Airport welcomes new citizens
By Elyssa Merrill OPINION EDITOR
At the Indianapolis International Airport, 47 candidates from 28 countries became United States citizens at a publicly held naturalization ceremony on Nov. 12.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a naturalization ceremony is the highest point of the process. The ceremony was a court session within the Civic Plaza of the airport, open for the public to spectate with chairs within the event space for the soon-to-be citizens and the supporters of the candidates. It started with the opening of court, the posting of colors by the IND Honor Guard and the National Anthem sang by the Ben Davis High School Premiers when the Honorable Jane E. Magnus-Stinson was introduced as the presider of the ceremony.
“On behalf of the judges of the Southern District of Indiana, I honor you, our applicants, for citizenship,” Magnus-Stinson said. “I also welcome your friends and families who are here to witness history in your lives, and also to all of our guests who are here to celebrate this very special occasion with you.”
It has been a long-time goal of Magnus-Stinson and her husband to host a naturalization ceremony at the airport, often a person’s first impression of the state of Indiana and city of Indianapolis. After being named the Best Airport by the Airports Council International World 12 years in a row in March, this marks the first time the airport has hosted a
naturalization ceremony for Indiana.
“You will be the first, but certainly not the last, people to become citizens here at the airport,” Magnus-Stinson said. “Sometimes when people get married, not everybody is happy about it. And so it seems that in our country, you may get the sense that not everyone is welcoming. But I'm here to tell you, you are welcome, and in a few short minutes, you will be as American as any other citizen.”
Leading up to the Oath of Citizenship within the ceremony, Magnus-Stinson informed the candidates of the expectations of being the U.S. citizen. She explained the civic duties of Americans include being educated voters, responding to jury summons, speaking when an injustice is witnessed and following the law. After being called country by country, the candidates rose their right hands and recited the Oath of Citizenship.
After the oath was recited, ceremony honorifics were given to the youngest and oldest new citizens, Abdullah Zedan and Gadi Rwenyaguza. Zedan recited and led in the pledge of allegiance while Rwenyaguza was given a flag flown over the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
Governor-elect Mike Braun wrote a letter to be read during the ceremony addressed to the new citizens, although he could not make the ceremony. Within it, he offered congratulations and an enthusiastic welcome to the Hoosier state, adding that Indiana has a long history of welcoming new people with “Hoosier Hospitality.” Braun also said the new-found
freedoms within citizenship can be translated into being a participant within the Indiana community.
yourself to preserving those ideals for future generations.”
“You have completed the often arduous process to receive citizenship, and I assure you that the liberties and freedoms that you now possess are worth the challenge today” Braun wrote. “You join a long line of Americans that, from the beginning of our history, have dedicated themselves to ideals such as liberty, equality and freedom. By taking your Oath of Citizenship, you dedicate
It was a goal she always had. She says it feels beautiful."
However, one Hoosier in particular that was welcomed is close to the UIndy community, as she is the mother of a UIndy student. Lidia Guzman, originally from Mexico, was one of the candidates who earned her citizenship after trying for years. Her son, sophomore business major Christian Maldanodo, translated some of the conversation and he said while the process of becoming a citizen was not difficult, it was very long.
“It was very easy but at the same time some difficulties,” Maldanodo said. “So as a matter of fact, to gain her residency, it took her 24 years. … But after that residency, for U.S. citizenship it was much easier.” Maldonaodo said his
mother’s pathway to citizenship spanned his entire life. Having the ceremony in a public place, Maldonodo said, was beautiful, as total strangers began clapping for the nominees and new citizens. He also said he hopes all new citizens are proud of themselves, continue to make their country proud and carry out their civic duties.
As Guzman finished registering to vote, she talked about why she wanted to be a citizen in the first place. For her, not only was it her love for the U.S., but it was the opportunities her citizenship allows. Guzman said she did a lot of studying, but it was not difficult as this was something she worked toward for so long. “It means very much to her,” Maldonodo said. “It was a goal she always had. She says it feels beautiful.”
'Te Refector' denied access to university meeting
Five staff members attempt to attend Faculty Senate,
Graphic by Jona Hogle
By Mia Lehmkuhl EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & NEWS EDITOR
At the request of Faculty Senate President Jyotika Saksena, “The Reflector” staff was removed from a Nov. 19 Faculty Senate meeting after attempting to cover its proceedings.
In the first paragraph of UIndy’s Faculty Constitution, it sets forth the following:
“The Board of Trustees, the Administration, the Faculty, the Staff and the Students are the five major constituencies that play significant roles in the functioning of the University of Indianapolis. Although the successful operation of the University depends upon the coordinated efforts of all five of these groups, each has its own particular functions, rights and responsibilities that differ from those of the others.”
Additionally, the constitution defines who is permitted to
promptly told to leave
attend university meetings such as the Faculty Senate, and students are permitted to attend at senate leadership’s discretion. Members of staff sat outside proceedings and were approached by Saksena.
“Sorry we had to ask you to leave, but we have to first figure out if it's unusual,” Saksena said.
“We just have to follow policy, but we'll figure out a way ….”
According to the Nov. 19 agenda, much of the senate’s discussion revolved around course and curriculum changes in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
On Nov. 20, “The Reflector” Editor-in-Chief Mia Lehmkuhl sent an email to the executive committee of the faculty senate. Saksena or the executive committee did not provide additional insight as to why “The Reflector” was asked to leave the room beyond Saksena stating students attending is not the norm. However, on Sept. 17, a “Reflector” staff writer attended a faculty senate meeting under
the same circumstances and was not instructed to leave. Saksena said she regrets that the senate had to ask “The Reflector,” to leave. She also denied knowing of the staff member attending in September.
In addition to senate or university leadership having discretion over student attendance, the constitution states at any point during a meeting, it can be closed off to everyone other than ranked faculty members, defined as “any half-time or greater employee of the University who holds the academic title of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, or Instructor in one or more degree-granting programs or units,” among others.
Saksena said it is clear the issue of access to Faculty Senate meetings is important to “The Reflector” staff and the broader UIndy community, adding that the Executive Committee of Faculty Senate will discuss a path forward.
Photos by Elyssa Merrill
Lidia Guzman, mother of sophomore business major Christian Maldanodo, earned her citizenship at the naturalization ceremony held on Nov. 12 at Civic Plaza inside the Indianapolis International Airport.
4B allows women to fght back
By Olivia Pastrick MANAGING EDITOR & FEATURE EDITOR
The results of the 2024 Presidential election leave marginalized people looking for ways to make their voices heard, some finding opportunity and community in the 4B movement. Te 4B movement is a feminist movement from South Korea that rejects heterosexual relationships as a way to resist systemic misogyny and patriarchy, according to CBS.Te name
“4B” stems from Korean words beginning with “bi,” which means “no.” “Bihon” means no marriage, “bichulsan” means no childbirth, “biyeonae” means no dating and “bisekseu” means no sex, according to CBS. Tis movement in South Korea was largely in response to the wage gap in Korea, which was at the highest percentage among countries included in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development as of 2022. In wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, many women in America are turning to the 4B movement. As of Nov. 22, the hashtag has garnered over 27k posts on TikTok — where the movement is seeing the most attention. This is a perfectly reasonable response for those of us willing to commit to it, which will not include every woman, and I am not saying it should. But, it is a means of protesting against the 55% of men, according to T e Washington Post, who did not see anything wrong with voting for a man who has been held legally liable for sexual abuse and has continuously made sexist and demeaning comments towards women.
Additionally, Trump’s victory emboldens men like Nick Fuentes, who recently went viral for his tweet saying “Your body, my choice. Forever.” Additionally, videos of him spewing similar sexist rhetoric have also gone viral on TikTok. If this was one hateful
individual who somehow gained this much online attention, perhaps an entire movement would not be in order. But, as many women know, this is not one man. Tis is an attitude embedded in American society and highlighted when our president feeds it. T e 4B movement in America may have come from slightly different origins than South Korea’s, but women having the means to fight back is powerful, regardless of which country is ruled by patriarchy. In addition to the rampant misogyny in America(n politics), many women are fearful of what has happened and what could happen to their reproductive rights, considering Trump’s pride in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Because of overturning Roe v. Wade and the potential implementation of Project 2025, American women are scared and using the 4B movement as a way of pushing against the patriarchy men are continuing to uphold.
... The idea women do have the ability to fght back is powerful...
Project 2025 is a conservative playbook proposing abortion laws that would take America back to the 19th Century, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Trump claims he is not
linked to Project 2025 despite the facts his Vice President-elect JD Vance wrote the foreword to the leader of Project 2025’s new book, and his appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr wrote the chapter regarding the FCC, according to NBC. The 4B movement seeks to demonstrate that there are consequences to the men who either knowingly voted for these ideologies or did not take the time to educate themselves about who they voted for and what he does — both literally and the action he empowers. According to a columnist from the New York Times, American women risk alienating those who “would be our allies while ensuring little actually changes about our reality.” While the 4B movement may not produce tangible results that can be measured on a graph, I am confused on who these “allies” are. Americans gave a misogynist power. If denying these men physical and emotional relationships is all women can do to protest, it is important. Despite not making huge societal changes, it is a protest and form of solidarity to other women’s suffering.
Graphic by Jona Hogle
Red or blue, politics will not serve you
One editor discusses why tensions are high after election results
By Mia Lehmkuhl EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & NEWS EDITOR
What better way to polarize Americans than a “good, oldfashioned” election season? Voters have had enough time to sulk, to cheer or to yell at each other — cue the reality check. On social media, I am bombarded with two truths: people lamenting the results of the election or staying silent about the whole affair. In the storm of virtue signaling and cursing liberals, like all elections, the peacekeepers rise, stating, “Why can’t we all just agree?” or “We can still be friends even if we vote differently.” Tis proves futile. Friends and families across the country are falling apart once again. Case in point: the Kennedys, a family with deeprooted political influence, closed in on Robert Kennedy, Jr. after he endorsed President-Elect Donald Trump. Poor Bobby, Jr. — though,
it seems the endorsement worked well for his political ambitions. I digress. Especially with Tanksgiving on the horizon, this widespread division across the United States is disheartening — on both sides.
lining: Tis ability to openly and passionately disagree is part of what makes America a unique, operational democracy. With public discourse, even when too intense, it paves the way for
I anticipate many voters will find it difficult to talk to family members who voted differently at the table; however, do think about the silver
change and opens the door to new ideas. Many veterans gave their lives to fight for this very cause and, while no one (including me)
wants to hear that, it does not make it any less important to remember in this polarized time. I understand the sentiment behind a post-election kumbaya, but the unfortunate reality is people feel spurned, hopeless and angry by this election. It is not anyone’s place to tell others with whom they should not associate. I would reject someone I knew to be a bigot without hesitation. But, in true American fashion, we tend to point the finger at one another rather than those pulling the strings. And, of course, as many did in 2020, we wonder why our Instagram infographics and rampages on TikTok do not inspire change. However, the answer is simple: We are often going after the wrong boogeyman. We should direct this unbridled passion for progressive change inward, or I fear we serve nothing but our egos.
Read the rest of the story and its continuation online at reflector.indy.edu
Santa already came to town
By Audra Hoagan STAFF WRITER
It feels like each holiday season is getting longer with pumpkin spice in August and Christmas décor up before kids are done trick or treating. Some local grocery stores and malls have been in the Christmas spirit since Nov. 1 or earlier. I went to Target during Halloween week to find no costumes left, no candy on sale and outdoor Christmasthemed lights in place of the usual Halloween items. Which sparks the issue, people are prioritizing decorations rather than actually celebrating the holiday.
Te entire point of decorating is to be excited and celebrate the season that you are currently in — whether it is fall and Halloween décor or winter and Christmas lights. If we actively celebrate the next holiday before we celebrate the one that is currently happening, we are not truly living in the moment.
Community importance, involvement on campus
By Rob Williford GUEST COLUMNIST
Editor’s
Note: Rob Williford works in the office of Student A ffairs as the Associate Dean of Judicial A ffairs & Residence Life.
Working on a college campus as a staff member means no two days are the same. Despite some certainties, the day-to-day interactions with students, faculty and staff bring a new, refreshing energy.
Each of us, in our own way and sometimes unknowingly, have the tools to effectively engage in community. Each of us is at a starting point. While it can be true we each experience this campus, the classroom, events or traditions of higher education differently, a shared connection is how we find ourselves, in some way, a member of this University of Indianapolis community. I write today to encourage each of us to lean into this shared truth. To care about what being a part of a community can mean. To extend a warm welcome and embrace to the folks who have joined us for the first time this semester and to do the same for the folks who have been here for years.
Being a part of a community is not always sunshine and feelgood moments. Sometimes, it is having difficult conversations about changing a career trajectory, addressing conflict in a friendship, wrestling with new concepts or ideas we have never been exposed to before or getting to know people who are different from us. Community can also look like developing abilities to effectively communicate across cultures or facing deeply-held fears nobody knows about. It can appear as a thousand and one more things each of us have experienced. However, building community is not passive and does not always happen by chance or luck. It takes more than the expected time,space and energy, too. It requires a commitment to connection, understanding and learning. Developing a community is not merely showing up to a program or an event, nor merely attendance being taken in class. To build and be a part of a community is a conscious, deliberate act — a decision made repeatedly to show up, expand and retract, spend time and energy with the people around us and to walk away made anew, even if only slightly. Tese communities can be with folks who we share lived experiences, identities or interests. Communities can be with folks who have similar goals or aspirations as we do. Tey can also be with folks we have never met and know nothing about. It can be a mix of all three and something else entirely.
It is important to note, of course, the ways each of us build communities together will look different. We interact differently and have different preferences, values and approaches to making connections. To be quite honest, there will be ways a community is built we do not understand at first. (And that is okay.) What matters is we find our ways of connecting and lean into it.
It seems like people are so focused on what is coming next and how people can get their hands on the “new, must-have items of the season” that they forget the point of decorating in the first place. Social media might be partially to blame for what is happening. People are becoming more easily influenced than ever. My entire social media feed was full of Christmas décor hauls, holiday themed drink recipes, “decorate with me’s” and Christmas music before I got through Halloween weekend. It is starting to get a little excessive. I am all about starting to celebrate the Holiday season in November, but Christmas decorations being up while kids are out trick or treating does not feel right to me. It ruins that Halloween magic that we used to feel as children.
It could also be another way for big corporations to make more money. By setting up months in advance and capitalizing on the marketing influencers o ff er, companies must be making so much more than if it were to only start selling Christmas themed items after Tanksgiving. Part of it has to be an impulse purchase as well. People are just excited to set up their Holiday decorations that when they see a cute gingerbread man pillow, they buy it — not remembering the two they already have shoved in boxes in the attic. According to Keter, the waste that is created around the holiday season increases by 25% compared to the rest of the year. Tis shows that people would rather purchase new popular items each year than save money by keeping decorations
longer than one season. Personally, my feelings change each year. It depends on how excited I am for the holiday season during that time. For example, my Christmas tree is already up in my apartment, but last year I waited until after Tanksgiving. Either way is fine as long as you do not get tired of the season. We should be able to enjoy the season we are in until the calendar says it is over. Not be forced to see all of the stores we shop at littered with the next holiday season. Although the first day of November is too early for Santa to be plastered everywhere; there are always going to be people that claim Christmas décor out before Tanksgiving is over is still too early. However, I wholeheartedly believe that Tanksgiving is just a precursor to Christmas and it can be celebrated next to a lit-up tree. As long as people are still celebrating on the actual holiday that is plenty of room to fully celebrate fall and move onto the Holiday season.
Corrections
The Refector 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 refector@uindy.edu.
The opinions in this section do not necessarily refect those of The Refector staf.
What do you think?
Send your letters to the editor or other correspondence to refector@uindy.edu
Graphic by Jona Hogle
Graphic by Jona Hogle
UIndy to add new minors
Performing arts and sports media minors, classes coming to SCAS
By Allison Cook PHOTO EDITOR
Performing arts and sports media minors will be added to the University of Indianapolis curriculum next fall.
As part of the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences, the new minors are designed to give current students credit for interest classes they have already taken and incoming students a chance to explore more of what the college has to offer, according to Adjunct Professor Melanie Eakman and Assistant Professor of Teatre Grant Williams.
“For the moment,these are classes that a lot of students are taking anyways,”Williams said.“Tey could at least walk away with another credit to their degree. It could be that there are students walking around that already have a performing arts minor, they just don't know that they have it yet.”
Te sports media minor works to combine aspects of the already existing sports communication,sports management, and sports marketing education tracks and majors, said Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Stephanie Wideman. Its core classes include:
• Foundations of Media Production (COMM 109)
Sports Media Production (COMM 315)
Sports Public Relations (COMM 344)
• One Communication Department experiential
through:
ExperientialRadio(COMM 110)
Experiential Television (COMM 111)
• Sports Communication (COMM 160)
Te minor will also include a slew of other courses from the kinesiology or communication department, Wideman said.
[Dance] is really important in my life, and I can see it through my students ...."
Te core of the performing arts minor is housed in the theatre department, and the required classes will include: Public Speaking (COMM 100)
• Acting (THE 370) • On-Air Talent (COMM 236) Historical Styles (THE 342) Experiential Teatre (THE 170).
Te rest of the minor consists of electives, including classes from theatre, dance and music.
“Te university really emphasizes interdisciplinary endeavors because it gives an even,more holistic education for students,”Wideman said.“Minors are a great way to get different disciplines to talk to each other, and they're also a great way to offer a high level of career readiness to students who can specialize in their minors.”
Eakman, who teaches all the dance classes offered on campus, said for years many of her students have expressed a desire for more performing
arts curriculum, specifically in dance. She said this led to many students,who come from a wide variety of academic studies and backgrounds, taking all of her classes from beginning to advanced and everything in-between, retaking them or doing a mix of both. Many of them have come up to her asking for a way to get credit through either a minor or concentration, Eakman said, but they had no way to do it until now.
Whether the student has danced all their life, is brand new to the art or somewhere in between, Eakman said there is a place for them in the performing arts.
“I have some of these students who have never taken dance class before, but they have taken my beginning class, and they just want more,” Eakman said. “So I think that's the beauty of dance is that really anyone can do it.”
Being able to be in the performing arts can provide an important outlet for expression and de-stressing, Eakman said. In her experience, she said she was able to find joy and relief by being able to express herself and tell stories through her movements rather than words, eventually leading to a professional career. After she retired from dancing professionally,Eakman said she wanted to continue sharing everything dance has to offer.
“[Dance] is really important in my life, and I can see it through my
Indy homeless shelter receives $20 million
By Gabriel Tice STAFF WRITER
Te city of Indianapolis has received an additional $20 million to build a new low-barrier homeless shelter on the southeast side of Indianapolis. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority approved a grant on Oct. 24 that would add an additional $20 million to the existing $12 million budget of the new Housing Hub, the first homeless shelter in the city to be funded entirely by tax dollars. According to the IHCDA, construction will begin in a few months and completed by 2026, with the hub opening in 2027.
Te IHCDA also stated that the building will sit off the 1000 block of East Georgia Street and will be open 24/7.
students in my classes, how they've had a very stressful day, or they have a lot of homework and they're anxious about it,” Eakman said. “Tey walk into my class, and I see the stress leave the room. Tey have an hour where they can get some exercise in, they can listen to music, they can take a class with their friends and, It's just really fun.”
Freshman psychology major Ellie Lisa is a student in Eakman’s contemporary dance class. Lisa has been dancing since she was three years old,and said she has been able to learn styles she has never experienced before through Eakman’s classes.Lisa is an advocate of the performing arts minor,and said she is looking forward to being able to experience the different aspects and opportunities it will offer..
“I think it's really interesting because I haven't gotten to explore other options besides purely dance, and I've always been interested in the theater aspect too,” Lisa said. “I think combining all of that would be super fun. A lot of people here would also love that … I think it's really important to be well-rounded in all those areas.”
Te minors will not be approved until April due to an extensive curriculum process, Wideman said, which includes approvals by various university senates, committees and faculty.She said the procedures drive the accreditation process for the university, ensuring students get a high quality education. Wideman said more information will come out to students once the curriculum is finalized.
Te proposed plans are for a 63,000-square-foot building with four levels. Te first floor will be operated by the Horizon House, a local organization that works to secure permanent housing for the chronically homeless. It will also host a food pantry and cafeteria. Te second floor will host the administrative offices and the housing navigation center, along with some government offices, like the BMV and the Marion County Public Health Department. Te third and fourth floors will be the shelter run by Aspire Indiana Health, which is an independent nonprofit healthcare provider that addresses physical and mental disorders, substance abuse, HIV services and other healthcare needs. The low-barrier shelter will have 150 beds in total consisting of family, couple and single pods. Tis is less than the original 250 beds proposed, but resources are instead being moved to provide permanent supportive housing with the city of Indianapolis investing 500,000 dollars into a “master leasing” program. Tis program aims to pay the rent of privately owned housing for those who would otherwise live in shelters or the street and will pay for 30 apartment units.
Te development of the Housing Hub has been a multi-year process, with the state of Indiana assembling a task force that recommended the project in 2022. Te land was purchased in 2023, along with approval of a grant for low-barrier housing in Indiana’s biennial budget. Tis comes as the recent 2024 census found that around 1,700 people experience homelessness, with 20% not having access to emergency shelters. This is a 5% increase from 2023’s census, according to the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention.
Photos by Allison Cook
Adjunct Professor Melanie Eakman and Contemporary Dance (MUS 120) students warm up and rehearse in class on Nov. 20. The performing arts minor being added to UIndy curriculum next fall includes dance classes as part of its requirements.
Football opens postseason
contributed by MaKenna
quarterback Gavin
throws the ball during a game in the 2024 season. The UIndy football team has an overall record of 10-1 as of Nov. 21.
By Livia Lytle BUSINESS MANAGER
Per Reflector press time.
University of Indianapolis Football secured its place in the Division II playoffs after ending its regular season with an undefeated conference record and being named GLVC Champions on Nov. 9.
T e University of Indianapolis’ football team will face Grand Valley State on Nov. 23 for the
first game of the NCAA Division II playo ff s. With a win, the next game will be on Nov. 30 for the second round.
UIndy Football Head Coach
Chris Keevers said his plan to continue the team’s success is to keep doing what got the team to the playo ff s. To do it better than anyone else, he said, and to not change it.
“We go to work every day, it’s energy and e ff ort and focus and practice,” Keevers said. “If you do that, you keep getting better; And
if you keep getting better, you’ve got a chance to win.”
Graduate student defensive linebacker Clay Schulte described the team as a group of people who expect to win and will do anything to make it happen. He said the team is on a high right now and they plan to make a run in the playo ff s.
“We’re feeling very confident right now,” Schulte said. “We’re on a roll right now as a team. We’re just taking it one game at a time.”
Junior quarterback Gavin Sukup said he attributes the team’s success to how well the group gets along. He said the team is currently riding the wave of winning a lot of games and getting better every week.
We go to work every day, it’s energy and effort and focus...”
“Our goal is to just improve in our respective sides of the ball: o ff ense, defense and special teams every week,” Sukup said. “I think we’ve been doing that, so we look forward to keep trying to do that.”
Both players agreed that everyone on the team gets along great, and Sukup said the team is
Hound f nds global success
UIndy swimmer with a unique story of success
By Elyssa Merrill OPINION EDITOR
University of Indianapolis sophomore Kirabo Namutebi entered collegiate athletics with an experience unlike most other students. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Namutebi said she has always been in a sports-driven family, mostly thanks to her mother. Along with one sibling, Namutebi estimates they did a total of around 10 sports throughout their childhood. Namutebi said she participated in track, tennis, soccer, basketball and swim. However, after swimming since she was six months old, she said it seemed clear why she wanted to continue swimming after high school.
Namutembi competes in the 50M and 100M freestyle for the UIndy Women’s Swimming & Diving Team, finding success for herself as well. She has multiple awards and records, according to her bio on UIndy Athletics, Namutebi first competed in spring of 2024 for the Great Lakes Valley Conference, winning the 50-m freestyle.
Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Teams Brent Noble said Namutebi is the best short sprinter in Division
II, following her success in the GLVC, along with a NCAA victory and record set in the 50M freestyle. Noble said that her athletic success is impressive, breaking the existing record from a graduate of the program made the previous year as a freshman and breaking her own record this year. However, he said her success does not make her arrogant.
“You would never know the success she’s had by meeting her — very humble, very down to earth and normal,” Noble said. “So she studies hard, she balances her time, she’s pretty easy to get along with.”
However, Namutebi said that attending and competing at UIndy was almost like an accident. After finding herself with a block in motivation to swim anymore, Namutebi got in contact with a recruitment agency later in the year and made the commitment to join UIndy after Noble reached out to her. Namutebi said she is driven by a myriad of things, but utilizing what she has been given is key for her.
“I like to say it’s not exactly where you go but what you do with what you’ve been given,” Namutebi said. “Absolutely, from back home to where I am now is a step up in terms of resources, in terms of general swimming knowledge, in terms of people to train with, so
it was just a big step up and it was obviously up to me to use those resources adequately and see that I get the best out of them.”
Noble said Namutebi is very intrinsically motivated and knows that her success is her own. He said she goes above and beyond the bare minimum, it is doing what needs to be done the best way possible.
“She pays attention to what she does,” Noble said. “She knows that the way she does the things that she does is really important. So it’s not just checking boxes, it’s paying attention to detail and doing things really, really well”
Since Namutebi still has a majority of her college career ahead of her, she hopes to enjoy the college experience for now, possibly joining the UIndy Track & Field team if possible. But her main goal with athletics is to be the best athlete she can be to honor those that got her to where she is now.
“My goal is to be the best possible athlete and make the people who have sacrificed a lot for me to get here proud and them to see me succeed at something I really want,” Namutebi said. “So it really drives me to show up to these 5am lifts, to show up to these practices and just do it because I know I’m not doing it for myself — I’m doing it for those that love me and those that push for me to do what I do.”
like a family. Keevers said he really likes the football team this year and the culture they have curated. T e best thing about the team, he said, is the players.
“Our guys are workers,” Keevers said. “They’re good people. They handle themselves well on and off the field. It makes it a lot of fun when you get a bunch of good people together and you accomplish a goal and win a championship and have the opportunity to go to the playoffs with a bunch of wonderful people.”
Schulte said the team has a
positive impact on him because of all the people he is surrounded by. Everyone on the team is a great person, he said, which makes him want to be a better person.
Because this marks his fifth and final season, Schulte said he hopes to pass the sentiment on to the next generation of players that hard work can take you a long way. He said eventually you will get what you want by working hard. “If you have goals and you do what it takes to accomplish those goals and work hard,” Schulte said, “you can accomplish anything you really want to. Just stay the course.”
Photo
Maschino Junior
Sukup
Photo contributed by Dylan Euler
Graduate defensive linebacker Clay Schulte during a Nov. 9 football game against Missouri S&T. The team was named GLVC Champions the same day.
Photo contributed by MaKenna Maschino
University of Indianapolis sophomore swimmer Kirabo Namutebi dives into the pool at a race during the 2024 fall portion of the season. Namutembi competes in the 50M and 100M freestyle. The Hounds next meet will be on Dec. 5.
Graphic by Olivia Pastrick
UIndy welcomes new AD
By Caroline Krauch SPORTS EDITOR
Te University of Indianapolis welcomed new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Kim Pate to the staff in an official press conference on Nov. 18.
Pate comes to UIndy from Lenoir Rhyne University where she served as its athletic director from March 2016 until September 2024. During her time there, the school won three national championships and had 43 All-Americans, according to an article by UIndy Athletics.
UIndy has been without an athletic director since 2022 after Scott Young resigned, according to an article by UIndy Athletics.
University President Tanuja Singh said there were strict criteria set by the search committee, and Pate met all of the requirements.
“We were looking for someone who’s exceptionally gifted, but who also brings this great sense of purpose,” Singh said. “And in Kim, we found her. If you look at her resume, it is too impressive to read from.”
Pate said she has had UIndy on her radar for 12 years, after developing a close relationship with UIndy’s previous athletic director, Sue Willey. It was the connection with Willey that intrigued her about the opportunity, she said, but it was the culture the program created that sealed the decision.
Te goal for UIndy, Pate said, is to achieve success both in the classroom and on the field. Pate emphasized the importance of the athletic department working together as a whole to get better. She said she wants UIndy to be a leader among Division II schools not just for sports but for everything.
“We want to be a model program in Division II for how we operate, how we do everything, our game day experience, our marketing, our fundraising, our compliance, basically every aspect of how we go about our day to day business in support of our athletic programs and student athletes and certainly how we perform on the field or court and in the classroom,” Pate said. “ Tat really stems from that same ultimate goal of winning the right way and really being a leader in Division II.”
Fall golf season ends
By Olivia Pastrick MANAGING EDITOR & FEATURE EDITOR
After a whirlwind of a first semester as head coach, Andy Serketich said the University of Indianapolis golf program is in a good position looking ahead to the spring season.
Serketich was hired as the head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf team on Aug. 23, according to UIndy Athletics,only three days before the start of the semester. Te women’s team then turned around and played the weekend of Sept. 9-10, and both teams competed almost every weekend through October.Although this caused a somewhat chaotic season, Serketich said his past experience as a player and coach and the atmosphere of this year’s team helped with the transition.
“It was just a whirlwind,” Serketich said. “I’ve been around college golf for 18 years, so experience wise, I’ve been around it a lot,but this is the first chance where I’ve been the head coach for both teams. … But that said, I got here knowing that both teams have been really good, so you don’t really want to rock the boat too much.”
Tere are 13 golfers between the men’s and women’s teams, and junior Macey Brown said the teams are very close — helping them prepare for the fall season without a coach at the time. She said the fall season was a great learning experience for her and
her teammates, especially since it is a relatively young and inexperienced team.
“Having smaller team sizes has really helped the atmosphere,” Brown said “And I think this year with all the stuff that happened over the summer and staying super optimistic about who our new coach is going to be and how the fall season was going to go. I think it’s created a positive culture and a positive atmosphere to be around … especially when we’re traveling together, there’s a lot of support around you, and not just from your coaches or your parents, it’s also your teammates.”
...our process is working towards playing our best golf...
Sophomore Cameron Young said the men’s and women’s teams have also been able to get closer, especially since Serketich is coaching both. He said practicing and hanging out with each other outside of golf helped the teams succeed throughout the fall season.
Serketich said one of the teams’goals looking ahead at the spring season is to build off the success and experience they saw in the fall. Brown and Young said they both hope to continue improving throughout the spring season as well as being consistent.
“It’s hard individually,like obviously
I have goals and I want to shoot certain scores and I want to place top ten at certain tournaments,”Brown said.“But I think for me, it’s more focused on the team and continuing to improve the culture and as golfers.”
Serketich said it is important to him to focus on growth as a team and as individual golfers but also to keep an eye on the bigger competitions.
Te women’s team also won the 2024 DII women’s golf championship and eight GLVC championships in the last 10 years, and the men’s has won two, including last season, according to UIndy Athletics.
“We can’t really control outcomes, but our process is working towards playing our best golf at the end of the year, and hopefully that’ll be good enough to be contending for conference and regional national championships specific events in the spring,”Serketich said.
Brown,Young and Serketich all said they are looking forward to traveling with both teams for tournaments throughout the spring season as well as continuing to improve as individuals and as a program. Keep an eye out on the UIndy Athletics site for its spring schedule once it is released. Brown, Young and Serketich all said they are looking forward to traveling with both teams for tournaments throughout the spring season as well as continuing to improve as individuals and a program. Keep an eye out on UIndy Athletics site for their spring schedule once it is released.
Basketball is back
Refector editor gives prediction
By Olivia Pastrick MANAGING EDITOR & FEATURE EDITOR
Te best time of the year is back
— NCAA basketball has tipped off for the 2024-25 season and, like always, eyes will be on Indiana come March.
Te Purdue Boilermakers put the country on watch all of last season. After an embarrassing loss in the 2023 tournament and becoming the second ever top-seeded team to fall to a 16-seeded team in Fairleigh Dickinson University, Purdue had a lot to prove, and they certainly did. Head Coach Matt Painter and 2024 Player of the Year Boilermaker and current Memphis Grizzly Zach Edey led the team all the way to the finals in last year’s March Madness tournament, where the team fell short only to the repeat national champions, the UConn Huskies.
In the first AP poll of this season, Purdue was ranked 14th, which is not bad considering it lost its star in Edey, but definitely not where the team was last season, in which its ranking never fell below fourth.
Te team also lost Ethan Morton and Mason Gillis who averaged 3.8 and 6.8 points per game respectively last season. However, this year, the team is led by veteran players such as Fletcher Loyer who averaged 13.9 points per game last year and now averages 16.2 throughout the Boilermakers’ first five games. Loyer is joined by Braden Smith who is scoring 15.5 points and 9.5 assists per game to open the season. Te duo is currently rounded out by Trey Kaufman-Renn who is leading the team in points per game, which has been the biggest surprise to me after he only averaged 6.4 points per game last season.
Te Boilermakers look to avenge its loss in the Big Ten Tournament after losing to the University of Wisconsin Badgers in the quarter finals last year — but this season, it is beginning to look like the Big Ten, Boilermakers and fans will also need to keep an eye on the Indiana University Hoosiers. Last season,
the Hoosiers were not ranked in the AP poll once, but have started this season at 17, rising to 16 for weeks two and three.
Te two biggest games so far for the Hoosiers have been against the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks, both solid competition from the SEC. Redshirt-sophomore Myles Rice, Junior Malik Reneau and sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako led the team in scoring in both of these games, especially in the game against South Carolina. Te Hoosiers were able to spread the scoring throughout the team, showing off potential depth. Redshirt sixth-year senior Oumar Ballo leads the team in rebounds in both games, with 11 against Tennessee and 13 against South Carolina.
Although the Hoosiers will likely not be looking at the championship this season, they are beginning to look more like an IU team. After missing the tournament last season, that should be an obvious goal for this squad, which looks achievable right now. Beyond that, I would love to see IU make their way into the talk for the Big Ten championship, if not this season, hopefully in one in the near future.
Big Ten conference play will begin Dec. 3, but Purdue will tip off their conference campaign Dec. 8 against the Maryland Terrapins and Indiana on Dec. 9 against the Minnesota Gophers. Hopefully both teams will be in good shape by the time they reach the conference tournament being held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Downtown Indianapolis March 12-16.
Photo by Allison Cook
University of Indianapolis President Tanuja Singh talks with Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Kim Pate before a Nov. 18 press conference at the Schwitzer Student Center. The conference was held to introduce Pate to the UIndy community and address her intentions for the future. Pate plans to work on achieving success both in the classroom and on the feld and being a top ranked program.
Photo by Allison Cook
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Kim Pate speaks at a press conference held at the Schwitzer Student Center on Nov. 18. She previously served as the athletic director at Lenoir Rhyne University since 2016 before coming to UIndy.
Photo contributed by Kaitlyn Parsons
Grady the Greyhound
Celebrating ve years ith our beloved ascot
THINGS TO DO
ONGOING
Winterlights (Nov. 23, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025)
Located at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., a holiday light display with music and a decorated holiday house. Tickets are $25 for members (all Indiana college students can get a free membership). Tickets are $25-35 for nonmembers depending on the night.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt (Nov. 23, 2024-Dec. 24, 2024) Winner of USA Today’s “Best Holiday Market” four years in a row and located at 10 Carter Green in Carmel, the Christkindlmarkt is an Indiana favorite.Check for open days/ hours on its website. Free admission.
Christmas at the Zoo (Nov. 23, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025)
Located at the Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St., the zoo is lit up with holiday lights and decor! Tickets range from $15-$35 depending on the day.
Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt (Nov. 29, 2024-Dec. 22, 2024)
By Emma Foutz EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
UIndy celebrates the fifth anniversary of Crimson Greyson Veritas — but all his friends call him Grady.
Marketing and Communications Manager and Live Mascot Handler Coran Sigman used to joke about getting a dog as a mascot when she was a student at UIndy. This was the running joke for years until Sigman brought it up while planning for UIndy Day in 2019 to generate excitement.
“I jokingly said, ‘Well, we could get a dog,’ and suddenly it wasn’t being shut down anymore,” Sigman said. “It wasn’t so much a joke anymore.”
In 2018, Floridians voted to end commercialized greyhound racing, and it fully phased out by 2020, per The Florida Bar. While researching other university live mascot programs, Sigman knew the racing tracks would
start closing and many racing dogs would soon need a home.
“I so strongly believe in adoption for animals,” Sigman said. “We knew that it would be irresponsible for the university to go to a breeder when hundreds, if not thousands, of dogs needed a home … Finally, in October of 2019, they brought Grady up to Indiana.”
Grady is owned by the university, but Sigman is his full-time caretaker. The university had to ensure Grady meshed well with her other dogs and had a good temperament for the job.
“He fit in so well, and it was the hard thing about keeping it a secret from campus for over a month,” Sigman said. “I had to hide him or show up either super early for work and leave when I didn’t see any students outside, and kind of sneak him in and out of buildings.”
Grady has become an icon, being the first live mascot in almost 40 years at UIndy. He enjoys his job; every day is filled with treats, scratches and photos.
Midnight Breakfast (9 p.m.) Located in Schwitzer, UIndy SLAB hosts its bi-annual midnight breakfast with the theme
UIndy’s
p.m.)
at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers take on the Charlotte Hornets at home.
Photos by Emma Foutz
University of Indianapolis live mascot Grady the Greyhound pictured in the Schwitzer Student Center on Nov. 18. Grady recently celebrated his ffth anniversary as a mascot for the university.
UIndy students, faculty and staff $10 for community members. L/P approved.
Circle of Lights (6
Located in the heart of the Mass Ave District, the Athenaeum on 401 E. Michigan St. hosts an authentic winter market featuring holiday celebrations from around the globe. Free admission.
Heist Before Christmas
6-21, 2024)
at the Basile Teatre at 719 E.St.Clair St.IF Teatre presents “The
HOROSCOPES
Read your astrological destiny for this week
ARIES
You feel deceived by a potential romantic interest who may not share your values. Although you feel disappointed, reversing direction will save you time and hurt. Plan an exit strategy.
Compatible color: Goldenrod
TAURUS
What you have worked hard for has come to fruition. Enjoy the stability and satisfaction it will provide. Take time to celebrate your success with those closest to you.
Compatible color: Sandy Brown
GEMINI
Your unwillingness to end a dead-end relationship is causing unnecessary stress and blocking potential relationships. Take time for yourself by sitting on the bench for a while.
Compatible color: Charcoal Black
CANCER
A recent opportunity could provide financial support and recognition. T e time is right to seize it. You are heading in the right direction and will be applauded.
Compatible color: Lime
LEO Your career or education is steadily progressing.
Although you may lack creativity at the moment, your energy will empower your personal and professional growth.
Compatible color: Bronze
VIRGO
Whew! You escaped the quicksand and feel boundless. In this next phase, your romantic or social life will boom. It is time to leave your safe space and share your life with someone.
Compatible color: Ruby Red
LIBRA
You feel trapped in a situation or relationship and are at a standstill, unsure of your next move. Here is the secret: Te right situation or relationship makes you feel free to be yourself.
Compatible color: Cosmic Blue
SCORPIO
You usually let others’ quirks roll off your back. Lately, you have felt particularly sensitive and annoyed by the minute habits of people. Find alone time to reconnect with yourself.
Compatible color: Salmon
SAGITTARIUS
You seek external validation from others for your work and time. But you may never find true satisfaction if you only seek validation from others. Do the work for you.
Compatible color: Light Cyan
CAPRICORN
An apple a day is not the only thing keeping the doctor away. Nap for 20 minutes daily, and you’ll awaken revitalized, renewed and in a better mood.
Compatible color: Floral White
AQUARIUS
A creative block arises during a group project, and you fear being in too deep to change direction. Be cautious of others who may not have your best interest in mind.
Compatible color: Olive Drab
PISCES
Not in the holiday spirit? It is no wonder. You prioritize work responsibilities and adulting. Get out the rolling pin, cutouts and buttercream frosting. It is cookie time.
Compatible color: Royal Purple Graphics by Jona Hogle
Puzzles by Allison Cook
Graphic by Emma Foutz
By Pete Roeger DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
By Ella Harner STAFF WRITER
Spread by Mia Lehmkuhl, Graphic by Olivia Pastrick
Spread by Mia Lehmkuhl, Photo contributed