Indiana Tech Magazine - Spring 2019

MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS | SPRING 2019

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ON THIS PAGE: It was a March of champions for the Indiana Tech athletics program. The men’s indoor track and field team and the hockey team (A) each won NAIA championships, while individual national titles went to Destiny Copeland (D), Leondra Correia (B) and Kejavon Moore (C) for track and field victories and Erique Early and Sawyer Miller for wrestling conquests. Read about Indiana Tech’s March of champions on page 34.

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FEATURES

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16 TECH’S HUMAN RESOURCES DYNASTY

22 TREASURES FOR EVERY WARRIOR

30 A WIN FOR ALL WARRIORS

Indiana Tech’s human resources program prepares stellar professionals for the working world, year after year.

When you buy something from Indiana Tech’s campus store, Tech Treasures, you support scholarships, as well.

Indiana Tech’s softball program opened its 2019 home schedule on March 21 in its brand new stadium at Warrior Park.

INSIDE TECH 04 Letter from Our President

24 Academic Roundup

President Einolf talks about opportunities, available now and in the future at Indiana Tech.

Kaylee Swanson, 2007 graduate of our sports management degree program, has made it to the Major Leagues.

Across the University

32 Born for It

06 Warrior Park

By the Numbers

Want to know how many LED fixtures were installed to light the softball field? We’ve got you covered, and then some.

08 Around the Regions

Difference Maker Aaron Slatton is changing the way Indiana Tech supports military veterans.

Coach Kyle Shondell has the pedigree to build Tech’s new men’s volleyball program, which will hit the court this fall.

Warrior Athletics 34 Fall Sports Wrap-up

Cecilia Heck-led ladies’ golf team has an outstanding fall season.

Path of a Warrior

10 Tech Happenings

38 From the Alumni Board

Indiana Tech’s Army ROTC program will launch in the fall of 2019.

Alumni board president Ashley Benvenuti talks about shaping the future for the Warriors of tomorrow.

11 Tech’s Top Picks

In this issue, we ask faculty and staff, “What is your favorite thing about the approach of the spring season?”

12 A Few Words with…

Lisa Givan talks about being the first leader of Indiana Tech’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion and its chief diversity officer.

14 Faculty Update

Dr. Angie Fincannon is the new director of Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership program.

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40 Alumni Spotlight

Clifford Clarke attributes Indiana Tech and a love of learning to helping him have a successful career.

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41 Tech in Your Town

During one of Institutional Advancement’s alumni events, Tech reps got to rub elbows with Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith.

42 In Memoriam

32 From left to right, Indiana Tech board member Dena Jacquay; athletic director Debbie Warren; President Karl Einolf; Maria Einolf; softball coach Stephanie Zimny; Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry; and Indiana Tech board member and councilman for Fort Wayne’s 5th District Geoff Paddock participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the university’s new softball stadium at Warrior Park.

ON THE COVER:

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Letter from Our President Indiana Tech has long prided itself on being a place of opportunity for students from all walks of life. Throughout our history, we’ve welcomed students of wide-ranging ages and backgrounds, from all over our country and the globe. This remains a core part of who we are today, and how we see ourselves as we plan for the future.

The Indiana Tech spirit of opportunity and inclusiveness can be seen throughout this issue of Indiana Tech Magazine as well. In our A Few Words With… feature on page 12, you can get to know one of our newest team members, Lisa Givan, who joined the university as associate vice president for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer in July 2018. Lisa and her team have already made a significant impact on our community, helping us work towards achieving one of the six main goals in our strategic plan: to develop a vibrant, inclusive and diverse culture connecting all of our campuses and locations.

The realization of the opportunities that Tech provides to students can be seen every year on Commencement Day. Students in our traditional undergraduate program, our evening and online program, and our Ph.D. program come together to celebrate the life-changing achievement of earning an Indiana Tech degree. This year, they will have the opportunity to hear a special commencement address from a unique group

of women—the founders of Northeast Indiana’s Advancing Voices of Women (AVOW). Patti Hays, Marilyn Moran-Townsend, Rachel Tobin-Smith and Faith Van Gilder created AVOW as a nonpartisan initiative to advance the voices of women in civic life and community involvement, and to promote honesty and integrity in public service and community conversations. I hope you will join us at commencement Saturday, May 11, to hear their inspiring story and to congratulate the newest group of Tech graduates. More details about commencement can be found in Tech Happenings on page 11.

While springtime brings our annual celebration of the achievements of our graduates, our work to serve students continues year-round. Read about all that is happening in our colleges of arts and sciences, business and engineering in the Academic Roundup section starting on page 24.

Learn more about the development of our newest science labs and residence hall on page 10. And see the many wonderful photos of our ribbon cutting celebration that opened the university’s new, state-of-the-art softball stadium at Warrior Park on page 30.

With so much happening here, and with the support of our alumni, students, faculty and staff, Indiana Tech is sure to remain a place of opportunity far into the future.

Warm regards,

Karl W. Einolf, Ph.D. President

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Volume 16, Issue 2 Karl W. Einolf, Ph.D. President

Institutional Advancement Dan Grigg Vice President for Institutional Advancement Tracina Smith Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dave Stevens Senior Director of Institutional Advancement Mary Lasits Senior Director of Institutional Advancement Karma Bradley Campaign Coordinator Nikole Spitznaugle Advancement Database Manager Rachel Jones Assistant Director for Alumni and Student Engagement Erin Johnson Grants Manager Megan Drake Administrative Assistant and Gift Processor Marketing Brian Engelhart Vice President for Marketing and Communication Matt Bair Director of Marketing and Communication Julie Farison Creative Director Randy Smith Photographer and Video Producer Sarah Suraci Graphic Designer Brook McDevitt Graphic Designer Joel Kuhn, BS ’12 Web Developer Bethany Lowe UX/UI Developer Jennifer Murphy, Director of Marketing, College of Professional Studies Amber Owens Social Media Manager The magazine is published three times a year for alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of Indiana Tech by the university’s Marketing Department and Office of Institutional Advancement. © 2019 Indiana Institute of Technology Indiana Tech online: IndianaTech.edu Please send comments, news and feature story ideas to: Indiana Tech attn: Marketing 1600 E. Washington Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46803 260.422.5561 or 800.937.2448, ext. 2250 email: Marketing@IndianaTech.edu The editors reserve the right to edit articles for length and clarity.

Articles may be reproduced with permission and proper attribution.

Indiana Tech provides learners a professional education; prepares them for active participation, career advancement and leadership in the global 21st century society; and motivates them toward a life of significance and worth.

AT LEFT: Indiana Tech students and staff celebrate the Hindu spring festival of Holi—also known as the festival of colors—on the Snyder Academic Center lawn in March.

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ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY By the Numbers

38 PIECES OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT USED

35 PERMITS NEEDED TO MAKE THE PROJECT HAPPEN

WARRIOR PARK On a soggy Friday morning, May 4, 2018, leaders from Indiana Tech and its athletic program stood with representatives from Michael Kinder & Sons at Fort Wayne’s Donald Ross Golf Club to announce the construction of the university’s new athletic complex, Warrior Park.

It took 321 days—from the time the first shovel of dirt was turned to the moment the first pitch was unleashed from sophomore right-hander Amanda Shonka—but now, an exciting new chapter in the storied history of Indiana Tech athletics is officially underway. What was once Donald Ross’ back nine is now home to the Warriors’ softball team. Soon, our track and field athletes will compete at their new stadium and our wrestlers will move into their new facility, as well.

So, in this issue’s By the Numbers feature, we take a deeper dive to learn what it’s taken to turn the Warrior Park vision into reality.

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45 DAYS

135 EMPLOYEES

TO PREP AN UNDULATING GOLF COURSE AND MAKE READY FOR CONSTRUCTION

TO DATE HAVE HELPED WITH THE SITE WORK

T TING HE FIEL H G D LI

67 LED FIXTURES

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TREES “RESCUED” FROM THE SITE OF THE NEW DORM AT WASHINGTON AND SCHICK AND REPLANTED AT WARRIOR PARK

353 SEATS

136 NEW TREES PLANTED

CAPACITY OF THE SOFTBALL STADIUM

4,761 LINEAR FEET OF FENCE

49,899

SQUARE FEET

ARTIFICIAL TURF APPLIED TO CREATE THE FIELD

SQUARE FEET

ARTIFICIAL TURF APPLIED TO CREATE THE FIELD

1,964

CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE POURED ON SITE

ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY Around the Regions

Aaron Slatton, Indiana Tech veteran affairs specialist (right), receives his Difference Maker 100 recognition from TIAA representative Jared Johnson.

DIFFERENCE MAKER Aaron Slatton is changing the way Tech supports military veterans

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Indiana Tech and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) hosted a reception in February to recognize Aaron Slatton, a Marine Corps veteran, member of Indiana Tech’s Military and Veteran’s Services team and TIAA Difference Maker 100 honoree. Slatton is among 100 extraordinary individuals TIAA—the leading provider of financial services in the academic, research, medical, cultural and government fields— is recognizing for devoting their lives to improving the world and shaping a brighter future for us all.

Slatton was chosen for his work to establish a Student Veteran Group at Indiana Tech and spearhead activities to bring awareness to the unique abilities of former service members. The group is making a difference by helping veterans in need. Its fundraising, including a popular car show on campus, has helped build tiny homes for homeless vets and supported vets suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Aaron’s work is adding a new dimension to supporting military veterans on campus,” said Steve Herendeen, vice president for enrollment management at Indiana Tech.

“His efforts to bring awareness to the unique abilities of former servicemembers are inspiring. He’s making a difference on our campus and in our community.”

As an award recipient, Slatton will have a $10,000 donation made to the nonprofit organization of his choice by TIAA. He chose Indiana Tech as his nonprofit organization, with the hope that the donation will be used to create a space for veterans on campus.

Detroit

College of Professional Studies

Indiana Tech recently signed a partnership agreement with the Michigan State Police. As the primary tenet of the agreement, Indiana Tech will provide corporate scholarships to current and former Michigan State Police troopers, current and former MSP staff members and all spouses who wish to take undergraduate and graduate classes through the university’s College of Professional Studies.

The Office of Student Success kicked off a new initiative in February that will have an immediate and long-lasting effect on Indiana Tech’s online students. Going forward, every new College of Professional Studies student will be assigned an Online Student Success Advisor. The advisors will serve as a bridge to the university, helping students get acclimated with the online learning environment and setting expectations for the challenges and rewards that come with online learning. Advisors will connect with students before they begin their first class at Indiana Tech, follow students through their first year and continue to check in with them as needed thereafter.

“Indiana Tech is pleased to partner with the Michigan State Police to benefit the men and women who work so hard to protect and serve the state of Michigan,” said Dr. Karl Einolf, president at Indiana Tech. “Our degree offerings are well-suited to helping them advance in their careers, and to continue serving Michigan with the highest levels of professionalism, innovation and effectiveness. Everyone at our university looks forward to helping them pursue their educational goals and reach their greatest potential.”

Naperville

Earlier this year, Ann Marie Rosen, M.Ed., outreach coordinator at Indiana Tech’s Naperville location, was honored by the Army Chicago Recruiting Battalion for all of her work with their team and the soldiers they work with. “This was a surprise, and I was honored and humbled to receive this recognition award,” Rosen said.

The online student success team consists of Paige Anderson (A), Jenita Hurst (B), Amy Smith (C) and Kelly Welborn (D). They work closely with our CPS admissions team members to help ensure a seamless transition into college for all new online students, with the goal of increasing retention — and student success.

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Louisville Kelly Brewer joined the College of Professional Studies in December as Director of Admissions for the southern region.

Kelly will work closely with the Louisville, Jeffersonville, Evansville and Northern Kentucky admissions teams. She joins the university with more than 20 years of management, recruitment and sales training expertise in the higher education and healthcare industries. Welcome, Kelly!

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ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY Tech Happenings New labs to be added for life science programs With the launch of its three new life science programs – biology, forensic science and health science – the university will add new lab space and equipment in two buildings on main campus. Zollner Engineering Center and Snyder Academic Center will each see existing spaces renovated to house the new laboratory spaces.

Both new labs will be open to start the fall 2019 semester.

ROTC program returns to Indiana Tech Preparing young people to become officers in the U.S. military, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was an important part of the Indiana Tech experience for many students from the university’s early years through the 1970s. Though discontinued at Tech for a time, ROTC will return in the fall of 2019 with the establishment of the Indiana Tech Army ROTC. Part of the Northeast Indiana Army ROTC, the Indiana Tech ROTC program will offer military science coursework and hands-on training at Purdue University Fort Wayne, while allowing students to pursue their college degrees at Indiana Tech. Qualified students will be eligible for scholarships ranging from a $5,000 tuition/room and board scholarship up to a 100% scholarship for full college tuition. Graduates of the program serve full time in the Army for three years, or four years for scholarship winners. Cadets may also choose to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a career.

Ph.D. program welcomes students and alumni during fall immersion weekend

Main campus development continues to serve students, faculty and staff Construction of the new residence hall at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Schick Street on main campus has continued through a cold Fort Wayne winter and into spring. The residence hall is already sold out for next year, and will house

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100 students starting in August. First-floor retail space has attracted interest from a variety of possible tenants, with the university currently working through proposals from several potential partners seeking to locate there.

Further east on Washington Blvd., the university has also begun construction on a new surface parking lot across from the Snyder Academic Center. The new lot will include over 150 parking spaces and will open in August.

In late September, Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership program welcomed current students to main campus for its fall immersion weekend. Over 70 students joined faculty and staff for workshops, dissertation defenses, keynote presentations by experts in the field of global leadership and networking opportunities. As part of the event, for the first time, the Ph.D. program and Indiana Tech’s alumni relations team co-hosted an alumni social, which brought together Tech Ph.D. grads with current doctoral students.

The Ph.D. in Global Leadership program at Indiana Tech will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2019.

Tech’s Top Picks

Advancing Voices of Women founders selected as 2019 commencement speakers Indiana Tech has invited the founders of Northeast Indiana’s Advancing Voices of Women (AVOW) to serve as commencement speakers during the university’s May 2019 graduation ceremonies. Patti Hays, Marilyn Moran-Townsend, Rachel Tobin-Smith and Faith Van Gilder joined together to establish AVOW in 2017. The mission of the non-partisan group is to advance the voices of women in civic life and community involvement, encourage civil discourse, welcome new voices, and promote honesty and integrity in public service and community conversations.

“On behalf of the entire Indiana Tech community, I’m proud to welcome the founders of AVOW as our 2019 commencement speakers,” Indiana Tech president Karl Einolf says. “Patti, Marilyn, Rachel and Faith are each accomplished community leaders in their own right, yet they’ve chosen to make an even greater impact by joining forces to establish a group that encourages all of us to think bigger, be better and work together. The story and example of their leadership and commitment to community will be an inspiration to all of our graduates.”

Indiana Tech’s commencement will take place Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Due to the steady rise in the number of graduates over the years, the 2019 commencement ceremony will follow a new format, featuring two ceremonies: one at 9:30 a.m. for graduate students – those earning master’s and doctoral degrees, followed by one at 12:30 p.m. for undergraduate students – those earning associate and bachelor’s degrees. Both ceremonies are free and open to all Indiana Tech students, families, alumni and the public – no tickets required. A commencement celebration featuring refreshments and entertainment will be held on main campus immediately following the undergraduate commencement ceremony.

For this issue’s “Tech’s Top Picks,” Indiana Tech Magazine asked faculty and staff: “What is your favorite thing about the approach of the spring season?” Here are some of the springy responses they supplied: “I look forward to the arrival of color and flowers.”

—Debra Warren, Athletic Director “All the spring bulbs popping their heads up!” —Gail Amstutz, Assistant Professor of Accounting “I am most looking forward to my team returning from break, mentally and physically refreshed.

This is the time of year that we have to focus on a common goal and kick it into high gear to start preparing for the regular season!”

—Alexis DiGiovanni, Women’s Lacrosse Coach “Baseball, golf and commencement!” —Mike Townsley, Director of Facilities Management “The Major League Baseball season is starting, warmer weather is coming and the trees are just beginning to burst out into buds with leaves soon to come. Finally, the warmer weather means that you can get out on the golf course again. I love spring!”

—Dave Stevens, Senior Director of Institutional Advancement

“My favorite thing about preparing for the spring season is opening up new cases of tennis balls. The smell makes me excited for our first match.” —Brock Orlowski, Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach “Spring Training. Go Red Sox!” —Jeff Hale, Director of Residence Life “Seeing students get ready for graduation and realizing all their hard work is going to pay off! I also love it when students come to the Career Center to tell us they got the job or internship, and then share their good news on LinkedIn!” —Cindy Verduce, Director of the Career Center & Regional Career Services “The intensity of playoff hockey and the beautiful emergence of early-season wildflowers as our region’s ACRES Land Trust preserves come back to life.”

—Matt Bair, Director of Marketing and Communication

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ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY A Few Words with...

LISA GIVAN On June 27, 2018, Lisa Givan became the first leader of Indiana Tech’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion when she was named as its associate vice president and the university’s chief diversity officer.

Recently, Lisa shared with Indiana Tech Magazine her thoughts about her new role, her new community and her plans for the future at her new university.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: Lisa, you’ve been with Indiana Tech now for nearly nine months.

What are your impressions of the university and of Fort Wayne?

LISA GIVAN: It’s actually hard for me to believe that my inaugural year is almost complete. I didn’t know what to expect when I moved from Akron to Fort Wayne. Akron has been the only home I have known. I left behind my family and my friends.

So, as you can imagine, there was a large degree of uncertainty moving from such a strong support network. However, to my surprise, I have found a very strong support network in Fort Wayne. I have found a family away from home, if you will. The Fort Wayne community has opened its arms and embraced me with a sense of familiarity. I have met some great people as I navigate the city.

Similarly, Indiana Tech has embraced me with open arms. We have some amazing students here. You know as you begin to move into senior administration you begin to lose touch with

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students as you’re pulled into the various meetings and activities of leading the institution. I have been fortunate to be able to keep a “high touch” with the students. They come to me to discuss their academics, aspirations and apprehensions. I have begun to refer to them as my “Tech babies.” My colleagues have been nothing but the best. They have shown me great support, patience and understanding.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: You are Indiana Tech’s first associate vice president for diversity and inclusion and its first chief diversity officer.

How does it feel to be chosen by a university to fill a new role and begin a department from scratch?

LISA GIVAN: I am excited to be in this position, currently in both mine and Indiana Tech’s history. Indiana Tech is full of change agents. To

have them consider and create an inaugural role such as mine shows a fearless commitment to greatness.

It was a hard decision to leave Kent; I had a job that I loved, and I was home, however, I knew I had so much more to offer. I knew my own capacity had outgrown my current responsibilities. I said coming in that I would work in a space of “we don’t know what we don’t know.” That allows all of us to be in safe and brave spaces as we figure out what the Office of Diversity and Inclusion looks like at Tech. This position has opened the gates and allowed me to create, align and advance the already established diversity structures built by the diversity trailblazers at Tech. To them, I owe a debt of gratitude because they— without having the title, the prestige or the salary—pushed the university

to a place of betterment. So, as I take the baton from them and run my leg of this diversity race, I do so with thankfulness and humility.

Building a formal strategic diversity agenda is a hard thing to do.

However, we have a great team in our office—a team comprised of people who are passionate about this work and have rolled up their sleeves to achieve our outcomes. I also have supportive leadership who have given me the runway space to do this work while encouraging me to “lead up.” I am genuinely looking forward to what we at Indiana Tech build together.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: In 2018, Indiana Tech’s strategic plan task force identified the continued development of a vibrant, inclusive and diverse culture that connects all of our campuses and locations CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 →

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION HOSTS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION Two days of passionate oratory from Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington and a well-attended community breakfast highlighted the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s first-ever Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Jan. 23 and 24.

Dr. Washington, president and founder of the Washington Consulting Group, which is rated by the Economist as one of the Top 10 Global Diversity Consultants in the world, was the keynote speaker for the breakfast. He also delivered a presentation to Indiana Tech faculty and staff and another to students during his time in Fort Wayne.

“Our celebration was amazing! I have heard nothing but positive feedback from Indiana

Tech colleagues and community partners in Fort Wayne. I think our planning committee and staff did an awesome job pulling this event together, and I am looking forward to next year,” said Indiana Tech vice president for diversity and inclusion, Lisa Givan. “The sentiment is that this inaugural event will be hard to beat as Dr. Washington set the bar very high. His keynote speech was just what we needed to hear at this point in our history at Indiana Tech.

“It is my sincerest hope that all who attended departed feeling empowered to do something that positively affects change,” Givan said.

“It is also my hope that as we celebrate the life and legacy of such an exceptional man who died for change, we move forward with the realization that are all in this together and that it is our responsibility to work harder to mend our fractured world, particularly those things that continue to torment our society.”

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ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY Faculty Update

FINCANNON SELECTED TO LEAD TECH’S PH.D. PROGRAM Dr. Angie Fincannon became the new director of Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership program in January.

Dr. Fincannon brings a versatile mix of higher education experience to the position. She comes to Indiana Tech from Purdue University Fort Wayne, where she was vice chancellor for advancement. Prior to that, Dr. Fincannon spent 23 years at Taylor University in Upland, during which she served at various times as the athletic director, assistant to the provost, a dean, a professor, department chair and coach of the women’s volleyball team.

“Dr. Fincannon’s impressive academic and administrative experience is the right fit for our innovative Ph.D. in Global Leadersip program,” said Karl W. Einolf, Ph.D., Indiana Tech president.

“I’m confident that under her leadership, our program will continue to grow and attract students not only from our region, but from around the world as well.”

Dr. Naga Musunuri, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, spoke at November’s American Physics Society (APS) 2018 Division of Fluid Dynamics Annual Meeting in Atlanta. He was chairperson to one of the sessions titled Biological Fluid Dynamics: Plant Biomechanics.

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“I am excited to join the outstanding leadership and momentum here at Indiana Tech, and I look forward to leading our university’s doctoral program,” Dr. Fincannon said. “Our Ph.D. in Global Leadership is truly unique, and I have been impressed with the quality of our current students, those enrolling in the program and the cadre of more than 20 committed faculty members that teaches them. This is truly a gem for Fort Wayne in its efforts to provide advanced educational opportunities that attract and retain people to this region.”

Dr. Fincannon earned her bachelor’s, master’s and Ed.D. degrees at Ball State University. Her research interests include women in leadership, dynamics in coaching and leadership, team dynamics and success, advancement best practices and leadership impact and efficacy.

Dr. Yulia Tolstikov-Mast, associate professor of global leadership, co-authored a publication with Dr. Alicia Wireman, assistant professor of communication, and adjunct faculty members from the Ph.D. program. The publication, “Global leadership field and doctoral education: Advancing the discipline through a targeted curriculum,” looks at global leadership as a discipline and at doctoral-level degree programs in global leadership, comparing and contrasting their offerings and approaches, and reflecting on global leadership doctoral education’s role in the ultimate crafting of the discipline.

Dr. Susan McGrade, professor of English, presented “Lessons in Protest and Survival from Colson Whitehead’s ‘The Underground Railroad’ ” at March’s Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dominic Lombardo, associate professor and director of criminal science and pre-law, spoke at February’s Indiana Association of MENSA meeting about his summer 2018 trip to Cambodia and Thailand where he worked with Destiny Rescue, an internationally-recognized Christian non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing children trapped in the sex trade.

→ LISA GIVEN, CONTINUED

Several Indiana Tech faculty members presented at February’s 22nd Annual Teaching and Learning Conference at Purdue Fort Wayne.

Amy Shank, assistant professor of biology, presented, “Concept Mapping through Physiological Phenomena.” Dr. Meg P. Gardinier, associate professor of global leadership, and Dr. Joshua Long, associate professor of economics, presented, “Fostering Inclusive Classrooms through Culturally Responsive Teaching.” Lisa Givan, Indiana Tech associate vice president for diversity and inclusion, presented, “What are Microaggressions and How Do They Impact Your Goal of Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom?” Dr. Julie Davis Good, associate professor of biology, presented, “Developing Student Maturity through Rubrics that Dispel the Unwritten Curriculum.” Dr. Alicia Wireman presented, “Beyond the Policies: Getting Students to Interact with the Syllabus.”

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A) Amy Shank; B) Dr. Meg P. Gardinier; C) Dr. Joshua Long; D) Lisa Givan; E) Dr. Julie Davis Good; F) Dr. Alicia Wireman

as one of six priority goal areas for the years ahead. What is your vision for helping the university achieve progress and success in that goal area?

LISA GIVAN: As we create and advance diversity and inclusion at Indiana Tech, I am both humbled and honored to partner with such a great team of both internal and external “cultural navigators.”

As my department works to give life to the concept of “inclusive excellence,” I am happy to share that we will be building this space intentionally and with the voices of all muted populations heard.

In aligning with the strategic plan of the university, my vision for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is to create a foundation for the future where inclusive excellence is a core value. In order to advance this properly, we will adopt five goals along with a series of measurable implementation actions.

The five goals of this initiative encompass climate; recruitment and retention; education and training; community building; and communication. Our team is hard at work developing and implementing a plan that is strategically sustainable while strengthening and leveraging partnerships within the university and external communities.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: Prior to joining Indiana Tech, you played a significant role in the diversity and inclusion initiatives at Kent State University. What are some of your proudest accomplishments while there?

LISA GIVAN: Kent State taught me who Lisa was. I partnered with Kent State after a mid-life career change. I had previously transitioned from corporate America to higher education and I was still new to navigating the terrain. Kent exposed me to not only the field of higher education, but it also illuminated my gift of being a change agent.

With the exception of my initial role at Kent, every role after that was inaugural and catered to not only my skill set, but my passion. Kent State allowed me to grow and positively affect change for students, staff, faculty and community members.

I will forever be grateful for that.

While I won’t deny that winning the Society for Diversity’s national Award for Innovation and Inclusive Excellence in Education was a great accomplishment, my biggest accomplishments have to be the graduation invitations from students who I have worked with; the weddings and baby showers I get invited to from alumni; the mentees that I see doing great things and effectively creating best practices with which we can advance this work. Those are the things that make me feel like I did something right along my journey.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: What does Lisa Givan like to do to unwind?

LISA GIVAN: Wow, what a question!

I enjoy traveling—especially if there is a beach and clear water. I like long drives. I am a huge fan of anything and everything on the Hallmark Channel because I love LOVE. And I especially enjoy hanging out with Layla, my grand-princess.

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When it comes to human resources education at Indiana Tech, our program has achieved a soaring level of excellence by transforming students into exceptional professionals.

THIS IS TECH’S

Human Resourses Dynasty 16

Spring 2019

Indiana Tech professor of business Dr. Jeffrey Walls is the leader of the university’s human resources program.

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O

ur story begins unremarkably with Indiana Tech seniors Maysie Hewitt, McKenna Mesclier and Emily Wieland passing an exam—something that hundreds of Warriors have done every year since the university opened its doors in 1930.

When one takes a closer look, however, it doesn’t take long to recognize what Hewitt, Mesclier and Wieland accomplished is, indeed, quite remarkable.

They passed the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) examination, a competency-based certification exam administered by SHRM, which is considered the industry leader in HR professional development and is the world’s largest HR membership organization.

The SHRM-CP exam is not a walk in the park.

It lasts for four hours and consists of 160 questions—95 of which are knowledge-based and 65 of which are based on situational assessment. Of all who took the exam, worldwide, during the MayJuly 2018 exam period, 33 percent failed.

“Without question, these three ladies have accomplished something very impactful in the HR environment—something that puts them on a different plateau professionally,” said Dr. Jeffrey Walls, Indiana Tech professor of business and leader of its HR program.

“Passing this exam requires more than just memorizing numbers and facts. It’s all competencybased. It shows that one has the ability to apply what they have learned to be successful in today’s fast-paced and demanding business environment.

As soon as a hiring manager sees this credential on a resume, they get it.”

So how does it happen that three Indiana Tech students passed the SHRM-CP exam in 2019 when one out of every three people who took the exam, worldwide, during a three-month period in 2018, failed?

Clearly, Maysie Hewitt, McKenna Mesclier and Emily Wieland are special students—competitors to the end who never stop learning and never stop trying to improve. As Dr. Walls said, “They could go anywhere and be that school’s top HR student.”

It’s when you introduce talent to a learning environment that was constructed to help students excel that something exceptional happens. That is the world Indiana Tech’s HR students learn within each day.

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Emily Wieland Emily came to Indiana Tech to play basketball and pursue a business administration degree with a concentration in financial services. However, she quickly realized that accounting was a better fit for her.

“I have always loved the money side of business and working with numbers, so I switched my major,” Emily said. “After I took Dr. Walls’ HR management course, I became a double major. I found I enjoyed the concepts of HR and I thought having a degree in the field would be beneficial.”

She was right. The business administration degree concentrating in human resources introduced her to the career path she is pursuing—as a compensation and benefits accountant.

“It’s a position that would be the best of worlds between my two degrees,” she said.

After graduation in May, Emily will sit for her CPA exam and begin pursuit of an MBA, as well.

THE BEGINNING Dr. Walls was recruited by Indiana Tech’s seventh president, Don Andorfer, to head up an HR education program in 1989.

Around the same time, the American Society for Personnel Administration was restructuring and bolstering its approach to human resources education, and it began branding itself as the Society for Human Resource Management. The timing was perfect as Dr. Walls recognized SHRM was the primary resource he needed to consult to build an effective program.

A year later, he attended his first SHRM annual conference in Cincinnati, which was eye-opening.

“I experienced how impactful the annual conference could be for students from an educational and a networking perspective, so I asked President Andorfer if I could take a group of students to a future conference. He let me do it for the 1993 conference in Washington, D.C. He said, ‘I’m going to approve this this one time because I don’t think you’re going to get students to go. And if you do, I don’t think you’ll get students to go back a second year,’ ” Dr. Walls said.

Dr. Walls hasn’t missed taking a group of students to an annual conference since.

“What Don was worried about, I was confident about,” Dr. Walls said. “I knew students would come back and say, ‘Oh my gosh, that was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my life,’ and by word of mouth, we would be able to generate interest in this program.”

With momentum building, Dr. Walls recognized he needed to become SHRM certified.

“I saw the power of the certification with all the top HR people in the world and I knew to seem legitimate with our students, I needed to be certified,” he said.

So, at the 1994 conference in St. Louis, Dr. Walls took and passed the exam.

“It’s a hard exam, but from that time on, I believed I could help students pass it,” Dr. Walls said. “I began aligning our curriculum with the exam study process and made sure our books were the ones SHRM was using. While other programs may allocate specific time for exam prep, students in our program are getting exam prep in their everyday curriculum.”

The effort has not gone unnoticed by SHRM. Indiana Tech’s human resources program has been fully endorsed by the organization through 2021, meaning our curriculum has

Seniors Emily Wieland, left, and Maysie Hewitt, right, share a laugh during class with Dr. Walls.

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been thoroughly reviewed by SHRM and deemed in alignment with its curriculum guidelines. As a result, Tech students can take the SHRM-CP exam prior to graduation. Students in nonendorsed programs must qualify to take the exam with education and experience.

Since 1989, just over 50 Indiana Tech students have passed the SHRM certification exam.

STRONG PERSUADER Why do students choose to pursue a concentration in HR at Indiana Tech?

“Think about it: no one in high school or in grade school says, ‘Yes, I want to grow up and be the one who gets to hire and fire people,’ ” Dr. Walls said. “But then you take that required HR management class during your sophomore year (an initiative that was implemented for all business administration majors in 1990) and then you start thinking, ‘Hey, I might be a people person. Let me go to that conference, I might want to figure this out.’ ” For several graduates, it happened just that way. Jessica Rambo (2010) was pursuing a networking degree in the College of Engineering when she decided to switch majors. Jessica is now a human resources business partner at BAE Systems. Baily (Tom) Beiswanger (2012) was a therapeutic recreation major.

She switched and parlayed her degree into a position at Micropulse as its human resources manager.

“For Jessica and Baily, this HR program changed their lives; they have very solid positions within tremendous organizations,” Dr. Walls said. “It has happened for so many others, as well.”

Human resources was not the first choice for Hewitt, Mesclier and Wieland, when they arrived at Indiana Tech. Yet, the program has created opportunities they never thought existed.

“Tech’s HR program has made a huge impact on my life,” Hewitt said. “Dr. Walls actively seeks out talent and helps students reach their full potential through mentorship and encouragement.

Without Dr. Walls or Tech’s HR program, I never would have known about the SHRM certification, let alone had the confidence to take the exam.”

NATIONAL RECOGNITION Since 1993, groups of Warrior students have become an expected sight at SHRM’s annual conference. More importantly, Indiana Tech HR students are known as some of the best and mostengaged students in the country.

Each year, the Society for Human Resource Management Foundation has recognized the top 11 undergraduate HR students in the nation. Seven Indiana Tech students—Mike Torres (1995), Theresa Dubea (1999), Ashlie Sklenicka (2008), Ashley Benvenuti (2013), Morgan York (2016) and the aforementioned Rambo and Beiswanger—have earned this honor.

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Maysie Hewitt Like Wieland, Hewitt is a double-major, who started out pursuing a management degree and added on the HR major after taking Dr. Walls’ HR management class.

“His exams are difficult, and they forced me to rise to the challenge in a way I never had to before,” the Peru, Indiana, native said.

“Because of my success in his HR class, he encouraged me to take the SHRM-CP exam.

Passing it gave me college credit for four of the five classes needed for the HR concentration, so it was a no-brainer to add it to my degree.”

Maysie currently works as an intern in purchasing at Schneider Electric and will join the company full time after she graduates in May. “I will be in a rotational position for two years where they will place me at a different plant each year. I will work a total of four different positions in global supply chain during the rotation,” Maysie said. “I’ve been working with Schneider Electric for two years already, so I am excited to stay on with them after graduation.”

McKenna Mesclier The impact Indiana Tech’s HR program has had on McKenna’s life has been immense. It helped her identify where her talents lie, and it has afforded her a little more time to identify her calling.

“It prepared me to pass the SHRMCP exam, which enabled me to meet my degree requirements a full year early,” she said. “Now, instead of graduating in May, I have the opportunity to participate this

summer in Tech’s study-abroad trip to Italy. I will earn credits toward a humanities minor to supplement my business degree.”

With an impressive credential already on her resume and more valuable experience coming this summer, McKenna will be a highly sought-after talent when it comes time for her to enter the workforce.

Additionally, Indiana Tech’s SHRM student chapter, which is the largest single student organization on campus, has earned the Superior Merit Award from SHRM every year since 1998.

SHRM presents this award to chapters that excel in various areas, primarily the professional development of its members and the way it promotes the human resources profession.

Along with the national recognition the program has achieved over the last 29 years come awards—a massive array that covers nearly all of the largest wall in his office. An extremely competitive Dr. Walls is not bashful about how proud he is of the display and he is quick to admit he still enjoys working with new students each year to maintain and keep improving the excellent program.

“Every award you see on this wall is there because of a student,” Dr. Walls said. “What did I do? I got in their ear and told them, ‘Look, you have the talent to accomplish this,’ or ‘Hey, I think you have a real shot at winning this award.’

Those awards are there because of students.”

THE NETWORK Year after year since launching the program, Indiana Tech has sent hundreds of excellent human resources professionals out into the working world. And, as a result, there is an extensive network of Tech alumni who mentor, provide internships and hire the latest graduates of the program.

“The success of our program is all based on the success of our students. It’s about building relationships and it’s everything we talk about here,” Dr. Walls said. “Our graduates go get jobs and then they call back when they have needs. Because of the

success they had at Indiana Tech, they know this program produces the kind of quality candidates they are looking for.

And so, the program keeps building on itself.”

Dr. Walls gave an example of a local HR manager and Indiana Tech grad reaching out to him recently to inquire about intern candidates. Immediately, he identified a student best suited for the opportunity and, within minutes, the student’s resume was on its way to the HR manager. A few years back, Dr. Walls gave her another recommendation for a full-time position. The HR manager still raves about it being one of her best hires ever.

“If you look through my emails and my texts, that is a regular occurrence,” Dr. Walls said.

He went on to talk about getting a text from a student while he was reading the paper one Sunday morning. The student saw a job posting in Indianapolis he was interested in, and within a few minutes, Dr. Walls had him connected with the HR person at the organization. He continued reading his paper and found a job opportunity he thought would be appropriate for a handful of his seniors. Seconds later, it was in their inboxes.

THE FUTURE Since its inception, the HR program at Indiana Tech has helped launch hundreds of careers and changed so many lives—products of creating and maintaining an excellent degree program. With new groups of talented and hardworking students joining the university each year, an active and committed alumni network, and an experienced and competitive program leader, the HR program is sure to continue this success well into the future.

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Treasures for Every Warrior Tech Treasures outfits Warrior boosters while supporting student experience and scholarships

S

hopping at Tech Treasures is a tradition Indiana Tech items they’re looking for — either for many alumni when visiting campus. for themselves or as gifts for their friends.

Likewise, students, parents and friends of “At the same time, it’s also been an excellent Indiana Tech can stock up on apparel, gift items, learning laboratory for students,” Dickson technology needs and more at the shop located continues. “Our student interns, who serve as inside Andorfer Commons. store managers, get to experience and run an More recently, the same great items found in e-commerce and brick-and-mortar business the campus retail store have also been available firsthand, learning about marketing, promotion, to Tech boosters nationwide with the click of product selection, shipping and fulfillment. a mouse or a swipe on the phone via the Tech Other students work as sales associates, gaining Treasures online store. Now fully integrated as experience in customer service.” a single retail operation, Tech Treasures online In addition to providing great products and work and on campus offers a wide range of gear for experiences for students, there’s a third important Warriors of every age. benefit of Tech Treasures for the Warrior Appropriate for Indiana Tech’s focus on preparing community: a portion of each year’s net revenue students with real-world experiences, Tech goes toward the Alumni Association Scholarship Treasures is also run largely through the fund, helping build the level of support the fund efforts of students. In particular, students from is able to provide to deserving students each Tech’s College of Business have been integral year. “Many of our students count on scholarship to the operation of Tech Treasures. Students assistance to make college possible,” Dickson contribute to the marketing and promotion of says. “So by shopping online and on campus, the store, product selection and staffing of the our alums are helping the next generation earn on campus store during hours of operation and their degrees.” for special extended hours during events such In the end, Dickson and the Tech Treasures team as homecoming and commencement. Student seek to make the shopping experience enjoyable workers also work on processing and fulfilling and easy for everyone. They offer free shipping orders received online. on all orders over $75, and a 100 percent, moneyChris Dickson, Indiana Tech Associate Vice back guarantee. Those close by or planning to President for Student Services, oversees the visit campus can even order online for pickup on Tech Treasures operation and the work of its campus. “We want everyone who shops with student staff members. “It’s been exciting to see us to have a great experience. Come see us or the growth of Tech Treasures over the last couple visit us online to see all we have to offer — and of years,” Dickson says. “The addition of a true, tell a fellow alum!” integrated online store has allowed alumni and other shoppers around the country to find the

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Spring 2019

The friendly face of senior Courtney Mack has been a staple in Tech Treasures as she has been the store’s primary student intern this academic year. Courtney, who is from Portage, Michigan, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s in business administration, concentrating in management, and a minor in psychology. She is currently pursuing an MBA, as well.

SHOP ONLINE: www.indiana-tech.cpcomstore.com

Free shipping and return on all orders over $75

SHOP ON CAMPUS:

100 percent money-back guarantee

Andorfer Commons, First Floor 1600 East Washington Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46803 260.422.5561, ext. 2108

Free in-store pickup — order online and pick up on campus

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Academic Roundup COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

Communication degree program is getting a facelift Assistant professor of communication, Alicia Wireman, is spearheading a revision of Indiana Tech’s current communication degree program.

Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, communication students will be able to pursue one of three tracks—journalism and broadcasting, public relations or sports media.

They will also be able to take communication classes online.

Currently, students have a choice between concentrations in sports media or media studies, and they can only pursue their degree at the main campus.

“After soliciting and assessing feedback from professionals in the industry, alumni and current students, I feel this new direction is going to better prepare our students for success in the industry after they graduate,” Wireman said.

Wireman and her team have only had to add a small number of classes to accommodate these changes. Instead, they have worked to better align relevant current course options within each concentration. Also, within the

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new design, communication majors can take 21 free elective credit hours, which creates an easier path to double-majoring or earning a minor.

In addition to giving the communication program a new look, Wireman is giving its students a new opportunity to learn outside the classroom. She and five of her students will attend the June 6-8 Keystone Multimedia Workshop in Pittsburgh. The intensive, handson workshop was created to help students, professional photographers and educators produce compelling narrative multimedia stories.

Tech and local library team up for a new course What do you do when you have a world-renowned genealogy resource right in your university’s hometown?

If you are Indiana Tech’s forward-thinking and award-winning professor of English, Dr. Susan McGrade, you find a way to utilize that resource and develop yet another innovative way to impact students.

McGrade and the Fort Wayne Allen County Public Library’s Fred J. Reynolds Historical Genealogy Department are partnering to create a new humanities course called Family Stories, Family Histories. It will be offered for the first time this fall.

The interdisciplinary course will introduce students to the literature of family stories and the science of genealogical research. Students will study a variety of literary works that examine the significance of family narratives and then conduct their own genealogical research about their families. The course will culminate with a project that will document student discoveries through the writing and documentation of original family stories.

“I was simply researching my own family history at the Allen County Public Library when the thought occurred to me that students could really benefit from the type of sustained and in-depth research that genealogy requires,” Dr. McGrade recalled. “At that point, I started to brainstorm how my own discipline (literature) could intersect with the study of family history. Eventually, I realized that we could study literature that examines family themes, such as how family can be a source of strength, but also a potential weakness; how we accept some family traditions but reject others; and how we experience cultural loss over time, and how we might even recover it. Then, we could research our own family histories and reflect on those themes in our own lives.”

The Fred J. Reynolds Historical Genealogy Department, located in the main Allen County Public Library branch in downtown Fort Wayne, is the largest public genealogy department in North America. It is home to more than 350,000 printed volumes and 513,000 items of microfilm and microfiche.

Tech’s CJ department has launched Lantzsch on a (Toledo) Rocket

Elmady, Mesclier and Minter top speech competition

Criminal justice major Tyler Lantzsch recently became the first Indiana Tech student to be accepted by an outside law school as a participant in the Center for Criminal Justice’s 3+3 program.

Tyler, a junior who also plays for the Warriors’ hockey team, was awarded a full-tuition, three-year scholarship to attend the University of Toledo College of Law. Through the Center for Criminal Justice’s 3+3 program, successful participants can graduate with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana Tech and a juris doctor from an accepting law school in six years instead of seven.

Dean Evans commits to leading COAS for another year Dr. Oliver Evans will continue to serve as interim dean of Indiana Tech’s College of Arts and Sciences through the end of the 2019-20 school year. Dr. Evans came to Indiana Tech in an interim role in April 2018, initially planning for a one-year term.

“I am extremely pleased that Dr. Evans will be staying with us for a second year,” said Dr. Thomas Kaplan, Indiana Tech vice president for academic affairs. “His experience has provided a stabilizing presence in our College of Arts and Sciences and has helped us realize several strategic initiatives in that area.”

Dr. Evans retired in 2012 as president of the Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University.

Since then, he has served in a number of interim assignments, leading up to his arrival at Indiana Tech.

Holocaust survivor, Eva Kor, speaks at Tech Eva Kor, a survivor of the Holocaust and one of the few surviving twins from the medical experimentation supervised by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele at Auschwitz, shared her story of survival and healing at Indiana Tech on March 18.

Thirteen Warriors participated in Indiana Tech’s first Speech and Debate Competition on Feb. 23. Each student competed in three rounds for one judge and then a final round for two judges.

Judges consisted of professionals experienced in the field of speech and communication.

In the Original Oratory category, competitors delivered a memorized 10- to 12-minute speech on a topic of their choice. Khaled Elmady won the category while Atukunda Anita finished second.

In the Impromptu category, competitors were given a topic and five minutes to prepare a four- to six-minute speech.

McKenna Mesclier won the category while Megha Kunjam placed second.

In the Debate category, competitors had to argue on the resolution of first responders using Narcan, a nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose.

Dereon Minter won the category while Cameron Owens finished second.

First-place winners received an Amazon Alexa, while second-place winners received a portable battery charger.

A

B

A. Khaled Elmady B. McKenna Mesclier

Ms. Kor’s discussion offered relevant lessons on the dangers of hate and prejudice, and the consequences of allowing prejudice to persist, unchecked. Incredibly, she also spoke of forgiveness—a conscious act that liberated her from the anger and hatred she felt for her perpetrators.

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Academic Roundup COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

For Ph.D. student Vroman, teaching and learning never stops To Mark Vroman, excellence in patient care delivery is everything.

In February, Mark presented twice at the International Fire Operations Conference in Manama, Bahrain. He and a colleague delivered “Human Behavior in Fire,” and “Leveraging Critical Thinking Skills for Improved Performance on the Fireground,” at the conference.

“Mark Vroman is an outstanding leader and When he is not busy pursuing a Ph.D. in Global he represents a cadre of talented, working Leadership from Indiana Tech, Mark is a battalion professionals within our Ph.D. program,” chief for Meridian Township Fire Department, said Dr. Angie Fincannon, director of Indiana which is just east of Lansing, Michigan; he is an Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership program. adjunct instructor at Siena Heights University, “Mark epitomizes working professionals that teaching courses on management, leadership are making an impact in their professions and communication; and he is the co-director and community, and his doctoral work in of MindLeap, LLC, an educational program that leadership development will equip him for helps first responders and emergency teams a continued future of excellence.” develop tactical thinking, problem solving and metacognitive skills.

Mark expects to complete his Ph.D. studies in 2020. However, don’t expect his quest for Even in his spare time, the teaching does not stop. learning and teaching to ever slow down.

Mark frequently presents to first responders and other health care professionals to familiarize “What is next for me? I always want to them with critical thinking skills and help them be well-positioned to take advantage of apply related methodologies to time-critical academic and professional opportunities if, situations—sometimes half the world away. and when, they are presented, primarily to continue to engage first responders around “Excellence in patient care delivery is important the world with the objective of improving to me because of the human element,” said the their performance,” Mark said. “I am quite 21-year veteran of Meridian Township Fire confident that the wonderful opportunities Department. “Addressing patient care-related I have been presented with recently are issues and concerns with compassion, skill and the direct result of my studies within the knowledge should be the overwhelming norm Indiana Tech Ph.D. program.” within the health care delivery industry. I believe genuine professionals share this perspective You can learn more about Mark and in order to be effective patient advocates while some of our other Ph.D. students at making a measurable difference through phd.indianatech.edu/student-stories improved outcomes.”

Innovation and collaboration spark successful class experience At the start of the 2018-19 academic year, the College of Business offered a freshman honors class, BA 1200 Foundations of Business. By creating an innovative learning experience, professors Gail Amstutz and Dr. Jeff Walls made sure that the business foundation students emerged with was indeed solid.

Professor Amstutz taught the class, which was comprised of 22 students, while Dr. Walls’ senior capstone class mentored and advised her students throughout the semester. The collaboration proved to be very impactful.

“Dr. Walls welcomed my students into his senior class, provided introductions and pizza and made the mentoring process a win-win for all involved,” professor Amstutz said. “It was helpful for the final, where students were put into groups and had to develop a business plan and present it to the class. My students really enjoyed connecting with the seniors and getting their input, and, as a result, their plans were creative and well thought out.”

The course was well-attended by students across the university, not just the College of Business. Professor Amstutz credits College of Business dean, Dr. Kathleen Watland, for the vision and support that made it a success.

“It was truly an honor for me to be part of this,” professor Amstutz said.

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Swanson, 2007 grad, makes it to the show Back in the spring 2013 issue of Trends, the predecessor to Indiana Tech Magazine, we ran a story about Kaylee Swanson, a 2007 graduate of Indiana Tech who earned a degree in business administration concentrating in sports management.

The story chronicled the career success Kaylee was experiencing in minor league sports, most notably within her favorite sport of baseball.

After a couple frontoffice positions with team is rebuilding, maintaining a loyal fan base internship with the now-defunct Fort Wayne arenafootball2 teams, Kaylee is extremely critical,” Kaylee said. “I am handling Fusion indoor football team that would spark her took her first position in season tickets, group tickets and hospitality sales interest in the sports marketing profession. And baseball in 2009, developing for the Orioles under outstanding leadership.” the rest, as they say, is history. corporate partnerships for “I’m so happy for Kaylee. She is fulfilling “If I wouldn’t have gone to Tech, I never would the Atlantic League’s York her dream to work in baseball and that is so have met my best friend, who will be the maid of Revolution. She moved to wonderful to see,” said Indiana Tech associate honor in my wedding this summer; I never would Australia in 2011 to become professor of sports management, Craig Dyer, have gotten my first full-time job in sports; I the marketing and events coordinator for the who helped Kaylee find her passion for this would have never had the opportunity to be Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball field. “During advising meetings, Kaylee told me part of the Columbia Fireflies start-up (a Class-A League, which formed in 2009 with significant her dream was to work in baseball, and I never South Atlantic League franchise that has been backing from Major League Baseball. When the doubted her—not once. Just like great athletes, extremely successful since its 2016 inception),” Trends story ended, Kaylee was back in the states front office employees do not reach the ‘big Kaylee said. “And, most importantly, I never as director of promotions and group sales for the leagues’ without dedication and tenacity. Kaylee would have met my fiance, lived in Australia or Hudson Valley Renegades of the Class-A New displayed both in every aspect of her college have the cat, Moe (named after 17-year Major York-Penn League. career. So, I’m not surprised she has reached this Leaguer Moe Drabowski), and dog, Sam, that Six years and three more positions later, Indiana level of success; and I know she will continue to we adopted together.”

Tech Magazine is happy to report Kaylee has succeed and achieve greatness in anything she So, it appears Indiana Tech Magazine will start ascended to the Major Leagues. In February, she sets her mind to.” paying closer attention to another sports team accepted a job with the Baltimore Orioles as a Originally, Kaylee planned to attend Wright State that wears orange and black. Best of luck in business development account executive.

University in Dayton, Ohio, to become an English Baltimore, Kaylee!

“My role with the Orioles is first and foremost to teacher. When that plan didn’t work out, she found Photo of Oriole Park at Camden Yards by Keith Allison build sustainable relationships with individuals her way to Indiana Tech and into one of professor flickr.com/photos/keithallison/8918202788 and business leaders in the community. As our Dyer’s classes. From there, Kaylee secured an

Indiana Tech establishes two new Ph.D. scholarships

Two new scholarships will make it easier for the nation’s first responders and its community college faculty and staff members to pursue a Ph.D. in Global Leadership at Indiana Tech.

Firefighters, law enforcement professionals, EMTs and faculty and staff members at any accredited community college who meet our Ph.D. program’s entry requirements are eligible to receive a scholarship benefit equivalent to 20 percent of their tuition.

Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership program offers a specialization in organizational management, making it an ideal choice for first

responders who seek to expand their knowledge and advance their careers. Established in 2009, the Indiana Tech Ph.D. program has grown to include nearly 200 students worldwide, who value the program for its innovative leadership education and convenient online delivery.

Those interested in learning more about these scholarship opportunities or the Indiana Tech Ph.D. in Global Leadership program can contact Kristin Conley, MSL, director of Ph.D. admissions, at 260.422.5561, ext. 3417, or KNConley@IndianaTech.edu. More information is also available at phd.indianatech.edu.

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Academic Roundup

CYBER WARRIORS ROSTER

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

TONY BURKHART, CAPTAIN Senior, Network engineering major Position: Network practice lead ETHAN ANDERSON, LIEUTENANT Junior, Computer engineering major Position: Linux practice lead, HMI specialist

Cyber Warriors’ reign in state cybersecurity competition continues After winning its fifth straight Indiana Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition in February, Indiana Tech’s cyber defense team, the Cyber Warriors, ended its season with a second-place finish at the 2019 Midwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.

The Cyber Warriors were edged out in a closely-contested battle against state champion teams from Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Indiana Tech’s performance was stellar throughout the weekend-long regional tournament and it held the first-place position for most of the competition. At the end of the close competition, judges and administrators had to gather to confirm scores since the firstand second-place schools were within less than a percentage point of each other. The Cyber Warriors fell just short of winning their second straight Midwest Regional.

“I am extremely proud of the students this year.

They showed some of the strongest technical skill, cohesive teamwork and professional conduct we’ve ever had as a team,” said computer science professor and Cyber Warriors faculty advisor, Matt Hansen.

The Cyber Warriors qualified for the March 15 regional by winning their ninth state title—a competition that has been held just 12 times.

“Once again, Indiana Tech is able to hold its own against programs from some of the state’s

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AARON BLACKMAN Senior, Network engineering major Position: Networking specialist SAM BOGER Sophomore, Network engineering major Position: Networking and Windows specialist ISAAC CORBREY Freshman, Computer science major Position: Linux and reverseengineering specialist biggest schools, including Purdue and Indiana,” said coach Hansen. “Each year, the competition gets stronger, but our students are able to rise to the occasion. It makes me proud that some of the best computer science and cybersecurity students in the country are right here at Indiana Tech.”

In cyber defense competitions, teams build and defend their mock production business infrastructure from professional “hackers,” who are given the challenge to take each team’s production systems offline and breach its security. While the teams work hard to fend off “hackers,” the competition judging staff will deploy additional network enhancement and upgrade challenges to teams. The staff is also responsible for judging team performance, keeping score for the contest and administering overall support for the event.

CAMERON FYFE Sophomore, Cybersecurity major Position: Networking specialist ZACH HOPKINS Freshman, Software engineering major Position: Linux and reverse-engineering specialist ALEX KNIPPER Junior, Computer science major Position: Windows and documentation specialist JAMES SWANK Sophomore, Cybersecurity major Position: Windows specialist ADAM SWANSON Junior, Software engineering major Position: Linux specialist CARSON SANDERSON Sophomore, Cybersecurity major Position: Technical documentation and team management specialist

Anderson’s work keeps hard-working people safe in sometimes-unsafe work environments

current role has him designing equipment that keeps hard-working people safe in sometimesunsafe work environments.

Scott is an electrical engineer at CSE Corporation in Export, Pennsylvania, a place he has been since October 2017. CSE designs, develops and manufactures world-class safety products for underground mining and a wide variety of other industrial applications.

“I am very passionate about the safety products I get to design and being able to share that with students was great,” Scott said. “When I was a student at Tech, having the opportunity to use what we were being taught in the real world was extremely impactful. In that same way, I hope my presentation helped connect the textbook to industry applications. I also hope the students were motivated and encouraged by seeing what they themselves could be doing in their career field just three years after graduation.”

Three years ago, on Feb. 21, Indiana Tech graduate Scott Anderson was getting his senior project ready for presentation and preparing for the final “I work on new product printed circuit board stretch in a year that would earn him Outstanding (PCB) designs that include fixed and portable gas Electrical Engineering Student of the Year honors.

“It is outstanding when our graduates come detectors, smart escape breathing apparatuses back to talk to our current students, and I thank Anderson’s project, the Light Emitting Nozzle and remote monitoring products that can survive Scott for taking time out of his schedule to do System (or LENS as he calls it), incorporates LED the extremely harsh environments our customers that,” said Dave Aschliman, dean of the College lights into the end of a firehose nozzle to give work in,” Scott said. “The pride that comes with of Engineering. “What better way to give our firefighters better sight lines in dark situations. working on products that are meant to keep hardstudents an indication of what it’s going to be like LENS wowed professors, especially associate working people alive is immense, but it is also a as a working engineer than to have a graduate professor of engineering and mathematics Dr. responsibility that I don’t take lightly.” come back and say, ‘I want to share with you what David Rumsey, who said the product had “realScott indicated the skill set he possesses, the my job is like.’ When I was a senior engineering world viability if it’s developed further.” knowledge he uses and his never-ending desire to major at Purdue, more experiences like this would Three years later—just a few weeks ago—Scott learn are all rooted in the time he spent at Indiana have been helpful.” was back on campus in the Talwar Leadership Tech. Returning to campus to share his story with Continue the quality work you are doing to protect Center, sharing with Dr. Rumsey’s electrical students was an enjoyable way for him to give others, Scott. Indiana Tech is proud of you! engineering students what it’s been like out in back to the university that was instrumental in the working world. And, not surprisingly, Scott’s helping him launch his career.

NSBE chapter gives kids in the community some hands-on science experience Indiana Tech’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter welcomed approximately 40 students from the Fort Wayne Boys and Girls Club for Kids Science Day 2019 in January. Members from the Eaton Corporation, Indiana Tech’s corporate partner for the event, were on hand, as well.

Junior Ca-Janí Fahie (seen in the foreground of the photo to the left), program chair for Tech’s NSBE chapter, worked with chapter community outreach coordinator, sophomore Arianna Cooper, to plan and execute the event. From the get-go, Ca-Janí wanted this to be an impactful experience for the young attendees.

“What I wanted the kids to realize from this event is that college is an attainable goal, and I believe they got the message,” Ca-Janí said. “Seeing us do things from afar wasn’t going to cut it for this year’s event. I wanted them in the lab, with our guidance, doing things that we do. This made the activity more fulfilling for everyone, and as a cherry on top of the icing, we had a real engineer come from Eaton to talk to them, too.

NSBE members took the group of students on a tour of the different engineering labs within the Zollner Engineering Center and educated them “When the kids arrive from the Boys and Girls about careers in engineering. NSBE members then Club, it’s usually a mixture between those you guided the students in three different engineering have seen and those who may be new to you,” he experiments: a circuits experiment, a competitive added. “That keeps us on our toes, but no matter egg-drop experiment that highlights construction who you get, they are respectful, curious and practices that reduce impact and a competitive ready to learn.” bridge-building experiment.

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A Win for All Warriors W A R R IO R P A R K S O F T B A L L S T A DI U M OPENS IN ST Y LE

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hursday, March 21, 2019, was a special day in the history of Indiana Tech. The university unveiled the new softball stadium at Warrior Park, its new athletic complex in Fort Wayne. In front of a full crowd of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members, the softball Warriors and university leaders held a special ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a doubleheader against Taylor University.

Starting off the event, Indiana Tech president Dr. Karl Einolf and Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry offered remarks celebrating Fort Wayne’s newest athletic landmark. Warrior softball head coach Stephanie Zimny and her team joined them to officially cut the ribbon on the state-of-the art stadium, before a special trio joined forces to throw out first pitches: Dr. Einolf and former Indiana Tech presidents Donald Andorfer and Dr. Arthur Snyder each threw strikes to lead things off.

Opening day at Warrior Park also featured commemorative giveaways for those in the crowd, along with food and drink specials at the concession stand. And, the first official contest at the stadium ended victoriously for the Warriors, 3-2.

Tech dropped the second game, 9-3.

Development of Warrior Park continues with the construction of the university’s new track and field complex, and an athletic building that will house practice facilities for the men’s and women’s wrestling programs, team meeting rooms, locker rooms, a recruiting welcome center and coaches’ offices.

The track and field and athletic building will be completed during the summer of 2019, with special opening events and facility tours planned for Homecoming weekend this fall, October 3-5.

LEFT: The bleachers provide an excellent view for 350 fans. CENTER: From left to right, Warriors Amanda Shonka, Ashley Alvey and Alvia Doyle enjoy opening day at their new home stadium. RIGHT: From left to right, Dr. Snyder, Dr. Einolf and Mr. Andorfer throw three strikes to open the stadium in style.

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“To have somebody see my name and ask, ‘Are you related to Don?’ and want to hold me there for 45 minutes and talk about the impact that Don had in their life. I just hope one day to be a tenth of that kind of person and have that kind of impact.”

TECH VOL L E Y BAL L COACH

Born For It FOL LOWS GRANDFATHER, FATHER, UNCLES

At Shondell family Christmas today, there’s one activity that’s almost as guaranteed to happen as the opening of presents around the Christmas tree.

“Once the meal’s over, we’ve opened presents, now it’s time to head to the gym,” said Kyle Shondell, the first men’s volleyball coach at Indiana Tech in nearly 50 years.

The visit to the gym is to play volleyball, of course.

With the patriarch of the family—and men’s volleyball —in Don Shondell sitting at the head of the table, volleyball’s a staple at family gatherings.

“It was just always there,” Kyle said. “It wasn’t forced; it was just if we have an opportunity to play, let’s go play.

Always having that bond as a family was special.”

VOLLEYBALL BLOODLINE You’d think playing volleyball was a requirement to claim the last name Shondell.

Don is credited with starting the men’s volleyball program at Ball State—where he coached for 34 seasons —as well as co-founding the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, the conference that includes Ball State and Purdue Fort Wayne.

He’s the second-winningest men’s volleyball coach in history and has a list of accolades that stretch on and on.

At 90 years old on Jan. 1, the father of men’s volleyball can witness his grandson Kyle grow the game.

“I’ve met so many that have been unbelievably impacted by my grandfather,” Kyle said. “It’s hard to walk anywhere near volleyball, and often not near volleyball, and not hear how Dr. Don somehow impacted a life almost anywhere I go.

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Not only does Kyle have his grandfather to look to for advice but his dad, Dave, who’s spent the past 16 seasons coaching Purdue women’s volleyball; and uncles, John, who’s the associate head coach at Purdue, and Steve, a legendary Indiana high school coach and retired Ball State women’s coach; as well as a handful of other relatives involved in the game.

“It does kind of run in the family. We haven’t tried to encourage our kids to do anything except what they love to do and think they can become really good at it,” Dave said. “He’s been around a lot of good coaches.”

Good coaches that have been consistently—and maybe unknowingly—grooming Kyle into the coach he is today.

“One thing that was painfully obvious about my dad, grandfather, my uncles and anybody you see around them, is they’re constant students of the game,” Kyle said.

Kyle said if Don were to be in a gym right now, he’d be studying a new technique of the game.

“He’s 90, and he’s accomplished more in this game than probably anybody else living and he wants to continue learning,” Kyle said.

COACH IN TRAINING Kyle doesn’t remember a time growing up when volleyball wasn’t there. Summer vacations consisted of going to Lake Webster and to wherever the junior volleyball national tournament was being played. His three sisters all played, and at one point, his dad and both uncles all coached high school teams just miles apart of each other.

Nights were spent at Shondell-vs.-Shondell matches at the historic Muncie Fieldhouse as Steve coached Muncie Burris and Dave coached Muncie Central.

“I didn’t know that it wasn’t normal to have that kind of rivalry for high school volleyball, because that’s what I knew,” Kyle said. “I know now that that was a unique situation.”

Kyle, a Purdue graduate, spent his time on campus much how he grew up—on the court. As a student manager for his dad’s team, he worked his way

up from ball shagger and coaches’ stool carrier, to essentially being an extension of the coaching staff. It was there, working with both his dad and uncle that he realized coaching was for him.

Ball, who founded the men’s volleyball program at IPFW and whose name adorns the court at Purdue Fort Wayne’s Gates Center.

“I really started to develop my passion more than just ‘well I’m a Shondell, I have to love volleyball’ to where I’m like ‘no, I love this game,’” Kyle said.

GROWING THE GAME

Since graduating Purdue in 2012, Kyle has jumped around at a few coaching gigs, most recently as the women’s volleyball coach at Huntington University.

Dave said Kyle has what it takes to build a program from the ground up, much as Don did.

“We’re all advocates for the men’s game as well as the women’s game, but with my dad’s role at Ball State, and being kind of the pioneer of men’s volleyball this side of California, I thought there was something unique about Kyle getting involved in the men’s game,” Dave said.

Ironically, Don spent a big chunk of his life in Fort Wayne. Among those on the Dr. Don coaching tree is Arnie

KYLE SHONDELL: Things are going well. The reception to Indiana Tech men’s volleyball has been even better than I anticipated. I get more and more excited with every phone call, visit or commit.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: How has the recruiting trail been treating you? Do you have any commits you can talk about in general?

KYLE SHONDELL: I’ve been everywhere— California, Florida, Chicago, Saint Louis and elsewhere. The interest level in what we are doing at Tech is rising. We have secured a few commits already that I am really excited about and know the Warrior faithful will love to watch.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: On paper, how is the team shaping up or is it far too early to tell?

As much as volleyball flowed through the Shondell home, Kyle, now 29 with a wife, LeAnn, and 10-month old son, Asher, didn’t play in an organized league until he got to Purdue and played on the men’s club team.

There weren’t opportunities. Now, boys volleyball is the second-fastest growing sport since 2012, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. In the 2016-17 school year, boys volleyball had 57,209 participants. In 201718, the number hovered around 61,000.

“The club scene is bigger now than 10 to 15 years ago for boys,” Kyle said. “I still think it needs to be a bigger opportunity. I think that’s part of the reason I wanted to be here. I would like boys that want to play volleyball to have the opportunity to play volleyball.”

Men’s volleyball was played at Indiana Tech from 1962 to 73. Jerre McManama—who also coached with Don at Ball State— led the Warriors for seven years and was part of the Indiana Tech 1965 Hall of Fame class.

“It’s not yet boomed, so it’s kind of good for Tech to have been there before that boom stage,” Kyle said.

“I see it as kind of an opportunity to not be the first to the punch, but still be able to build something as the game grows.”

QUICK Q&A WITH KYLE SHONDELL INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: How are things going? Are you amped? Are you frazzled?

“It just seems like a circle of life to some extent,” Dave said.

KYLE SHONDELL: It is likely too early to tell exactly how we are shaping up, but the pieces we have on the board are really strong. From what I have seen in the WHAC and nationwide, I feel strongly that we will compete hard next year.

INDIANA TECH MAGAZINE: Can you gauge the reaction locally to the addition of our men’s volleyball program?

KYLE SHONDELL: People are jacked about the sport being added. Fort Wayne is already a men’s volleyball town and everybody that brings it up to me tells me how excited they are for our first match! Personally, I’m really excited to add the guys I am bringing in to what is an already stellar athletic department. When everyone here prioritizes doing the right things and winning, it makes it a little easier for our program to take the same shape.

With two collegiate men’s volleyball programs in a city the size of Fort Wayne, the interest has proven to be there. And Kyle, much like his dad, uncles and grandfather, continues to propel that interest to new heights.

“I love my father, I love my uncles, but they would agree if we could accomplish half of what Dr. Don has, they would consider themselves a success,” Kyle said. “If I can amount to some of that, I’ll have done a lot.”

This story, written by Journal Gazette staff writer Elizabeth Wyman, appeared in the newspaper’s Dec. 25, 2018, issue. It is being reprinted with the permission of the Journal Gazette.

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ATHLETIC ROUNDUP Sports News Dominant hockey season ends with a national title A Ryan Attwood goal with 24.4 seconds left in the game lifted Indiana Tech to a 3-2 win over Midland in the championship of the North American Intercollegiate Hockey Association (NAIHA) national tournament.

The victory capped a season that saw the Warriors go a program-best 34-3-0 and win the last 29 games of the campaign. Coach Frank DiCristofaro also notched his 100th career coaching win during the course of the historic season.

Women’s and men’s basketball teams sweep WHAC tournaments It was a year of Wolverine-Hoosier Athetic Conference dominance for Indiana Tech basketball.

After winning the regular-season WHAC title, the Warrior women captured their first conference tournament by breezing through three games with a 17-point average margin of victory.

Indiana Tech went on to win two NAIA Division II championship tournament games before being eliminated by the eventual champion, Concordia.

During the season, the ladies won a program-best 23 consecutive games (breaking the old mark of 20 set by the 199192 team) and rose as high as No. 3 in the national poll. They finished the year 32-4.

The Indiana Tech men entered their WHAC tournament as a No. 3 seed, and needed back-to-back road wins over No. 2-seeded Madonna and top-seeded Cornerstone to earn the crown.

The Warrior men were beaten in the opening round of the NAIA Division II national tournament and wrapped up the season with a 22-12 record.

Women’s Bowling –WHAC Champs

Women’s golf has record-breaking fall The Indiana Tech women’s golf team had a fall to remember as the Warriors won their seventh WHAC title in program history and set several new school and conference records. Tech set new team and conference records for a round (294) and 36 holes (600) while Cecilia Heck set the program and conference record for a round (66) and 36 holes (140). The Warriors had five golfers tabbed to the All-Conference Team’s tied for most in the WHAC, while Cecilia Heck was named the Player of the Year after averaging a 74.80 in conference action.

Tech bowling becoming a powerhouse

Men’s Bowling –WHAC Champs

The Indiana Tech women’s bowling team came up just short in its quest for a national title as it fell to Savannah College of Art and Design in the championship of the NAIA national invitational at Topeka, Kansas.

Warrior Briana Marquis was named the tournament’s most outstanding bowler.

Indiana Tech’s men’s team also earned a berth to the national tournament, but were eliminated in match play.

Both the men’s and women’s teams won their final WHAC Jamborees in February to capture their second straight conference titles and garner automatic bids to the NAIA national tournament.

Women’s Golf — WHAC Champions

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Tech’s track and field program continues its incredible run

Wrestlers Early and Miller enter exclusive club Seniors Sawyer Miller and Erique Early became just the second and third wrestlers in Indiana Tech history to earn national championships when they won their final matches at the NAIA National Championships on March 2.

Miller won the 125-pound weight class with a 4-2 overtime win over Life University’s Randy McCray. Early won at 133 pounds, 4-2 in overtime, over Grand View University’s Shiquan Hall, the nation’s top-ranked wrestler in the weight class.

Indiana Tech’s men’s track and field team won its fifth NAIA indoor national championship in six years, as it edged Wayland Baptist University by two points on March 2 in Brookings, South Dakota.

third in the ladies’ national meet—its seventh straight top-three finish at the event.

The Warrior women won the national championship in 2017 to go along with their outdoor title wins in 2013 and 2014.

Prior to this year’s accomplishment, the Warrior men won four consecutive indoor titles—from 2014 to 2017. They also have three NAIA outdoor titles (2013, 2014 and 2016) and will look to add to that in this May’s national meet in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Junior Leondra Correia won the 60-meter hurdles and freshman Destiny Copeland won the long jump.

Kejavon Moore secured Tech’s lone individual title, winning the 60 meters for the third straight time with a time of 6.6, just one one-hundredth of a second off his national record time.

Indiana Tech’s women’s track and field team finished

Since 2013, Indiana Tech’s track and field program has experienced an unprecedented run of success on the national stage. The men’s and women’s teams have combined for 11 national titles in the indoor and outdoor arena. The lowest team finish during that span was fourth place by the women’s squad during the final 2015 outdoor meet.

In March 2016, Mitch Pawlak became Indiana Tech’s first national champion wrestler when he won the 125-pound weight class final.

Tech announces state’s first women’s collegiate wrestling program In February, the university announced it is adding the sport of women’s wrestling to its athletics offerings, with the goal of hiring a coach this spring and beginning competition in the 2020-21 academic year.

“We are excited to offer this emerging sport for women and look forward to building a winning program,” said director of athletics, Debbie Warren. “The opportunity to compete for an NAIA national championship is something we think will make us competitive right away.”

Tech will compete in the NAIA, the only intercollegiate athletics association to sponsor women’s wrestling, where the sport is in its first season as an invitational sport. There were 24 NAIA institutions that sponsored women’s wrestling at the start of the 2018-19 season, and a number of schools have added the sport over the last six months.

Tech will be the first college in the state of Indiana to offer women’s wrestling to its athletics offerings.

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ATHLETIC ROUNDUP 2018 Fall Sports Wrap-ups MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’ SOCCER

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Record: 15-5-1 (tied for second most wins in program history), 9-1-1 WHAC (3rd/12), lost in WHAC Tournament championship to fourth-seeded Lawrence Tech; first time since 2009 the team had been in the WHAC Tournament finals.

Record: 8-12-0, 6-5-0 WHAC (6th/12), lost in WHAC Tournament semifinals to secondseeded Aquinas.

Record: 20-15, 10-10 WHAC (7th/11)

Awards/Honors: àà 15 WHAC All-Academic Team members: Austin Blanton, Jordan Collins, Leo Corso, Richard Doll, Luiz Fialho de Oliveira, Daniel Gallardo, Ruben Leonardo, Cody Loss, Roberto Maspons, Zin Min, James Ohms, Jose Uvidia, Dean Ward, Hunter Williams and Kirklan Ziambao àà 5 NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Ruben Leonardo, Cody Loss, Roberto Maspons, James Ohms and Jose Uvidia àà 3 United Soccer Coaches All Region-Team selections: Erick Turner, Scott McCarthy and Jaxon Simerman àà 3 First-Team All-Conference selections: Erick Turner, Ruben Leonardo and Scott McCarthy àà 2 Second-Team All-Conference selections: Edwin Rosado and Jaxon Simerman àà Google Cloud Academic All-America® First-Team: Ruben Leonardo àà United Soccer Coaches Scholar AllAmerica Team: Ruben Leonardo àà WHAC Newcomer of the Year: Jaxon Simerman

Awards/Honors: àà 8 WHAC All-Academic Team selections: Kelsey Combs, Karson Gardner, Sydney Lemelin, Sediqa Nedam, Marissa Pease, Kristen Roe, Marina Steffke and Cierra Warstler àà 7 NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Kelsey Combs, Sydney Lemelin, Madison Penfold, Sediqa Nedam, Marina Steffke, Karson Gardner and Kristen Roe

Awards/Honors: àà 5 NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Aubree Eggers, Courtney Mack, Autumn Stokes, Jordan Aylward and Madeline MacDonald àà 5 WHAC All-Academic Team selections: Aubree Eggers, Courtney Mack, Autumn Stokes, Jordan Aylward and Madeline MacDonald àà 2 Second-Team All-Conference selections: Jordan Alyward and Aubree Eggers àà First-Team All-Conference: Madeline MacDonald àà WHAC All-Freshman Team: Erika Foy

A

B

C

D

A. Erick Turner (16) and Jaxon Simerman (18) B. Marina Steffke C. Courtney Mack D. Aubree Eggers (4), Autumn Stokes (16) and Jordan Aylward (19)

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MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

MEN’S GOLF

WHAC Championships: 5th/10

WHAC Championships: 4th/11

WHAC regular standings: 3rd/11

Awards/Honors:

NAIA National Championships: 32nd/36 ( first time qualifying as a team since 2014)

Awards/Honors:

àà Cayce Griffin finished 12th at the NAIA National Championships with a personal best time of 24:48, the second-fastest time in program history, to become the fourth individual to garner All-America honors àà 3 NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Brady Spanfellner, Christian Corrion and L.J. Brant àà 3 WHAC All-Academic Team selections: Brady Spanfellner, Christian Corrion and L.J. Brant àà First-Team All-Conference: Cayce Griffin

E

Awards/Honors: àà 5 NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Ashley Burnett, Anna Gorman, Alexis Lombardo, Kati Maugel and Hayley Newman àà 5 WHAC All-Academic Team selections: Ashley Burnett, Anna Gorman, Alexis Lombardo, Kati Maugel and Hayley Newman

F

àà 1 Second-Team All-Conference selection: Dylan Holsclaw

WOMEN’S GOLF WHAC regular standings: 1st/11 (seventh conference title in program history) Awards/Honors: àà 1 WHAC Player of the Year: Cecilia Heck àà 3 First-Team All-Conference selections: Cecilia Heck, Victoria Raffle and Kim Siercks àà 2 Second-Team All-Conference selections: Katie Giant and Loren Kreider

H

E. Alex Rodriquez F. Hayley Newman G. The women’s cross country team at the NAIA championship H. Dathan Terry I. Cecelia Heck

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I Indiana Tech Magazine

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PATH OF A WARRIOR From the Desk of Ashley Benvenuti

HELPING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE As president of the Indiana Tech Alumni Board, I am privileged to stay connected with university alumni and students. This position allows me to give back to this amazing university while presenting me with a chance to see others grow as I have. Indiana Tech will always be at the center of my success, and I hope others get the chance to experience the positive and family-oriented environment this great institution has to offer.

Just as important, we were students who are now alumni, and it is our responsibility to help shape the future. As part of this journey, we should celebrate with our fellow graduates and share the stories that have guided our lives. This is a great time to remember the fun we had cheering on our sports teams, enjoying the many school events, social time at Andorfer or just sitting in Pierson for the first time as a freshman. Each of these points in our life’s journey contributed to where we are today.

I look forward to getting together with you and all alumni at the many events that are to come in 2019. I cannot wait to hear your stories and memories of your time at Tech.

Who was your favorite professor? What was your favorite class? What relationships did you make? What was the best student activity you

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“ Indiana Tech will always be at the center of my success, and I hope others get the chance to experience the positive and family-oriented environment this great institution has to offer.” experienced? All of these stories are what make reunions and celebrations so special. That’s why I encourage everyone to mark their calendars and make attending events a priority this year. It will be my pleasure to share my stories with you.

On behalf of the alumni board, thanks for all you do and your commitment to Indiana Tech!

Sincerely, Ashley Benvenuti Indiana Tech Alumni Board President B.S. 2015, MBA 2017

ALUMNI NOTES We love to feature updates from our Indiana Tech alumni. Did you get a new job?

Were you promoted? Did you retire? Maybe you’re celebrating a special anniversary, wedding or welcoming a child to your family. We want to celebrate you! Email alumni notes you wish to share to TESmith@indianatech.edu and you can see them featured in the magazine!

American Surgical Professionals announced the addition of Matthew French (MBA, 2005) as VP of surgical operations.

Kimberly Mouton (B.S. Business Administration, 2010) was named director of human resources at Dynamic Recovery Solutions.

Dakota Dawson (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2018) married her beautiful wife, Samantha Hunter, in October 2018.

Caroline Washington’s (B.A. Psychology, 2017) second book is due for publication in 2019. Her first book, Dream Stealers, was published in 2017.

Nicole Haggin (B.S. Psychology, 2014) accepted a position as supervisor of healthy families at the Family and Children’s Center.

Aubrianna Hazen (MBA, 2018; B.S. Business Administration, 2016) accepted a position as associate human resources manager for Keurig Dr Pepper.

Jill Ann Arada (B.S. Biomedical Engineering, 2018) was granted a graduate fellowship at the University of MinnesotaTwin Cities.

David Lee (B.S. Chemical Engineering, 1977) recently retired and he and his wife, Debbie, moved to North Carolina.

Manuel Navarro (B.S. Business Administration, 2018) recently accepted a position as a supply chain agent at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Jeffrey Young (MBA, 2005) is the CIO in residence for MIDMRKT Suite.

Katherine Rudig (A.S. Business Administration, 2018) accepted a position at Leaders Staffing as a staffing coordinator. She was also married in December 2018.

Brenna Madison (B.S. Biomedical Engineering, 2013) accepted a position as a product steward engineer at Eli Lilly.

Dre’Ameerha Walker (MBA, 2018; B.S. Accounting, 2017) accepted a position as a financial analyst at Ayco Goldman Sachs.

Keep us connected!

Your stories are what make Indiana Tech proud—and we want to hear from you! Share your successes, update your information, learn about the Alumni Association and find ways to connect with your peers, friends and faculty members on our website at Alumni.IndianaTech.edu.

You can also email your updates to Alumni@IndianaTech.edu.

Indiana Tech Alumni Group

@IndianaTechAlum

Indiana Institute of Technology

Indiana Tech Magazine

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PATH OF A WARRIOR Alumni Spotlight

CLIFFORD CLARKE BS, MBA At Indiana Tech, we strive to prepare our students to go out into the world and lead lives of significance and worth. In the case of Clifford Clarke, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana Tech: mission accomplished.

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Clifford saw a college education as the gateway to gainful employment and success. He vividly remembers Indiana Tech boasting a 90 percent employment rate for those who graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. It was that statistic which spoke volumes to him and brought him to Fort Wayne. The opportunities that revealed themselves afterward are what made him stay.

Clifford’s time as an undergraduate student was amplified by his involvement in various student groups such as the Black Student Union and WITB—Indiana Tech’s own radio station.

He did begin his college career as an electrical engineering major but transitioned to pursue a degree in the newly-established data processing program. Ultimately, this decision opened the door to a future that, at the time, he could have only dreamed of.

“The education I received, and the caring faculty and staff afforded me the career I have today,” Clifford said.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Data Processing, Clifford took a position with Electric Data Systems, working specifically for General Motors in Fort Wayne. Since then, Clifford’s career has flourished as he has held multiple leadership positions within the world of data processing and information technology. Currently, he serves as the executive director of Computer and Technology Services for Ivy Tech Community College—Northeast.

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Clifford believes whole-heartedly in the power of education and being a life-long learner. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he returned to Indiana Tech to earn an MBA in entrepreneurship and human resources.

Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Global Leadership at Indiana Tech.

Each of these student experiences has been vastly different, but he says the common thread has been the fantastic faculty members he has met along the way. He credits them as being great teachers who are passionate, knowledgeable and make learning fun. He regularly returns to Indiana Tech to visit professors, support university events and mentor the next class of Warriors.

“I am a firm believer in the power of education. I value it. I work in it,” Clifford said. “To keep moving forward through life, you can never lose the desire to learn.”

His education goes far beyond the formal one he received at Indiana Tech. The bookshelf in his office is full of various books on his favorite topic—leadership. In addition to the professional leadership positions he has held, Clifford is an entrepreneur who leads three other businesses. He is also a mentor who guides the next generation and a board member who serves various groups, including Indiana Tech’s Alumni Board as the chair of its alumni outreach committee. It is within recent years that Clifford has served the

university on the alumni board, but he has always kept close to Indiana Tech.

“I urge all alumni to get involved with the university. The students need you—they need you to come back and model the way and show what you did with your Indiana Tech degree,” Clifford said.

Alumni involvement in the lives of students can make a world of difference. Your guidance and mentorship are important, as is the example you set. You give our students something to aspire to.

If you are an Indiana Tech alum and you would like to share your story or get more involved in the university, please reach out to alumni@ indianatech.edu.

TECH IN YOUR TOWN

A

On Dec. 18, 2018, alumni and friends in the Dallas area gathered for an evening of camaraderie and listened to President Einolf’s vision for the university at Wine Fusion Winery in Grapevine, Texas. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith was on hand, as well—Jaylon was a standout player at Bishop Luers High School, which is in Indiana Tech’s hometown of Fort Wayne, and the University of Notre Dame.

On March 8, 2019, the Indiana Tech Alumni Board hosted its first event of the year in the beautiful and newly rededicated Keene Building. Current Indiana Tech students showcased their talents while alumni and friends of the university enjoyed an evening of casual networking.

Indiana Tech’s Office of Institutional Advancement has been busy connecting with alumni across the country. Some of you may have had the opportunity to receive a one-on-one update on all things Tech, or perhaps you’ve taken part in one of our many Tech in Your Town group events. Be on the lookout for an invitation to connect with fellow Warriors at an upcoming Tech in Your Town event near you.

B C

We love getting out of the office to meet Warrior alumni where they are and try to do so as often as possible.

Check out indianantech.edu/alumni for upcoming events!

A. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith poses with Maria Einolf.

B & C. Members of Indiana Tech’s Alumni Board and their guests enjoy a March evening of networking and fellowship at the Keene Building.

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IN MEMORIAM We have learn of the deaths of the following alumni and friends. If you would like to send a memorial gift to honor someone, please contact Dan Grigg at 800.937.2448, ext. 2440.

William R. Keener Springfield, OH Mechanical Engineering, 1949

James A. Milnes Nashville, IN Mechanical Engineering, 1960

Bennett L. Kemp Fort Wayne, IN Aeronautical Engineering, 1942

Edgar W. Moore Santa Ynez, CA Radio Engineering, 1950

Steve V. Kerstner Walnut Creek, CA Mechanical Engineering, 1948

Donnell W. Morrison Morristown, TN Mechanical Engineering, 1952

Royal B. Kinsley Marlborough, MA Electrical Engineering, 1952

Dalton W. Noblit Mariette, GA Mechanical Engineering, 1943

Charles B. Amick Platte City, MO Civil Engineering, 1949

Donald R. Ferguson Fort Wayne, IN Mathematics, 1964

Walter L. Koinzan Elgin, NE Mechanical Engineering, 1958

George J. Osipov Barre, MA Electronic Engineering, 1961

James O. Anthony Howell, MI Mechanical Engineering, 1950

Harold Saum Ford Edenton, NC Civil Engineering, 1955

Richard A. Kosiarek Fort Wayne, IN Electrical Engineering, 1961

Max G. Papazian Fort Wayne, IN Electrical Engineering, 1949

Sharae Elan Basnight Kailua Kona, HI Accounting, 2010

Carl William Goetz Big Bear Lake, CA Electrical Engineering, 1936

August H. Kruckeberg Fort Wayne, IN Electrical Engineering, 1951

Byron V. Parshall South Bend, IN Electrical Engineering, 1962

Clifford K. Bath Berwick, PA Mechanical Engineering, 1949

Samuel Dominick Greco Upper Holland, PA Mechanical Engineering, 1948

Albert T. Lacatski West Palm Beach, FL Radio Engineering, 1951

John L. Pawlisch Fort Wayne, IN Electrical Engineering, 1948

Robert Kimball Brown Bargersville, IN Electrical Engineering, 1957

John R. Hagerman Chula Vista, CA Aeronautical Engineering, 1943

Claude H. Lassiter Orlando, FL Electrical Engineering, 1952

Theodore P. Perna Garland, TX Electrical Engineering, 1968

Felix P. Caggiano Lancaster, PA Civil Engineering, 1949

James E. Hailey Mechanical Engineering, 1951

Alvin A. Lawrence Columbus, Ohio Aeronautical Engineering, 1948 Civil Engineering, 1949

Paul A. Perry Atlanta, GA Mechanical Engineering, 1949

W. Herbert Cairnes Melbourne, FL Radio Engineering, 1952 G.Martin Croney Bend, OR Electrical Engineering, 1961 Charles R. Crothers Evansville, IN Electrical Engineering, 1963 Charles R. Daniels Fort Wayne, IN Electrical Engineering, 1958 Lavonte Marquez Davis Ypsilanti, MI Business Administration, 2018 Francis R. Dunn Laramie, WY Mechanical Engineering, 1955

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Spring 2019

Russell N. Harder Sturgeon Bay, WI Civil Engineering, 1942 Lloyd C. Hart Charleston, WV Civil Engineering, 1958 Hubert M. Herber Columbus, IN Mechanical Engineering, 1966 James R. Hess Sarasota, FL Civil Engineering, 1944 James C. Hoelle Fort Wayne, IN Mechanical Engineering, 1951 James A. Hopkins Huntsville, AL Electronic Engineering, 1959 Harper Johnson Greenwood, MS Electrical Engineering, 1938

Joseph P. Liegey York, PA Mechanical Engineering, 1956 Leslie E. Lockett Atlanta, GA Civil Engineering, 1953 Melvin J. Louviere Irving, TX Electrical Engineering, 1953 Walter J. Maloney Milford, MI Electrical Engineering, 1950 Menzo E. Mars Shelbyville, IL Electronic Engineering, 1961 George F. Miller Suffolk, VA Electrical Engineering, 1966

Jerald P. Peterson Salt Lake City, UT Chemical Engineering, 1968 Donald B. Peterson Jackson, MI Mechanical Engineering, 1952 Eugene Pomatto Ladson, SC Electronic Engineering, 1959 Chad A. Powell Marion, IN Industrial & Mfg. Engineering, 2015 James B. Putterbaugh Fort Myers, FL Mechanical Engineering, 1959 John A. Randall Millersville, MD Chemical Engineering, 1950 James A. Reynolds Fort Wayne, IN Mechanical Engineering, 1949

Eddie L. Robinson Lexington, KY Electrical Engineering, 1959

Some Remember When...

Richard Paul Rohyans Peru, IL Civil Engineering, 1960

In the last issue of Indiana Tech Magazine, we celebrated the 2018 cross country season as the 30th year of competition for the Warriors’ cross country program. We posted some photos from the 1965 and 1966 squads and asked for recollections from those who ran for the Orange and Black. Here are some of the memories that were shared:

Donald C. Rush Fort Myers, FL Civil Engineering, 1951 Stanley J. Ryckman Mansfield, OH Electrical Engineering, 1949 Walter A. Shields Seminole, FL Civil Engineering, 1953 Herman Andrew Sinemus Floral City, FL Civil Engineering, 1948 Donald Sjaarda Cockeysville, MD Electrical Engineering, 1950

A

Gary W. Steinke Broken Arrow, OK Chemical Engineering, 1973 Donald E. Stinson Fort Wayne, IN Electrical Engineering, 1952 Harry S. Thornburg Fort Wayne, IN Electrical Engineering, 1948 Bernard Tober Oakton, VA Mechanical Engineering, 1948 Martha M. Wilson Zanesville, IN Business Administration, 1999 Ralph D. Wisenburg Coshocton, OH Chemical Engineering, 1937 Eldon E. Wood Orange, CA Radio Engineering, 1952 Robert O. Wright Claremore, OK Chemical Engineering, 1949

B

C

Robert E. Cronan, BSMA 1967 (he’s second from the right in the top row in photo C, and he’s lacing up his shoes in photo B): “One event still stands out clearly in my memory. It was the meet with Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1965.

Hillsdale was probably the toughest school in our division. I placed fifth in that meet with probably my best performance that year. While in the shower room, coach Jerry Van Meter came to me and praised me for my performance and told me the coach from Hillsdale wanted to talk to me.

We exchanged introductions and then the Hillsdale coach asked me how old I was.

Strange question to ask, but I didn’t have an issue. I told him I was 27. He shook my hand again and congratulated me for my performance. Then he called out his team member who I had just beaten and said to him, ‘you just let a 27-yearold runner beat you. You need to train harder.’ I then shook the young man’s hand to say, ‘Great run.’ ”

Ed Bender, BSME 1969 (he’s second from the right in the front row in photo C): “I remember being given a brand-new pair of, what was then, high-tech shoes to wear. I was the worst runner on the team, but I have fond memories of those times. I recently visited Tech and was amazed at all the buildings that have been constructed over the years—and what a beautiful baseball field! I plan on attending the 2019 reunion. Thank you, Tech, for a great education.”

David Robling, BSEE 1968 (he’s front row, middle, in photo A): Thanks to Mr. Robling for identifying himself in the photos. He is a second-generation Tech student as his father, R.G. Robling, attended the university’s original downtown campus.

We look forward to seeing David again at homecoming this fall.

Indiana Tech Magazine

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Remember This?

As mentioned in Tech Happenings on page 10, workers are diligently building Indiana Tech’s new residence hall, which will grace the northeast corner of the Washington Blvd.-Schick Street intersection and it will house 100 students this coming August. At this same time 54 years ago, workers were scurrying to complete the 188-room Alumni Quadrangle in time for the 1965-66 academic year. The Alumni Quadrangle ran parallel to Schick Street and was demolished in the early 2000s to make room for Indiana Tech’s current student center, Andorfer Commons, which was dedicated in 2004.

We love it when you share your stories and help us learn about our historic university. If you have memories of living in the Alumni Quadrangle while at Indiana Tech, reach out to Tracina Smith, associate vice president for institutional advancement, at TESmith@IndianaTech.edu. We’ll let you know what was shared in the next issue of Indiana Tech Magazine.