Indiana Tech Magazine – Spring 2024

MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS SPRING

02 By the Numbers

Indiana Tech’s Cyber Warriors have won 10 straight Indiana Collegiate Cyber Defense Competitions and so much more.

04 University News

06 A Few Words with… Director of Educational Partnerships, Dr. Katie Parrish, helps business leaders understand the value of teaming up with Indiana Tech to offer educational opportunties for their employees.

08 Partners in Growth

Educational partnerships with Indiana Tech help companies stay well-positioned to attract, develop and retain a talented workforce.

12 Wild Ambition

Karlee Barnhill’s lifelong vision of being a veterinarian is well within reach thanks to Indiana Tech’s biology degree program.

16 Day of Giving Recap

Nearly $100,000 was donated on this one-day, online fundraising and alumni engagement event.

18 Inside Our Colleges

In a profession dominated by male broadcasters, freshman sport management major Fiona Quinn became the first woman to do radio play-by-play for the storied Fort Wayne Komets hockey team.

22 Inside Athletics

Meet the coaches of Indiana Tech’s two newest athletic programs.

24 From the Desk of Kristi Jarmus

Kristi welcomes to the team Shakirah Kellam, Indiana Tech’s new assistant director of alumni relations.

26 Alumni Spotlight: Ron Ostrowski

This 1966 aerospace engineering graduate was a key contributor to the Boeing 777 project and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to aviation history.

28 Giving Back: Dr. Joshua Long

Indiana Tech’s professor of economics and business understands how important an act of kindness can be to a young person trying to find their way in the world.

30 Thanks to You

Because of generous support from our friends and donors, Indiana Tech continues to be a life-changing learning enviroment that motivates students toward lives of significance and worth, every day.

32 In Memoriam

ON THE COVER: For Karlee Barnhill’s senior project, the biology major got an opportunity to work with a pair of birds—scarlet-faced liocichlas—at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2

Karl W. Einolf, Ph.D. President

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT: Matt Rowan Senior Director of Institutional Advancement, Dave Stevens Senior Director of Institutional Advancement, Kristi Jarmus Director of Alumni Relations, Kayla Paz Director of Advancement Services, Erin Johnson Director of Advancement and Grants Administration, Linda Newton Administrative Assistant

MARKETING: Brian Engelhart Vice President for Marketing and Communication, Matt Bair Director of Marketing and Communication, Jennifer Murphy, MBA ’22 Director of Marketing, Adult and Online Programs, Julie Farison Creative Director, Elle Helm Graphic Designer, Sarah Suraci Graphic Designer, Joel Kuhn, B.S. ’12 Web Developer, Randy Smith Director of Photo and Video, Amber Owens, MBA ’21 Social Media Manager

Please send comments, news and feature story ideas to:

Indiana Tech attn: Marketing

1600 E. Washington Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46803

phone: 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.

Our Mission: 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. Indiana Tech online: IndianaTech.edu

Commencement day—Indiana Tech’s best day of the year, every year—will soon be upon us! I hope you will join me in congratulating all of our graduates, each of whom has put in the hard work required to join a distinguished group: Indiana Tech alumni. Please join us Saturday, May 11, for all of this year’s commencement events, including the ceremonies at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum at 12:30 p.m., and the university-wide celebration back on main campus that afternoon. For all the details, visit commencement.indianatech.edu.

This issue of Indiana Tech Magazine offers a wide-ranging look at the accomplishments of our students, the hard work being done every day by our dedicated faculty and staff and the steadfast support of alumni and friends of the university like you. In our By the Numbers feature, you’ll learn more about the Cyber Warriors, winners of 10 straight Indiana state Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) championships! As part of this decade of dominance, the Cyber Warriors recently won the Midwest Regional CCDC in March, which earned them an opportunity to compete for the National CCDC title on April 25. Find out how the Cyber Warriors fared at indianatech.edu.

Indiana Tech has always prioritized hands-on learning experiences for every student because they are essential to preparing students to be successful in their chosen careers. When biology major Karlee Barnhill received the opportunity to work on a senior project that could affect the well-being of birds at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, she leapt at the chance. Learn what this aspiring veterinarian took away from her outstanding opportunity, beginning on page 12.

Important assistance for students also comes from the range of partnerships established by the university over the years. Our A Few Words with… column on page 6 introduces you to one of the key team members helping to build these relationships, Dr. Katie Parrish, director of educational partnerships. Take a deeper dive into

the innovative work being done by Dr. Parrish and our entire team in the area of partnerships in our feature story on page 8.

Support from our alums remains essential to Indiana Tech’s work to fulfill its mission as well. On page 16, you can learn more about the impact of our annual Day of Giving event. In just its second year of existence, Day of Giving has already grown to support scholarships, academic programs, athletics and more. Over 300 donors helped us raise nearly $100,000 in this single 24-hour special event. Thank you to all who supported our students through Day of Giving this year.

Whether at our commencement celebration, during a summertime visit or at a special event like Homecoming in the fall, I hope you will take the time to join us here on campus soon.

Karl W. Einolf, Ph.D. President

CYBER WARRIORS

The New York Yankees have won 27 World Series.

The Montreal Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups.

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have each won 17 NBA titles.

Outstanding feats, to be sure, but there is one remarkable accomplishment a small-but-mighty Indiana Tech dynasty can boast that none of those major league juggernauts can.

10 CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS

That’s right.

Indiana Tech’s cyber defense team, the Cyber Warriors, won its 10th straight Indiana Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition in January. In all, the Cyber Warriors have won 17 state titles, besting over the years universities that have included PurdueWest Lafayette, Indiana-Bloomington, Rose-Hulman and Vincennes.

The Cyber Warriors followed it up in March by winning the CCDC Midwest Regional, which marks them as one of the top 10 teams in the nation and earned them a berth in the national competition. That competition was held April 25 through 27 in

San Antonio; visit indianatech.edu to see how they fared.

In these competitions, cybersecurity teams work to combat attempted network security breaches and related challenges that test their problem-solving, technical abilities and teamwork at every turn.

“It is truly remarkable how the Cyber Warriors are able to prepare for and succeed at this level of competition every single year,” said Indiana Tech President Dr. Karl W. Einolf. “I am just so proud of the hard work and commitment to excellence everyone in this program demonstrates.”

The Cyber Warriors are coached by Matt Hansen, an Indiana Tech alum who was a championship-winning Cyber Warrior himself during his time as a Tech student. Over the past five years, every member of Hansen’s squads has secured a job in their career field prior to graduating.

What’s more, Indiana Tech has also established a growing national reputation as a producer of top talent in the cybersecurity field, having recently been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Indiana Tech’s 2023-24 Cyber Warriors, from left to right.

Back row: Coach Matt Hansen, Myles Nieman, Tim Bukowski, Zach Hampton, Nick Caulk, John Rudolph; Middle row: Bryce Murphy, Jeremy MacRoberts, Sam Regelbrugge, Tristan Lybarger, Riley Boroff; Front row: Martin Quintana, Garrett Bates, Vanessa Krueger, Peter Allison; Not pictured: Hayden LeFlech

15

members of the Cyber Warriors team

Jeremy MacRoberts

TEAM CAPTAIN

JUNIOR / NETWORK ENGINEERING AND CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Samuel Regelbrugge TEAM LIEUTENANT

SOPHOMORE / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Peter Allison

JUNIOR / NETWORK ENGINEERING MAJOR

Garrett Bates

SENIOR / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Riley Boroff

JUNIOR / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Timothy Bukowski

SOPHOMORE / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Nick Caulk

FRESHMAN / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Zach Hampton

SENIOR / MECHATRONICS AND ROBOTICS ENGINEERING MAJOR

Vanessa Krueger

SOPHOMORE / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Hayden LaFlech

FRESHMAN / COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR

Tristan Lybarger

FRESHMAN / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Bryce Murphy

SENIOR / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

Myles Nieman

JUNIOR / SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MAJOR

Martin Quintana

SOPHOMORE / CYBERSECURITY MAJOR

John Rudolph

SENIOR / SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MAJOR

THE CYBER WARRIORS HAVE BEEN THE STATE’S TOP CYBER DEFENSE TEAM SINCE

17

OVERALL INDIANA COLLEGIATE CYBER DEFENSE COMPETITION TITLES

4

MIDWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

THESE VICTORIES LED TO BERTHS IN THE NATIONAL COMPETITION

2/7/2015 — 2007 — 2011 — 2018 — 2024

10

STRAIGHT INDIANA COLLEGIATE CYBER DEFENSE COMPETITION TITLES

11TH

NATIONAL RANKING AT THE END OF THE 2021-22 SEASON, THEIR BEST SEASON EVER, TO DATE

Witte Family Ph.D. Program in Global Leadership

In recognition of a generous donation to Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership program by Dr. Jeff Witte and his unending passion for learning, the university has renamed its Ph.D. program the Witte Family Ph.D. Program in Global Leadership.

Dr. Witte, a retired police chief from the Cincinnati, Ohio, suburb of Woodlawn, completed his Ph.D. at Indiana Tech in 2023. His family’s donation will be distributed to the program over the next seven years to help support students who are pursuing their terminal degree.

“Students and alumni from Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership Program are trained to be leaders and to understand the responsibilities of leadership. As leaders—especially those who espouse servant leadership—we have an obligation to develop the next generation of leaders,” Dr. Witte said. “A critical way for me to accomplish this is to donate to the Ph.D. Program at Indiana Tech, to support, enhance and grow its resources.” He added, “Each step of my journey—from the initial interview, each stage of coursework, every trip to campus, to the final defense of my dissertation—confirmed to me that I had made the best possible decision with Indiana Tech. The program employs top-notch faculty and staff; utilizes an in-depth curriculum focusing on global leadership, research and several relevant specializations; and offers meaningful on-campus immersions to network with faculty and fellow students.”

“...WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. A CRITICAL WAY FOR ME TO ACCOMPLISH THIS IS TO DONATE TO THE PH.D. PROGRAM AT INDIANA TECH.”

Dr. Jeff Witte

“Indiana Tech is very grateful to Dr. Jeff Witte and his family for this remarkable gesture of generosity toward our university,” said Indiana Tech

President Karl W. Einolf, Ph.D. “As president, I am so proud that his positive experience here was the impetus for this donation. Our Ph.D. program is life-changing. As the Witte Family Ph.D. Program in Global Leadership, it will become even stronger.”

For his dissertation, Dr. Witte evaluated policing tactics and leadership across diverse cultures and identified key practices that can help public safety officers deliver better customer satisfaction. Much of his research was gleaned during his global practicum—optional trips organized by the university that give students experiential learning through interaction with other cultures, global research and the application of concepts

learned through coursework. His practicum experience was so impactful that he has allocated a large portion of his donation to go toward making global practicums possible for more students.

“My global practicum was a transformative experience for me—personally, professionally and academically, but I have learned that many Ph.D. students have difficulty financing a global practicum in addition to the regular costs of coursework, textbooks and other expenses,” Witte said. “That’s why I created the Jeffrey Witte, Ph.D. Global Practicum Endowment to make these incredible experiences more affordable for students.”

Ultimately, he sees giving back to his alma mater as a way of paying homage to his late father, Richard C. Witte, Esq., who gave generously to his own schools and instilled in Witte a legacy of lifelong learning.

“My father was a lifelong patent attorney for Procter & Gamble, a U.S. Navy veteran and a tireless volunteer for his church and organizations like the YMCA. He gave generously to his law school and to his undergraduate engineering school,” Dr. Witte said. “His hard work and dedication allowed him to be generous with his family, and provided me with this opportunity to give back to Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. program and to share my family’s name with those fortunate enough to study in the doctoral program.”

Indiana Tech adds two new members to university board of trustees

Indiana Tech’s board of trustees elected two new members to the board at its December 2023 quarterly meeting. Dr. Wendy Kobler and Mr. Mark Dely began their service as new members of Indiana Tech’s board of trustees in February. Both were elected to three-year terms.

Dr. Kobler is a graduate of Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership program. She is the chief development and external relations officer for Cincinnati Works, a nonprofit that works with job seekers and employers to eliminate poverty in the greater Cincinnati region. In addition to her doctorate, Dr. Kobler holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of West Florida and a Master of Science in Secondary Education and Marketing Education from Alabama A&M University.

Mr. Dely serves as chief administrative and legal officer and corporate secretary for Vera Bradley, Inc., the Fort Wayne-based, publicly traded designer and retailer of women’s handbags, luggage, travel items, fashion and home accessories and gifts. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration/Pre-Law from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctor from the New York University School of Law.

Dr. Art Snyder hosts U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson at Forum Club event

Retired Indiana Tech president and current Ph.D. in Global Leadership professor Dr. Art Snyder hosted U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson at Thompson’s recent speaking engagement at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. Dr. Snyder was joined in welcoming Representative Thompson to the Forum Club by his son, Indiana Tech alum Dr. Chris Snyder. The Forum Club is Florida’s largest nonpartisan political and public affairs organization. Rep. Thompson shared his experiences and insights from his 50+ years of public service, including his suggested remedies for the growing political divide in the U.S.

Indiana Tech, Fort Wayne Community Schools partner for game-changing college admission program

Indiana Tech and Indiana’s largest public school district, Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS), partnered on an innovative new program to benefit FWCS students.

Through the program, known as Promise IT, which will begin with the 2024-25 academic year, all FWCS high school graduates will be guaranteed admission to Indiana Tech. To take part in the program, FWCS students simply apply to Indiana Tech, provide their high school transcript and fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Just as significant, FWCS students who are eligible for full federal Pell Grant and Indiana state college aid are guaranteed to have their full tuition and college fees covered under the Promise IT program. For these students, their tuition costs and fees are covered in full through a combination of federal aid, state aid and scholarship funds provided by Indiana Tech.

FWCS operates 52 schools serving 28,664 students.

A FEW WORDS WITH...

DR. KATIE PARRISH

Director of Educational Partnerships

More and more, business leaders recognize the value of partnering with institutions of higher learning to offer educational opportunities for their employees.

From an organizational viewpoint, this type of commitment can improve retention, employee satisfaction and the organization’s reputation in its industry. It can also improve the overall quality and performance of its workforce.

As a university with a long history of understanding the needs of adult learners and creating educational pathways for them, Indiana Tech has been out in front of this trend for several years. Understanding we are perfectly equipped to help organizations fulfill their employees’ educational needs, developing and nurturing corporate partnerships has become a priority for the university.

Leading this initiative is Director of Educational Partnerships Dr. Katie Parrish, who has been with Indiana Tech since 2016. Take some time to meet Dr. Parrish and learn about the university’s approach to corporate partnerships.

Q You have demonstrated a passion for education throughout your career. What compelled you to pursue this career path?

A After I graduated college, my first job was as a teacher’s assistant, where I worked with children with autism. That experience helped me realize that I wanted to be a teacher, so I returned to school to earn my teaching license. I taught elementary and middle school intervention for 10 years before coming to Indiana Tech. When I joined Tech in 2016 as a faculty member, I saw it as an opportunity to share my love of teaching and help grow the next generation of teachers. While I miss being around kindergartners and seeing the excitement on their faces when they are learning, I have grown to love supporting college-aged students and adult learners to find their passion.

“THROUGHOUT MY TIME HERE, ONE CONSTANT HAS BEEN OUR STUDENT-CENTERED APPROACH.”

Dr. Katie Parrish

Q What do you do as Indiana Tech’s director of educational partnerships?

A As the director of educational partnerships, my goal is to foster collaboration between educational institutions, businesses and the workforce to expand educational opportunities and create accessible and efficient learning experiences for students. Through partnerships, I also evaluate and align corporate training and development to award college credit, which supports students in completing their degrees more efficiently while also enhancing the value of corporate training programs. This opportunity helps companies recruit, retain and promote employees by recognizing and valuing individual and corporate learning to create a positive impact on both individual career trajectories and corporate success.

Q What kinds of organizations is Indiana Tech looking to partner with? What’s in it for them?

A Indiana Tech is interested in partnering with any organization that invests in the growth and development of the people they serve. Our partners have a similar mission of empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential and positively impacting their community.

We structure our partnerships so that they are collaborative and mutually beneficial. A few things that make our partnerships unique include our desire to learn from our partners to ensure we are developing programs and curriculum that will support workforce needs, ongoing engagement and relationship development once a partnership is established, and financial assistance through our corporate scholarship that extends not just to employees, but also to spouses and dependents in many cases.

Q But there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to partnerships, is there?

A At Indiana Tech, every partnership looks a little different; there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach because we want to design them around the unique needs of our partners. We are also committed to nurturing our partnerships, so they evolve over time as the partner’s needs change. For example, a partnership may form because there is an immediate need to upskill a group of employees, but over time, the company’s needs may transition to needing interns and wanting to hire our graduates. As a university, we have become proficient at being responsive and adaptable to make sure our corporate partners gain maximum benefit from the relationship. When we establish a partnership, we want to ensure we are supporting the development of the employees, which requires us to align with workforce needs and learn from our diverse industry partners to remain current. We also want to offer unique opportunities within our partnerships. In the past, we have been able to go on-site to offer classes to employees and evaluate corporate training programs for companies in IT, manufacturing, banking and law enforcement fields as a value-add to their training programs and lessen the time for degree completion. We have also been able to create customized certificates for companies so they can provide the leadership skills required to promote their employees.

Q You have been at Indiana Tech since 2016. What are some of the more impactful changes you have seen during your time here?

A A few of the impactful changes I have seen our ability to evolve and remain current with workforce needs. Through the expansion of our academic programs to include online certificates and in-demand programs, we can provide students with essential knowledge and skills that lead to fulfilling careers.

Throughout my time here, one constant has been our student-centered approach. Our focus on students and our campus-wide commitment to support students on their educational journey is something I am proud to be a part of.

Q What do you like to do away from the office?

A Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three daughters. I usually keep busy with their activities, but I also enjoy traveling, baking and interior decorating.

Partners in Growth

Innovative corporate partnerships bring wide-ranging benefits to students.

Innovation in higher education comes in many forms. Groundbreaking research benefits a myriad of industries and society at large. Advances in the capture and analysis of data help universities better serve students and prepare them for success. Teaching methods, program development and delivery are enhanced through industry and student feedback.

At Indiana Tech, innovation is also seen in the university’s work to develop corporate partnerships. These partner relationships are helping Tech attract more students and serve them more effectively. They are helping partner organizations with critical talent attraction and development needs. They are also building a diverse base of support that will help ensure Indiana Tech continues to thrive today and well into the future.

A common, if increasingly outdated, view of higher education might look something like this: a student goes to a university for four years, earns their degree and then works for 40 years. The partnerships Indiana Tech is establishing with an ever-growing number of corporations paint a very different picture, however. They are built around the reality that in the economy of today and tomorrow, individuals need access to education throughout their lives in order to succeed. And the companies that help them with their educational needs will be best positioned to attract, develop and retain the talented individuals they need for their organization to thrive.

Indiana Tech’s long history of serving working adult students, its two-decade track record of success in delivering online programs and its culture of

entrepreneurial thinking all contribute to the university’s effectiveness in serving a variety of partners. Dr. Steve Herendeen, Indiana Tech’s vice president for enrollment management, says, “We frequently hear from our corporate partners that they find higher education institutions difficult to navigate and engage with. Here at Tech, our admissions, corporate development and academic team members all work together to ensure that’s not the case. It all starts with us asking potential new partners, ‘What do you need?’ and ‘How can we help?’”

Partnerships can take the form of one-on-one relationships between Tech and a company, as in the case of Reelcraft, a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of reel components used in heavy industry and automotive industries. Based in Northeast Indiana, Reelcraft was seeking ways to better prepare key team members to become leaders within their organization. In a competitive labor market, they were also seeking to enhance the benefits and career development opportunities offered to potential new hires.

Reelcraft partnered with Indiana Tech to provide a certificate program combining organizational leadership and production management coursework. Classes are taught on-site at Reelcraft, allowing participating students to learn as part of their regular workday. Of the nearly 20 students who enrolled in the first cohort of the program, all but one were promoted within the company after completing their certificate. Several of them are also applying the credits and knowledge they earned through

the program to their pursuit of associate and bachelor’s degrees from Indiana Tech. Reelcraft has continued to offer the certificate opportunity to its team members, and Indiana Tech is engaged in further partnership discussions with Reelcraft’s parent company to offer similar programs across all the firms in their portfolio.

Indiana Tech has also become an education provider of choice for a growing number of firms that help large corporations offer education benefits and opportunities to their team members.

One example is the university’s partnership with InStride, which works with employers to establish collaborations with universities to offer career-aligned education to their workforces. Through its rigorous and selective partnership process, InStride helps its corporate clients find the right universities offering the right programs that they need to develop their workforces, and that their current and prospective employees are interested in. Since becoming an InStride education partner in early 2023, Indiana Tech has enrolled increasing numbers of online students from such well-known InStride clients as Amazon, Chick-fil-A and many more.

While partnerships certainly have a positive impact on enrollment in the university’s programs, the benefits to Tech and all of our students do not end there. Each of the university’s three colleges and many of its key programs have external advisory boards made up of industry experts who help provide industry insights and connections to keep our programs relevant and thriving. Advisory board members frequently come from partner organizations, and numerous partnerships have begun through an advisory board member first having a positive experience serving on a college or program board.

Similarly, the experience and knowledge gained from working with partners helps provide insight to Indiana Tech’s academic team as they work on curriculum updates and explore new program opportunities. Learning about the interests of students from partner organizations, and the talent development needs of their employers, better enables the university to offer programs that will lead to great career opportunities for

Robin Longenbaugh DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR

REELCRAFT INDUSTRIES

19 of the 20 Reelcraft employees who enrolled were promoted within the company after completing their certificate.

every student, whether they learn online or on the main campus in Fort Wayne. Insights from partner relationships have helped inform new degree programs, but also new offerings in shorter-term credentials and certificates that are seeing great demand by individual students and employers alike.

Indiana Tech’s Career Services team has also engaged with a wide range of corporate partners as each organization seeks to develop a sustainable pipeline of talented future hires. Numerous partners have first engaged with the university by offering their current employees education opportunities at Tech, only to expand the relationship to work with the Career Center to promote internship and career opportunities to current students. Representatives from corporate partner organizations also give their time to career events on campus, including mock interviews, career fairs and career exploration workshops embedded into a variety of classes.

Corporate partners who benefit from their work with Indiana Tech have increasingly given back to support students, too. During the university’s current Building a Century of Excellence campaign, numerous companies have helped support Tech through contributions for the Zollner Engineering Center expansion,

the purchase of new, state-of-the-art lab equipment, and the establishment and growth of scholarship funds for students. Giving back and helping ensure sustainability and success for the institution that has helped them succeed has become a worthwhile investment for these partners.

In the end, as Dr. Herendeen notes, “Like everything we do at Indiana Tech, success in building relationships and partnerships is a true team effort. Our students, faculty and staff benefit right alongside our partners, making it a win for everyone.”

Contact Steve Herendeen, vice president for enrollment management (saherendeen@ indianatech.edu) to learn how a partnership with Indiana Tech can benefit your organization.

Adam Simon Production Management Certificate

Amie Hicks Production Management Certificate

Rhonda Doberstein Production Management Certificate

Wild Ambition

From the time she was a first-grader, Karlee Barnhill has wanted to be a veterinarian. She remembers distinctly dressing up as a vet and creating a poster about her dream job for her elementary school’s career day.

Since then, the Indiana Tech senior from Jonesville, Michigan, has answered that calling by working with animals—primarily her family’s horses (as a barrel racer and with her mom, who was a farrier). She grew up in 4-H, showing livestock, and was a member of Future Farmers of America. Over the last two years, she has worked in the Fort Wayne area for a veterinary hospital and an equine clinic.

Barnhill’s love for animals is so strong she “celebrated” her 21st birthday helping deliver around-the-clock intensive care to a Belgian foal that was born in distress just hours earlier. The foal survived, thanks in large part to her unwavering dedication.

Ultimately, Barnhill’s passion led her to Indiana Tech to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology and prepare for veterinary school (more about that, later).

“From a time before I could even walk, when I used to help my mom shoe horses, I’ve been immersed in caring for animals and understanding the special bond we share with them,” Barnhill said. “Through my experiences, I’ve come to understand the profound impact that they have on our lives and the responsibility we hold to ensure their well-being. This is what drives my passion for animal welfare and advocacy, and why I have never wavered on becoming a veterinarian.”

Meet the scarlet-faced liocichla!

For her senior project, Barnhill analyzed the acoustic data from these birds to assess the welfare of these and other birds living inside the zoo’s rainforest-inspired Asian Trek domed habitat.

So, when Barnhill got the opportunity to spearhead a project at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo that could affect the comfort, health and well-being of animals, she leapt at the chance.

Barnhill’s project—her senior project—deals with bioacoustics: the study of the production, transmission and reception of animal sounds, which is used to provide scientists and researchers with insight into species diversity, habitat health and wildlife behavior.

“EVEN IF YOU DON’T COME FROM A CERTAIN BACKGROUND, YOU CAN STILL BECOME WHAT YOU WANT TO BE IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT AND WORK FOR IT.”

Last fall, Barnhill began poring over sound data to identify how the birds’ vocalizations differ in response to the various stimuli they encounter within the habitat. Those stimuli include things like food availability, interactions with other species, noise outside of the domed habitat, the presence of humans when the zoo is open and mating season. Her work culminated with a presentation of her findings and recommendations to Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo leadership in April.

In this case, Barnhill has been studying the calls of the zoo’s two pair-bonded scarlet-faced liocichlas (Jeruk is the male, Kirmizi is the female). These birds (along with 53 others totaling 17 different species) call the zoo’s 8,000-square-foot, rainforestinspired Asian Trek domed habitat their home. Her sound data was captured by the zoo’s specialized bioacoustics recording equipment installed within the habitat.

Karlee

Barnhill

The scarlet-faced liocichla is a stunningly beautiful, medium-sized bird whose natural habitat is roughly 9,000 miles away in the dense hill forests, jungles and swamps of Thailand and Myanmar. Described as “furtive and shy,” according to birdsoftheworld. org, and commonly found “singly, in pairs or in small groups of four to five individuals,” the scarletfaced liocichla is common to its native region. Its calls are distinct, which is one reason it was chosen for this study.

“I identified distinct patterns that indicated different emotional states, particularly distinguishing between what appeared to be anger and happiness in the birds. When the scarlet-faced liocichlas exhibited what I interpreted as angry calls, there was often increased agitation and aggression within the dome. On the other hand, when they emitted calls that associate with happiness, I observed more relaxed behaviors and positive social interactions within the dome,” Barnhill said. She concluded that implementing enriched soundscapes that promote positive emotional states will improve the overall welfare of these and, perhaps, other birds in the habitat. She also recommended that the zoo continue to collect and assess data throughout the 2024 season to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how the presence of zoo visitors affects the emotional states of its scarlet-faced liocichlas.

“Ongoing observation and analysis will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of any interventions that are implemented. It will also enable the zoo to make informed decisions regarding future management strategies for these birds,” Barnhill said. Because of her experiences growing up, Barnhill is privy to the cues of a horse or other species of hoofstock in discomfort or experiencing discontent. Identifying those cues from a bird? That’s been more of a challenge that has taught valuable lessons. “This project has reminded me that just because you think everything is going fine for an animal, you can be very wrong. You cannot rely on appearances and assumptions alone,” Barnhill said. “Animals cannot speak to us, so we need to make use of the tools that are available to us to dig deeper and make sure they are happy and that their needs are being met.”

Barnhill’s senior project is part of an 18-credit hour final semester in the homestretch of her college career. And, as mentioned earlier, she has been trying to get into vet school. Needless to say, she does not have time to dally. But, determination is something Barnhill has never lacked.

“Growing up, it was almost impossible to think I could do this. I’m a first-generation college student with six siblings, and there just wasn’t a big push for me to go to college,” Barnhill said. “My

parents didn’t really know how to support my desire to become a vet, so I’ve had to figure out a lot of things on my own.

“I don’t have negative feelings toward my parents but at the same time, I want to be the first person in my family who is able to put Dr. in front of their name,” she added. “That has been a big encouragement to me—changing up some of those generational patterns in my family.”

On March 25, becoming a doctor came closer to reality for Barnhill. On that day, she received an acceptance letter from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, which is based in St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies.

“To be honest, I still don’t know how to react to the news,” Barnhill said about her acceptance into Ross. “There are only 32 vet schools in the country with 100 seats each, and interest in animal medicine is growing. Just getting an interview in such a competitive environment was amazing to me. To be accepted? Well, I am just over the moon!” Barnhill is still awaiting decisions from two other schools; those should come in April. At that time, she will decide where to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Want to see something sweet?

Watch Karlee share her veterinarian school acceptance letter with her fiancé, Landon, here: youtu.be/efg9yMR4dDY

Coming in the summer issue!

Read about senior projects from the College of Business and the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences in the online issue of Indiana Tech Magazine this summer.

Karlee’s mentor at Indiana Tech, professor of biology Dr. Julie Good, knows Karlee is ready for the next step in her educational journey.

“Karlee has approached her academic experience here at Tech with a disciplined focus, tackling challenging coursework head-on to become best prepared for the rigor of veterinary education,” Dr. Good said.

“She has a love and respect for animals that was instilled in her early in her life and has an exceptional determination. I have no doubt that Karlee will make an outstanding veterinarian.”

“It’s important for everyone to know that even if you don’t come from a certain background, you can still become what you want to be if you put your mind to it and work for it,” Barnhill said. “Most of my life, I’ve thought, ‘I can’t be a doctor. No one in my family is a doctor.’ And now I’m more than halfway there and getting a step closer every day. It’s amazing.”

DAY OF GIVING

THANK YOU!

On Feb. 20, Indiana Tech celebrated its Day of Giving – a special, one-day online fundraising and engagement event, created to make a difference in the life of every student.

On this day, alumni, friends, faculty and staff are invited to show their Warrior pride, support today’s students in reaching their educational goals and advance the mission of Indiana Tech.

Here is the outcome for Day of Giving 2024.

320 Donors

$94,635 Raised

Seven areas of the university benefited from the generosity of Day of Giving participants:

↘ Athletics

↘ College of Arts and Sciences

↘ College of Engineering

↘ Scholarships

↘ Student Organizations

↘ Student Support

↘ Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences

Indiana Tech’s new men’s rugby program hit the ground running as 36 donors contributed to this team, which will begin play in the 2024-25 school year.

Learn more about this new program on page 22.

Thank you to Dr. Jeffrey Witte, who used a challenge gift on the Day of Giving platform as an alumni fundraiser. Dr. Witte, who earned a Ph.D. from Indiana Tech in 2023, is an outstanding ambassador for the university.

Learn more about his philanthropic support of Indiana Tech on page 4.

An anonymous donor contributed $10,000 to Indiana Tech’s women’s volleyball program.

Support for Indiana Tech’s cybersecurity team, the Cyber Warriors, was enthusiastic with donors sharing high praise for this team.

“The Cyber Warriors are the only reason my career took off so well! Working together with teammates allowed me to go above and beyond, and [Cyber Warriors) Coach Hansen was always there to support us on our journeys. The experience I gained there is absolutely priceless!”

See more of this successful university team on page 2.

“I wouldn’t be in the successful career I’m in today if it weren’t for time spent competing with the Cyber Warriors.”

“God bless this team. I’ve known them for many years now, and each year I hear about the fruits of their labors amongst the collegiate cyber defense community. Even if they didn’t WIN STATE 10 YEARS IN A ROW, I’d be proud to fund them (BUT THEY DID).”

Although Day of Giving has passed, you can show your support for Indiana Tech at giving.indianatech.edu

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Trial by fire

Freshman sport management major makes historic debut as a professional play-by-play announcer.

In a story that made national news, freshman sport management major Fiona Quinn made history on Dec. 30, 2023, when she delivered play-by-play radio coverage of the Fort Wayne Komets’ ECHL hockey game at Indianapolis.

A rarity in a sport dominated by male broadcasters, it is possible that Quinn became the first woman to do play-byplay for an ECHL game. It is definite she is the first woman to call a game for the Komets, which has been in operation in Indiana Tech’s hometown since 1952 and is the secondoldest team in minor league hockey.

“I am so grateful I was able to call that game. The feedback has been incredible,” Quinn said. “I’ve gotten a lot of praise and reassurance from other broadcasters. Everyone has been hyping me up and making sure I know where I can go from here.”

It all started that Saturday morning when Komets playby-play announcer Shane Albahrani woke up ill and without a voice. He called Quinn and asked her to join the team on the trip to Indianapolis because he needed her to take the lead—with his support—in the play-by-play booth that night.

“I was thrilled to get the call from Shane, but I had to prepare for the game and immediately go through my game-day preparations,” Quinn said. “I was rocky for the first few minutes, but it felt like a regular game once the puck dropped. I think I did an excellent job for it being my first play-by-play broadcast for the ECHL.”

Quinn, in her fourth year as an intern for the Komets, uses her knack for stats to help the organization with record book projects and broadcasters in the booth. She began dabbling in broadcasting in 2022, doing color commentary for local high school hockey broadcasts. That growth led Albahrani to begin using Quinn for in-game analysis during Komets games this season—something that prepped her for her big debut in December.

“I think I was more nervous than she was that night. Even though my voice wasn’t fully back, I insisted that I be there to give her support during the game. She did a great job,” Albahrani said. “She’s progressed very well this year. You can very much tell she learns something every game. Her confidence grows every week, and her hard work prepping for the games always shows through.”

Although this burst onto the broadcasting scene has created a viable career path for Quinn, she is undecided about what she wants to do in the industry. One thing she is certain about is working for the Komets for as long as possible.

“I am above the moon regarding how much this internship for the Komets has helped me,” she said. “One of the significant parts of minor league hockey is that everyone has to wear multiple hats, so I have the opportunity to do many things all the time. It is just a tremendous learning experience and I’m incredibly excited to continue that journey.”

“Fiona is on an incredible path. To be able to do what she’s doing at such a young age truly is amazing,” Albahrani said. “She will be a wonderful broadcaster if she does indeed decide to tackle the business.”

Freshman sport management major Fiona Quinn does radio play-by-play for the Fort Wayne Komets’ hockey game in Indianapolis on Dec. 30.

TALWAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCES

Tech’s Al Hamouz identified as one of the top 2% of influential scientists

in the world

Indiana Tech electrical engineering professor Zakariya Al Hamouz is ranked amongst the top 2% of most influential scientists in the world, based on the report updated for 2023 by researchers at Stanford University. Professor Al Hamouz is the chair of Indiana Tech’s ABET-accredited electrical engineering program and has been with the university since 2019.

The comprehensive ranking was released by Stanford in October, and it is based on bibliometric data from the expansive Scopus database, which is comprised of more than 210,000 scholars within a global pool of millions of active scientists. The assessment divides scientists into 20 distinct scientific fields and 174 subfields, systematically ranking them based on how often their work is cited by other scholars. Data is presented separately for both an academic’s entire career and their oneyear impact, offering a nuanced evaluation of scholarly impact.

TALWAR

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCES

Warriors shine at NSBE Fall Regional Conference

Eighteen members of Indiana Tech’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) earned invaluable professional experience during the NSBE Fall Regional Conference, which was held in Chicago in mid-November.

These regional conferences provide NSBE members with the opportunity to source internships and full-time positions in a career fair and convention setting. In addition, participants are able to attend leadership development workshops and showcase their talents in competitive ways.

Indiana Tech’s NSBE debate team, comprised of A’Niyah Johnson, Lauryn Terry and Brianna Triplett (seen in the photograph above), won the regional debate competition by defeating the University of Michigan. The subject of this debate was the use of generative AI. The victory allowed the team to compete at NSBE’s March national conference where it placed fourth.

Olaide Olapade also earned a regional championship for her scholarly poster presentation in the Technical Research Exhibition.

The Indiana Tech chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) was chartered in 2005. Since then, the organization has had a steady presence on campus in order to fulfill the NSBE mission statement, which is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

Rising to the Occasion

Criminal justice students help the Fort Wayne Police Department for a win-win learning experience.

When the Fort Wayne Police Department needed assistance with its earlyNovember hostage negotiation training exercise, it reached out to Indiana Tech’s criminal justice program first. The result was a win-win learning experience for participating police officers and nine CJ students.

“By volunteering their time to assist our negotiators and tactical teams in training, it adds a layer of realism that we could not get without them. This really improves our overall effectiveness and makes us better,” said FWPD Public Information Sergeant Jeremy Webb. “The students also benefit from the experience by getting a closeup view of some specialized training conducted by law enforcement, which will aid them in their criminal justice education and potential law enforcement career.”

The training was held in a vacant warehouse in two sessions. The morning session was run at a slower speed, with a focus on team movements and negotiations. The afternoon session was more dynamic with simunition firearms, training flash bangs, hostage scenarios and real-time team movement.

“When our students participate in experiential education opportunities like this, they gain a better understanding of the course material, a broader view of the criminal justice system and an appreciation of the community in which we live,” said Dominic Lombardo, program lead for Indiana Tech’s criminal justice program.

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE:

“Out-of-classroom experiences like this allow students to apply their knowledge and see what they are learning, in action, rather than in a notebook. These are rare opportunities to see your career work from a new angle, and something this informative should not be passed up.”

Matthew Frink

CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR

CLASS OF 2024

“I found it interesting all the technology they used to rescue us. I have been a part of this scenario more than once, and I have been able to see their technology has advanced over the years.”

María Solís

CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR

CLASS OF 2026

“The officers were open to any and all questions we had for them, and they let us see their negotiation truck and other vehicles they bring in situations like these. They were very kind and open, which made this experience even better.”

Brooklyn Babler

CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR

CLASS OF 2025

TALWAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCES

Mechanical engineering major introduces girls to engineering

On Feb. 24, mechanical engineering major Lauryn Terry represented Indiana Tech at Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, hosted by Science Central, Fort Wayne’s all-ages, hands-on science center.

Terry gave an introductory presentation about engineering to the crowd, which was comprised primarily of girls from second grade to high school.

“I shared what it’s like as a college student, what type of classes I take for my degree and what concepts I have learned, and I tried to apply those things to what they know now,” Terry said. “I wanted them to understand what engineering is and to think about things differently when they go back to class or home like: ‘How could I fix this and what materials would it take?’ All of that is a part of engineering.”

Pulling from her STEM camp experience as a middleschooler in her hometown of Memphis, she also guided participants on a bridge-building exercise with popsicle sticks.

“It was an impactful experience for me, and I think it went well,” Terry said. “I wish I would have had more opportunities to learn about engineering or anything in STEM when I was a little girl in Memphis. So, if my presentation was able to spark something in someone that will help guide them in the future, that is very important to me.”

COLLEGE

OF BUSINESS

Prolific hockey executive joins sport management faculty as adjunct

Scott Sproat, president of business operations and co-owner of the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, joined Indiana Tech in January as an adjunct professor of sport management.

Sproat has had a 23-year career with the Komets, which is the second-oldest team in minor league hockey. He will teach courses in sports marketing, sport management and public assembly facility management.

Women’s T&F Team Wins Fourth Straight National Indoor Title

In March, Indiana Tech’s women’s track and field team won its fourth straight NAIA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championship. Indiana Tech scored 88 points to win the national title, edging out William Carey (Mississippi), which finished with 79 points.

Lisa Voyles accounted for 22 points for the Warriors, with individual national titles in the mile and 1000, plus a secondplace finish in the distance medley relay. In addition to the wins, Voyles picked up a school record in the 1000m (2:46.84) and

anchored the DMR squad to another school record (11:48.43). In her collegiate career, Voyles is now an eighttime national champion and a 19-time All-American.

Jamaya Warthen also earned an individual national championship for the Warriors by winning the 60-meter dash. It was her first-ever national title.

For his efforts leading the team, Doug Edgar earned National Coach of the Year honors for the 17th time.

FOLLOW INDIANA TECH’S ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT INDIANATECHWARRIORS.COM.

RUGBY IS HERE!

Indiana Tech’s Department of Athletics announced in February it is adding men’s rugby to its portfolio of collegiate sports programs.

Like the university’s hockey programs, the rugby team will compete outside of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). It will be affiliated with National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), an elite governing body for collegiate men’s and women’s college rugby clubs (in both 15s and 7s rugby) in the United States. Indiana Tech will compete independently before joining a conference, and will participate in competitions around the Midwest in 15s in the fall and 7s in the spring.

To build the program, Indiana Tech has hired Fort Wayne native Sam DiFilippo, a veteran of the Fort Wayne rugby scene for 20 years as a player and a coach. DiFilippo began playing in high school, where in 2004 he captained Bishop Dwenger’s state championship squad. In 2005, he became a certified coach and has worked to grow the local rugby community as a coach and an administrator.

Early goals for the program are to assemble a roster of more than 15 student-athletes to be on campus this fall and to increase the roster to over 40 in the first three years that lead up to full conference play.

“We want to recruit passionate and dedicated student-athletes who are seen positively in their community and sport while maintaining high academic achievement,” said DiFilippo, who indicated he would like to build up to a roster of 40 players when the Warriors begin conference play approximately three years from now.

“My ideal recruit should have good moral character and actively participate in their school or neighborhood.”

In addition to building a competitive onthe-field program, DiFilippo also wants Indiana Tech to become known as a destination for youth rugby camps, referee training and coach development.

“Rugby is gaining popularity in America, but it needs to be understood more. This new college program provides us with a great opportunity to educate players, parents and fans about rugby and build a bigger and more robust rugby community here in Fort Wayne,” DiFilippo said.

“We also want our players to learn and grow inside the sport by experiencing coaching and having opportunities to be match officials. The exposure will give them rugby skills they can use after graduation and make our players visible as leaders in the rugby community.”

DiFilippo earned a bachelor’s degree in education and theology from Marian University. He also earned his master’s in Sports Management from Indiana State University. He has a Level 300 Coach Certificate and is a Coach Educator for USA Rugby.

Sam DiFilippo

Bair is leading competitive dance squad into the future

When Indiana Tech sought out a leader to build its new competitive dance program, it didn’t have to go far.

Right in its backyard was Fort Wayne native Morgan Bair, a four-year cheerleader from the city’s Bishop Dwenger High School and a three-year member of the University of Saint Francis’ competitive cheer program. She became Indiana Tech’s spirit director shortly after the university announced it was adding competitive dance in November 2022.

“I am so blessed and honored to be able to build this program into something unforgettable,” Bair said. “The love and support our program has already received does not go unnoticed and we are so thankful!”

Although Indiana Tech’s first official collegiate competition season won’t begin until fall 2024, Bair’s inaugural squad has been mighty visible, performing during several home athletic events and pep rallies. This time has been important for Bair to set program expectations and identify the team’s strengths and weaknesses. Bair knows what it takes to build a successful program; while competing at the University of Saint Francis, the Cougars made two national championship appearances.

“I am looking for diverse, highly skilled and determined performers who will work hard and represent the university in the best way,” Bair said. “Over the next two to five years, we want to be known as an elite program. It’s going to take hard work and discipline, but it’s also going to be a lot of fun. I am confident we will get there.”

Currently, Bair’s squad consists of seven members. She anticipates the team to grow to 12 by the time competition season comes.

THE

BROOKLYN BABLER

KYLIE MYSLINSKI

SYMARI PARKER

CHARLOTTE AYERS

TAMELA WEBSTER

STORM TRACY

SYDNEY DESJARDINS

TEAM (LEFT TO RIGHT)

WARRIOR CONNECTIONS

FROM THE DESK OF KRISTI JARMUS

I am so happy to begin this update by welcoming Shakirah Kellam— our new assistant director of alumni relations—to the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Shakirah is an Indiana Tech alumna who completed her bachelor’s degree in 2020 and finished her MBA in 2021. In her role, she will be supporting alumni events and engagement. She brings great energy, creativity and enthusiasm to our department and, together, Shakirah and I are going to paint the town orange! I can’t wait for you to meet her.

Alumni events, past and present

Since the last issue of Indiana Tech Magazine, President Karl and Mrs. Maria Einolf hosted a MEET-UP@5 in Grapevine, Texas, where they visited with regional alumni and shared updates about the university.

Back on campus in February, we hosted a reunion of Macy’s Men—basketball players who played for legendary coach Bob Macy from 1961 to 1973. It was the highlight of Basketball Alumni Day, a day filled with laughter, shared memories and two Warrior victories (the men’s and women’s teams both beat Aquinas). Read more about this event on page 31.

On April 10, the Alumni Outreach Committee hosted MEET-UP@IT, an on-campus networking event for alumni and students from our online degree programs.

Finally, we wrapped up April with a MEET-UP@IT With the Klines on the 24th. Coach Dan and Nancy Kline were an integral part of Indiana Tech from 1980 to 2010. Coach Kline was the men’s basketball coach and athletic director from 1980 to 1998, and he coached the women’s team from 2004 to 2006. The Klines welcomed former players from various teams to share stories, laughter and a few emotional moments.

KEEP US CONNECTED!

As you can tell by the number of events over the last four months, Indiana Tech loves to stay in touch with its alumni. In fact, many of the ideas for these events come from conversations with those within the Indiana Tech community. Were you part of a group or team and would like to organize a reunion on campus? Reach out to us. We are open to discuss options for all types of reunions and events.

Watch for a survey coming this summer

While we prep for our hallmark fall events (TWIST, Homecoming, Reunion Banquet, Athletics Hall of Fame Brunch), we have set aside time in the summer months to conduct an alumni survey. This is an opportunity for alumni to give us feedback, suggestions and life updates, and let us know their preferred form of contact. It will also help us plan and create content and events for the future.

Watch for a letter and email in late June with survey details. We will also post a survey link on alumni social media channels in an attempt to locate lost alumni. We hope you will share the opportunity so we can reach as many alumni as possible.

Until our next issue, keep the alumni updates coming and let us know if you are not receiving our new e-newsletters by email. We are on Issue #006 of the new format.

Regards,

Kristi Jarmus Director of Alumni Relations

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, or scan the code to the right. You can also email your updates to alumni@IndianaTech.edu.

My check or money order is enclosed (made payable to Indiana Tech) I have enclosed my employer’s matching gift form I have named Indiana Tech in my will I would like more information about planned giving to Indiana Tech

RON OSTROWSKI ' 66 AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

RISING ABOVE

It’s June 12, 1994, and Ron Ostrowski is watching—awestruck and beaming with pride—as Boeing’s massive 777-200 test aircraft touches down on the runway at Seattle’s Paine Field with a beauty and grace that seemed impossible, given the plane’s hulking size. It’s been a successful maiden flight for the revolutionary aircraft, capping a victorious day for Boeing and for Ostrowski, a 1966 Indiana Tech alumnus.

For Boeing, the test flight marked its ascent back as the top aircraft manufacturer in the world. Recognizing in the late 1980s that, to stay competitive, it needed a wide-bodied aircraft in the 300-plus passenger range, Boeing began development of the 777. The result was (and still is) the world’s largest twinjet airliner—a true engineering marvel. Today’s 777 remains highly popular among airlines, and it receives more orders than any other wide-body airliner. In fact, more than 1,500 passenger and freighter variants have been delivered since the plane entered the market in May 1995. The 777’s allure to airlines and carriers is its lower operating cost—this workhorse can carry up to 368 passengers (or cargo) up to 8,555 nautical miles on just two engines instead of three or four.

For Ostrowski, who was director of engineering for the 777 Program responsible for managing the plane’s design team, it marked a culmination of, as he says, “two million parts flying in formation, for an enjoyable and memorable experience.”

When Ostrowski first joined Boeing in 1966, he was truly a hands-on engineer, designing structures for a supersonic transport at its developmental center in Seattle. There, he showed an innovative mind and a collaborative nature that produced valuable results. After a few years, Boeing moved Ostrowski to a position where his acumen for product development and managing people could be better used.

“MY ADVICE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE CHALLENGED IS PERSEVERE, STUDY HARD AND PURSUE HELP WHEN NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY FROM YOUR FACULTY.”

Ron Ostrowski

“As I progressed into management, I found great satisfaction in leading and encouraging teams that shared information freely and worked well together to achieve quality solutions. On the 777 Program, teamwork between disciplines was a fundamental expectation that led to success,” Ostrowski said.

Once in a leadership role, Ostrowski moved up within Boeing—from one project to another—absorbing knowledge, crafting an effective management style and guiding design teams responsible for evolving Boeing’s portfolio of planes. Ostrowski was appointed chief project engineer for the 777 Program in 1992 and became the program’s vice president and general manager in 1995. He retired from Boeing in 2001.

“The success I was able to achieve at Boeing had a lot to do with a fortunate series of assignments that provided me with a broad depth of knowledge and experience, and built upon the engineering education I received from Indiana Tech,” Ostrowski said. “I was also fortunate to work with amazing senior engineers who shared their expertise in designing a vast array of aircraft.”

Ostrowski uses the word “fortunate” frequently when describing his career and admits he never expected it to progress as it did, especially during some challenging college years. Ostrowski worked full time, married before his senior year and was blessed with a beautiful daughter before graduating. As a result, his academics suffered. He understood, however, the importance of rising above and putting himself in a ready position when good fortune shined on him.

“My advice to students who are challenged is persevere, study hard and pursue help when necessary, especially from your faculty,” Ostrowski said. “When entering the workforce,

Ostrowski and his wife, Bev.

Ron Ostrowski has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the aviation industry.

1995 Collier Trophy team award for the design and introduction of the Boeing 777

1996 Aviation and Space Technology’s Laureates Hall of Fame for Aeronautics and Propulsion

1998 Daniel Guggenheim Medal for Achievement in the Advancement of Aeronautics

absorb knowledge, observe and acquire good management traits and put yourself in a position to not be overlooked for those impactful career moves when opportunities present themselves.”

Now into his 80s, Ostrowski continues to share wonderful life experiences with his wife of 60 years, Bev. He’s traveled to all continents, still plays golf, remains a lifelong learner and enjoys his time with his family (he has three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren).

“There is so much to look forward to in the future. Technology is advancing at hyper-speed, opening opportunities everywhere,” he said. “Now, more than ever, is a time to explore the possibilities: Strive toward working together with peers and superiors. Don’t fear new challenges. Be openminded. And practice continuous learning.”

DR. JOSHUA LONG

PAYING IT FORWARD

Dr. Joshua Long, Indiana Tech’s professor of economics and business, understands how important an act of kindness, a word of support, a nudge of direction can be to a young person trying to find their way in the world.

“I come from a large family—the oldest of 10—so when it was time to go to college, I received several scholarships. Without those scholarships, I likely would not have been able to afford to attend college,” Dr. Long said.

Once he got some career stability under his belt, Dr. Long created two scholarships: the Ray and Crystal Long Scholarship, in 2013, to honor his parents’ 40th wedding anniversary, and the Tony Brent Memorial Scholarship, in 2018, to honor a long-time family friend. Both provide scholarship or support to qualifying students in one of Indiana Tech’s business degree programs.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve received. I’m just trying to pay it forward,” he said.

Also impactful to Dr. Long back in his formative years was some timely mentorship that led him to a vocation he loves and—ultimately—Indiana Tech. Dr. Long spent a few years in seminary before an inspirational professor in graduate school helped him change course.

“When I was in graduate school at Walsh College in Troy, Michigan, one of my professors, Dr. Harry Veryser, was particularly influential—especially since he worked both in industry, as chair of a local stamping

company, and as an academic,” Dr. Long said. “His passion in the classroom was contagious, and it definitely set me on my current path as an economics educator.”

So, in addition to paying it forward with scholarships, Dr. Long has been able to pay it forward for the past 20 years in the classroom, too.

“Teaching is a highly rewarding field, and helping students learn—especially in a field like economics that is not their specific degree field—and finally attain their educational and professional goals are really at the heart of what I do as a professor,” Dr. Long said. “I would not trade it for any other career.”

When he is away from the university, Dr. Long pursues his passion as a ham radio operator—a hobby he has been involved with since he was 19. In addition, Dr. Long is a private pilot, having logged about 400 hours as pilot-in-command.

Dr. Long at home with his ham radio equipment.

THANKS TO YOU

Because of generous support from our friends and donors, Indiana Tech continues to be a life-changing learning environment that motivates students toward lives of significance and worth, every day.

Over the years, generous donations from local companies like Ultra USSI, United Technologies, DePuy Synthes, Raytheon, Fort Wayne Metals, Old National Bank, Fort Financial and Shambaugh & Sons have made it possible for Indiana Tech’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) to hold its annual fundraising banquet.

Chartered in 2005, Indiana Tech’s NSBE chapter has had a steady presence on campus in order to fulfill the NSBE mission “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

The chapter hosts an annual fundraising banquet every February to raise funds for the NSBE scholarship, as well as funds to support the students as they travel to their regional and national conferences.

For more information on the national organization, its mission and purpose, visit nsbe.org.

Macy’s Men

Coach Bob Macy and his men honored at Feb. 3 hoops game.

On Saturday, February 3, at during halftime of the men’s basketball game vs. Aquinas, Indiana Tech welcomed back to the court “Macy’s Men”—alumni who were coached by Bob Macy, the Warriors’ men’s basketball team from 1961 to 1973.

Coach Macy amassed a record of 205-103 and earned the loyalty of his players during his time at the university. During the event, he was praised by his former players as a father figure, a good listener and an excellent role model. Coach Macy passed away in February

2007. He is a member of Indiana Tech’s Athletics Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

Also joining them was Bob’s son Kyle Macy, a basketball legend in his own right. The younger Macy, many alumni from the early ’70s might recall, sometimes entertained at halftime of home games with dribbling exhibitions. He went on to earn Indiana Mr. Basketball honors in 1975, start for the University of Kentucky during its 1978 national championship season and play seven years in the NBA.

If you have memories of playing for Bob Macy, Indiana Tech would love to hear from you. Share your memories (and even pictures) with Director of Alumni Relations Kristi Jarmus at kjarmus@indianatech.edu

Some of “Macy’s Men”—alumni who were coached by Indiana Tech men’s basketball coach Bob Macy from 1961 through 1973. Bob’s son, Kyle, is on the far left.

Kyle Macy as a boy. He went on to play basketball in college and the NBA.

IN MEMORIAM

Indiana Tech commemorates the following alumni and friends of the university who have recently passed on.

1940s

Antonio C. Gonzalez

San Juan, Puerto Rico Electrical Engineering, 1948

Robert L. Shaw Paris, Tennessee Mechanical Engineering, 1949

1950s

Marion W. Aksamit Fort Wayne, Indiana Electrical Engineering, 1950

Michael Banda Tampa, Florida Mechanical Engineering, 1951

Joseph F. Dunham

Las Vegas, Nevada Electrical Engineering, 1953

Richard H. Hanson

Northport, Michigan Electronic Engineering, 1958

Wayne A. Hurlbut Framingham, Massachusetts Radio Engineering, 1953

Paul A. Latsey

Stillwater, Oklahoma Electronic Engineering, 1958

Saul M. Mandell

Sarasota, Florida Civil Engineering, 1951

Jack McCurley Dallas, Texas Aeronautical Engineering, 1954

Gene L. Neff Timonium, Maryland Civil Engineering, 1958

Richard N. Rife

The Dalles, Oregon Mechanical Engineering, 1958

Don M. Rosbaugh

Tucson, Arizona Civil Engineering, 1958

John I. Stewart

Chicago, Illinois

Electrical Engineering, 1958

1960s

James H. Anson Pawnee, Illinois

Mechanical Engineering, 1960

Francis J. Arsenault

Cumberland, Rhode Island Mechanical Engineering, 1961

Bruce F. Eakle

Albuquerque, New Mexico Aerospace Engineering, 1964

Bernard H. Freund

Lexington, Kentucky Electronic Engineering, 1960

William B. Haffner

Watkinsville, Georgia Chemical Engineering, 1962

Bruce W. Harting Clearwater, Florida Electronic Engineering, 1961

Jung O. Lee Irvine, California Mechanical Engineering, 1961

Craig L. Reynolds Marion, Ohio Mechanical Engineering, 1968

Joginder S. Sandhu

Sacramento, California Civil Engineering, 1962

Anthony F. Staltare

Waretown, New Jersey Mechanical Engineering, 1961

1980s

Kathy M. Ervin

Leo, Indiana Data Processing, 1983

1990s

Jonathan Matulac

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Business Administration, 1991

Scott F. Turpin

Penns Grove, New Jersey Accounting, 1998

2000s

Robert M. Adams

Martinsville, Indiana

Business Administration, 2008

Joseph A. Johanningsmeier Scottsburg, Indiana Computer Engineering, 2006

Anitra L. Long Fort Wayne, Indiana Accounting, 2008

Barry A. Roach

Fort Wayne, Indiana Master of Business Administration, 2001

2010s

Kimberly M. Landrum

Ludlow, Kentucky Business Administration, 2019

Ravi R. Talwar BSME 1965

1942 – 2023

In December 2023, Indiana Tech lost a dear friend, board of trustees member and supporter of the university with the passing of Ravi Talwar, BSME 1965.

Words are inadequate to fully capture Ravi’s impact on Indiana Tech, our students, faculty and staff. Ravi, along with his wife Eleanor, is the namesake of our Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences. His support helped make possible projects like the Zollner Engineering Center expansion and renovation, the Snyder Academic Center (home to the Talwar Leadership Center) and scholarships that continue to help make a college degree possible for many of our students.

Ravi was a tireless advocate for our students and helped them, our faculty and staff, our leadership team and his fellow board members with his engagement, mentorship and sage advice over the years. He was a true friend in every sense of the word and will be greatly missed by the Indiana Tech community.

Fort Wayne Mayor Thomas C. Henry

1951 – 2024

The Indiana Tech community was saddened by the passing of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry on March 28, 2024. Mayor Henry was elected to an unprecedented fifth term as Mayor of Fort Wayne in 2023. He was a steadfast friend to Indiana Tech and its students throughout his time in office. With his support, Indiana Tech received a $1 million Legacy Fund grant from the City of Fort Wayne for the construction of the Snyder Academic Center in 2013. Under his leadership, the city and the university also partnered on projects such as streetscape improvements and planning for the growth of Indiana Tech’s main campus over the years. His contributions to the city and Indiana Tech will not be forgotten.

REMEMBER THIS?

Or better yet, remember him?

This man was a coaching legend at Indiana Tech for 12 years and was commemorated by a special event at the university on Saturday, Feb. 3.

Go to page 31 to learn more!