Division of Extended Services
University of Southern Indiana
Summer 2010 • Issue Three Volume One
The Center for Applied Research: Providing Research with a Purpose
Annual Report Issue
Prepared by Jennifer Dryer, communications intern in the USI Center for Applied Research
The USI Center for Applied Research (CAR) was established in January 2006 and is located within the Division of Extended Services. CAR serves as a “front door” for regional businesses and organizations, connecting them to University resources including faculty, staff, students, equipment, and facilities. CAR is committed to helping companies, communities, and organizations throughout the region with their specific challenges, creating opportunities for them to thrive and grow.
CAR is effectively marshaling the resources of USI, students, facilities, and faculty to identify the needs of businesses and organizations in our community and to develop strategies and solutions to meet those needs.” —Robert E. Griffin Chairman Escalade Incorporated CAR coordinates a wide variety of projects such as economic impact research, engineering design, market research, and non-profit agency program assessments. Habitat for Humanity of Evansville partnered with CAR to measure the impact of 300 Habitat for Humanity homes built in Evansville. The study not only considered economic impacts, but also neighborhood and family impacts. Results indicated an increase in self-esteem, communication, and emotional health in those owning a Habitat home; measurable improvements to the neighborhood and community also were discovered. Faculty from three colleges participated in the study.
In addition to applied research, CAR supports USI in several significant partnerships including Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE), Innovation Pointe, and Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane). With GAGE and Innovation Pointe, CAR provides applied research, consulting, and student internships to start-up technology firms. As a partner with NSWC Crane, CAR serves as the liaison for several major initiatives with USI including STEM, technology transfer, and innovation process research. In 2009 CAR was awarded the Midwest Federal Research Laboratory Consortium Partnership Award for its Innovation Discovery process. CAR’s signature “Day on the Bus” event gives faculty an inside view of regional businesses and the opportunity to receive feedback from employers on how well their institutions are preparing students for the regional workforce. The annual event is a collaborative effort between USI, Ivy Tech Community College, the University of Evansville, and Vincennes University. Past industry visits have included Alcoa, Berry Plastics, Deaconess, Innovation Pointe, Mead Johnson, St. Mary’s Hospital, Old National Bank, Shoe Carnival, Toyota, and Vectren. This year, over 40 faculty members from the four institutions will join community business leaders at Toyota, Vanderburgh County Jail, and Old National Bank, the sponsor of this year’s event. Over 200 faculty have participated to date. CAR can provide assistance in many areas of expertise for your business or organization. For more information, contact Dr. Sue Ellspermann, director, at 812/461-5407 or sellsperma@usi. edu or Elissa Bakke, project coordinator, at 812/454-8946 or eibakke@usi.edu.
Engagement Highlights: CAR has served each county in Southwest Indiana and has been involved with a number of statewide projects in Indiana as well as Kentucky and Illinois.
During the 2009–2010 year CAR: • Identified 90 projects • Completed 55 projects • Approved and began work on 17 projects
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• Engaged 32 USI faculty and staff and over 85 students • Served 47 organizations and 12 counties in the Tri-state
The Center for Applied Research includes: Front row, left to right: Dr. Sue Ellspermann, director, and Elissa Bakke, project coordinator. Back row, left to right: Jennifer Dryer, communications intern, and Bobbie Brown, senior program assistant.
The Center for Applied Research leverages the University’s vast resources. The power and focus of all this talent has helped advance many organizations and businesses in the Southwestern Indiana region.” — Greg Mrozinski Metallurgy and Quality Systems Manager Alcoa Warrick Operations