ways that you have not before. I sincerely believe we are making incredible progress, and I don’t want anyone to miss out on this journey.

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Tech Happenings

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Richter’s Notes

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Alumni News

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In Memoriam

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Facuty & Staff News

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Features

4 Warrior Athletics

8 Teaching the Teachers

10 Building a Platform for Leadership 11 High Speed Education 12 Momentum Campaign Passes $13 Million Mark 13 New Suite Immerses President’s Club Members in Campus Life 15 Keep in Touch Through Social Networking

Thank you,

Trends Volume 5, Issue 2.

Dr. Arthur E. Snyder, President

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© 2009 Indiana Institute of Technology Arthur E. Snyder, Ed.D., President

10% post consumer recycled paper

Winter 2009

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 Tessa Ward Graphic Designer

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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 attention of the Alumni Office at the address on the left, 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.

Nathan Davidhizar Marketing Intern

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Tech Happenings Hawks Uses Influence to Lead The Rev. Rick Hawks was the fall 2008 guest for the University Forum Speaker Series. His presentation in Andorfer Commons was titled “Maximizing Your Influence: Four Radical Practices in Leadership.”

The theater was packed with students, staff, faculty, and community visitors, and Hawks treated them to an insightful and humorous look at the qualities that shape strong leaders.

Hawks is the senior pastor at The Chapel, the nondenominational Fort Wayne church that he founded in September 2004. Prior to this ministry, he served at Blackhawk Baptist Church in Fort Wayne for 13 years. In 1990, Hawks left Blackhawk for an unsuccessful bid for Congress in Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District. He then became the pastor at South Baptist Church in Lansing, Mich., before returning to Fort Wayne.

Humanities Students Focus on Shakespeare During the fall semester, Professors Steve Malloris and Susan McGrade offered a humanities special topics course, The Shakespeare Experience, to a group of select students who had applied for admission into the course. The class, rather than having the traditional focus on Shakespeare’s writing primarily as literature, examined his classic works with emphasis on performance.

The experience was made possible through a grant from the Lilly Faculty Development Fund and included a four-day trip to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario.

During class sessions, students learned different

scholarly approaches to Shakespeare’s writings, and class periods were composed of intense discussion about the students’ individual interpretations of the great playwright’s works.

In mid-October, the class took the study abroad trip to Ontario, Canada, for the theater festival.

While there, the students saw performances of the four plays they were studying throughout the year: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, and Caesar and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw. While in Stratford the students also took backstage tours of the Shakespeare Festival Theatre and the costume warehouse.

Career Fair Draws Employers, Students The Career Planning and Development Center enthusiastically welcomed nearly 50 area and regional employers to its 2008 Annual Career Fair. About 200 students, staff and faculty welcomed the opportunity to hear about full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities being offered in a wide variety of fields.

Students, Alumni Practice Networking A recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that 80% of jobs are found via networking, making it the No. 1 method of landing a job. To assist Indiana Tech students with this valuable skill, the Career Planning and Development Center sponsored Networking 101: The Art of Schmoozing on October 14, 2008.

The night started with a presentation by Vince Robinson, a member of the Indiana Tech Board of Trustees and editor of Ink Newspaper.

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To assist students in preparing for the career fair, the career center sponsored several Career Fair Prep Sessions. In these sessions, students learned how to prepare before the fair, how to be successful during the fair, and the important follow-up steps after the fair.

Robinson walked students through the importance of networking and the mechanics of introducing yourself and talking about yourself and your skills. Students and alumni were then joined by area employers for a chance to network and socialize over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Indiana Tech and eight other area colleges and universities will sponsor a joint career fair, the NICE Expo (Northeastern Indiana Career Employment) on Thursday, April 16, 2009. The event will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. in the IPFW Walb Student Union Ballroom. For more information on this or other career related topics, please contact Cindy Price Verduce, career center director, at cpverduce@indianatech.edu.

This was a great opportunity for students, both traditional day and CPS, and alumni to practice networking while connecting with area employers.

TRENDS

Winter 2009

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Warrior Athletics A tradition of success

TECH

WARRIORS

When you walk into the Schaefer Center, it is easy to see the tradition of success associated with Warrior athletics by the number of conference and national tournament banners hanging from the rafters. After this fall, Warrior athletics will be adding to that display with three WHAC conference championships and four teams advancing to NAIA National Tournament or Championship participation.

Volleyball One of those conference champions and tournament participants was the women’s volleyball team. The Warriors finished the regular season 31-3, defeating other ranked schools such as Indiana Wesleyan (twice), Madonna, and Morningside (IA). The season was highlighted with a dramatic, regular-season finale win at home over traditional WHAC-power Madonna University on November 7. The victory gave the Warriors a 13-1 regular season record and the #1 seed in the WHAC conference tournament, where they were defeated in a rematch by Madonna approximately a week later.

Despite the loss in the conference tournament finals, they earned an at-large bid to continue their season in the opening round of the NAIA National Volleyball Tournament. On November 22, the Tech volleyball team traveled to Bristol, Tenn., where they swept their hosts, King College. The win propelled the team to pool-play at the NAIA National Volleyball tournament in Sioux City, Iowa, December 2 through 4.

The Warriors fought valiantly before falling in their first two matches to 6th-seed California Baptist and 7th-seed Georgetown College. The Warriors rebounded to finish 1-2 in pool play, by defeating College of Idaho for their first victory

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ever in the national tournament. The win ended their best season in school history with a 33-5 record. The team was nationally ranked for the majority of the season, peaking with their highest rating at #15.

Several members of the Indiana Tech volleyball team were named to the NAIA All-American and AVCA NAIA All-Region teams. Senior Ashtyn Humerickhouse (Ossian, IN/Norwell) and freshman Ashley Hamilton (Middlebury, IN/ Northridge) were selected to the Midwest Region team. Senior Laura Booker (Fort Wayne, IN/ Bishop Luers) was named Honorable Mention.

Hamilton and Humerickhouse also were named NAIA All-America Honorable Mention. Booker led the team in assists (1,371) and aces (74), and she is ranked 11th in the nation for assists.

Humerickhouse and Hamilton were leaders on the team with kills — averaging 2.9 and 3.25 respectively. Hamilton is ranked in the top 50 nationally for hitting percentage, and she also averaged 2.9 digs per match.

The 2008 All-WHAC volleyball awards were announced, and several members of the Tech team were named to the first team, including seniors Humerickhouse and Booker. Humerickhouse was one of the conference leaders in hits and kills, and Booker led the conference in aces (68).

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Sophomore Erika Stouder (Nappanee, IN/Ancilla College) and freshman Ashley Hamilton also were on the first team. Stouder was one of the conference leaders in blocks (105), and Hamilton was in the top five for kills, hitting percentage, and aces. Hamilton was named Freshman of the Year.

Receiving Honorable Mention was junior Michelle Fitzpatrick (Lincoln, IL/Parkland College), and Champion of Character went to Laura Booker.

Seniors Kelli Brown (Battle Creek, MI/Kellogg CC), Staci Stork (Kendallville, IN/Farleigh Dickenson), Laura Booker, and Ashtyn Humerickhouse and juniors Ashley Jenkins (Gahanna, OH/Westerville North) and Michelle Fitzpatrick received Academic All-WHAC recognition. For her outstanding effort this season, Kirsta Solberg was named Coach of the Year.

Cross Country The second conference championship was captured by the women’s cross country team who had their best meet of the year, winning in dominating fashion, placing five women in the top six. Senior Alissa McKaig (Fort Wayne, IN/ Concordia) led the way, winning the race easily in 17:39. Freshman Jordan Arnold (Lafayette, IN/ Lafayette) was 3rd in 19:03, followed by three sophomores: Alyssa Webb (Indianapolis, IN/ Lawrence Central) 4th in 19:08, Kara Van Horn (Huntington, IN/Huntington North) 5th in 19:15, and Leah Blakemore (Flint, MI/Kearsley) 6th in 19:19. All five of these women made the AllConference team. The Lady Warriors scored a near perfect 19 points, beating the Aquinas women by 27 points. This was the 2nd straight year the ladies won conference, and the second straight year Coach Brad Peterson was awarded the conference Coach of the Year award. The team automatically earned a berth to nationals by winning the conference meet.

Winter 2009

Alissa McKaig won the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Championship meet at Kenosha, Wisc., on November 22, in a record time of 16:41.4. This was the fourth individual title for McKaig, previously winning national titles in indoor and outdoor track. The women’s team finished seventh overall (223 points) with sophomores Alyssa Webb finishing 40th in 18:39, Leah Blakemore 45th in 18:46, and Kara Van Horn 63rd in 18:59. Freshman Jordan Arnold finished out Tech’s top five at 74th in 19:08. The men’s team finished fifth (245 points) in the national meet led by sophomore Camron Walter (South Whitley, IN/Whitko) who placed 7th in a time of 24:38. Sophomore John Wainwright (Lagrange, IN/Lakeland) finished 50th in 25:45, freshman Cody White (Monroeville, IN/Heritage) 51st in 25:45, sophomore Jordan Mitchell (Indianapolis, IN/ Franklin Central) 54th in 25:48, and sophomore Derek Holst (South Whitley, IN/Whitko) finished out the Warrior’s top five at 83rd in 26:09. Indiana Tech earned a team award for compiling one of the lowest combined scores for the men’s and women’s competition.

The men’s cross country team, ranked 2nd in the country at the time, suffered their first loss of the season to a strong Aquinas squad at the WHAC Conference meet on November 9.

Aquinas was ranked 4th in the nation entering the meet. John Wainwright had his best race of his career, placing 3rd in 25:42. Camron Walter was 5th with a time of 25:47. These were the only two men to earn All-Conference distinction.

Sophomores Dan Neidlinger (Plymouth, IN/ Plymouth) placed 8th in 25:50 and Jordan Mitchell (Indianapolis, IN/Franklin Central) was 9th in 25:55, both missing All Conference honors by mere seconds.

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Golf The Indiana Tech women’s golf team was the final program to deliver a WHAC Conference title, defeating both Aquinas and Davenport by three strokes in the final jamboree tournament of the fall season. The women’s team set the WHAC team scoring record at the Concordia Jamboree with a score of 335. Freshman Jordan Essman (Angola, IN/Angola HS) set the school individual scoring record by firing a 73. The team’s regular season title earned it an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships in Rapid City, S.D., in May 2009.

Three women earned WHAC All-Conference honors. Jordan Essman and sophomore Tara Hanna (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS) were named to the All-Conference team and freshman Kalie Sanders (Greenville, IN/Greenville HS) was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Tara Hanna and sophomore Casten Reed were named to NAIA Champions of Character teams.

Kelly Mettert was named Coach of the Year in women’s golf. Sophomore Michael Kasperksi (Coldwater, MI/Coldwater HS) received WHAC All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition for his play during the fall season.

Tennis The men’s tennis team completed its fall season with a perfect 7-0 record. The team defeated MCC champion Indiana Wesleyan at home 5-4 and followed up with victories over St. Joseph and Calumet College to finish undefeated.

The women’s tennis team completed its fall season with two victories, over opponents Robert Morris College and Calumet College. The lady netters finished the fall with a 5-4 match record.

team is one of only 12 NAIA teams and one of only 236 teams nationally (NCAA, NAIA, & Junior/ Community Colleges combined) to receive this award. Indiana Tech was one of only two NAIA member schools from Indiana to receive an ITA All-Academic Team Award for the 2007–08 academic year. Four members of the women’s team also have been named ITA Scholar-Athletes for the 2007–2008 academic year. Receiving individual awards for Indiana Tech are Kassie Barroquillo (Wolcottville, IN), Marcela Bosch (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Courtney Hardin (Trussville, AL), and Jessica Saba (Dearborn Heights, MI/ Crestwood HS).

The Indiana Tech men’s tennis team also has received an ITA All-Academic Team award. The 2007–2008 team is one of only eight NAIA teams and one of only 108 teams nationally to receive this award. The Indiana Tech men’s tennis team and its five individual award winners were the only NAIA team and NAIA student-athletes from Indiana to receive these awards. Receiving individual awards for Indiana Tech were Brandon Barger (Decatur, IN), Bryan Sexton (Fort Wayne, IN), Jose Villavisencio (Lima, Peru), Craig Wassell (Fort Wayne, IN) and Daniel Yamamoto (Sao Paulo, Brazil). This is the second consecutive year that Brandon Barger and Jose Villavisencio have received this award.

To receive these awards, teams and individual student-athletes must achieve a 3.2 GPA or higher for the academic year and individuals must be varsity letter winners in tennis. To achieve this honor in just the second year of the program is a great accomplishment.

Soccer The Indiana Tech women’s tennis team earned an ITA All-Academic Team award. The 2007–2008

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The men’s soccer team concluded the season with a win at Concordia University. The victory

TRENDS

assured the Warriors of a winning season and an 8-8-2 final record. Warriors’ junior goalkeeper, Josh Verhulst (Grand Rapids, MI/ Wyoming Park) was twice named WHAC Defensive Player of the Week for the weeks ending September 7 and October 5. Verhulst had three saves in the Warriors’ 1-0 win over Huntington University and later posted his third shutout of the season in a 5-0 match against Siena Heights to earn such honors.

Post-season honors have been awarded, and the men’s soccer team was well-represented. Josh Verhulst was named First Team All-Conference.

Juniors Stu Thornton (Angola, IN/Angola HS) and Kory Anderson (Lowell, MI/Lowell HS) were named Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Thornton also was named to the Champions of Character team and Coach Martin Neuhoff was named the Champions of Character coach for the WHAC season. Juniors Nate Davidhizar (Goshen, IN/North Wood) and Kory Anderson earned WHAC All-Academic team honors and Davidhizar was named NAIA Academic AllAmerican.

The women’s soccer team completed their season with four wins, an improvement of their overall win total from last year. Tracie Ball (Pinckney, MI/ Pinckney), a junior midfielder, was the WHAC Offensive Player of the Week during the season.

She scored a hat trick in the Warriors’ 3-0 win over Rochester College. Junior forward Ashley Mejia (Yoder, IN/Bishop Luers) also was chosen as the WHAC Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending November 9. Mejia scored twice, including the game winner to lead the Warriors to a 3-2 victory over Concordia. The victory was the first conference win for the Warriors this season. The women’s soccer team was honored with two members being selected to

Winter 2009

the All-Conference teams. Junior Danielle Luther (Chesterton, IN/IPFW) was voted to the second team. Luther helped lead a young Warrior team and tallied two goals and three assists. Freshman defender Christina Will (Guilford, IN/East Central) was named to the Honorable Mention squad.

Will was one of four freshmen that anchored the Warrior defense. In addition, goalkeeper Mallory Xurvein (Ramsey, MN/Anoka) was named to the Champions of Character team. Xurvein led the conference in saves with 146 (8.11 per game).

Juniors Ashley Mejia, Alex Saba (Dearborn Hts., MI/Crestwood) and Tracie Ball are representing the Warriors on the All-Academic team.

Warriors Fourth in Fall Directors’ Cup Standings Indiana Tech was in fourth place after the final fall NAIA Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings with 195 points. The Warriors tallied 75 points in men’s cross country, 69 points in women’s cross country and 51 points in women’s volleyball.

Indiana Tech will have opportunities to add to their total and challenge for the Cup with the results of winter and spring sports still to come.

Current standings have Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) in the top spot, followed by Concordia University (Ore.) and Lindenwood University (Mo.) in second and third places, respectfully.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 12 sports — six women’s and six men’s.

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students take part in classes at Price and have an opportunity for immediate feedback from the teaching community.

Williams’ life path took a few detours, working as a painter and a wastewater technician, before becoming a teacher, but she feels it’s what she was meant to be.

“When I was 4 my mom knew I was going to be a teacher,” she says. “I was always explaining things to the boys in the neighborhood. It’s always been in my blood.”

Williams Creates Education Program Built on Experience It’s been a chilly winter so far in northeast Indiana, but Dr. Lisa Williams exudes her own Southern warmth.

Williams has built an education program that addresses what she feels is a key need for future teachers: more time in the field.

Williams was lured north from the University of Southern Mississippi by the opportunity to become the director of Indiana Tech’s fledgling School of Education. When she came to Fort Wayne for an interview, everything seemed right.

“I’m real big on experience,” she explains. “We put the students out in the field immediately so they can find out whether teaching is right for them.”

Since joining Indiana Tech in the spring of 2007, 8

There it is again, that emphasis on what happens when students have to move into the “real world” of teaching.

Williams concedes that some students are scared off by their initial forays into working with pupils in local schools and choose to change majors. However, “Everything we’re doing is pushing toward more that’s the point of getting them into the field early. hours in the classroom. It really is a great opportunity for the kids,” Williams says. “I’m not “We want teachers who want to be there,” Wilhere just to prepare teachers; I’m here to prepare liams says. “The ones that stick with it are the excellent teachers.” ones that are going to be teachers. The earlier they’re in the classroom, the more likely they are Just a few years ago, the idea of a School of Educato stick with the profession.” tion at Indiana Tech was just that — an idea. But Williams has made it a reality. Although she admits Indiana Tech now has 49 students pursuing degrees it’s been hard work, she’s had no second thoughts in either elementary education or physical educaabout taking on the challenge. tion, but it’s one of the most popular fields among prospective students. “I’m hoping we’ll be having “It has been worth the ride. I love my job,” Williams an explosion of people coming into the program,” declares. “I don’t do it for me. I do it because I really Williams says. believe we can make a difference in America.”

Teaching the Teachers

“When I came to Indiana Tech, it was just like … sometimes you know where you’re supposed to be,” Williams says. “Everybody was so friendly and open.

It felt like home.”

classroom, you’ve got to put on that smiley face.”

The Indiana Tech program far exceeds the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards for field experience with every education course having a field component. The university worked with Fort Wayne Community Schools in developing the program and has established a Professional Development School at Price Elementary. Indiana Tech TRENDS

Williams taught for several years in Arkansas public schools, a variety of classes including biology, anatomy and physiology, and physical education. She also coached volleyball, basketball, and track.

“I loved coaching,” she says. “The kids wanted to be there, and it was a privilege for them to be there.”

Teaching at the college level, however, gives Williams an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of her students.

“I love teaching college. Young adults… they’re at a point where they can go one direction or another.

We can help motivate them and move them in the direction they want to go.”

►► Favorite vacation: Outdoor things like fishing and camping ►► Favorite pastime: Playing guitar and other musical instruments ►► Favorite music: Bluegrass, southern gospel ►► Favorite book: The Bible ►► Favorite movies: “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “The Color Purple”

The small class sizes at Indiana Tech give Williams and her colleagues an opportunity to get to know “the kids.”

►► Hero: Her father. “He always told us: ‘The only thing you have is your name,

so keep it good.’ ”

“We try to bring out their personalities,” she says. “It’s almost like acting. You step up there in front of the Winter 2009

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High Speed Education

Online Students on Fast Track to Degrees Indiana Tech’s College of Professional Studies has always appealed to busy students who want to complete a degree quickly. Changes to the online program will give those students one more reason to choose Tech.

building a platform for leadership

Beginning in January 2009, Indiana Tech’s online courses will adopt a shorter format matching the length of courses offered in College of Professional Studies classrooms. Most courses for undergraduate students will last 5 weeks, while most courses for graduate students will last 6 weeks.

Elaine Pontillo, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs

In the last issue I highlighted several new baccalaureate programs (biomedical engineering, software engineering, elementary education and criminal sciences) which are clearly aligned with our institutional mission to provide the educational opportunities leading to careers and professions as well as our work to become a more comprehensive university.

Another strategy to enhance academics is our work to identify a few disciplines to address as platforms for expansion. We use these platforms to build related programs at the same degree level and/or programs at higher levels. We have identified organizational leadership as our first platform discipline and have plans to add education and criminal sciences for expansion within the next two years. In this article, I will focus on the leadership platform.

The baccalaureate degree in organizational leadership has been offered for several years to the College of Professional Studies students. This undergraduate program provides the leadership competencies needed for middle management success in a broad range of job families and functions making it especially attractive to our working adult students.

Noting the need for employees capable of demonstrating management and leadership capabilities in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, we built upon the foundation of the undergraduate program and developed the Master of Science in Organization Leadership (MSOL). This program expands the theoretical base of the discipline of organizational leadership in tandem with development of the students’ understanding of their individual leadership styles and preferences. The program was launched in March 2008 and is cohort-based with a group of students continuing through the program together. The program is best suited to an individual who possesses experience working as a manager/leader at the mid- to lower levels of responsibility and with aspirations for upward mobility. The 10

first cohort included students currently affiliated with a wide variety of organizations, not-for-profits and for-profits, military and local government, health care, education, etc. Bringing this array of backgrounds and expertise to the class proved to enhance the learning and student interactions during the program.

We recognized that this program was going to appeal to individuals aspiring to positions of increasing responsibility and with multiple demands on their time and energy. Therefore, a blended delivery mode was designed which includes residencies at the Fort Wayne campus or via videoconference scheduled on the weekends coinciding with the launch and completion of each set of two courses. The remainder of the course content is delivered using an online course management system and includes readings, online chats focused on assigned readings or questions, posting of documents, etc. For nearly all the students, this model was easily managed with their employment responsibilities and schedules.

The total program is scheduled for delivery within a twelve-month period, a very appealing opportunity to students. The caveat is that the compressed timeframe to complete the entire master’s degree translates into a great deal of reading, studying, writing, and general preparation for the residencies and submission of assignments. The students quickly discovered the challenges of these demands and most were successful in adapting. Faculty are very supportive and acted to facilitate the entire learning process.

I am pleased to report that our first cohort will complete the MSOL in March 2009, and the second cohort began study in September 2008, with a planned completion date of September 2009. The next cohort is scheduled to begin late January 2009.

The leadership platform will soon be expanded to encompass an additional degree level, the Ph.D. in Global Leadership. In the next issue, I will comment on its creation and status.

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The online courses had been 10 weeks for both undergraduate and graduate students. The shift to shorter courses will benefit students who blend online courses with on-campus courses as well as those who take all of their courses online.

Online Degree Programs The following degree programs are available online: ›› Associate of Science in General Studies ›› Associate of Science in Accounting ›› Associate of Science in Business Administration, with concentrations in: —— Management —— Production Management ›› Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership ›› Bachelor of Science in Accounting ›› Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with concentrations in: —— Human Resources —— Management —— Marketing ›› Master of Business Administration —— Management concentration —— Health Care Management concentration

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“We’ve seen tremendous success with our online programs, and we have learned a great deal about the capabilities of our learners and the available technology,” said Dr. Elaine Pontillo, vice president of academic affairs. “The five- and six-week class lengths allow us to combine academically challenging course work with flexibility and convenience for busy students.”

The academic calendar for online courses will now match that of the classroom-based courses, with the same registration deadlines, start dates, and end dates.

“Many of our students are working full time and raising a family,” said Perry Collins, vice president for the College of Professional Studies. “Aligning the online classes with our classroom programs gives them more flexibility to build a schedule that fits their lives.”

January also brings additional opportunities for graduate students, who will be able to complete the MBA program entirely online in the management and health care management concentrations.

Indiana Tech’s online offerings debuted in Fall 2006 with just four courses. Since then, the program offerings and enrollment have both expanded rapidly.

For more information on the courses and programs available online during spring 2009, please visit www.IndianaTech.edu/ DistanceEd.

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Momentum Campaign Passes $13 Million Mark When the Momentum campaign was launched in July 2007, a lofty goal was set: to raise $19 million by the end of fiscal year 2012. At the December Board of Trustees meeting, it was reported that $13.1 million has been committed.

“The fact that so many donors have displayed such generosity at this stage of our campaign shows that our alumni and other supporters share our vision and a tremendous belief in Indiana Tech,” said President Arthur Snyder.

to enlist in the service immediately after his high school graduation. Such dedication and valor brought memories to Ron of his fellow Tech students who were Vietnam veterans.

He and Cathy, therefore, have designated their scholarship to be awarded to honorably discharged veterans or to children of veterans who were killed while serving our country.

The campaign focus on people, places, and programs includes scholarships, enhancements to campus facilities, and support for the College of Engineering and Computer Studies and the Keene School of Education.

Among the gifts received so far are six scholarship funds, three established by alumni.

Gifts from many staff and faculty members, students, alumni, and friends have established three new scholarships to honor members of the Indiana Tech family. The Dan and Nancy Kline Leadership Scholarship honors the longtime coach and athletic director and his wife. Elizabeth Lykowski and Jasmin Hubbard, two student-athletes who died unexpectedly during the fall semester, have been memorialized with scholarships created in their names.

Gene Neff (BSCE ’58) established the Gene L. and Darlene J. Neff Leadership Scholarship. Byron Parshall (BSEE ’62) established the Byron Parshall Leadership Scholarship. Both of these funds will provide financial resources for outstanding student leaders who will contribute their time and energies toward campus goals and serve as positive role models for the student body. Through the generosity of Neff and Parshall, recognition and aid will be directed to students who are exemplary in character and motivation.

During the Faculty and Staff Annual Fund drive, which is part of the Momentum campaign, there was a great level of support from Tech employees. More than $35,000 was received in cash, pledges, and payroll deduction commitments, with 80% of employees participating. This is an outstanding response rate, as the national averages are 25% and 35% for public and private universities, respectively. Seventeen employees are members of the President’s Club, comprised of donors who give at least $1,000 per year to Tech.

Ronald Kantorak (BSME ’70) and his wife, Cathy, created the Corporal Jonathan F. Blair Memorial Scholarship to honor their great-nephew, who was killed November 19, 2005, during combat operations in Iraq.

Jonathan Blair’s desire to preserve freedom and safety following the 9/11 attacks led him

Additionally, the university has received substantial gifts from a number of foundations. The Edward M. and Mary McCrea Wilson Foundation made a three-year pledge to support need-based scholarships. Dr. Louis A. & Anne B. Schneider Foundation made an unrestricted two-year pledge. Gifts

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to the Keene School of Education programs were received from the Magee-O’Connor Foundation, the Hayner Foundation, and the Ian and Mimi Rolland Trust. The Rolland gift will provide for scholarships, as well as equipment, classroom materials, computers, and other essentials for the university’s unique degrees in elementary education and K–12 physical education.

The McMillen Foundation made a donation to enhance resources for the university’s library. The McMillen gift will supply additional state-of-the-art technology, new books for the physical collection, computers, and online delivery methods such as video tutorials, live chats with librarians, and online databases in multiple disciplines.

The university also received a $375,000 grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to sustain current initiatives and establish a new endeavor to retain graduates in the state of Indiana.

The new program, called the Career Leadership Institute, is a collaboration among the university’s Career Planning and Development Center, local businesses, schools, and community organizations.

These gifts are added to those received from trustees and many other individuals and organizations, as well as a five-year commitment of nearly $2 million from the U.S. Department of Education through the Title III program. That funding will create a special program to enhance curriculum and increase student participation in campus activities.

As the campaign progresses, further updates will be provided in Trends and on the Momentum web site at Momentum.IndianaTech.edu.

TRENDS

New Suite Immerses President’s Club Members in Campus Life If you are a member of Indiana Tech’s President’s Club, you know a variety of benefits comes with that recognition. The most recently added perk is an overnight stay in the President’s Club suite. Our newest residence hall, Evans-Kimmell Hall, has a suite reserved for our most generous supporters — those who are current President’s Club members or who have been within the past two fiscal years.

you to check out the Tech memorabilia in the McMillen Library, attend our great athletic or alumni events, spend time with your favorite faculty or staff member, shop at Tech Treasures, and enjoy a film in our theater, bowling in the recreation center, and your meals in Andorfer Commons, if you wish. This is a great opportunity to experience campus life… in a very comfortable way!

The suite has a living room with a flat screen TV; an efficiency kitchen with cookware, kitchen utensils, silverware, and dishes; a private bathroom; and two bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed. The entire suite is completely furnished and supplied with linens and is wheelchair-accessible.

For more details or to reserve this suite, please contact Gina Schulz in the Institutional Advancement office at 800.937.2448, ext. 2404, or by e-mail at gmschulz@indianatech.edu.

We always look forward to visits by members of our President’s Club. We will be glad to provide a tour of campus, and we invite

Winter 2009

If you are interested in becoming a member of the President’s Club, please contact Eve Colchin, Director of Development, at 800.937.2448, ext. 2335, or by e-mail at emcolchin@ indianatech.edu.

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Richter’s Notes

Keep in Touch through Social Networking

The Simple Things Mark Richter, vice president of Institutional Advancement

At the end of Indiana Tech’s Commencement in 1959, President Archie Keene issued a charge to all graduates. Here is an excerpt from his remarks:

of our Board of Trustees at their meeting in December commented on how engaged, focused, and “on-task” Indiana Tech students are today.

As you live each day, remember that the best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an employer, service; to an opponent, tolerance; give your heart to a friend; set a good example for your children; revere your father and mother and so conduct yourself that they will always be proud of you; give to yourself the priceless heritage of self-respect, and finally give charity and understanding to all men and women.

Perhaps some of the simple things really do make a difference. I’ve heard Dr. Snyder say a hearty hello to every student he passes while walking through campus. He knows their names.

He’ll often stop and talk with students and ask them how things are going. He joins them in the cafeteria for meals. He attends their meetings and sporting events. They know that he expects each of them to bring an active vitality to their college experience by being involved in campus life. For our students, our tagline “Raise your expectations” is not an empty slogan. It’s real.

And, happily, it’s contagious!

Some of you from the Class of 1959 might actually recall having heard these wise words.

Most of you, like me, can only reflect upon them by reading the text. To me, this simple, yet powerful, advice is just as clear and meaningful today as it was 50 years ago. The words convey a poetic power, born of honest reflection that is sometimes missing in today’s hyper-fast world.

But it also reminds me that a “good” education touches the heart as well as the mind. The other day, I heard one of our faculty members, who had been away from campus for a year on academic leave, mention a noticeable positive change in the general demeanor of our students over this relatively short time span. Several members

As we begin 2009, we all can reflect on those words of President Keene’s from 1959 and wonder: What is the best we can give? To others… to ourselves… of ourselves. Then, next year at this time, we’ll be excited to see, yet again, how far Indiana Tech has come!

Want an easy way to connect with college friends? To receive the latest news about your alma mater? To get information on upcoming alumni events? Just relax at your computer, and log on to one of our social networking sites.

Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace allow users to create a personalized profile, upload photos, post messages, send instant messages, and more. It’s a great way to connect with friends and stay informed.

can reach him at 800.937.2448, ext. 2346, or stop by his office in Abbott Center.

►► Facebook: www.facebook.com

(then search “Indiana Tech alumni”) ►► MySpace: www.myspace.com/

indianatechalumni Facebook and MySpace have more than 300 million users worldwide, and 500 Indiana Tech alumni have already connected with the university and each other through them. You’ll also find an Indiana Tech presence on LinkedIn, a social networking medium geared for business professionals. Through these connections, you can notify the university of the special events in your life, update your personal information, and connect with other alumni.

►► LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/

indianatechalumni Memberships in these networking sites are free for individuals. If you need guidance to create an account, just call alumni director Julie Morrison at 800.937.2448, ext. 2270, or Institutional Advancement’s assistant office manager Gina Schulz at 800.937.2448, ext. 2404.

Alumni News ►► Robert Smith, BSME 1972, team leader at the

Mark welcomes your calls and visits. You

Which alum was promoted recently? Which one went mountain climbing? Who got married? Who has a new baby? Who has become a certified scuba buddy? Find the answers when you join the communication through one of our social networking sites at the following Internet links:

Naval Air Warfare Center in Lakehurst, New Jersey, retired September 30, 2008, after 34 years of employment. He can be contacted by e-mail at r.smith882@comcast.net.

motors to start EOP (Envision Optimal Performance) Engineering. EOP Engineering is a consulting firm that focuses on the autoparts making and electronic component businesses that are interested in outsourcing their engineering.

►► Belinda Edwards, BSCIS 1991, is the lead

A Legacy in the Making Many people choose to support Indiana Tech by including gifts to the university in their wills. Your bequest to Tech may reduce your estate taxes as well as provide you with other benefits, including: ►► Your

assets remain in your control during your lifetime.

►► Your

may direct your bequest to a particular purpose, program, school or college.

►► You

►►Jayant Pichamuthu, BSCIS 1993, is currently

the manager of Project Management division of Publicis Modem in Norwalk, Connecticut.

He can be reached by e-mail at jayantjp17@ yahoo.com.

can modify your bequest at any time if your circumstances change.

If you would like to learn more about making a bequest, please call Mark Richter at 260.466.5591, ext. 2346, or 800.937.2448, or e-mail him at mrichter@indianatech.edu.

14

information systems engineer for The MITRE Corporation based in McLean, Virginia.

MITRE recently received a Technology Star Award from Career Communications during the 2008 Woman of Color Technology Conference held in Dallas, Texas. Belinda can be reached by e-mail at TechBE@ comcast.net.

TRENDS

►► Gerald Eke, MSE 2007, has leveraged more

than seven years of experience engineering parts including direct-current electric

Winter 2009

►► Guanita Hillsman-Mays, BSACC 2006, is

currently employed with the United States Department of Defense. She can be contacted by e-mail at mrsmays_nita@yahoo.com. ►►Jesse Hoover, BSBA 2005, and his wife,

Lindsey, welcomed daughter Hannah Madison Hoover to their family in October.

She weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Jesse Hoover pitched for Yankees minor league teams in Charleston, S.C, and Tampa, Fla., in 2008. ►►Jeff Elledge, BSBA 2004 and MBA 2007,

has joined Catalyst Technology Group as senior network engineer and project manager based at Otolaryngology and Associates in Indianapolis.

15

Faculty & Staff News

In Memoriam We have learned of the deaths of the following alumni and friends. If you would like to send a memorial gift to honor someone, please contact Eve Colchin at 800.937.2448 ext. 2335.

16

Career Center Leader Honored Cindy Verduce, director of the Career Planning and Development Center, has been named the Career Services Professional of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The annual award is given to a career services professional for for assisting students with their internship opportunities, communication with students/employers and coaching students on internship professionalism and career development.

Arvid A. Anderson, Sr. Oxnard, CA BSME ‘55

Gordon Hart Avon, CT BSELE ‘58

Arthur Poole, Jr. Ocala, FL BSCE ‘49

Roy M. Anderson Marion, IA BSRE ‘50

Stephen E. Hollich Huntsville, AL BSEE ‘57

Robert W. Prather Charlotte, NC BSEE ‘60

Dante E. Bartolomeo Temple, NH BSCE ‘47

Jasmin L. Hubbard Sandusky, OH Student

Don H. Schellinger Agua Dulce, CA BSCE ‘53

Richard A. Bartz Kemp, TX BSME ‘49

Benner E. Hunt Ringoes, NJ BSME ‘43

Fred Sribnik Windsor, CT BSME ‘59

Roger J. Boisvert Swansea, MA BSCE ‘50

Werner Kachel Orlando, FL BSME ‘50

Paul Stebbins Danbury, CT BSEE ‘63

Joseph A. Caparrotti Powell, OH BSCE ‘64

Albert J. Knight Fort Wayne, IN BSCHE ‘49

Donald Timmerman Fort Wayne, IN BSEE ‘58

Harold Coffman Eustis, FL BSANE ‘54

Kenneth W. Laughman York, PA BSEE ‘50

Charles H. Von Weinstein Binghamton, NY BSEE ‘58

Professor Promoted Steve Malloris was promoted to associate professor of humanities.

Jim Cunningham Overland Park, KS ASBAM ‘03

Susumu Maeda Hilo, HI BSEE ‘49

Theodore N. Wagner Fort Wayne, IN BSME ‘62

University Welcomes New Staff

Alexander B. Davidson Matthews, NC BSME ‘64

William E. Michel Los Alamitos, CA BSEE ‘51

Earle R. Walker Wooster, OH BSCE ‘55

Sonya Benavides, outside sales coordinator, Andorfer Commons

Charles L. DeMarsh Huntsville, OH BSAEE ‘62

Richard J. Miner Annadale, VA BSME ‘65

John W. Whitehurst Huntsville, AL BSANE ‘52

Judy Horstmeyer, staff accountant

Henry C. Dewall Derwood, MD BSME ‘50

Leon J. Page Hillsdale, MI BSCHE ‘49

Robert V. Wortman, Sr. Hackettstown, NJ BSAEE ‘43

Laura Moore, part-time business office assistant

Leonard P. Gau Brevard, NC BSRE ‘53

Charles Peterpaul Albany, NY BSEE ‘51

Calvin S. Yama Rodeo, CA BSAEE ‘70

James E. Gotch Sarasota, FL BSEE ‘61

Frank E. Pontius San Bernardino, CA BSCHE ‘43

Professor Earns Employment Law Certificate Tim Allwein, associate professor of business administration, has earned a certificate of achievement in employment law. Allwein completed the Employment Law: Applications in Human Resources course and passed the exam to receive the certificate from Michigan State University’s School of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Verduce Allwein

Cleaning Team is “Green” MJV Group, the contractor that provides cleaning services to the Indiana Tech Fort Wayne campus, has received the very prestigious Green Seal Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services certification (GS-42). They are Indiana’s first and only building services contractor to earn this designation. MJV’s Healthy Solutions program assures that they use environmentally preferred products, practices, and procedures at the facilities they maintain.

Professor Publishes Book Dr. Kent Young, an adjunct professor of psychology, has published “Psyneumatics: A Theological Anthropology.” The book explores Young’s theory of personality, which draws on his background in theology and psychology.

Young

Malloris

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

Ralph Berthiaume, campus director, Indianapolis

Dr. William Mayfield, dean, College of Business

Colette Peterson, admissions representative, College of Professional Studies-Hammond Madison Sims, administrative assistant, College of Professional Studies-Mishawaka Tessa Ward, graphic designer Danielle Witzigreuter, Title III director

TRENDS

Winter 2008

17

1600 East Washington Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46803 www.IndianaTech.edu

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Fort Wayne, IN Permit No. 159

TE CH

WA RRIORS

Upcoming Events

►►January 30, 2009

Please join in the opportunities available to Tech alumni and friends.

All alumni events are free, unless otherwise noted.

►► February 12, 2009

Please RSVP by e-mailing reschafer@indianatech.edu or by calling 260.422.5561 or 800.937.2448, ext. 2219.

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

Alumni assisting with admissions JET/SET Fort Wayne campus Call for more information.

Time is Money Seminar 6:00–8:15 p.m.

Andorfer Commons Sponsored by the Career Center, this event will feature two 45-minute sessions about time management and money management, with a networking reception between sessions.

RSVP to plcoburn@indianatech.edu or 260.422.5561, ext. 2217. ►► March 5, 2009

University Forum Speaker Series 6:30 p.m.

Anforfer Commons Theater Rear Admiral David Nash (Ret.), BSEE ‘65

►►April 5, 2009

Alumni Night with the Mad Ants 6:00 p.m.

Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne ►► May 9, 2009

2nd Annual Alumni Day at the Pole Indianapolis Motor Speedway ►►June 12–13, 2009

Alumni assisting with admissions Early Registration Fort Wayne campus Call for more information.