Draftsneakpeek2 by Peyton Hobson

hen you walk to the edge of all the light we have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on, or, we will learn to fly. Patrick Overton

Letters to our President The joy and glory of the climb

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, every-ascending, every-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey, but this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb”.

Dear Sue, I really do not know where to begin. There is no way for me to say thank you for all that you have done and mean to me. As I write this letter I can recall the speech I gave when you began the “Live Our Loyalty” campaign. In that speech, I told my story and talked about what the generosity of those inductees into the John Finley Crowe society meant to me. Though their donations were great and benefited me greatly, what you have done for me transcends that; for you opened your heart, you listened and cared about me. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men [women] can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s [woman’s] character, give him power.” I truly believe this embodies your character as president. It would have been easy for you to be too busy presiding over Hanover College, too concerned with the changes it required, and too busy hosting important donors; but you were not. You never turned away a student at your

office door, you never hesitated to invite students into your home, you sat with us during meals, and held discussions to see how you could help us be more comfortable and ensure that after four years, we would again reach “The Point.” My four years at Hanover College were filled with tough circumstances. At some point during sophomore year, I even applied to transfer to another college. However, at each of these points you did something for me directly or made a change to the college, which made the difference I needed. The first of these was pushing for more diversity on campus. I can remember meeting with you and a few other students at your house to discuss the struggles we minority students faced on campus and you listened to what we thought needed to happen to bring about change. The changes you made from that meeting involved hiring a Director of Multi-Cultural affairs and increased emphasis on the recruitment of international and domestic minorities.

The effects of these changes were immediate, the following year Taran McZee was hired, and his impact on me as a student was likewise immediate. He pushed me to be involved and increase my efforts into creating the Hanover College

that I wanted to see. His effect on me was one of my biggest motivations to stay at Hanover College, which I attribute to you. Furthermore, I remember when I was on the verge of deportation. My parents’ green card filling was taking too long to come to fruition, I had turned 21, I was no longer a “dependent,” and my legal status in the Unite State had to change. I applied for an F1 international student status and was denied twice. This was the hardest time of my Hanover College journey, the country that I grew up in and had come to love, felt like it had turned its back on me and said “Leave!” I had no alternatives, my lawyer was out of things he could do; I had to forgo my education and leave my family behind. In the midst of this, my health began to fail and my performance in classes deteriorated. I was in a pretty bad place, one day however, I was speaking to my mom and dad and my attorney and they suggested I come speak to you to see if you could write a letter of support for me to be filed with my final appeal to United States Immigration Services. At first, was very reluctant, I did not think a college president would care, nor have the time to write a letter of support for me, a student they hardly knew. However, one day I decided to just come to your office and there I was greeted by Treva, happy as always. And right away, from her greeting, I felt better. I asked to speak with you, and she quickly stood and came in and asked if a student can speak with you. You said “yes,” and we sat and I gave you my story

and how I ended up in the predicament. There I made a request, which you gladly accepted, and went a step further and asked if it was okay that you call the Indiana 9th Congressional District Representative to the House of Congress; representative Baron Hill and tell him my story to see if he could also support me and write a letter to be filed on my behalf. I couldn’t believe it, a call to Baron Hill on my behalf. Again, the effect was immediate for Baron Hill’s assistants began calling me weekly and talk to me and my attorney in planning on how he would help me. In the end I was finally granted and F1 status and was able to stay in the United States, all because of you, and the actions you took on my behalf that day. Sue, what you did and what you continue to do for me today can only be summed up by saying, you love your students as a mother loves her own children. I recalled something you said during your Inaugural Address and asked Rhonda Burch, (side note: Rhonda is a great person, who also played a pivotal role in my Hanover journey) if she could send me the speech to see if I could find it. And I did, you said: “Finally, I would remind all of us, that we will do many things in life but the most important thing we will do is touch the souls of those around us.” Sue, you lived that quote each and every day you served as president. Years from now history can write all it wants about your presidency, either in support or questioning every decision you ever made. However,

one thing that will always reign true and can never be questioned that is the love and care you had towards each individual student. In your inaugural speech you also said, “…plant acorns today so that others can sit under the spreading branches of magnificent oak trees. That is our responsibility and our charge…” I thank you for all the memories, for all the heartfelt moments we shared together. I thank you for being a mentor for being a mother to me and even a grandmother at times. I thank you for making a difference in my life, showing me that I could never be too “big” and important for anyone. Most of all I thank you for getting to know me, Joshua Ussiri, an ordinary boy. For surely the time we spent, together were seeds being planted and today the relationship Grace and I have with you are the blossoms of the oak tree that has grown. I wish you and Mike all the best as you embark on the next chapter of your lives. My wife and I love you both and pray that God blesses you endlessly. And I encourage you to keep climbing. For it’s because of you Hanover College is and will continue to be become a better place, Kwasa babu yako (because of you) I am a better person. With love, Joshua Ussiri ;]

Dear Dr. DeWine, Congratulations on completing a successful presidency at Hanover College. It has been an honor knowing you, not just as the president, but as a good friend. I came to know you a little later in my college career but once we met, it didn’t take me long to realize you are special. Your energy and warm personality is incredibly contagious and your down-to-earth nature is quite remarkable. You brought the campus together in a way that clearly symbolizes your character -- passionate, loving, kind and driven. But one thing I will always remember you for is your commitment to engaging students from international backgrounds and making us feel welcome even though we were far from home. You were like a mother to me, and I want to thank you for all the support you gave me while I was a student up until now. You made me feel Hanover was a second home, and I will truly cherish the many interactions I had with you while there. When applying to Cummins, I remember kindly asking you if you could write a recommendation on my behalf. Though on short notice, you put everything aside to make sure It was done, and that helped me get the job I have today. I will also miss you checking on me and asking about the women in my life. Those were always fun conversations, but it showed you cared, and I appreciate that. I could go on and on and I’m sure there are many other students who have a

similar story to mine -- we will all miss you dearly. I do hope to continue our friendship beyond Hanover, and I’m sure you’re ready to spend more valuable time with Mike and your grandchildren. I wish you a pleasant retirement, and all the best in your future. I pray for many more years of good health, joy and prosperity. May everything you do be successful in every way. God bless you and thank you. Sincerely, Michael Asa-Eck

Sue DeWine not only gave me great academic advise and lots of great laughs, but she also helped me to see past my unique situation during my undergrad at Hanover. When I first came to Hanover,

there was no diversity. I mean NONE! Maybe a trickle of color here and there, but really non existent. I was very unhappy and depressed for a long time, because I felt I had nothing in common with anyone... until I really met Sue DeWine at her first Halloween party. I wasn’t going to go, but I put on my Catwoman costume and went. The first encounter I had with Sue DeWine was heartfelt and something I really needed at the time. She told me “you may not see too many others like you, but you can surely use that to your advantage. Make a name for yourself not just as the African American student. But make them see you.” I held onto that for the entire fours years of my undergrad experience, got involved in everything I had a niche in, and enjoyed my experience at Hanover. She not only helped me to learn my more outside of color, but she helped me to embrace and evolve myself as Christina.* Sue DeWine really done a lot and so much more for me over the years at Hanover, but that encounter really stands out the most. Hope that’s good! If you need more I have more Thank you, Christina Pollard

I met Sue back in 2007. Who knew, that from that day forward, she would work in mysterious ways as it pertained to my life. Sophomore Year I unexpectedly left Hanover College the first month (September 2008) of my sophomore year. In May of 2009, I received a phone call from Taran McZee – then Director of Multicultural Affairs and International Programs – who stated that his first action item, as a new employee, was to get me back to Hanover. One can only imagine the adrenaline and nerves running through my body at that time,

and the thought of “why me?”. Upon my return to Hanover (August 2009), I had the opportunity to ask Sue why it was her mission to get me back to Hanover. She said, “Because you were the first student to say hi and introduce yourself to me and Mike.” Let’s just say her comment reiterated that first impressions are everything, and that is something that will always stick with me. Junior Year Sue asked me to speak at the Live Our Loyalty Campaign kick-off event in February of 2011, about the opportunities financial aid (donor support) provided me while at Hanover. After delivering my speech, I was asked – by an executive at Cummins Inc. – to provide my resume and apply to Cummins. I was later offered an internship (March 2011) and a full-time position (October 2011). Sue once told me that

f it had not been for Sue DeWine, I wouldn’t be who/where I am today.

Jasmine O’Conner

she strategically set me next to the executive at the event so that he could get to know me, but also because she knew that I would be a good fit for Cummins. Sue’s intuition was right. I have been with Cummins for almost three years and the experience has definitely been one to remember. Senior Year We reminisced about all the good times we had shared, how the college had grown and changed over the years, and my how time flies. Sue wanted to make sure we stayed in contact, but she didn’t have to worry about that because I could never forget how she helped mold and shape me into a young professional ready to take on corporate America. I

will never forget walking across that stage, shaking Sue’s hand and not thinking “I did it,” but “Thank you Sue for all of your help along the way; we did it!” Sue, if it had not been for you, I would not be who or where I am today. The doors you opened up for me changed my life. I am not sure how to repay you for all that you have done for me, but I want to start by saying thank you so much and that I greatly appreciate you. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors; take care and be well. Sincerely, Jasmine O’Conner

Dear Sue, The first time we met, I was exploring all of campus, saying hello to the people I’d come across. I never imagined Treva suggesting that I’d walk into your office and say hello, but meeting you changed the way I looked at the world, and how I thought about how it works. I had always thought that positions of heavy responsibility and accountability were nothing but a stressful and unhappy affair. A big part of the reason I decided to go to school in the United States was so I could not have any responsibilities pushed on me as I did back home. But over four years I watched you take on the lion’s share off responsibility with a smile, finding time for lighthearted moments: dinners at the president’s residence, the awesome Halloween parties with Amelia Earhart Dewine,

whom ironically enough was always disappearing from one place and popping up in another. The first time I saw you crack up laughing was at Hanover’s Day at the races as Mike tried to explain the differences between the classes of horses involved; “You see a colt is a stallion with it’s nuts chopped off”. Almost all the memories I have kept of you happen to be of you laughing, I’ve forgotten most of the reasons for those laughs, but I

often laugh myself at the thought. You gave me my first hard project when you allowed me to work on the off-campus mural. I remember being so full of excitement and premature pride as to what the final product would look like, even as yourself, Mike, and everyone else really kept reminding me to expect things to be more difficult than I expected them to be, and boy, were you right! The wall didn’t take to

paint kindly, the hot, humid weather didn’t allow for long painting sessions. Sometimes the rain would wash away work that had been done, and after all that, the mosquitoes would do their best to shoo me off the property. It was a long hard summer, and when it was done, I understood why people who have seen more and done more always say that doing the hard things builds character and builds discipline. Thank you Sue.

You have done so much to improve the culture at Hanover, bringing in exciting classes, with each one more diverse than the last. I remember how excited everyone was with how diverse my freshman class was, I saw how much effort you put into supporting new ideas, how much you supported the idea that we were all panthers first before anything else. You took on a shoestring project, and build it into something strong, at a time when small liberal arts colleges are always in trouble; of not enrolling enough, of not offering enough to be attractive, of going out of business, you accepted the responsibility, you took Hanover College in your wake and did something amazing. Thank you Sue, Ron. P.S. I framed your card, and it’s going to follow me wherever I go!

To Sue: My friend, role model, and mother figure Over the years starting from the first time I met Sue, we had an instant connection. We both has visions and thoughts so similar on how to change the culture at Hanover. We both communicated all the time and what can be changed and what needs to stay the same. She always pushed me to be a leader and be the difference the College needed and she was always my support system. To this day, we still talk about the time where Sue was in her office working on her speech to give at the opening of the new Student Activities Center. I was visiting Hanover that day, and wanted to surprise Sue. She was in the middle of preparing her speech and putting a story about me in it, and next thing you know, I walk thru her office doors and surprise her. She drops what she is doing, gives me a huge hug and tells me she was just writing about me. Like I said earlier, it was like Sue and I had an instant connection about everything. We e-mail each other frequently just to

talk because Sue was such a mentor to me and has been there for me throughout my college years and after. When I need advice about something, or just need her help with what I need to do about a situation, I know I can always go to Sue. Sue DeWine will always be a major factor in my life and a role model for me for the rest of my life. I’m honored I had the opportunity to be apart of Hanover’s changing culture and work with her to help with the progress. Corry Stewart Hanover College Alumni Assistant Football, Basketball & Track Coach at Father Ryan High School

he always pushed me to be a leader and be the difference the College needed and she was always my support system.

Corry Stuart

To Sue: My friend, role model, and mother figure T

I knew you were interested in student life by your frequent appearances everywhere. I was a part of cross country and Kaleidoscope during my time at Hanover and I always saw you at most if not all of our events. You even opened up your home to a few of us minority students to talk about diversity issues on campus. Of course there is also the annual Halloween party and the time the girls’ track team got to celebrate our Conference victory in your home. It was evident you really cared about all of us and wanted to create a positive college experience for us. You are very personable in that way but you also got many things done that made a significant improvements. For just one example, I believe having wireless connection was by your initiative making a huge difference in the way I studied allowing me to spend many hours at my favorite place, the Point. Not to mention the much nicer dorm we got to live in after renovations. You have done very well by Hanover College; I thank you for all you have done and wish you the best for your retirement! You deserve it! -Shawna McLetchie ‘11

really like how Sue is at nearly every home athletic event, and went out of her way to converse with students. Charles snodgrass

y favorite Sue moment is when the ambassadors went to have ice cream at her house.

Ronald Baker

he makes the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my entire life. Jordan Martell

n the coldest day this year, when we still had class, I was walking back and decided to go take a picture of the snow at the point. I saw a van approaching, and Dr. Sue DeWine rolled down her window and said, “Can I drive you somewhere so you don’t have to walk in this cold?” I was so touched by thateven a president of a college took her time to stop and offer me a ride. Such a sweet lady!! MaL Mcelroy

love it when I’m out giving a tour to a prospective student and Sue is close by, she always comes over and meets the family and asks them all about themselves. She really cares about the students here at Hanover, both past present and future! The students are always amazed at how nice Sue is how involved she is on campus. I’m glad it’s just another one of the perks I get to show them about Hanover!” KaitlIn McDonald

ove Out Loud wishes to thank you for your service to Hanover these past 7 years. Hanover College has received a great leader and a tremendous supporter of students. As our state enters into the unknown you have provided all LGBTQ+ students a safe and discrimination free community. The student organization of Love Out Loud could not be more happy and proud to be on Hanover Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus. Thank you for your words of support.!! Ashley Eden, on

behalf of Love OUt Loud

ue isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just a our president here at Hanover. She supports all athletics, clubs and organizations across campus. Any campus activity that she has time to make, she will be there. DREW SERVAIS

omething that I always appreciated about Dr. DeWine was that she made a point to attend all Spring Choral Concerts, and personally pin corsages on the seniors. As a president, she certainly did not have to do such individual actions, but they are certainly a wonderful way to demonstrate the level of commitment to positive student/staff relations on this campus. I wish her and her husband well in their future. Sara Bates-Scott

think my favorite Sue moment would [be]having dinner at her house my freshmen year after being accepted into the NCAA tournament. Shawn Melton

y favorite memory of Sue is all the times I have seen her at sporting events, plays, or other events on campus. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to have a president that is so invested in the students and our lives!

James Kyle

y favorite quote from DeWine was at the last Hanover at a Glance. DeWine had just taken that selfie and after telling the crowd how she didn’t understand it, she followed that up with something like ‘So check it out on hash tag.’ Abdul Mohamood

ue is going to Italy with my spring term class this year. She is always at different events on campus and even takes time to go study abroad with students, so that she is able to share incredible experiences with us. Hali Hootman

love President DeWine (that can be Sue if yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all deem it fit to be that way) because she takes such a personal interests in the students of Hanover! She knows me by name, knows what I do on campus, and starts conversations with me about Spider-Man and movies because she knows those to be my favorite things in the world! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all going to miss President DeWine!

Blake Bradford

resident DeWine has always struck me as a role model for women. She has inspired me to dream big and go after my dreams. She has done an amazing job at Hanover! Vaughn Smith