TRUMP RETURNS TO OVAL OFFICE
By Olivia Pastrick MANAGING EDITOR & CO-NEWS EDITOR
According to his inauguration speech, the “golden age” of America has begun.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20. In his inaugural address, he said his administration’s top priority will be to “create a nation that is proud,
prosperous, free” and greater than ever before.
“Fromthisdayforward,ourcountry will flourish and be respected again all over the world,” Trump said in his address. “We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. Te scales of justice will be rebalanced.”
In his speech, Trump criticized the Biden administration for failing to protect its citizens while providing sanctuary for“dangerous criminals.”As hegavetheseremarks,formerPresident Joe Biden sat in the audience alongside former vice president Kamala Harris and their spouses.
Chair of the History and Political Science Department at the University of Indianapolis and Presidential Historian Edward Frantz said this distancing betweenTrump and former
presidents is unique, and in addition to criticizing the Biden administration, Trump also referred to generations of neglect from politicians in a negative, nonpartisan way.
As well as a handful of former presidents, several tech CEOs and billionaires including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk were seated in the front row for the inauguration. AP News described this as a “shift from tradition, especially for a president who has characterized himself as a champion of the working class.”Frantz said the presence of these billionaires is symbolic of the culture Trump is building for himself and his administration.
“Symbolism is always important with the presidency,”Frantz said.“And three things that just stood out is that it’s a very masculine culture, he wants to be perceived as being tech-friendly, andIthinkthatprobablymergesexactly with also being friendly to big business, which, for the most part, are one in the same right now.”
Junior political science major and President of UIndy College Republicans Bryce Howard said the CEOs’ presence is proof of Trump’s commitment to the future of technology and innovation. He said it is a great thing that the Trump administration is on board with the growing role technology is playing in the U.S. and around the world.
“It sends a message that President Trump is aware that the tech and these billionaires are producing the future of this nation, and it's best to hop on the train now,” Howard said.
In his farewell address, Biden warned against an oligarchy forming in theU.S.thatisthreateningcitizens’basic rights and freedoms. Senior political science and history major and former PresidentofUIndyCollegeDemocrats Imelda Pozos said the billionaires in the front row of the inauguration was a jarring display of a growing oligarchy.
“It's very scary to put into words, but realistically I think the rhetoric that has been going around online of that representing a future oligarchy is very real,” Pozos said. “I feel like never once in history have we ever had a bunch of CEOs and billionaires be that close to the presidential inauguration.”
Elon Musk, one of Trump’s closest supporters and one of the tech billionaires present at the inauguration, addressed a crowd inWashington D.C. following the inauguration, thanking the crowd for assuring the “future of civilization” by electing President Trump. Similarly, Trump said Jan. 20, 2025 would now be known as “LiberationDay”forAmericancitizens. Frantz said it is important to consider what exactly liberation means in this sense and who is being liberated from whom. Frantz also highlighted the comparison Trump drew between himself and Martin Luther King Jr. in his speech.
Te inauguration was also on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and you saw the ways in which he tried to tap into the spirit of Dr. King, which, as somebody who teaches Civil Rights Movement class, also seemed disingenuous at best,and in many ways,
HB 1136 to dissolve public schools
Bill seeks to dissolve school corporations, possibly putting pressure on IPS schools
By Mia Lehmkuhl EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-NEWS EDITOR
Te Indiana General Assembly introduced legislation that would effectively dissolve Indianapolis Public Schools — the largest public school district in the state.
House Bill 1136 seeks to dissolve public school corporations where less than half of students with legal settlement in a school corporation go to schools operated by the school corporation. Te dissolved corporations would then transition to a charter school system by 2028, establishing an appointed governing board, requirements and procedures, according to the bill’s text. IPS is the largest school corporation to fall under this bill, and reports that approximately 61% of students are not enrolled in IPS schools.Bill author Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) said considering the amount of parents choosing to enroll their children in a public school corporation is a means of measuring its performance.
“We say, if less than half of the parents in a certain district are choosing to send their students to that school, then we ought to look at maybe interjecting a new governance bill,” Teshka said.
Charter schools are publicly funded, tuition-free schools that differ from public schools through operating autonomously with state or local governments.Tis gives these schools more freedom to tailor their
curriculum, staffing and academic focus than traditional public schools, according to the U.S. News & World Report. For example, one charter school may choose to emphasize the arts while others emphasize math or science.
Assistant Professor of Secondary Education Sarah Denney said charter schools can be a force for good; however,they may not share the same goals as members of its community.
“... Tere's a big question mark in terms of what will be the outcome for our students,” Denney said. “We know that charter schools have high teacher turnover rates. We know that they tend to employ less experienced
... I would just tell folks to, frst of all, don't panic."
teachers, and in recent years, a charter school teacher's license is on the books as being a really a less rigorous pathway to teacher licensure.”
Te bill has received pushback, with the Indiana Education Equity Coalition sending a letter to the Indiana General Assembly outlining their opposition to the bill, claiming it is a “misguided proposal that will destabilize schools, silence communities, and jeopardize the future of public education in Indiana.” Teshka said he is willing to have robust conversations and listen to varying perspectives.
“Our job as legislators are when we see problems, to try and address those and of course, we want to have these conversations on an ongoing basis,” Teshka said. “... I would just tell folks to, first of all, don’t panic. Second of all, again, we’re going to continue to have those conversations ….”
Associate Professor of Political Science Laura Merrifield Wilson indicated the bill might be a political strategy to secure power over IPS’s domain; she said some would say it feels like an “open secret.” However, she said the real challenge with policy is how unclear the result of legislation is.
“Perhaps at the school corporation, we would need more charters to support all of these students,”Wilson said. “It's not clear if there would be expansion of current charters. If you would have more charters crop up, would you have more private schools potentially trying to come in? It’s incredibly unclear.”
Additionally, Wilson said much of the politics between IPS schools and the legislature boils down to partisanship. Te bill would give the state government more authority over the IPS school system, Wilson said, and IPS serves a different population than most of Indiana’s state legislatures actually represent. However, Teshka said the motivation for the bill comes from a need to make sure “Hoosier kids are educated to the best of their ability.”
HB 1136 is currently referred to the House Committee on Education for its first reading and can be tracked through iga.in.gov.
Photo by Ron Sachs
U.S. President Donald J Trump salutes as he participates in a Reviewing the Troops Ceremony as part of his Inaugural activities in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Ron Sachs/Pool/Abaca Press/TNS)
Graphic by Olivia Pastrick
OPINION
Welcome President ‘Money Bags’
By Mia Lehmkuhl EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-NEWS EDITOR
Editor’s note: This has been fact checked per Reflector press time. With chaotic cabinet picks, talk of taking foreign territories and the inauguration of Big Tech — I mean, President Donald Trump — it has been an eventful couple of months since November.
History tends to repeat itself, and oligarchy is the thing on everyone’s mind. Even former President Joe Biden, who warned Americans against the ultra-wealthy digging its claws into democracy in his Farewell Address, sees the threat. All the while, I cannot help but find it ironic that instead of draining the swamp, Trump worsened the rot — inviting billionaires not just to his inauguration, but into the ranks of the White House itself through the new, so-called “Department of Government Efficiency.”
Amid Trump’s eyebrow-raising guestlist were tech giants like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerburg, former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and, of course — how could I forget — the champion of humanity himself, Elon Musk.
Not to mention, all of them were seated in front of Trump’s own cabinet. Money makes the world go ‘round, right?
is, this is not unfamiliar to American history. Robber
directly into politics instead of hiding behind their campaign donations. Musk and Altman are already competing for the king’s favor, fighting over whose AI initiative will prevail and who has more dollar signs secured over the other. In
insurance claims to get approved before we are six-feet-under.
Trump promised the war in Ukraine would end within 24 hours of his being in office. As of “Reflector” press time, it is well over 24 hours of the second Trump administration, yet there is no solution. Trump promised relief for Americans who continue to suffer from inflation and price gouging, yet economists report that his tariffs may result in higher prices for the consumer, according to the Tax Foundation. Besides, was it not fellow Republican President Bush who attempted this with the steel industry — and failed? The
of letting the elite work themselves
‘Guilty
Perhaps the most egregious thing is Trump presents this all as virtuous. Not only has he convinced his base this is what success looks like for the average American, he claimed during his inaugural speech he is divinely chosen to do the job. I never would have thought the divine right of kings applied to American presidents, but I suppose it fits the theme of this administration by taking us a few centuries back. Combine this with Trump’s priority in appointing loyalists and punishing dissent, and we should all be shouting, “God save the king!” America — the writing is on the
Olivia Pastrick
by
Graphics
as charged’ is unacceptable
Violence against women, its consequences and Caitlin Clark’s stalker
By Olivia Pastrick MANAGING EDITOR & CO-NEWS EDITOR
A 55 year-old man walks into the courtroom and confidently says “guilty as charged” while he falls into his seat — he just admitted to stalking a woman half his age.
When situations of violence towards women, especially those in the spotlight, are allowed to progress that far, a precedent is set for all women that their concerns may not be taken seriously, especially when the authorities were already made aware of his behavior before it worsened.
It is no doubt that social media played an enormous role in the growth of women’s basketball in recent years, but it has also led to stalking and threatening behavior directed toward them. Female athletes should never live in fear of stalking and threats from delusional and dangerous men, but something needs to be done in order for these women to feel safe as they pursue their careers in the limelight.
On Jan. 8, Michael Thomas Lewis was confronted by police in downtown Indianapolis for the strange and threatening tweets and comments he made about Indianapolis Fever guard and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, which he downplayed and excused as a “joke” and “a fantasy-type thing,”according to Fox59. Lewis is a resident of Denton, Texas and drove to Indianapolis, which police said was “especially concerning” because of the messages he had been sending Clark, according to Fox59. Despite being confronted by police, Lewis began posting and tagging Clark on X hours later, according to Fox59, and was arrested at a hotel in
downtown Indianapolis on Jan. 12.
While Lewis is currently being held in Marion County Jail, the situation never should have been allowed to progress as far as it did. According to CNN, the social media posts alone “actually caused Clark to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated or threatened,” not including the fact he had driven approximately 900 miles to be “in close proximity to the victim.” There should not have been a “warning” involved where Lewis had another opportunity to harass Clark with more tweets and messages. Although I agree with Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, who said it takes a lot of courage for women to come forward and Clark set an example by doing so, according to Fox59, it is also up to police to follow through. If the authorities were already aware of the situation on Jan. 8 when they confronted Lewis, it is unacceptable he was allowed another chance to put Clark’s life in danger. Considering this is not even the first time an incident like this has happened with a popular women’s basketball star, the first interaction with the police and Lewis should have been immediate arrest.
platforms. Additionally, Parmalee sent emails to UConn officials with “rambling comments including his desire to marry Bueckers.” This disturbing precedent set back in August should have been enough warning to Indianapolis police that Clark’s concerns were real and should have been dealt with immediately.
... Something needs to be done for these women to feel safe ...
Although this behavior is clearly a disgusting invasion of privacy and respect for these women, it is not surprising these actions occur when lesser forms of sexual harassment take place online all the time. It is not uncommon to see comments, mostly from men, under an athlete’s posts or clips of them online that blatantly sexualize these women simply because they exist as women. Because so many of us have been
desensitized to this behavior online, the line for when it becomes serious and dangerous becomes blurred. It is disheartening to hear players like Dijonai Carrington from the Connecticut Sun say “It’s super unfortunate that it’s going on … But I don’t think it’s going to stop, honestly. We have to do stuff and go above and beyond to try to protect ourselves,” according to Fox News on MSN. These athletes should not have to focus on their own safety while on or off the court and should be able to rely on law enforcement to protect them if men on the internet do not learn how to act. Women should not have to accept felonies and varying forms of abuse done to them as an athlete in the public eye — or otherwise. Privacy, autonomy and security are things any human being should both deserve and be allowed to expect. The sports many of us love to watch may be a commodity, but the players and their lives are not.
By Elyssa Merrill OPINION EDITOR
Although critics may say it is nothing more than a “Hallmark holiday,” I say any excuse to celebrate love is great even if it is largely commercialized, especially Valentine’s Day.
Maybe a little obvious, considering the title of this column has Cupid in the name, but I am a firm believer that love makes the world go around. However, love, or the idea of it, varies from person to person — fluid and different based on context and relationship. Although we can see a lot of content for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s and Guyentines on the rise, there are just a few things I want people to keep in mind when it comes to relationships.
First and foremost, saying “communication is key” is meaningless if the communication is not understood; comprehension matters just as much if not more. With this goes in tandem with the saying of “if he wanted to, he would.” Before self-sabotaging and believing your partner does not care, double check that you took the time to communicate your needs and the severity of them. Making the passive comment, “I love flowers,” does not mean that your partner should automatically understand that you want them to purchase you flowers, even if it is obvious to you. Additionally, the belief that asking for things takes away from its sentimental value is ridiculous. What matters the most is your partners response when you do ask for something.
Second, we all need to recognize the difference between the “bare minimum”and “princess treatment.” When I see posts on Instagram idolizing basic behaviors, i.e. no one goes to bed upset, there is active communication and there are healthy boundaries, is “princess treatment,” I cannot help but laugh. Please, do not be ridiculous. Treating you like a human being and caring for you as such is the bare minimum. Stop glorifying mediocre behavior because you want to cope and think your partner is “one of the good ones” for using human decency. Additionally, people are allowed to want to be treated like a princess, but it is also important to realize that lifestyle is not realistic for everyone. Do not let anyone tell you the bare minimum is acceptable because doing more will come easily to someone who loves you.
In August, Robert Cole Parmalee was arrested for stalking University of Connecticut basketball-star Paige Bueckers, according to AP News. Parmalee was originally charged with stalking and breach of peace and harassment, which was eventually substituted with a single count of second-degree stalking, according to AP News. Similarly to Lewis, Parmalee posted photos, videos and comments about her on TikTok and other social media
Finally, comparison is the thief of joy. Easier said than done, I know, but comparing your relationship to one you see online with millions of followers will do nothing beneficial. “Surprise” gifts and dates planned for the sole purpose of content creation is not the same thing as a true surprise gift from a partner. Feeding unhealthy expectations under the guise of a loving, doting relationship is just another way to sabotage a real relationship without the monetization.
There is so much all around us when it comes to what the perfect date, gift and relationship is, but there is not much talk about how to actually achieve it. Take a deep breath and remember you are a real person with real feelings. Take this Valentine’s Day to love those who matter in your life the way you want to, not what gets posted online, and I wish you all a wonderful day of love.
Corrections
The Reflector acknowledges its mistakes. When a mistake occurs, we will print corrections here on the Opinion page.
If you catch a mistake, please contact us at reflector@uindy.edu.
The opinions in this section do not necessarily reflect those of The Reflector staff.
What do you think?
Send your letters to the editor or other correspondence to reflector@uindy.edu
Photo by Nike
Headline graphic by Olivia Pastrick
Paige Bueckers made history by becoming the first college athlete with her own Nike Player Edition shoe, made possible by the NIL era in college athletics. (Nike/TNS)
Understanding SB 171
Indiana Senate Bill 171 seeks to further restrict abortion, if passed
By Luke Cooper ONLINE EDITOR
Indiana Senate Bill 171 will further restrict abortion access in the state if it becomes law, potentially harming people who would fall under the state’s current exceptions to abortion restrictions.
Abortion in Indiana has been restricted since a special session of the state legislature in 2022, according to Associate Professor of Political Science Greg Shufeldt. SB 171 aims to extend restrictions of the current 10 week abortion ban, including a crackdown on abortion pills and legal proof the pregnancy was a result of a few exceptions currently in effect, according to the bill’s text.
If passed, an affidavit saying the pregnancy was a result of incest or rape would be needed to get an abortion in Indiana, according to Assistant Professor of Philosophy Lacey Davidson. The pregnant woman would have to receive an affidavit by the 10th week of pregnancy,according to SB 171. Davidson said people normally do not even know they are pregnant until week six at the earliest.
If a person or a medical access provider mails someone an abortioninducing drug in Indiana, they would be in violation of the bill if it becomes a law,according to Associate Professor of Political Science Laura Merrifield Wilson. Te bill outlines in the first offense, the defendant can face a misdemeanor,and subsequent charges can be elevated to a class six felony.
“If this legislation does pass, this certainly could impact some of our students in terms of their health care options,” Wilson said. “It's important to pay attention. Tis isn’t an election year, so they don't have the opportunity to vote for or against a legislator in November, but I'd be remiss if I didn't add that sometimes people say elections have consequences, and these are the consequences.”
Wilson said the odds of the bill becoming law are good. Te lower a
therefore there are higher priority bills in front of it.
Even if SB 171 does not pass, a similar bill could have a chance of getting passed, Davidson said. Te general assembly has multiple options to further restrict abortion in Indiana, including SB 245 which would specifically crack down on abortion pills and proposes punishments up to a class five felony, according to the bill. Shufeldt said the thing that would most likely not get the bill passed would be the in-fighting in
bill number is, the higher priority it is to get the bill passed. Wilson added the bill has two authors (Sen. Todd Young and Sen. Gary Byrne) and three co-authors (Sen. James Tomes, Blake Doriot and Andy Zay), which is another sign it has a good chance of getting passed. It is a budget year for the Indiana General Assembly,
the Republican Party.
“For people that might be opposed to this bill,one of the things that is kind of frequently reported is that the main sponsor, Sen. Michael Young, doesn't always seem to be in lock step with the Republican leadership,” Shufeldt said. “And so it's possible, while the majority of the General Assembly
would self-identify as pro-life and probably generally support many of the provisions of the bill, that it would likely be dynamics within the Republican caucus that would prevent this legislation from going forward.”
Shufeldt said the Indiana state government is a Republican trifecta, and there is also a supermajority in the legislature. Shufeldt narrowed the bill down into weighing the policy benefits versus the potential political blowback.
“For example, the need to get an affidavit for a woman to certify that she has been subject to rape or sexual assault,” Shufeldt said. “I think is what many people would probably find beyond the pale, and that is kind of something that other pieces of legislation might not have that might make it a little bit more politically toxic.”
Indiana has been becoming more conservative, Wilson said, and that around 25 years ago, there was a Democratic governor and times when the general assembly was also controlled by Democrats. Wilson said one of the main reasons Republicans have held onto power in Indiana and the state has become less competitive is due to the redrawing of district lines around the 2010 census.
Te party pendulum typically does swing back and forth,”Wilson said. “Once one party [has] been in power for too long,inevitably they're not able to deliver everything they want or people get too far extreme, they want too much, the pendulum will swing back.”
TikTok receives extension
By Olivia Pastrick MANAGING EDITOR & CO-NEWS EDITOR
Allison Cook PHOTO EDITOR
Although only temporarily, TikTok has returned to United States users after a brief ban.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 extending the ban for another 75 days.
Tis order instructed the U.S. attorney general not to enforce the ban while the Trump administration decides on a course of action that protects national security while avoiding another shutdown. Under the federal law that was upheld by the Supreme Court on Jan. 17, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance still needs to sell to an approved buyer.
Public Law 118-50, or the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was proposed to the United States Senate on March 14, 2024, and says that 180 days after the Act is enacted providing services to distribute, maintain or update foreign adversary-controlled
Trump from Page 1
in my opinion, a pretty fundamental misreading of a lot of that,” Frantz said. “I think most people won't have the courage to say it now, but it takes a certain amount of self-assuredness on Dr. King Day to talk about dreams and to see your project of liberation as being similar to those that he might have stood for.”
Trump said he would be signing a series of historic executive orders that would be a “complete restoration of Americaandtherevolutionofcommon sense.” Within this “common sense”
applications to anyone in the U.S., according to the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. After passing through the House of Representatives by a vote of 352-65 and being sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, H.R. 7521 was enacted via H.R. 815: “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, and for other purposes,” which was signed into law by President Biden on April 24, 2024, according to Congress.gov.
I urge the Supreme Court to take a lesson from history ...."
TikTok posted on X on Jan. 17, “Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19.” By 10:50 p.m. EST on Jan. 18, the app was unavailable on the Apple Store or Google Play, and when users opened the app, a message popped up stating that a law banning TikTok has been
agenda, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, mentioned declaring a national energy emergency due to the rising cost of energy due to “the inflation crisis” and invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, according to his speech.
Trump began by reversing 78 executive orders signed by Biden, according to USA Today,and followed through on his promise to declare a national border emergency and extend the ban on TikTok for another 75 days. Howard said since there was a
passed in the U.S., prohibiting them from using the app, according to ABC News. However, in just over 12 hours, TikTok thanked then President-elect Donald Trump on X for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance”that the company will not face any penalties for providing TikTok to Americans.Additionally, the post said it will work with President Trump on a long-term solution to keep TikTok in the U.S. On Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline for ByteDance to sell,which he has been pushing for since his first term. In 2020, Trump signed an executive order to prohibit U.S. citizens from any transaction with ByteDance if the company did not at least partially sell to a U.S.-based company, but the ban was blocked by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, according to NPR. Nichols wrote that the Trump administration had failed to adequately consider an alternative to banning TikTok before passing legislation.
Although only 65 representatives
gap between Trump’s presidencies, he is now working harder and is more focused on his goals.
“He’s laid out that what he’s trying to do is pick up where he left off and undo the executive orders that shut down the things he had going when he left office in 2021,” Howard said.
Frantzsaiditisnormalforpresidents to push limits when they get into office, and Trump is signing executive orders to see when individuals or institutions will push back. He said Trump is also evoking a new level of spirituality
voted against the ban, Senators Ed Markey, Rand Paul and Representative Ro Khanna submitted a bipartisan brief urging the Supreme Court to reverse the D.C. Circuit Court’s decision to uphold the ban, according to Markey’s website. The brief argues that banning TikTok due to “speculative concerns” about national security and foreign interference is unconstitutional, and that less drastic measures could effectively address the issue.
“ Tis TikTok ban is just the latest iteration of a speculative national security argument masking a crackdown on political speech, and it threatens a platform used by millions to share their voices, ideas, and creativity,” Markey said, according to his website. “I urge the Supreme Court to take a lesson from history, stand up for TikTok's users and creators, and reject the TikTok ban.”
According to Pew Research Center, one-third of U.S. adults use TikTok, with the highest usage rate by age going to 18-29-yearolds with 59%. Senior music education major Jocelyn Hutchins said she has been a part of social > See TikTok on Page 8
by saying his life was saved from an assassination attempt, which adds a level of purpose behind the legislation he is putting into order.
“All presidents usually push to some degree,”Frantz said.“It's based on their personalities and what they think the moment is. But given all those other things, we’re seeing the type of push that we haven't really seen in quite some time,because he believes that the mandatesarenotjustforhisparty,which has a majority in both the branches of Congress, but he believes it's personal.”
Fry donates $5 million for scholarship
By Allison Dininger STAFF WRITER
University of Indianapolis alumnus Stephen Fry donated $5 million to the School of Business to form the Stephen F. Fry Business Scholars Program.
Te program will begin in Fall 2025 with six incoming freshmen,according toDirectoroftheFryScholarsProgram and Assistant Professor of Practice of Marketing Carissa Newton. Newton said the program has three prongs — a $5,000 renewable scholarship, events with nationally recognized speakers and individualized projects for the students.
“When I heard about the award, I was just amazed,” Newton said. “And I was amazed even further that it was dedicated for the School of Business. I think we have a very strong program, but there needs to be more awareness in the community that we are just as competitive as any of the other business programs.”
Te donation is more than just a scholarship amount, third-year finance major and President of UIndy’s Student Business Leadership Academy Alexander Anaya said,it is a personalizedexperiencewithhands-on opportunities.Te donation will enable the university to push past its former limits, Anaya said.
Newton said the Fry Scholars will be determined at the case competition on Feb. 16. At this competition, future business majors compete by creating a mock product plan in the context of business disciplines like finance and marketing. Dean of the School of Business and Associate Professor of Business Administration Karl Knapp said they are looking for students with success in academics along with leadership and service experience.
“I want this to be something that people strive for,” Newton said. “I want it to be something that makes employers hungry to get those graduates.”
Knapp said he hopes this donation will bring more students and community members to UIndy. He said the market of students in higher education is going down, making it challenging to find and retain students.
“Our number of customers is declining, at least in traditional undergrad, so this will help to increase our marketability and hopefully attract some students who see this as an opportunity that we're going to invest in,” Knapp said. “So we're hoping to attract some really top-flight students with us.”
Knapp said this donation will help the university gain the attention many larger schools can achieve. Te donation will also go towards a marketing campaign led by Newton to increase awareness about the university.
“I believe we have the best business school in the Midwest,” Knapp said. “Our challenge is convincing our customers of that with a very little marketing budget.”
For Knapp,mentorship and service are important parts of being a Fry Scholar.He said he expects his students to give back to the community and future generations of students. While at UIndy, Newton said Fry Scholars will be part of a mentorship program that allows them to explore different business disciplines through various experiences before committing to their concentration. As the program grows, third- and fourth-year Fry Scholars will be able to mentor the underclassmen, she added.
“I’m hoping other alumni can see what an impact he has had on the university,” Knapp said. “Hopefully, it will encourage further donation, not just in business, but across disciplines.”
Graphic by Allison Cook
Swinging into spring UIndy baseball prepares for the 2024-25 season
By Emma Foutz ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
The nationally ranked University of Indianapolis baseball team is getting ready to start the 2025 season after the abrupt end to their 2024 postseason run.
Though the team lost a majority of starting players from last season, Head Coach Al Ready is confident they will perform well. Ready said the team brought in a lot of transfers who are experienced players.
“We lost six of our nine starting position players, but we’ve been able to replace them with seasoned veteran players that have experience from other institutions,” Ready said. “... I don’t see it being much different than last year. I’m really excited, we have another good run for us, there’s no question about it.”
The team has made two consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division II Championship in Cary, North Carolina, and finished ranked ninth in the 2024 NCBWA Division II Top 25 poll, according to UIndy Athletics. To make it further into the series this year, Ready said his strategy focuses on the type of players coming in and seeing how they fit within the batting lineup to maximize the team’s ability to score runs.
“We do have a few new guys that I think are going to make a tremendous impact for us,” Ready said. “Probably one or two, maybe in the starting pitching role, but a lot of guys towards the back-end of the bullpen, which is a very important piece if you want to make it far in Cary. We do have several new
pitchers, but on the position player side … I think we’re going to have to a very similar type of offense of what we had last year, which averaged close to 10 runs per game.”
Senior shortstop Easton Good said he is excited about his final season with the team. According to Good, this is his third season at UIndy, and he feels very optimistic about the team’s new players.
“I think we have probably a more talented team than we’ve ever had,” Good said. “That doesn’t always equal success, but it definitely gives you some more optimism to winning the national championship. That’s our goal ultimately… so I think this is the group that can do that.”
Ready said Good was an immediate impact player when he joined the team as a sophomore.
Good was moved up to the lead-off spot as he continued to improve
“He’s really the complete package,” Ready said. “He plays great defense. He gets on base. He can drive in runs. He can hit for average. He can hit for power… He can really do it all. I mean, he’s just a fantastic player and an even better person.”
Good was recently selected to D2baseball’s Preseason AllAmerican second team, according to UIndy Athletics. Good said it feels good to be recognized on a national level, but personal accolades are not what he plays for.
“There’s a lot of moments in my baseball career that have been really hard,” Good said. “A lot of people telling me that I wasn’t good enough to play here or do this or do that. So when you see a little bit
of recognition like that, it does feel good, even though it’s not really what you play for.”
Good said his favorite thing about being part of the team is the people and memories he has made at UIndy, but something he will remember is completing his final season with senior outfielder Joey Humphrey, his best friend from high school. According to Good, they were not able to have their final high school season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I graduated high school with him and now I’m going to graduate college with him, and that’s one of the most special things I think that’s ever happened in my baseball career,” Good said. “This is our chance to have our senior season, and that’s a huge blessing. I’ll remember that forever.”
The goal is to win the NCAA DII Championship, Ready said, especially since they have been close in the last couple of seasons. He said having experienced players takes a big weight off his shoulders since they know what to expect in big games.
“The more experience you have with players going to Cary the better it is, the closer you get,” Ready said. “Our goal is to win the national title, and I really believe we have a team that can do it this year.”
According to the National College Baseball Writers Association preseason rankings the Hounds will go into the season ranked sixth nationally. The team is gearing up for its first game series of the season against Lake Erie on Feb. 15 and 16 at Greyhound Park, according to UIndy Athletics.
Volleyball is setting up for success
By Luke Cooper ONLINE EDITOR
New University of Indianapolis volleyball Head Coach Haley Kindall is ready to win.
Earlier this month, UIndy Athletics announced Kindall would be the seventh head coach for UIndy volleyball after the previous coach, Jason Reed, stepped down. According to UIndy Athletics, she is a former three-time All-American at Wheeling University where she played as a middle blocker and won a national championship in 2015.
athletic director and she’s well known in the sports world of being a powerhouse leader and that was a huge point for me as I wanted someone that I was inspired by and somewhere that I could win.”
Kindall said she wants to focus on building relationships with the team. She said she took time to get to know the team on a personal level before coming to campus. Since coming to UIndy, she said she has seen how dedicated the players are. She said they have a competitive spirit like she does.
These girls have passion, they’re competitors...
Kindall said her experience specializes in “Division II powerhouses.” She has served in various roles at Wheeling, Washburn University and the University of West Florida. UWF was one of the top DII programs while under Kindall’s leadership, winning both the regular season and postseason conference titles every season. She has taken notes from the three coaches she has served under and said she is looking forward to creating her own culture at UIndy.
“Sports win at the University of Indianapolis,” Kindall said. “And that was super intriguing, and Kim Pate took the job as
“I’m really excited,” Kindall said. “These girls have passion, they’re competitors, they’re dedicated to their craft and that’s all you can ask for as a coach. They’re young, they’re inspired, they’re hungry so I’m excited to see what we can do and what we can implement.”
Senior Claire Morris described Kindall as competitive and feels she is what the team needed.
The focus is on improvement and looking forward to healthy competition next season.
“There’s an aspect of experience she has,” Morris said. “She has played volleyball as a student athlete, a female student athlete, so she’s been in our shoes, literally has been in our shoes.”
Photo by Emma Foutz
Senior shortstop Easton Good during a baseball practice on Jan. 24. The team’s first game of the season will be against Lake Erie College on Feb. 15 and 16 at Greyhound Park
Graphic by Olivia Pastrick
Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics
Head Coach of Women’s Volleyball Haley Kindall directs her team at a 2024 game. Kindall is former three-time All-American from Wheeling University.
Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics
Senior setter Claire Morris sets the ball during a volleyball match. The team recently welcomed new Head Coach
Haley Kindall as its seventh head coach.
Hounds will not reLAX
UIndy men’s lacrosse goes into the 2025 season with the highest of goals in mind
By Hunter Baker STAFF WRITER
The UIndy men’s lacrosse team opened its season at home against the Panthers of Davenport University at home on Feb. 1 at noon.
The Greyhounds last season finished with a record of 11-6 overall and 4-2 in the conference. The Greyhounds are working toward a national championship and GLVC Championship which no player on the roster has received. Head Coach Greg Stocks has a record of 90-40 at UIndy and has received two GLVC coach of the year awards
during his tenure.
The team’s 2024 season stats were 11-6 on the season and 4-2 in the conference, with 203 goals, 106 assists and 819 shots while allowing 148 goals, 92 assists and 529 shots. Coach Austin Grimes said he is excited and ready to go this year. In his ninth season, Grimes was promoted to associate head coach in 2024. He said the team is young after 17 seniors graduated last season. One of his goals for the season, he said, is to win a GLVC championship since they have not won since 2021.
“I’m pretty confident, as a coach should be,” Grimes said. “We’re going to have to rely on our couple upperclassmen seniors.
We have a good group of those guys, and I think we’ll go as far as they will take us, and they’ve been great leaders, and having to deal with a lot younger guys than they’ve been used to in the years past. They’ve been doing fantastic with that.”
Senior Nathan Lam has put up 32 goals, with 15 assists, along with 47 points according to UIndy Athletics. The senior out of Cochrane, Alberta is looking to win a national championship as well as a conference championship. He said he is hungry and determined to get to the goals he wants to achieve and leave his final mark.
“As a guy that’s been here
the past three years, I think the standards have really been set,” Lam said. “That goal is a national championship every year. We’ve made it every year that I’ve been here and a couple years before that. So that’s really the standard. But just getting there isn’t enough.” Despite losing a majority of their starting lineup, Lam said he is confident in the returning players on the team. He said the team had a good fall and is looking forward to seeing how that translates to the spring.
“I think we had a really positive fall,” Lam said. “Obviously, a lot of guys learn new, new systems and stuff, but they learned really quick, really well. We got a lot
of guys stepping into new roles. On the offensive side, such as Nick Luitweiler and Keegan Laughlin, you can expect a good year out of those guys. And on the defensive side, a couple freshmen, Mitch Carrick and Alex Score, they’re looking really good this year. So I think just from the fall where we put in the work, and we’re excited to get started here.”
According to UIndy Athletics, the team is going into the season ranked No. 10 by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. It will play its next game in Gaffney, South Carolina against No. 4 ranked Limestone University.
Tennis is ready to go
By Pete Roeger
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Per Reflector press time.
The University of Indianapolis men’s and women’s tennis teams began their indoor seasons last week as they look to continue their strong performances from last year.
UIndy Director and Head Coach of Tennis Malik Tabet said many of the athletes on this year’s teams are freshmen, which is different from last season. Then, the team had several players with three or four years of experience. He said the team prioritizes its process.
“I don’t want to really talk about results. I think I want to talk about process,” Tabet said. “Right now, in the beginning of the season, making sure we understand the process of how we want to play, and what type of tennis we want to produce as a team.”
Sophomore men’s tennis player David Simeonov said the team is excited about the upcoming season and the emotions it expects to feel during the season.There are multiple tournaments the team is looking forward to, he said, including indoor
nationals, outdoor nationals and internationals.
Senior women’s tennis player
Tyffaine Pais said one of the biggest challenges the team is facing is helping new athletes adjust to the college level. She said college tennis is different from the level of tennis they played before arriving at UIndy.
“It’s also something really different from what we have been doing for our whole life,” Pais said. “College tennis is not something that you can experience before.”
According to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association website UIndy will host both the men’s and women’s DII indoor team championships later this month. The men’s tournament is Feb. 14-16, and the women’s tournament is Feb. 21-23.
According to Tabet and a pair of May 5, 2024 Instagram posts on the team’s official page, both the women’s and men’s teams won the GLVC championships in 2024.
According to a bracket published by the NCAA, the UIndy women’s team lost 4-1 to the Academy of Art in the first round of the DII Championship Tournament
in 2024. According to the men’s bracket, UIndy lost to Columbus State in the quarterfinals of that tournament.
According to an online schedule for the men’s team, following a pair of exhibition matches, a 2-5 loss to University of Illinois-Chicago on Jan. 19 and a match against Marian University on Jan. 25, which it won 5-2. The women’s team, according to its schedule, played exhibition matches Jan. 24 and 25 against Bowling Green and Marian, respectively. According to UIndy Athletics, the women beat Marian 6-1.
The men’s and women’s teams both began their regular seasons with Jan. 31 matches against Tiffin and Feb. 1 matches against Ferris State.
Both teams’ next matches are this Friday, Feb. 7, at home against Thomas More University. In-season conference play for both teams begins April 12 at McKendree and runs through April 26. Both conference tournaments are scheduled for the first weekend of May, with the men’s tournament in Indianapolis, and the women’s tournament in Springfield, Illinois.
Remembering Aaron Etherington
By Caroline Krauch SPORTS EDITOR
The University of Indianapolis recently announced the passing of men’s basketball alumnus Aaron Etherington. He unexpectedly passed on Tuesday, Jan. 13 according to an article from the Indy Star. Etherington was a native of Noblesville, Indiana and attended Hamilton Southeastern High School. Etherington played forward for UIndy from 2020-2023 after transferring from Toledo University in Ohio, and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in business. His brother, Alex, also played basketball for UIndy and graduated in 2018. Aaron came out of high school ranked ninth in the state of Indiana by PrepHoops.com, according to UIndy Athletics. While at UIndy, Aaron played in a total of 74 games, scoring 239 points, 143 rebounds and 61 threepointers. In Aaron’s senior season, the Hounds made it to the Midwest Regional Quarterfinal game before losing to McKendree, according to an article by UIndy Athletics. The team went into regionals ranked
first and won the conference title outright that year and went on an 18-game winning streak.
Former Head Coach Paul Corsaro was a large part of what brought Aaron to UIndy to play, since he was the assistant coach while Alex was in school. It was not until Corsaro was hired as the head coach in 2020 that Aaron was recruited and brought to UIndy from his previous school, according to an article by UIndy Athletics.
Corsaro is now in his first season as head men’s basketball coach at Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indy) after leaving UIndy.
“The Reflector” reached out to IU Indy Athletics for a statement from Corsaro on the passing of Aaron. “The news of Aaron’s passing was heartbreaking to anyone who knew him and his family,” Corsaro said. “Aaron always had a smile on his face and was very enjoyable to be around. He was a major contributor to some of the best teams in UIndy men’s basketball history. Both he and his brother, Alex, are UIndy men’s basketball alums. The Etherington Family will be Greyhound Family forever. Aaron will be truly missed.”
Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics
Senior midfielder Natham Lam surveys the field during a 2024 lacrosse practice. The men’s lacrosse team hopes to bring home a GLVC championship for the upcoming season.
Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics Sophomore tennis player David Simeonov yells during a match in the 2024 season. The men’s and women’s tennis teams recently began the indoor seasons. Their next match is at home on Feb. 7.
Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics
Men’s basketball alumnus Aaron Etherington at a 2021 home game. Etherington played in a total of 74 games, scoring 239 points with 143 rebounds.
Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics
Associate Head Coach of men’s lacrosse Austin Grimes talks to a player during a home match against Maryville University on April 27, 2024. The team opened up its season on Feb. 1.
Too late to throw in the towel
UIndy men’s basketball commit and family conquer adversity on and off the court
By Logan McInnes FEATURE EDITOR
One University of Indianapolis basketball commit learned directly from his father what bouncing back from great difficulty and embracing the journey look like.
Whiteland High School senior Ethan Edwards committed to play basketball at UIndy and is set to hit the court in the fall. Ethan is leading the Whiteland basketball team with 20.5 average points per game and 88% from the free throw line through the first 15 games of the season.
“Basketball, it’s pretty much my whole life,” Ethan said. “It’s what I grew up doing and is what I inherited from my father.”
In 2018, Brad Edwards, Ethan’s father, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. As of this week, he had his 113th surgery. Brad’s diagnosis came six months after he and his wife Amanda Edwards won full custody of his sons Ethan and Kyle Edwards. Brad said
he had his esophagus, stomach and a part of his small intestine removed and receives frequent blood transfusions. Brad said he cannot have continuous, physically demanding surgeries like this much longer and will likely need a feeding tube, but he said he is not going to give up the fight.
“I’m not going through all of this to throw in the towel now,” Brad said. “It is too late, and I’m too far committed.”
Despite their father’s numerous surgeries and trials, Ethan and Kyle, who is also on the Whiteland basketball team, both described their father as “tough.” Ethan and Kyle said this is apparent in his faith and mentality amid his fight against cancer. Brad said the two main reasons why he continues to fight are his boys and his faith in God. Brad’s biggest wishes for his future are to watch his boys play college basketball, graduate from
Brad played basketball at Whiteland High School and graduated in 1997, where he scored over 1,000 points during his career wearing the number
Ethan now wears the same number in honor of his father, and Kyle will wear it after Ethan graduates. Brad coached his sons as they grew up, and Ethan said his father’s intense coaching style brought the best out of him, which he is grateful for.
Brad said
Ethan has a heart of gold. As far as his athletic talent, Brad’s message to UIndy is clear.
“He’s just a good kid …” Brad said. “You’re going to get a good player for four years and a kid that, when he commits, he’s in. His work ethic is tireless.”
UIndy Men’s Basketball Head
Coach Scott Heady said he began to scout Ethan in late spring last year and thinks he is going to be a good player. Ethan made many strides and improved a lot over the summer, according to Heady.
He said Ethan can shoot the ball, is a smart player and Heady likes his size on the court.
“Ethan, he’s a good student and a high-character person,” Heady said. “That’s all the things that we look for in players that we feel are going to fit into the culture of our program.”
Ethan said he has been to almost all of UIndy’s home basketball games this year and loves the culture Heady has brought to the team. The team is a good group of people to be around, and it is always enjoyable to watch them play, according to Ethan.
Aside from basketball, Brad said he encourages the UIndy community to enjoy the journey life gives you and to not take anything for granted.
“Whether you’re a student or a student-athlete, every day is a chance for you to grow as a person, whether it be spiritually, athletically or educationally,” Brad said. “In everything, try to find that learning moment.”
Graphic by Jona Hogle
MLK Day unifies UIndy community
By Mia Lehmkuhl EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-NEWS EDITOR
The University of Indianapolis community came together to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day through service projects and art, celebrating King’s “vision of equality, connection and collective action,” according to the Office of Student Affairs.
Occurring on the third Monday of the year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is designated as a National Day of Service, encouraging Americans to better their communities, according to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture. Just four days after his assassination in 1968, legislation was introduced
to honor King’s life through the federal holiday celebrated today; however, it took 15 years to be approved by the federal government. In 1994, Congress passed a bill dedicating the holiday as a national day of service. By 2000, all 50 states recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Common celebrations of the holiday include marches, parades and speeches by Civil Rights leaders and politicians, according to Brittanica. Student Affairs, the Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement at UIndy worked together to host events throughout the holiday week. Activities included service projects, a collaborative art project and a community partners fair, according to Student Affairs. The cooperative art project
What’s the best way to display unity other than art?”
involved decorating benches donated to the university by Perry Township schools. Associate Director of Student Affairs and Student Experience Designer Alexis Fort said this was to encourage the community to leave messages and motifs around unity. For Fort, embodying both UIndy’s motto, “Education for Service,” and King’s legacy was a priority.
“We just thought that would be a great reflection of embodying Martin Luther King because he
was really big on creating unity,” Fort said. “What’s the best way to display unity other than art?”
The decorated benches, previously located in the Schwitzer Student Center, will be donated to a local, Black-owned restaurant located less than half a mile from campus, Open Kitchen. Fort said the art the community drew on the tables stuck out to her, particularly one involving a student looking up a J. Cole lyric from the song “Love Yourz,” “No such thing is a life that’s better than yours,” connecting the song to a theme of unity.
“I was like, ‘Wow, I never even got that from that lyric,’” Fort said. “I was excited to see students kind of blow my mind in a way that I didn’t even expect them to grasp ….”
Student Experience Designer
Selena Jackson-King said the Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement helped with the community partners fair, featuring organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, food banks and services in Indianapolis that students can not only use, but be a part of. On Jan. 23, students were invited to pack hygiene kits to be donated to the Phil and Janet Terry Center for Campus Connections — a center that Jackson-King said is a resource hub. In all, Jackson-King said the chance for students to interact with one another through these events added to the aspects of King’s legacy they set out to embody.
“We desire belonging,” Jackson-King said. “I think this culmination of events was a great way to showcase that.”
Photo by Logan McInnes
From left to right, Ethan, Brad and Kyle Edwards pose for a picture together. The brothers play high school basketball together and grew up learning the sport from their dad.
Photo by Allison Cook
Ethan Edwards (32) sits with teammates listening to Whiteland High School’s basketball coach during a time out at a basketball game on Jan. 24. Ethan wears number 32 in honor of his dad.
college and get married. He also hopes to be a grandfather one day.
32.
Butler vs. Marquette women’s basketball at 2 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
UIndy vs. Purdue Northwest men’s tennis at 1:30 p.m. at
Tennis Center.
Indy Ignite vs. San Diego Mojo women’s volleyball at 7 p.m. at Fishers Event Center.
Billy Joel and Sting: “One Night, One Stage” at 7 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Hullabaloo 2025 from 4-6 p.m. in Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.
Dancing with the Stars
Centre.
Divided nation, a film’s solution
By Emma Foutz ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
UIndy hosted the first Indianapolis screening of “Counted Out,” a nationally-recognized film, on Jan. 30 in Ruth Lilly Performance Center. According to the film’s website, it looks at social issues through an unexpected lens: math. The film focuses on how the lack of math literacy affects how society deals with matters like politics, misinformation and general life decisions. Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences Krysi Leganza said she found out about “Counted Out” and wanted UIndy to be the first in Indianapolis to screen the film and share its message.
“There’s no such thing as a math person and not a math person,” Leganza said. “Everybody can do math, and you wouldn’t go around saying ‘I can’t read’but people almost proudly say ‘I can’t do math’... but you should know enough math to function in society.”
According to Leganza, there is a misunderstanding that this is only a math movie, but it is also about social issues. It talks about how math is applied in real life such as with algorithms, the job market and gerrymandering. Leganza said people do not need to know how the math is calculated but should know what it means and how it affects you.
happens in our democracy. It affects who gets funding.”
Not everyone grows up liking math, and recent UIndy alum Eljiah Armour experienced the same. Yet, he graduated with two degrees — one in chemistry and one in mathematics. Armour said it was a big 180, but over time his attitude toward math evolved from disgust to apathy to enjoyment.
We don’t all have to become mathematicians, but we have to know enough math to be good citizens.”
“We don’t all have to become mathematicians, but we have to know enough math to be good citizens.” Leganza said. “That’s all math, but it’s affecting your vote and who represents you and what
“I hated math, and I actually had a passion to hate math. Did not want to do it, refused to do it.” Armour said. “... by the time I got to the math classes here at UIndy, it was so much more interesting… I don’t know what it was, but I caught myself gravitating towards it and really, really enjoying it.”
Armour said his ultimate goal is to become a professor of math and teach. While tutoring other students during his time at UIndy, he said he loved the “light bulb
moments” and knew in those moments that teaching math was the career he wanted to pursue. He said he likes to use the analogy of learning math like learning an unfamilar place, like how a brandnew student learns the layout of campus.
“I tell people like the best way to become familiar with [math] is to do it,” Armour said. “The more you’re in that space, the more familiar you’ll become with it, so the more comfortable you’ll become with it — and that’s where things start to get easier.”
“Counted Out” advocates to make math literacy more accessible and start a dialogue surrounding it, according to its website. The screening featured an audience discussion, where viewers had a conversation about the film with each other. People were eager to share their thoughts and have a meaningful conversation about some of society’s problems and solutions.
To learn more about “Counted Out” or attend a screening, visit www.countedoutfilm.com.
Anyone can be a LEGO Master Builder
By Elyssa Merrill OPINION EDITOR
Whether you are a “Master Builder” or a casual creator, Brick Convention is coming to Evansville, Indiana for the first time this summer.
According to its website, the convention will feature a variety of attractions such as brick pits to free-build in, photo opportunities with different sets and massive LEGO displays. Additionally, it will feature special guests ranging from influencers, LEGO artists and competitors alike.
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of the LEGO company may be the brick creations seen on television from shows like “LEGO Masters,” movies like “The LEGO Movie” or adaptations of known superheroes such as “The LEGO Batman Movie.”
It may also bring to mind the various games like “LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga,” maybe even a little “LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures.”
following the directions to achieve the build on the box.
“It’s just nice to do something with your hands and fingers — just like a puzzle where you have to think about what goes where,”Curtis said. “… You can kind of just turn your brain off, relax, read the instructions. Put this here, put this here, move this over here. It just adds up.”
With the winter holidays not too far behind and Valentine’s Day not too far ahead, LEGO sets have been a consistent gift idea for some. Curtis said they received a LEGO Super Mario Pirana Plant for Christmas, displaying it in their room. Hull also said they received two sets for Christmas and completed them in six hours.
Regardless of what you think, this franchise is more than just colorful bricks to many — it is a sense of nostalgia like it is for junior psychology major Beau Hull.
“... I think a lot of people that I talk to now have also related to like, ‘Oh, I used to play those games on the Wii too,’ because I think so many people also had a Wii,” Hull said. “And that was one of those games that your older sibling could play, and you could join the second player and kind of mess around. …
So I think those are really fun. But obviously the consistency of just a regular LEGO set always has the allure to it for pretty much anyone.”
For some, the allure lies within the building of the bricks, making their own visions come to life as seen in the show “LEGO Masters.”
For others, like freshman computer science major Jenna Curtis, it is
Whatever your goal is when it comes to LEGOs, it can often be achieved, occasionally reusing or reimagining the original purpose of a piece to achieve something new. Even in some of its newer sets like the botanical builds, the various pieces are reused from other sets, so do not be alarmed when there are frogs on your bonsai trees. For Curtis, it is similar to a formula.
“... At the end of the day, they’re just like tiny little cubes and bricks that you can assemble into any shape, any color, any size, any whatever,” Curtis said. “So that’s why they’re so relevant, because you don’t have to change the formula, you can just rearrange what pieces use and create something different.”
For LEGO franchise lovers, the Brick Convention is June 7-8 with two sessions occurring from 10-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. both days. Also, according to the website, a portion of the proceeds from each Brick Convention is donated to Creations for Charity: a nonprofit organization that sells LEGO creations and uses the proceeds to buy LEGO sets for underprivileged children during the holidays. Tickets can be bought in-person and online, and all sessions will offer the same amenities.
Photo by Logan McInnes
Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences Krysi Leganza moderates an audience discussion at the screening of “Counted Out” on Jan. 30 in Ruth Lilly Performance Hall.
Puzzles by Allison Cook
Graphic by Emma Foutz
Graphic by Jona Hogle
UIndy announces inaugural dean
Pamela Wimbush to head UIndy Online & Sease Institute, enrollment begins in fall
By Pete Roeger DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Te University of Indianapolis recently announced a number of high-ranking new hires, including Pamela Wimbush and Dan Heiser.
According to a Jan. 21 press release, Wimbush serves as the first dean of UIndy Online and the Sease Institute, having begun Feb. 3. Wimbush previously worked at California State University, Sacramento, where, according to her CSUS page, she was “associate dean of program success and operational excellence” within the College of Continuing Education.
UIndy Provost and Executive
Vice President Chris Plouff said the UIndy Online and Sease Institute programs are geared toward “posttraditional” learners, an umbrella term for students who do not start college directly out of high school.
UIndy President Tanuja Singh said a key difference between UIndy Online and the Sease Institute is the type of programs offered. She said UIndy Online will consist mainly of degree-granting programs with a focus on transcripts. However, she said the Sease Institute will focus on short-term training programs that may be as little as three, six or 12
TikTok from Page 3
media and video platforms for several years. She said she created her TikTok account when the app was still going by “Musical.ly,” and now she creates content for her YouTube and TikTok accounts. Hutchins said while the ban is out of the common person’s control, she hopes the events surrounding the app will help people think more about how they want to spend their free time and be more aware of overconsumption habits.
Content Strategist for UIndy’s Office of Communications and Marketing Troi Watts said she enjoys being able to post on TikTok as part of her job because of the unique community it creates. While similar content can be posted on different social media
credit hours, often geared toward people already employed.
According to Singh, Wimbush
has extensive experience in the area of online higher education.
“She has done everything from the very operational level, building programs, to working with government, working with corporations,working with external and internal partners in delivering these kinds of programs,” Singh said.
Singh said online learners’needs are different from those of other students, and she said Wimbush grasps this area well. According to UIndy’s press release, at CSUS, Wimbush was responsible for leading the strategy of online learning programs. In addition to
platforms, she said it would be unfortunate to lose that aspect of the UIndy community if TikTok were to be banned.
“I think Tik Tok does a really good job of being casual and building community,” Watts said.
“I really enjoy seeing our students or Grady kind of interact on a more casual level and build community that way.” Watts added that she finds the community on TikTok to be more authentic than on other social media apps. Sophomore communication major Vanessa Sanchez also said she is able to see and express more creativity on TikTok because the content is more tailored to her interests.
According to Pew Research,
her CSUS experience, Wimbush has also worked at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Hampton University and Johns Hopkins University. Plouff said the Sease Institute has already launched, and UIndy Online began to launch immediately after Wimbush’s first day.
According to Heiser’s LinkedIn, he serves at UIndy as the “special advisor to the president for international strategy,” and began in January. Plouff said Heiser’s role is to help implement the university’s international strategy. Plouff added that the university looks to expand its outreach to encourage international connections of students. This includes international students studying at UIndy’s campus, U.S. students studying abroad and other international partnerships. He said Heiser has significant experience in international education programs. Singh said Heiser has led international programs at other universities, having worked in foreign countries, such as Bahrain, the Czech Republic and Taiwan. Tere, Plouff said, Heiser developed relationships and helped build programs, bringing valuable experience and knowledge to UIndy. According
32% of adults would support a ban on TikTok, which is down 50% from March 2023. 52% of TikTok users say they regularly get their news from the app, according to Pew Research, and appreciate the gender and LGBTQ+ diversity they see from news sources on TikTok. Markey and Paul argued in their brief that a ban would be an unnecessary violation of U.S. citizens’ First Amendment rights.
“A ban on TikTok not only violates the free speech of millions of Americans, but it also jeopardizes the livelihoods of creators and small business owners who use the app,” Khanna said via Markey’s website. “We need laws to protect Americans’ data, but banning TikTok is not the answer.”
to Heiser’s LinkedIn, he was also previously the dean of the business school at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin.
“I'm delighted to join UIndy to help develop the university's strategy for international engagement,” Heiser said in an emailed statement. “ Te college experience is one of a few occasions that can truly change the arc of someone's life. Whether you're a domestic or international student, the opportunity to broaden your horizons, build a global mindset and gain an appreciation for different perspectives is an integral part of that.
Wimbush said she has over 20 years of higher-education experience, a large portion of it in
professional online education. She said she has improved her knowledge of learning management systems and building new degree programs in the undergraduate, graduate and professional spaces. She said she has worked with internal, external, community and corporate partners. She has also served on the board of UPCEA, as well as as the chair or co-chair of committees within this organization. She described herself as a “scholar, practitioner, researcher and educator.”
“[My] goal is to expand UIndy Online and the Sease Institute, based on the vision Dr. Singh has for the university, to expand the university beyond,”Wimbush said.
Singh said that the new hires will, in her opinion, directly and positively impact students’ time at UIndy. She said the goal is to enhance the experience for all students, whether they are enrolled in face-to-face, hybrid or online classes.
“So the services that they would be providing to these students should be similar, they should be seamless,” Singh said. “If you’re a student at UIndy, you should have access to career coaching, you should have access to university resources and that is something that they [Wimbush and Heiser] would be creating.”
WIMBUSH
HEISER