Engage Newsletter Spring 2010

engage Division of Extended Services

University of Southern Indiana

Spring 2010 • Issue Two Volume One

The Center for HRD: For you… For success For the past 30 years, tri-state businesses have relied on USI’s Division of Continuing Education for organizational and professional development services. Starting in 1976 with a schedule of three noncredit business classes a year, the demand for business services grew into a full-service Human Resource Development office in 1985. The expansion focused on the needs and concerns of business clients in two areas: public programs for open enrollment and on-site contractual programs featuring custom design and interactive training.

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e are very pleased with the qualW ity of service the Center for Human Resource Development provides.

They are quick to respond to our needs and provide quality service.

We have recommended the services of the center to others and look forward to continuing our business relationship with USI Extended Services.”

— Cynthia Griffith, human resource manager, Traylor Bros., Inc.

Today, this effort is the Center for Human Resource Development (Center for HRD) and statistics highlight the department’s growth. In 2009, the Center for HRD offered approximately 530 courses through on-site contracts and public offerings, with 9,075 students. The center also establishes contracts for 40 to 50 companies annually and provides program direction for Connect with Southern Indiana, a regional leadership program.

Early programs, including the Certificate in Management, an American Management Association/University of Southern Indiana partnership program, and the award-winning Management Diagnostic Center, created the foundation for the center. These programs have assisted

thousands of aspiring and new supervisors to learn how to lead.

Over time, programs and services have been updated and added to address emerging business challenges, including specialized development courses for professionals in the fields of information technology, human resources, quality, supply chain management, safety, and maintenance management. In addition, the Center for HRD acts as a liaison between professional associations and the University, including a major partnership with the Tri-State Industrial Safety Council whose mission is to improve contractor employee safety.

Red Spot, a local paint and varnish company, has relied on the Center for HRD to deliver courses on management, computers, financial statements, and more. Through their relationship with the Center for HRD, Red Spot has utilized an assortment of University resources, including a service-learning project where students are currently developing a resource kit that will give employees tips on healthy eating habits and exercise.

Red Spot also has received tips on Japanese dinner etiquette and Japanese business culture. The

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Having the Center for HRD partner to educate our workforce has been a perfect match for what we want to accomplish in our employee engagement initiative. We are very, very careful about whom we allow to train our employees, and ‘The Center’ has been a tremendous addition to our resources. In every sense of the word, they have been true partners with Kimball.”

— Jon Light, performance improvement manager, Kimball International

Connect with Southern Indiana class of 2010 announced Twenty-three people have been selected for the fifth class of USI’s Connect with Southern Indiana program. With generous funding from Lilly Endow-

ment, USI has developed and coordinated this regionally based leadership program to help boost Indiana’s retention of intellectual capital and increase citizenship skills.

Program participants attend 10 full-day sessions where they engage in activities that strengthen criti-

The Center for HRD staff includes: Front row, left to right, Rene Koressel, senior program assistant and Charmaine McDowell, director.

Back row, left to right: Julie Brauser, training consultant and Rebecca Deeg, program coordinator. company is a prime example of how the Center for HRD can customize and develop specific programs and courses to meet any customer needs.

According to Charmaine McDowell, director of the Center for HRD, “The core values of the Center for HRD include assisting organizations in professional development of employees, identifying unmet workforce development needs, and working collaboratively to form partnerships between USI and regional organizations. We are able to extend the services and resources of the University to the business community.”

For more information on services available through the Center for HRD, or to schedule an on-site consultation, call 812/465-1629 or visit the center’s web site at www.usi.edu/extserv/ business/consulting.asp. cal thinking skills, expand networking, identify opportunities for involvement in community and regional projects, and meet business and civic leaders.

One of the distinct features of this program is the ability to tap into the resources of USI’s faculty and staff who lead participants through program modules. For example, on their first day in the program, this year’s class got a jump-start Continued on page 3

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Division of Extended Services

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University of Southern Indiana

Letter from the Dean

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he inaugural issue of engage introduced Extended Services’ goals for expanding University outreach by providing leadership for regional partnerships; facilitating faculty, student, and staff engagement; developing and delivering programs and services; and encouraging innovative approaches to regional connectivity. The articles in this issue provide examples of some of the many ways we meet our goals. One initiative bears special mention because of its importance to the region.

Immediately after Whirlpool announced the closing of its Evansville facility, USI President Linda L. M. Bennett convened the leadership of the region’s higher education institutions to brainstorm ways to collaborate with the Department of Workforce Development/WorkOne and address how more than 1,000 displaced workers would impact the region. Extended Services led the development of a partnership now known as “Better Together.” A list of the “Better Together” partners is below. Representatives of Whirlpool and Local 808 joined the effort to plan and facilitate individual and group assistance with assessment, personal and career counseling, retirement and financial planning, and basic skills training.

Each partner’s unique strengths and resources were leveraged in this collaborative effort. Ivy Tech developed a basic skills curriculum to be shared by all the institutions, resulting in dozens of classes throughout the region. University of Evansville and USI developed financial planning courses while Henderson Community College and Vincennes University offered courses on their campuses to serve workers who live in those areas. Career services staff from all participating institutions created a series of programs to help those seeking new employment. USI’s Office of Planning, Research, and Assessment developed and analyzed a survey to identify employee needs and USI social work students and faculty provided assistance in completing the surveys and entering data. Volunteers from USI and

A Carnegie Foundation Engaged University

Division of Extended Services Office Fax

Dr. Edward Jones

other institutions provided more than 250 hours of assistance to WorkOne staff processing Whirlpool employees into state and federal programs. A Skills Summit in March (see article on page 5) will be repeated in June.

This unique regional partnership is providing expedited attention to the education and training needs of the displaced workers.

While we have attempted a rather low-key approach due to the nature of the situation, this collaborative effort has yielded positive results for displaced workers during this period of transition, for regional collaboration in addressing critical issues, and for institutional engagement. In this situation, the many partner institutions and agencies in the region are indeed “Better Together.”

“Better Together” partnership list Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation Green River Areas Development District Henderson Community College Indiana Workforce Development Ivy Tech Community College Oakland City University United Way of Southwest Indiana University of Evansville University of Southern Indiana Vincennes University

812/464-1989 812/465-7061

Vice Provost for Outreach and Dean of Extended Services Dr. Edward Jones 812/464-1863 Associate Dean of Extended Services and Director of Continuing Education Linda Cleek 812/464-1863 Extended Services Grant Writer/Coordinator Jane Friona 812/455-7946 Academic Programs Coordinator/Advisor Lee Ann Wambach 812/464-1879

Departments Center for Applied Research Dr. Susan Ellspermann 812/461-5407 Center for Education Services and Partnerships Ginger Ramsden 812/464-1989 Center for Human Resource Development Charmaine McDowell 812/464-1816 Center for Continuing Education Linda Cleek 812/464-1863 Historic Southern Indiana Leslie Townsend

812/465-7013

Historic New Harmony Connie Weinzapfel

812/682-4488

USI @ Innovation Pointe Gene Recker

812/492-4394

Instructional Technology Services Dana Willett 812/465-7182 Service Learning Dr. Anne Statham

812/465-1203

Southern Indiana Japanese School Keietsu Nishimura 812/471-1210 U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Major Nathaniel Skelly 812/461-5303 engage Editor Brandi Schwartz

812/464-1854

WorkOne Southwest Indiana

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“Connect” continued from page 1 on team development from USI ROTC staff and cadets who led them through five activities. On day two, Dr. Kevin Celuch, professor of marketing and Blair Chair of Business Science, facilitated an interactive program that defined, explored, and expanded critical thinking skills.

“This program targets emerging leaders and those wanting to increase their citizenship skills and knowledge of the region,” said Charmaine McDowell, director of the USI Center for Human Resource Development, USI Extended Services. “Participants sharpen critical thinking skills and become engaged citizens while working on projects that improve the quality of life in southern Indiana.”

The 2010 class includes Maureen Barton, library director, Ivy Tech Community College; Lisa Berfanger, attorney/owner, Berfanger Law Office; Rick Coleman, director of the center for career and employer relations, Vincennes University; Roxann Coleman, occupational therapist (MHS, OTR), Gibson General Hospital; Chad Flannery, director of student services, Vincennes University Jasper campus; Erin Gibson, instructor in journalism, University of Southern Indiana; Tasha Hartloff, quality specialist/RGA coordinator, OFS Brands, Inc.; Jerry Hedrick Jr., director of corporate audit, Vectren Corporation; Kevin Hunter, director of the adult center for education/ACE Academy, North Spencer County School Corporation; Jane Knies Balsmeyer, marketing officer, German American Bancorp; Stacy Little, southern district operations manager, Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council; Christina Mayes, instructional design specialist, Vectren Corporation; Audrey Meyer, sales specialist, Kimball International; Darren Morley, architectural project manager, Morley and Associates, Inc.; Stu Mosby, deputy sheriff, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office; Tami Muckerheide, director, Gibson County Community Foundation; Josh Pack, senior operations analyst, Vectren Corporation; Crystal Paul, customer service, sales, and retention, Vectren Source; Eric Snow, director of admissions, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari; David Stowers, retail branch manager, Old National Bank; Lori Sutton, senior accounting analyst, Vectren Corporation; Carla Striegel-Winner, compliance officer, Crawford County Solid Waste District; and Mike Turner, manager of the power plant coal yard, AEP Indiana Michigan Power Company.

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NSWC Crane strengthens partnership with USI The University of Southern Indiana and the Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) have entered together on a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). The formal agreement will accelerate USI STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) program. Further, it will help Crane continue to improve their innovation path, and as a result create new businesses and jobs with Crane patents.

“With the help of the USI Center for Applied Research, Crane is improving the innovation process,” said Duane Embree, technical director for NSWC Crane. He said license and patents have increased. “We have developed best ways to make technology available for general public use.”

USI President Linda L. M. Bennett said, “The collaboration that started in 2007 between USI and Crane is strengthened by this agreement an-

Seven small businesses to benefit from USI grant Seven small businesses in Indiana have been selected to benefit from a $50,000 grant the University of Southern Indiana has received from the Rural Development Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The competitively selected businesses will receive expert services to provide strategic planning and technical assistance to prepare them to move to the next level of success.

Grant recipients are: Keith Fritz Fine Furniture, Ferdinand. Since 2005, Fritz has offered a collection of classically modern handcrafted furniture. Work by the company has been featured in the Wall Street Journal’s Home Section, Washington Post’s Home Section, “O” at Home, Washington Spaces, Washington Home and Design, Traditional Home, and Southern Accents.

Combined Talents, Huntingburg. Owned by Paul M. Wehr, Combined Talents offers home and office interior design services. Wehr was named Midwest Designer of the Year in 2003 and is one of 1,200 designers worldwide to be an accredited member of the American Institute of Floral Designers.

VIP Computers, Inc., Jasper. As designers and creators of custom computer systems, this company has a passion for assisting individuals and businesses with their computer needs through friendly sales and service. VIP Computers held their grand opening in November of 2009.

Winzerwald Winery, Bristow, produces 30,000 bottles of wine a year. Founded by Dan and Donna Adams in 2002, the winery offers a wide variety of German and Swiss wines and

nounced today.” She welcomed the Crane staff and Crane suppliers who were conducting the job fair at USI on Saturday.

Embree addressed the job applicants, saying, “It is super to see your interest toward serving the nation. We need the nation’s best to solve tomorrow’s problems, and we need to start today.”

A strong core curriculum of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the components of STEM, will be strengthened by the partnership. A summer program bringing together high school physics teachers from the region to work side-by-side with Crane engineers and scientists will be offered again this year.

“The partnership will expand the engagement of USI into new dimensions that will greatly benefit USI and our region’s economy and workforce,” Bennett said.

STEM is coordinated at USI by the Southwest Indiana STEM center. The center provides STEM trucks that deliver laboratory equipment for use in classrooms and staff to train high school teachers on the equipment.

gifts, as well as festivals and educational tours.

Winzerwald wines are available in 50 wine shops and restaurants in Indiana.

Blue Heron Vineyards and Winery, Cannelton.

Gary and Lynn Dauby received their Indiana farm winery license in 2008. Their winery specializes in American grapes and French hybrids. A renovated farmhouse on site serves as a bed and breakfast.

Bear Hollow Woodcarvers, Saint Croix, is the home of award-winning chainsaw sculptor Jason Emmons. The business offers a variety of items for sale, including woodcarvings, colored mulch, custom-built furniture, and laser-engraved wood boxes. Emmons was named Chainsaw Carver of the Year by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment.

Perfect Climate Solutions, Fort Branch. Patrick Gick, who has been involved in every aspect of the HVAC industry since 1994, opened this business in 2009 to provide sales, installation, and service to HVAC systems.

Examples of the assistance available to each business will include strategic planning and aid for improving operational efficiency, and developing human resources, sales, marketing, and financial processes. Each work plan will begin with an organizational assessment wherein company leaders will work with project consultants to identify the exact services to be delivered.

To be eligible for the grant, businesses were required to be privately owned with 50 or fewer employees, have less than $1 million in projected annual gross revenues, be located in one of eight Indiana counties, and able to invest funds to cover a portion of the costs of services rendered.

The program was designed and conducted by Gene Recker, manager of education and entrepreneurial support, USI @ Innovation Pointe.

en•gage (en’gaj) verb 1. to establish a meaningful contact or connection 2. to occupy, attract, or involve 3. to actively commit

engage Resources of Department of Chemistry serve Vigo Coal Company Facilities and instrumentation in the Department of Chemistry linked USI with Evansville-based Vigo Coal Company for an applied research project that yielded information the company can use. The Center for Applied Research brought the company and University resources together in a partnership that continued from fall 2007 through spring 2009. In August 2009, Vigo filed a provisional patent for its unique product that was tested at USI. Mike Schiele, chief executive officer and chair of the board of Vigo Coal Company and chair of its related company Carbo Prill, said, “The relationship with USI got us exactly what we needed.

We are a small company. We cannot afford the type of lab we need to do these experiments.

USI was the perfect venue. It couldn’t have been better for us.”

Dr. Scott A. Gordon, dean of the Pott College of Science and Engineering, said the work with Vigo was a win-win situation. “We were able to provide Vigo Coal with equipment and instrumentation that was either unavailable or costprohibitive to them. The interaction of our faculty with Vigo’s research personnel resulted in a team approach to explore real-world problems. During this process, our students were able to obtain

Strezewski receives Bigham Award for New Harmony excavation project Dr. Michael Strezewski, assistant professor of anthropology, is the recipient of the 2010 Darrel Bigham Historic Southern Indiana Faculty Engagement Fellowship award.

The $4,000 award will be used to complete Strezewski Strezewski’s project called “Taking Care of (Old) Business: The 1970s Excavations at New Harmony.”

The project will provide funding for USI students to process and catalog 70 boxes of artifacts excavated from 1975 to 1978 in four Harmonistera sites in New Harmony, Indiana, by John Elliot, a former USI archaeology professor.

“Research conducted by Elliot focused on many sites that represented domestic, industrial, and commercial activities at New Harmony,”

A Carnegie Foundation Engaged University

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University of Southern Indiana

valuable hands-on experience by being part of an applied research team.”

Andrew Fenwick, formerly a research scientist with Honeywell, joined Carbo Prill in 2007 as vice president for research and development.

He holds a doctorate in chemistry from Purdue University. Fenwick said some of the coals in the Vigo mines have a unique reactivity and thermal properties. He was charged with testing a coal that is used as an additive for blasting. It replaces some of the bulk explosives that otherwise would be used.

“We wanted to see what made this undiscovered coal unique,” he said.

Because Vigo did not have lab space suitable for the work, Fenwick began searching for appropriate facilities.

“USI was willing and had the Center for Applied Research to facilitate this kind of interaction,” Fenwick said. “We did not have to draw up contracts.

The center already had procedures in place. That made it easy for us to start doing the work.”

The coal company paid for consumables plus an hourly fee for the use of the facilities and equipment.

Dr. Jeffrey W. Seyler, professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry in the Pott College of Science and Engineering, said, “We have equipment that is not used to full capacity for our classroom instruction. This provides an opportunity to partner with local industry and allow them to get a benefit from the instrumentation as well.”

Fenwick said, “We were able to pay on as as-used basis. We did not have to purchase or maintain the equipment. It was well maintained

by USI. It was a no-lose situation for us.”

Undergraduate research assistants were paid for their work on the project. Shalonda Newcomb ’08 and Ashley Fulkerson ’08, both chemistry majors, assisted Fenwick with the experiments. The experience gave them an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world problem in their chosen career field. Fenwick also interacted with other students in the instrument lab and shared the project concept of the problem with them.

Dr. Mark Krahling, associate professor of chemistry, also was involved in the partnership and assisted with the instrumentation.

During his work in the USI lab, Fenwick used equipment for differential scanning calorimetry, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Through this work, he was able to eliminate the “usual suspects” that might give the material its unique properties. More advanced study, including testing of samples sent to the University of New South Wales in Australia, yielded additional information to Vigo about the material.

The applied research project provided Vigo Coal Company with information it will use intracompany as it continues to market its product and plan for the future.

Strezewski said. “Though funds were provided for these excavations, little or no money was made available for washing, processing, and/or analyzing the artifacts.”

For nearly two years, Strezewski has been active in the archaeological and archival research in New Harmony. In 2008 and 2009, Strezewski conducted USI archaeological field schools at Community House No. 2 and the Harmonist redware kiln site. He has collected archival data on redware ceramic production from the Harmonist records and has written and presented several papers based on his work.

Little is known about the day-to-day existence of the Harmonists. Records from this time period are mainly financial in nature, such as production ledgers and records of goods that were bought and sold. Items from Elliot’s excavation hold the greatest potential in understanding a wide range of activities that took place in the area.

“When the Harmonists left New Harmony in 1824, they took their possessions with them, leaving behind very little that can be called ‘Harmonist,’ said Strezewski. “Once these materials are cataloged and analyzed, it will be easier to point to specific materials that date to the Har-

monist occupation.”

The excavation project will begin in July with completion in February of 2011. After the project is completed, a museum exhibit on the Harmonist production of redware ceramics is planned.

Strezewski joined USI in 2006. He holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The Bigham Award provides financial support for scholarly work in the areas of consulting, research, service learning, or creation of workshops/institutes by USI faculty. Dr. Darrel Bigham, director emeritus of Historic Southern Indiana and professor emeritus of history, was a USI pioneer in regional engagement.

Historic Southern Indiana was created in 1986 to serve the southernmost 26 counties of Indiana. Its goals are to identify, preserve, protect, enhance, and promote the historical, natural, and recreational resources of the region. It seeks to implement those goals through programs in historic preservation, history education, heritage tourism, community development, and scenic byways.

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Extended Services awards scholarships USI Extended Services has awarded 11 students with an Adult Learner Scholarship and six students with the Epi-Hab Center for Disabilities scholarship for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The Adult Learner Scholarship provides $500 to $2,000 to an adult learner working on their first undergraduate degree that may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be a current USI student and be at least 25 years of age. Applicants submitted an essay describing their academic goals and experience as an adult student, and a letter of recommendation from a USI staff or faculty member.

Scholarship winners are Cindy Criss, Boonville, Radiologic and Imaging Science and Health Services; Danielle Shreve, Jasper, Dental Hygiene; Dustin Belt, Engineering, and Ashley Kinsey, Elementary Education, Newburgh; and Melissa Bullock, Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, Dana Burton, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Jennifer Huang, Computer Science,

BGS program offers applied studies option The Bachelor of General Studies program will offer an applied studies option for graduates of apprenticeships in selected building trades.

The program is designed to develop graduates who are technically skilled, broadly educated, innovative, and well prepared to manage and lead tomorrow’s workforce.

Through a partnership with the Indiana building trades apprenticeship and training programs, USI recognizes technical training and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree as a significant milestone toward a bachelor’s degree.

Prospective students who have completed an apprenticeship program in selected building trades and hold an AAS from Ivy Tech Community College are eligible to pursue the applied studies option with a concentration in technical supervision

Displaced workers attend Skills Summit At the end of June, Whirlpool will close their doors for the last time and shut down their Evansville plant. As a result, 1,100 employees will be laid off and in pursuit of new employment opportunities.

When this news was announced last year, President Linda L. M. Bennett convened a meeting of leaders from regional colleges to plan a coordinated response. In addition to USI, representatives from Henderson Community Col-

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Sebrina Martin, Business Administration, Mark McCracken, Finance, Dashiell Ruthenburg, International Studies, and Sarah Upton, Business Administration, Evansville.

Epi-Hab Scholarship winners will receive $1,000 for tuition, fees, textbooks, and housing.

Applicants must have been enrolled in a minimum of three semester hours at USI at the time of application and award; have completed at USI, or have had accepted for transfer to USI, a minimum of 12 semester hours; and have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate). A required essay describing their proposed field of study and future career plans and two letters of recommendation also were required.

Winners of the Epi-Hab Scholarship are, Alycia Benefield (Batson), Evansville, College of Nursing and Health Professions; Lauren Grafe, Newburgh, Pott College of Science and Engineering; Kara Keiffner, Jasper, at-large winner, College of Nursing and Health Professions; Sarah Munjas, Lowell, College of Liberal Arts; Justin Rutledge, Poseyville, College of Business; and Kelsey Sollman, Huntingburg, Bower-Suhrheinrich College of Education and Human Services. and leadership or business development.

The technical supervision and leadership concentration will address engineering practices, communication skills, supervision and management practices, work-related research projects, problem solving, and leadership.

The business development concentration will focus on management and marketing practices, business law, accounting and administrative practices, small business management, innovation, and entrepreneurism.

In addition to the required courses for one of the concentrations, students must complete University Core Curriculum requirements and meet all University requirements for graduation.

Information sessions will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, at the USI David L. Rice Library Room 0018 and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 27 at the NECA/IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Center located at 1321 Edgar Street in Evansville, Indiana. lege, Ivy Tech Community College, Oakland City University, University of Evansville, and Vincennes University formed a group called “Better Together.” Dedicated to regional development through service to people and organizations, the consortium also includes Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, Green River Area Development District (Kentucky), Indiana Workforce Development, United Way of Southwest Indiana, WorkOne, IUE-CWA Local 808, and Whirlpool Corporation.

In an effort to ease the transition for Whirlpool employees and other displaced workers, the par-

Summer brings new art and old traditions to Historic New Harmony The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art will host three exhibitions this summer.

With an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, artists Joe D’Uva and Jacinda Russell will display prints and photographs that give special thought to forgotten or deteriorating objects. The exhibit will run through Saturday, July 3, and will be followed by a painting and sculpture exhibition by artists Katherine Taylor and Billy Hertz. Opening with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, the exhibition will run through Sunday, August 15.

A Summer Art Stroll will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 21. Be sure to stop into the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art to attend the opening reception of a contemporary glass exhibition by artists Jiyong Lee, Carmen Lozar, Amy Rueffert, and Matt Urban. The five-week exhibit will run through Sunday, September 26.

Located at 506 Main Street in New Harmony, Indiana, the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The USI New Harmony Foundation will sponsor its annual Summer Hat Luncheon at noon on Thursday, June 17, at the Red Geranium Conference Center. This creative and fashionably fun soiree benefits heritage education projects in Historic New Harmony. Don’t forget to wear your hat!

Celebrate Independence Day at the annual Fourth of July Celebration beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4, at the Atheneum/Visitors Center with patriotic music and a traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Immediately following the presentation is an annual golf cart parade and community picnic. In the tradition of New Harmony’s founding Harmonists, free (root) beer will be available for all attendees. The free public event is sponsored by the New Harmony Kiwanis, the Friends of the Working Men’s Institute, and Historic New Harmony.

Additional information about these events can be found at www.newharmony.org or www.usi. edu/nhgallery.

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en•gage (en’gaj) verb 1. to establish a meaningful contact or connection 2. to occupy, attract, or involve 3. to actively commit

engage

Division of Extended Services

ROTC cadets earn foreign military badge

Buschkill is a “Phenomenal Woman”

Cadets from the USI Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) program participated in the fourth annual German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Competition hosted by Indiana University’s Department of Military Science and sponsored by Karl-Heinz Grenzebach, Sergeant Major German Army.

The three-day competition required cadets to complete a variety of activities, including a physical and moral evaluation, a 200-meter swim, a 25-meter marksmanship test with a 9mm pistol, a German sports test, and an 18.6-mile road march with a 30-pound rucksack.

More than 500 cadets from ROTC programs across the nation participated in the event held in Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. Cadets who successfully completed the competition earned a gold, silver, or bronze German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. Awards were based on a cadet’s score and road march time.

USI cadets who received gold metals were Collette Damler of Brownsburg, Erin Richardt of Boonville, and Rachel Wertz of Bloomington.

“The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Competition tests an individual’s overall physical and mental toughness,” said Major Nathaniel Skelly, commanding officer of the USI ROTC program. “The competition is a great and rare opportunity for Army ROTC cadets to earn a foreign military badge that can be worn on their uniform for the rest of their career.”

Other USI ROTC cadets who participated in the competition were Raul Baylon of Evansville and Brett Purlee and Brandon Seiber of Indianapolis.

Pam Buschkill, coordinator of the USI Children’s Learning Center, was honored at the ninth annual Phenomenal Women of USI and the Community Recognition Ceremony in the USI administrative staff category.

Held in March in honor of Women’s History Month, the program honors and celebrates women from all walks of life who have made contributions to diversity in the University and greater Evansville communities. Through annual recognition of their contributions, the program aims to inspire others to embrace and promote diversity within their own lives.

Three people nominated Buschkill: Glenda Lloyd, Jaclyn Dumond, and Dana Drury, who work with her in the Division of Extended Services. In their nomination letter, the three coworkers described Buschkill as an individual who has made an impact on USI, community families, children, and her staff.

“Children who attend the USI Children’s Learn-

USI offers new certificate program Have you ever dreamed about starting your own business? Do you have a great idea for a new product or service, but need help implementing it?

Beginning this summer, the Division of Extended Services at the University of Southern Indiana will offer an Entrepreneurship Certificate program to help you test your ideas and think carefully about how to make your plans reality.

The certificate program in entrepreneurship will

Children’s Learning Center joins state environmental program

USI ROTC cadets Erin Richardt, Collette Damler, and Rachel Wertz pose with Karl-Heinz Grenzebach, Sergeant Major German Army.

A Carnegie Foundation Engaged University

The USI Children’s Learning Center has been admitted into the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Five Star Environmental Recognition Program for childcare providers. The program recognizes child care facilities that go above and beyond statutory requirements and demonstrate environmental stewardship.

Facilities in the environmental program earn one, three, or five stars based on their voluntary measures. IDEM assists facilities in implementing environmental plans and conducts site visits before granting membership.

Dave Holder, deputy director of IDEM’s Southwest Regional Office, presented Pam Buschkill, coordinator of the Children’s Learning Center, with a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

“Any family considering their child care options

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University of Southern Indiana

ing Center learn and grow in a safe and diverse environment. Parents value that their varied cultures and traditions are not just respected, but embraced. Pam’s willingness to listen and help any parent or staff member who comes to her is just one of her many outstanding characteristics.”

An opportunity to explore diversity is a daily occurrence at the center. Children have studied likenesses and differences in their skin colors, height, weight, eye color, and each other’s passions. They are encouraged to share their interests, whether it is dogs, bulldozers, dolls, or customs of their heritage and families. Instead of celebrating holidays for one specific culture, children might be found celebrating a lost tooth, the color of fall leaves, or a new sibling.

Buschkill has served as coordinator of the center for 17 years. She will retire from the position in December.

“While she may be physically leaving, her value of diversity will remain with the children, the staff, and the environment of the USI Children’s Learning Center.”

The USI Multicultural Center, the American Association of University Women, and Old National Bank sponsored the program. include instructor-led interactive workshops and presentations by local business experts and entrepreneurs.

Interested in learning more about the Entrepreneurship Certificate? An information session on the program will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, at the University of Southern Indiana in the Robert D. Orr Center Room 2008. Make a reservation to attend by calling 812/464-1989.

Additional information about the certificate is available by calling Dr. Chad Milewicz, assistant professor of marketing, at 812/464-1937. should definitely look at facilities that exceed minimum requirements in search of environmental excellence,” said Holder. “USI is such an example.”

Buschkill said, “The children in our center are very interested in the environment so we have chosen to take their lead and participate in IDEM’s Five Star program. Aside from the basic recycling, we’ve tested the facility for lead and now have carbon monoxide detectors in place. There’s a certain peace of mind knowing you’ve checked your building and you can assure parents you’re protecting their children from environmental health threats like radon, lead, and pesticides.”

There are currently 69 childcare providers participating in the Five Star Environmental Recognition Program, making their facilities safer for 4,000 Hoosier children. Other Vanderburgh County Five Star members include Bethany Little Disciples Day Care Ministry, High Point Childcare, St. Mark’s Preschool, and St. Vincent’s Day Care Center.

The USI Children’s Learning Center serves children two to six years in age and offers summer programs for children seven to 11 years old.

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Issue Two Volume One

Notes

“Skills Summit” continued from page 5 ticipating colleges organized a Skills Summit that provided information on in-demand skills needed in the job market today. Area employers also were on hand to provide information on the skills they require when hiring new employees.

To help displaced workers acquire the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce, representatives from Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, Henderson Community College, and Harrison College provided information on more than 100 technical certificates and associate degrees. University of Evansville and USI showcased information on a variety of associate and bachelor degree programs as well as specialized offerings, including a certificate program in entrepreneurship.

Three displaced workers who have successfully transitioned into new careers shared personal stories on how they became a licensed practical nurse, an HVAC operator, and a computer network technician. These stories were the most important part of the event for many attendees, giving them inspiration to become success stories themselves.

Skills Summit participants were invited to attend a financial planning course through the University of Evansville, a Social Security planning course through USI, and a presentation on community re-

sources from the United Way of Southwestern Indiana. Counselors from the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation and career services personnel from the various colleges also were on-site.

Dr. Ed Jones, vice provost for Outreach and dean of Extended Services at USI, helped coordinate the joint effort.

“Most of our efforts have been low-key, but the Skills Summit helped kick off more visible support programs as workers become available to participate in retraining and skill development programs. We realize displaced workers need more than instructions on filing for unemployment.

They need education and training resources, assistance navigating through state and federal programs, services for family members, information on financial and retirement planning, and more.

These are our fellow citizens, and the more successful they are, the more successful the entire region will be.”

Over 300 people attended the free Skills Summit. A second summit is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, at Ivy Tech Community College and will be open to individuals who are or will soon be displaced.

For more information, visit www.usi.edu/extserv/spring%20schedule%202010.pdf.

Sun, Stone, and Shadows serves as Big Read project

book represents some of the best Mexican fiction published in the first half of the 20th century and features some of the most important writers of Hispanic-American literature.

The community-wide project included theatrical performances by the USI Performing Arts Department, an art display by Michael Aakhus, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, music and dance performances by local Hispanic Folk Dance and Sabor Latino groups, and a variety of children’s activities. USI students participating in the service learning aspect of the project led discussion sessions throughout the Evansville region.

Dr. Jorge Chapa, director of the Center on Democracy in a Multicultural Society at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, served as the keynote speaker.

USI and community sponsors, including Hospitality and Outreach for Latin Americans (HOLA), the Evansville Public Library, Ivy Tech Community College, WNIN, and more, received a $12,000 grant from NEA for the program.

Co-directors for the Evansville program were Dr. Dominic Micer, USI instructor in English, and Dr. Anne Statham, USI professor of sociology and director of Service Learning.

“The Big Read project gave the people of our community an opportunity to increase their knowledge and respect for other cultures as well as exposure to some fun and moving stories,” said Statham.

The Big Read, a program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) aimed to boost the public’s interest in reading, recently took pace in Evansville. The sevenweek program served in part as a service learning activity for USI students who were enrolled in rhetoric and composition and Spanish courses during the spring semester.

Sun, Stone, and Shadows, an anthology of 20 great Mexican short stories, was chosen for the project in an attempt to bring awareness to the Mexican cultural heritage. Nearly 600 books in English and Spanish were circulated to participants to read and pass along to others. The

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Read engage online

If you would prefer to receive engage by email instead of postal mail, send your name and email address to Brandi Schwartz, engage editor, at blschwartz@usi.edu. Current and past issues of engage are available online at www.usi.edu/engage/.

Cleek elected vice chair

Linda Cleek, associate dean of Extended Services, has been elected vice chair of the Outreach and Engagement Community of Practice for the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA). Cleek will hold the position during the 2010-2011 academic year.

BGS information sessions

Are you an adult learner (25 or older) who is interested in returning to college to complete a degree? Consider attending an information session on the Bachelor of General Studies program where you can learn about education options and how to proceed with your educational plans. Sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, and Tuesday, August 3, in the David L. Rice Library at USI. Call or email Lee Ann Wambach at 812/464-1879 or lwambach@usi.edu to sign up for a session.

Find us on Facebook

USI Extended Services is now on Facebook! To find us, go to www.facebook.com, enter USI Extended Services in the Facebook search field, and click “like.”

Service Learning uses grant money for trail clean-up

In coordination with Global Youth Service Days, the USI Service Learning Program recently organized three days of restoration, maintenance, and clean-up of USI’s Bent Twig Trail. By participating in the project, students learned the importance of protecting and restoring green spaces. The USI cross country team, grounds crew, Eagle Road Crew, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the Southern Indiana Mountain Bike group also helped with the project. The Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant from State Farm and a grant from North Carolina Campus Compact provided funding for the project.

en•gage (en’gaj) verb 1. to establish a meaningful contact or connection 2. to occupy, attract, or involve 3. to actively commit

10001-01030

engage Division of Extended Services

University of Southern Indiana

Spring 2010 • Issue Two Volume One

www.usi.edu/extserv

P09-5220

8600 University Boulevard Evansville, IN 47712-3596

Read engage online at www.usi.edu/engage/

Noncredit Course Sampler Arts and Leisure

June 5–19 Introduction to Cyanotypes, cyanotypes are one of the first photographic printing processes and are a popular way to make photographic prints. Meets three Saturdays.

June 8, 15, and 22 Hand Caning, learn how to repair or replace cane seats in old furniture.

June 21–July 2 Creative Thinking in Three Dimensions, students will explore their creative side by thinking about innovations in production design, art, and popular culture.

July 13–August 10 Meditation 101, learn the theories behind and practice of various meditation techniques for health, personal, insight, spiritual growth, mindfulness, and mental clarity. Meets five Tuesdays.

Health Professions

August 18 and 19 3rd Annual Mid-America Institute on Aging, two-day multidisciplinary gerontology conference for professionals who work in the field of gerontology.

Computers & Information Management June 3

Computers for the Home, learn about the issues you should consider when purchasing your first home computer.

June 15 Welcome to Windows 7, discover what’s new and better about Microsoft’s latest operating system.

Languages

June 2–July 7

Beginning Conversational Spanish, learn the basics of conversational Spanish. Meets six Wednesdays.

May 24–July 12 Beginning Conversational German, learn the basic conversational German and German culture and geography. Meets six Mondays.

Kids, Parents, & Teachers

June 18 Bug Camp, an electrifying one-day camp in New Harmony, Indiana for children ages 8-12. Lead by Arwin Provonsha, entomologist, the workshop will explore Indiana’s common insects.

Fitness/Aquatics/Recreation

May 22 and 23 Sailing School, spend an exciting weekend in intensive instruction, both on shore and in sailboats, at Kentucky Lake. For beginning or June 5 and 6 or experienced sailors.

May 13–June 27 Outdoor Adventure Trips, join Nathan Holmes of Vertical eXcape Climbing Center & Outdoor Store for a canoeing, white-water rafting, or flat-water kayaking trip. Call 812/464-1989 for details.

Visit usi.edu/extserv for more information and additional courses.

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Registration information: 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600