VOLUME 85, ISSUE 3
“EDUCATION FOR SERVICE”
INSIDE
THE
OCTOBER 11, 2006
INSIDE
REFLECTOR Photo by Lesley Wells
Homecoming festivities. See Page 4.
1400 E
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UNIVERSITY OF INDI HA N NA AVENUE I NDI
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Photo by Megan Komlanc
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Schaad shows unique clay art. See Page 6.
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■ CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Events link diverse campus community
Photos by Megan Komlanc
Yi Rong from China enjoys bowling during the cross-cultural event organized by the International Division. Right: A group of students get to know their cultural exchange partners while participating in the event at Shelby Bowl.
From left: Chang Ni Chao speaks to students at the Celebration of the Flags. Right: Dyon Ravello waves the Trinidad and Tobago flag.
New program promotes cultural understanding between American, international students
Flag ceremony celebrates diversity
Andrew Gouty Staff Writer
The University of Indianapolis International Division recently established a cross-cultural exchange program intended to support incoming international students by bolstering their English skills, while at the same time offering a vehicle for American students to learn about different cultures. As part of the program, students agree to meet with an assigned partner for one hour at least once a week during the semester and log their activities. International Division Assistant Director Geri Watson helped break the ice by organizing the first meeting for each of the students. The students involved in the program met their partners for the first time at Shelby Bowl on Friday, Sept. 29. Georgette Kakridas, a senior communication major, met her partner Anuradha Arora, a freshman physical therapy student
from Dehli, India. Kakridas said she hopes to teach Arora about “the essence of the States.” In order to get a better perspective on the program beforehand, American students attended a short workshop session designed to educate them about the challenges of living in a new culture. Students watched a video called “Cold Water,” which outlines the experiences of international students and study abroad expatriates attending Boston University. Communication Department Chair Billy Catchings helped jump-start the program by integrating it into Communication 341: Special Topics in Communication and Culture. He believes the program is important because it helps students become involved with a culture other than their own. Catchings also believes that this program will be a great learning experience for the students. “When people of different cultures interact, there are always negotiations because of differences in language and values. It doesn’t always have to mean conflict; it can be opportunity,” he said. Students from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia are having the chance to enjoy this opportunity throughout the semester. Any student interested in participating should contact Geri Watson in the International Division.
Meisha Baker Staff Writer
The University of Indianapolis held its 18th annual Celebration of the Flags on Thursday, Oct. 5, to celebrate the university’s international community, which now consists of 211 students from 59 nations. Mimi Chase, director of the International Division, opened the ceremony by welcoming flag bearers from all 59 nations as they marched through the Schwitzer Student Center. Jim Ream, associate professor of theatre, gave the “Call of Nations,” which identifies all the nations represented on the UIndy campus. Chang Ni Chao, an international student from Taiwan who is working on a master’s degree in finance, opened her speech by welcoming guests in an array of different languages. She said that the ceremony was “a celebration of color, pride and heritage.” Chao referred to the university as “a big salad bowl” in which we all are different vegetables with many colors, taste and crunch. Chao challenged each American student to meet an international student and “give them a taste of a different culture.” She ended her speech by telling the international students that the International Division is their home away from home. Susan Decker, senior communication major and Indianapolis Student Government president, spoke about diversity and how being a part of it forces students to become leaders. She ended her speech with a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson that says to “always take time to imagine all the vast possibilities around you.” President Beverley Pitts closed the ceremony telling students that the flag celebration is one of her favorite UIndy traditions. She said that the theme this year was “Imagine” and that the song “Imagine,” by John Lennon, was inspirational to the ceremony because it speaks of people living life in peace. She said that the diversity of nations at this university shows that peace does and can exist. “The ideas of living in peace are at the heart of the university,” Pitts said.
■ UINDY PAST AND PRESENT
Administration shift marks new careers for two long-time employees the Indianapolis community. “Our strategic plan calls for us to be instrumental in building up the city of Indianapolis and particularly the area we live [in],” Wantz said. “If Broad Ripple, Mass Ave. and Fountain Square can be cultural centers, so can we. We have theatre, art and music. There’s no reason David Wantz and Mark Weigand have why we shouldn’t be.” held several notable positions throughout Weigand, now vice president for stutheir careers at the University of Indiadent affairs and enrollment management, napolis. will pick up Wantz’s former duties while But perhaps their most noteworthy combining the offices of financial aid and milestones at UIndy have nothing to do enrollment. with job titles. “We simply are expanding Student For Weigand and Wantz, their perAffairs to major areas of the university sonal connection to the University of that are student focused. It’s an opportunity for synergy to develop,” Weigand said. For almost 30 years, Wantz and Weigand have worked with students at UIndy. Weigand began working for the university in 1980 as an admissions counselor after he graduated from then Indiana Central College in 1978. He was hired by then university president, Gene Sease. Sease also hired Wantz in 1982 as associate director of the Center for Continuing Education and Management Development. “They were both committed to higher education and seeing people succeed,” Sease said. “That’s what education is all about.” Throughout their years at UIndy, Wantz rose through the ranks in the student affairs office while Weigand was Contributed by David Wantz continually promoted in the David Wantz being married by President Gene Sease on the admissions office. Although their careers at steps of Good Hall in 1987. “Every June 29 he calls and thanks UIndy changed multiple times, me for Suzy and for marrying him. That’s how thoughtful David they have found that some Katy Yeiser Editor-in-Chief
is,” Sease said.
Indianapolis runs deeper than a history of career promotions. Weigand, who has been a part of the UIndy campus for 32 years, graduated from UIndy in 1978. “It’s in my heart to be here,” Weigand said. Wantz, a Milligan College (Tenn.) graduate, met his wife at UIndy and married her on the steps of Good Hall in 1987. Now, almost two decades later, Wantz will move from vice president for student affairs to associate vice president for community relations. He said the main purpose of his new position is to promote UIndy as a cultural destination and build
Career Timelines David Wantz
Mark Weigand 1980: Admissions Counselor 1982: Assistant Director of Admissions 1984: Associate Director of Admissions 1987: Director of Admissions 1999: VP of Enrollment 2006: VP for Student Affairs & Enrollment
1982-1989: Assoc. Dir., Center for Continuing Education & Management Development 1988: Instructor of Behavioral Sciences 1993: Assistant Professor of Psychology 1997: Associate Professor of Psychology 1989: Director, Student Health Center 1997: VP for Student Affairs & Director of State and Local Government Relations 2006: Associate VP for Community Relations Infobox by Katy Yeiser
things never change. “When I first became acquainted with the university I was in high school. I met with university students and asked what they liked about it. They said you walk across campus and the people you don’t know will still smile and say hi. That’s the way people still are,” Weigand said. “The people that are here make the university what it is.” Wantz, a Baltimore native, said the people at the university, whom he called sincere and earnest, make Indianapolis feel like home. “This place really does run deep in me because I grew up here in a sense, and the people who have been around here for a long time—we kind of grew up together. This is really my home now,” Wantz said. Wantz and Weigand have a combined 52 years of work experience at the university, and they said they hope to add on to those years and retire from UIndy. “Think about a person spending 30 or 40 years in one place,” Wantz said. “That is just not done anymore.”
Contributed by Mark Weigand
Mark Weigand, left, with Senator Dick Lugar in 1978 at UIndy’s first annual Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders.