Radius - Fall 2020 by RadIUs - IU East Alumni Magazine

A publication for alumni and friends of Indiana University East

RAD IU S

Fall 2020 Volume 11 Issue 2

RAD IU S Faculty Prepared for All-Online Courses p.4

Radius: A campus magazine for Indiana University East alumni and friends, is published by the Office of External Affairs at IU East. Copyright ©2020 Indiana University East. CONTACT US: Send correspondence, address corrections, and mailing updates to: IU East Alumni Relations, 2325 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374. Phone: 765-973-8221 Email: radius@iue.edu Opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Indiana University East. CHANCELLOR: Kathryn Girten VICE CHANCELLOR FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: Jason Troutwine, BS’01 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS: Terry Hawkins Wiesehan, BA’96 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING: John Oak Dalton DIRECTOR OF GIFT DEVELOPMENT: Paula Kay King, BS’05, MS’20 EDITOR/WRITER: Hali Cartee DIRECTOR OF SPORTS INFORMATION: Kyle Wright WRITERS: Mike Bennett and Don Tincher GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Liz Johnson, BS’08, MS’13, and Kaly Irvine, BA’15 PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Pyle, Josh Smith, Carla Griffin and Risa Griffin Radius is published twice a year. The magazine serves its readers by providing information about the activities of IU East alumni, students, faculty and staff through the publication of accurate and balanced content that informs and stimulates intellectual discussion. Text, photographs, and artwork may not be reprinted without written permission of the Director of Alumni Relations.

January 1, 2020- We celebrated the new year with the normal excitement and anticipation of any new year. However in mid-March the rug was pulled out from under us. We watched from afar as a virus spread in other parts of the world, then we watched as it came closer to home. What seemed like overnight, our state, our cities, and our campus were preparing for the worst. The news was ever-changing, situations were ever-fluid. A new vernacular was becoming prevalent-epidemic to pandemic, quarantine, social distancing, and that new phrasenovel coronavirus. Personally, I experienced a gamut of emotions- fear, confusion, anxiety, even anger. I also felt sorrow. In the world around us, people were dying, the economy was in turmoil, businesses were closed, and jobs were lost. Our community certainly has not experienced the same effects as those in New York City or other large cities, something for which we should hold a hollow thankfulness. On our campus, faculty and staff moved to virtual work at home, and students shifted to all virtual classes, many for the first time. Our graduating class were unable to participate in one of the most significant events of their lives- commencement. Then, my alma mater, my campus, sprang into action and help me experience a different emotion-pride. I am so proud of the way IU East mobilized to adjust to the situation. Our campus has been a leader in online instruction for many years, so the shift to total online teaching was seamless. Students were supported by instructors, who were supported pedagogically and technically through the hard work of our Center for Faculty Development, Information Technology and other departments. There is no way to acknowledge every effort of our campus family. And I do want to emphasize – family. IU East has always worked together as a family, and this was even more evident during this pandemic. We became more focused on taking care of our students and their needs through student emergency funds like the Marilyn Watkins Red Wolves Student Support Fund. When our students were experiencing food shortages, loss of housing and work, amazingly generous campus and community members stepped up to help. My pride extended beyond our campus to true heroes, like our health care workers and first responders. IU East has hundreds of alumni working in these fields, and we owe them and their colleagues a debt of respect and gratitude. Thank you for all that you do. As we “restart” the fall, the IU East we return to this semester will be different. Classrooms will be configured for physical distancing. Masks will be worn on campus to protect the health of our faculty, staff, and students. The academic calendar will be slightly modified. Campus activities and events will be smaller and virtual more than in-person. But, our dedication to our students and alumni will remain undaunted. I look forward to returning to campus to see students and my colleagues. Until then, we will continue to support our students. We will continue to work on new ways to engage our alumni and friends. This issue of Radius illustrates how our campus came together for our students, our alumni and community, and I hope you have a sense of pride as well. IU East is strong and resilient. We were strong before the pandemic, but will use this opportunity to innovate, create and continue to lead. Rest assured-we will persevere and remain your IU East.

Terry Hawkins Wiesehan,

BA’96, Director of Alumni Relations

04 Cover Story Table of Fall â&#x20AC;&#x2122;20

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In This Edition 04 Faculty Prepared for All-Online Courses & Challenges Brought by COVID-19 10 Three Alumni Share Life, Service During the Time of Covid-19

13 IU East Professor Honors Son by Establishing Scholarship to Benefit Students Pursuing Medicine 14 Graduation Celebration

18 Rufus in Quarantine

12 Gift Establishes Spirit of Philanthropy Fund to Support Students Efforts to Enhance Campus, Community

17 Uncommon Achievements During Uncommon Times

25 Alumni Notes

20 Remembered 22 Chancellor & Faculty Awards

26 Class Notes & Retirements

Faculty Prepared

for All-Online Courses & Challenges Brought by COVID-19 The final weeks of the spring semester at Indiana University East were unlike any other in the campus’ 49-year history. Students completed the semester all-online, and are completing summer classes online as well. IU East suspended face-to-face courses and moved all instruction online as part of IU’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to support the well-being of all students, faculty and staff. At the start of the spring semester 80 percent of students took at least one of the 936 courses offered online. By the end of the semester there were 1,215 class sections online. Only a few students took an online course for the first time. Though the change to go fully online mid-semester was unexpected, IU East worked through the process. Two important factors helped make the transition go smoothly: students were adept at taking online courses and faculty were prepared and skilled at teaching online.

By Hali Cartee

All-online courses began March 30 following an extended spring break. In May, plans for the fall 2020 semester were announced with adjustments to the 2020-2021 academic calendar (visit iue.edu/fall2020 for details). Students return to campus August 24 and will again move to all-online instruction following Thanksgiving. Unprecedented Times: We’ll get through this as one Red Wolf family IU East Chancellor Kathy Girten welcomed students back from spring break with a virtual message. She said she understood COVID-19 had an effect on students, including their work commitments and concern for their families. She recognized that milestones such as student celebrations, athletic contests, ceremonies, or Commencement, were moved to an online platform, postponed or canceled. Despite the changes, “faculty and staff are prepared to make the student experience excellent,” Girten said. “One thing that I have found during my seven years at IU East is that the people on this campus care for one another, and they rise to meet a crisis,” Girten said. “We’re in this together as one Red Wolf family.”

We’re Ready: The move to all online classes During the extended spring break, the Center for Faculty Development (CFD) worked with faculty to move face-to-face courses online. The CFD supports centers across Indiana, hosts webinars and contributes to Keepteaching.iu.edu, a resource for faculty provided by the Teaching Center Consultants at IU.

CFD director Stephanie Whitehead said a majority of faculty are experienced online teachers. To move all-online, the CFD reached out to faculty, responded to inquiries, and provided consultations, best practices and tips for online instruction. U East has a reputation for creating an environment that feels like home.

Chera LaForge, associate professor of political science, remembers in 2004 taking online courses in college, but then online classes were more like a correspondence course. Her experience provides insight to what students may feel during isolation and the potential impact of the virus. “Students are stressed and anxious! Faculty are anxious too,” LaForge said. “We’re all working through unprecedented times. While I’ve never felt exactly like this, the closest that I can compare it to is the days after September 11. Most of our students were just babies or toddlers during that time, so they’ve never had to deal with a nationwide or international event that shifts the ground under their feet like this.” To help students alleviate stress, LaForge is increasing communication with students, and she is being as flexible and understanding as possible. “We can’t expect things to just proceed as normal,” LaForge said. “Students, just like faculty, may now be responsible for child care and home schooling. Some may have been laid off and lost their jobs as restaurants and other businesses close to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some, unfortunately, may become ill themselves. At times, those are all things that might need to take precedence over our course material. We can, and should, still maintain high standards and deliver the important content we’re responsible for, but we should keep those other pressures in mind.” Christine Nemcik, assistant professor of history and world languages, said communication is key. “Addressing that this is not an ideal situation, but that we will work together to still have positive learning environments and learning experiences, seem to help them,” Nemcik said. Wes Tobin, assistant professor of physics, said the biggest hurdles for most students are regularly interacting with content, accessing the course and to completing work on time. “Many online instructors have gotten used to the idea of regularly communicating with students to help them keep on track and not fall behind,” Tobin said. “Keeping an eye on the gradebook helps to let instructors know when a student has missed a deadline and when a student scored poorly. Quickly reaching out to the student can often solve the problem before there is one.”

“We’re here to serve in any way we can and hope that faculty will continue to reach out,” she said. Some courses took more time to discuss, develop and prepare to move online such as science and nursing labs or arts. Yu Kay Law, associate professor of chemistry, understands the challenges to move some courses online. “Most of the classes I teach or coordinate were taught online previously,” Law said. “The big idea here is to start by looking at what we’ve got left (to move online), and adapt the course design so it’s compatible to student expectations and doesn’t harm grades, or minimizes harm.” Faculty mirrored face-to-face lessons by providing lab simulations with videos and provided time for online class discussions. Ultimately, the aim is to provide students the opportunity to learn, explore concepts, and develop their scientific reasoning skills, said Parul Khurana, associate dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and associate professor of biology.

chool of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty developed virtual classes to supplement hands-on experiences typically received through in-class instruction, nursing labs or clinicals.

LaDonna Dulemba, assistant professor of nursing, organized a virtual panel discussion for nursing graduates on effectively coping with stress, burnout, and self-care as they enter the profession during the COVID crisis. Clinical Assistant Professor Shelly Burns offered a virtual fundamentals class for sophomore nurses. Gloria Dixon, clinical assistant professor, developed virtual nursing simulations. Whitehead said faculty with online experience could create modules quickly and transitioned easier. “It still takes a lot of work, and we should recognize the hard work it takes to create material, but at least they do have the experience in making the transition,” Whitehead said. Innovation: IU East recognized potential for online degrees More than a decade ago, IU East recognized online programs as an opportunity to offer higher education for the region and created a niche. The format appeals to students who want a class schedule that fits around work, family or other obligations. Many courses were strategically developed and designed in 2007 to offer students a wide variety and options. In 2008, IU East offered its first three bachelor’s degrees in online programs.

The campus now offers 15 online degree completion options and three graduate certificate programs. Whitehead remembers talking with retired faculty member Suzi Shapiro about teaching online in the 1990s.

“We have built a culture on campus that demands excellence in online teaching and learning,” Whitehead said. “From hiring experienced faculty to recurring trainings on campus, we constantly emphasize the importance of online learning. Our faculty are fully committed to learning and engaging in best practices.” The number of faculty teaching online – and offering innovative strategies for instruction – led to a book, Best Practices in Online Teaching and Learning across Academic Disciplines, published in 2017 by George Mason University Press. Forty-two IU East faculty members across 25 disciplines contributed their expertise to the book. IU East faculty have designed, developed and pursued excellence in online teaching as a strategy to meet the higher education needs of the region. Now the need for online instruction during the time of COVID-19 is met by faculty prepared and committed to making the experience seamless. “We are one of the leaders in online education in the IU system, so we are well suited for this moment,” LaForge said. “Excellent online teaching takes planning and a lot of work on the front end, and our faculty does that! In an ordinary semester, a faculty member might take weeks or even months mapping out the flow of their online classes, carefully aligning assignments, and thinking of innovative ways to deliver course content. We still did that, but on a much tighter timeline.” Cal Simpson, senior lecturer of marketing, developed his courses when he started at IU East in fall 2012. “I think we were ahead of the curve. We recognized that there was a need for online learning and jumped at the opportunity,” Simpson said.

“I started from scratch. Doing so allowed me to develop courses that best reflect my teaching style and personality.”

obin said faculty are successful at teaching online because they go out of their way to try new technology and find what options are advantageous to students.

Teaching online is also a personal matter. Without the personal interaction with students, it’s just not as effective. “The biggest reason faculty are excellent at teaching online is that we know we’re teaching students,” Tobin said. “At many other institutions where online courses are prevalent, you find instructors that teach almost exclusively to the content of the course. This results in forgetting that there’s a student on the other side of it. At IU East, we don’t teach exclusively to the content, but rather we teach to the student. Our goal is to help the student become successful by using technology to interact with students.” Faculty focus is on student success, in the classroom and in life, Law said. “Our faculty recognize that the primary mission of IU East is to ensure that students succeed no matter their background or modality of learning,” he said. Whitehead believes it’s the priority and faculty commitment to online that points toward excellence. Whitehead, in addition to serving as the CFD director, is an associate professor of criminal justice and a certified Quality Matters (QM) instructor, a nonprofit organization that provides the gold standard for certifying the quality of online courses and programs. She added the QM Academy is an example of faculty and administration recognizing the importance of online course quality, and investing in the program and opportunities to learn about and implement best practices. Mentoring Colleagues: IU East faculty provide online assistance for others teaching at the K-12 or college level COVID-19 forced education from K-12 to universities to go online for instruction.

The need for resources and mentorship for teachers who may not be accustomed to the format was readily provided by IU East faculty. Several faculty connected with K-12 teachers in their communities or with other higher education institutions to help them move their classes online. IU East faculty also provided valuable resources to parents and guardians working with their children at home. School of Education (SoE) faculty vetted online educational resources. Tommy Renfro, senior lecturer in science for SoE, hosted a Tech Integration Round Table with K-12 educators and administrators to walk through issues. Denice Honaker, assistant professor of education, is sharing “Everyday Learning” ideas on Facebook and Twitter for families with young children. Nemcik connected with colleagues at other institutions. She shared ways to adjust their teaching style for online, answered questions on technology, and how to make videos for students. IU East faculty also mentored each other on the best strategies for online teaching. “We approach online teaching as a collaborative experience,” Nemcik said. “This is true in learning with our students, but also in the way that we share ideas, resources, and best practices with each other.” Jamie Buffington-Adams, associate dean and an associate professor of education, is QM certified and peer reviews online classes.

completely understandable,” LaForge said. “However, students are generally pretty savvy about navigating Canvas, submitting assignments, and accessing communication with faculty. Those skills translate well.” Faculty help students embrace online course technology, understand the course material as it is presented in a virtual classroom, and to understand that this is a time of adjustment in the classroom, and life, as students navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.

Buffington-Adams said SoE faculty work together to find a way to overcome problems that arise.

Working together is a campus-wide mentality. “We have a history of exploring online education much sooner than others, which is helping us tremendously, but there seems to be a pervasive spirit of finding ways to make the impossible possible,” Buffington-Adams said. “In the end, I think that attitude is what will not only carry us through but is what makes the work we do shine.” Flexibility: Online degree programs attract students from across the state, nation and globe IU East online degree completion programs – and courses – offer flexibility and meet the higher education needs of students from across the state, nation and globe.

enus Williams discovered IU East’s online programs in 2011. After contacting the Office of Admissions and being impressed with the program’s availability, and that the campus “felt like home,” Williams enrolled in the B.S. in Business Administration program. After completing the degree online, the internationally recognized professional women’s tennis player visited campus in August 2015 for a ceremony celebrating her degree. Williams was instrumental in developing an educational agreement between IU East and the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA). There are 13 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) players currently enrolled in IU East’s degree programs through the agreement.

While Williams was the first WTA player to graduate from IU East, today she is joined by 10 WTA players who are alumnae. This includes the most recent to graduate, Ariana Rodionva in December 2019. Previous graduates also include 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Alla Kudryavtseva, Irina Falconi, Ivana Lisjak, Katalin Marosi, Anastasia Rodionova, Natalia Siedliska, and Sandra Zaniewska. The online programs provide flexibility for time-constrained schedules, which has attracted the WTA players because they can continue to travel and play full-time while completing courses. The same flexibility is appealing to many IU East students. Michelle Malott, executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said IU East’s online programs and course offerings serve both traditional and non-traditional students. “IU East online programs offer students the option to complete a degree program that best fits their needs. By completing courses online students have the freedom to take classes at their pace while they continue to meet life or work obligations unique to their situation,” Malott said. Savvy: IU East students are accustomed to online courses but may need help adjusting A majority of students at IU East are familiar with online course work and Canvas, but even with the familiarity there were challenges. “Certainly, some students had a learning curve and plenty of our students prefer to be in a classroom, which is

Buffington-Adams said most students navigate online coursework well. “The problems I am used to encountering actually stem from people trusting technology a bit too much,” she said. That could include relying on a “to-do” list instead of the course syllabus, leading to students overlooking assignments. Prior to spring break, many faculty spoke with their students about the move to online. For Law, that included explaining how the grading process would shift and his approach to keep instruction similar so that the transition would be as smooth as possible. He added the challenge was to figure out what worked – and what didn’t – during the transition. Again, communication was key. What They Say: Students give their perspective of going all-online Krystal Schmidt, Chrisney, Indiana, is the Class of 2020 Naomi Osborne Scholar. She earned her B.S. in Human Life Science and minors in psychology, exercise science, chemistry and neuroscience. (Read more about Schmidt on page 17.) Online classes worked with Schmidt’s schedule as a member of the women’s tennis team and campus organizations. “Most professors adjusted very well to the sudden change and conducted online classes very effectively,” Schmidt said. “Overall I think IU East has responded very well to the pandemic and I think all of the professors are doing their best to ensure our education is not hindered.”

ole Fennimore is a general studies major from Liberty, Indiana. He is familiar with online classes, but he understands why some students may prefer classes face-to-face. “Getting into the groove of online classes is something you don’t fall into, at least not in my experience,” Fennimore said.

Merissa Ross of Centerville, Indiana, completed her B.S. in Human Life Science degree while working and continuing her involvement with student organizations. Her experience going all-online was hectic. This was, in part, due to her position as the president of the SGA, which organized ways to give back to students by providing funding, completing applications and conducting online elections for the next year’s SGA officers. As far as classes, one was a struggle. She said that not all faculty communicate the same way through online tools which can sometimes make things difficult. Despite the challenges, Ross found benefits to the move to all-online including time to focus on her health with a reduced schedule, exercise and preparing healthy, home-cooked meals. Ian Dillman completed the spring semester from his home in Bedford, Indiana. The secondary education major is completing concentrations in history and political science. He’s a member of the men’s tennis team, SGA Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Howl Crowd. Time management became a challenge, as he managed classes, led two SI sessions and worked, he said. Meeting Student Needs: It takes a campus IU East administrators, faculty and staff quickly determined what needed to be done to help students be successful all-online. “Faculty and staff worked to meet students’ needs from every angle. We understand this pandemic is affecting everyone differently and that flexibility is important,” Malott said. “We have our students’ best interests in mind, so we continue to meet with individuals on the phone or virtually to discuss a plan for them as needed for academic advising, registration or help with questions on their financial aid. We continue providing the services they are accustomed to such as tutoring or accessibility.”

aw agreed the move to all-online was accomplished by faculty and staff working together. He pointed out the Writing, Math and Science Centers have long provided online support for students.

“As a campus, we have a long history of online teaching and our infrastructure is designed to support online teaching,” Law said. “Furthermore, faculty, staff, and administration understand and embrace the challenges of teaching online, and value high-quality course design and student engagement within online courses.” Services such as the Center for Health Promotion’s mental health counseling, are now provided through a virtual format. Academic Advising and registration continue as staff work remotely. The Office of Admissions hosts virtual tours for high school students. New Student Orientations also moved online this summer. Another aspect of going all-online is moving campus and community events to a virtual space when possible. Student Research Day, Honors Convocation, the Senior Art Exhibition and Spring Music Recital moved to Facebook Live or Zoom so students and the campus community could participate. Faculty and staff provide learning, health or entertainment focused activities on Facebook Live including Parenting Tuesday by Beth Trammell, associate professor of psychology; basic Spanish by Dianne Moneypenny, associate professor of world languages and cultures, or #PerformingProfs which features a different faculty member with musical talents. Special Event Coordinator Amber Hall, M.S. ‘16 and B.S. ‘06, is a certified instructor and hosts weekly yoga events.

Jason Troutwine, vice chancellor for External Affairs, said faculty and staff are very proactive in creating ways to celebrate and engage students, campus and the community. “So much changed in such as short period of time - for all of us. I’ve been so impressed with the way faculty and staff have responded to this crisis - and the way they are working to make sure students continue to have opportunities to engage with one another and our community. Transitioning events, such as Student Research Day, is no small task but we have champions on our campus who are willing to put in the extra work to make sure our students are engaged, celebrated and continuing to learn,” he said. Troutwine said the public viewed many of the events through the campus’ Facebook page and other social media platforms. “We hope these programs provide a nice outlet for people who are looking for positive distractions in the midst of this crisis. Our students continue to put in the work and I think anyone who watches these programs will be impressed by their accomplishments,” he said. The effort to provide opportunities, programs and assistance to students in an online format is what it takes to make sure students have every opportunity to complete the semester successfully. “I would be remiss to not point out that faculty are only one small part of the equation for what goes into making us a great school for our online students,” LaForge said. “Our staff is incredible on a normal day, but they are all working non-stop to guarantee student success in the midst of a pandemic. Everyone at IU East is coming together to make sure that our students are supported in this moment and that’s no different from an ordinary semester.”

Student submitted photos of their new study spaces from Terei Norman (pg.4), Lexie Williams (pg.7), Alexis Thompson (pg.9), Lane Parker & Boomer (pg.9), and Aaron Gipson (pg.9).

new normal. The U.S. is living a new lifestyle under the coronavirus (COVID-10). Life has changed in nearly every aspect – from virtual schooling to grocery shopping and social distancing to wearing face masks –as we maneuver through COVID-19.

Employment has been impacted as well as people work from home, cope with unpaid time off or unemployment. Others continue to work as they did before the virus struck. Essential workers have had to step up efforts far and beyond their normal routine.

Three ALUMNI SHARE LIFE, SERVICE during the time of COVID-19 By Mike Bennett, Hali Cartee, and Don Tincher

COVID-19 brought James (Jim) R. White, A.D. ‘75 and B.S. ‘79, of Indianapolis out of retirement. White is a former deputy director with the Marion County Emergency Management Agency, and brings over 50 years of experience in public service from law enforcement and the military. Most recently he retired from IUPUI as a lecturer. He is a retired colonel from the Indiana Army National Guard, and he has served in the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserves, and the U.S. Army including a deployment to Iraq. He has served with the Indiana State Police and rose in ranks from trooper to lieutenant, as a deputy director of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and he worked with the Department of Defense of Special Events. He returned to work in March, ready to serve again as he approached his 73rd birthday in July. The new war he’s fighting, is more personal: COVID-19 is the opponent and he is “in the age bracket that is most susceptible.” “We did expect something like this, but nobody expected the intensity,” he says. “The Avian bird flu was on our radar. We had a response plan, but we never had to use it.” That influenza reached its apex in 2005 and made governments worldwide develop plans to battle it. “Once we figured out that COVID-19 was much more, we reacted well. We have done a good job,” White says. He foresees a rebound and possible surge as more businesses, factories and schools open. Social distancing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are here to stay, or until there’s a vaccine. “We are trying to be proactive,” White says. He thought his working days were over when he retired in May 2019. Now, it’s his goal again. “I think it is my civic duty to help the city, the state and the country I live in. That’s the way I am built,” White said. Keaton Akers, B.S.N. ’19, is a year into his career. The former men’s tennis player is a registered nurse in the float pool at Reid Health. As part of the float pool, he’s trained to work in every unit and to go where needed during his shift, including ICU, Progressive Care, hospice, orthopedics, oncology, psych and general medical surgical floors. The hospital may be different from a tennis court. However there seems to be some surprising similarities, especially during the current situation caused by COVID-19 that has changed so much for everyone.

“Tennis is a sport where everyone has to come together to work as a team,” Akers said. “One person cannot win the whole match for your team. We see this same aspect with nursing. We all depend on each other during a shift, sometimes I need another set of eyes to assess my patients to figure out what is going on or just need another set of hands to help me out.”

eamwork isn’t the only thing that Akers learned as a student-athlete.

“Time management is huge when you are a nurse,” the Terre Haute native said. “As a student-athlete and a nursing student, it was very challenging to manage my time between school and athletics. I had to make many sacrifices to make this all work.”

Noriko Kuwahara, B.S. ’99, lives an hour away from Manhattan in Morristown, New Jersey. Her home is down the street from a major hospital and epicenter of the coronavirus. “We’re in an unpredictable phase,” Kuwahara said. “It’s crazy.” That’s so different from 9/11, the violent and horrific event of the 2000s that she endured in New York City. She saw the smoke and ashes after hijacked jets slammed into the Twin Towers. Much in the world changed, but everyday life returned to normal quickly after the shock. That’s not the case with COVID.

Akers played singles and doubles during his four years with the Red Wolves, and that time competing on the court helps today. “It’s hard to prepare myself for what I may encounter especially being in float pool,” he said. “I never know where I am going to end up till about an hour before my shift. There’s even sometimes I’ll move to different units during the middle of a shift. I have to have a variety of skills to tackle these obstacles and the same is true for tennis. I really don’t know much about my opponent until we start playing. If my normal routine isn’t working, I need to be able to switch things up quickly to find a way to win.” As a senior, Akers was a member of the River States Conference (RSC) Champions of Character team, RSC All-Conference Scholar-Athlete along with being recognized nationally as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. The nursing program at IU East was a factor in Akers deciding to become a part of the tennis team. “When I was in eighth grade, my mom was diagnosed with cancer,” Akers said. “During this time, I would go with her to many appointments she had and her chemotherapy treatments.” “The doctor would spend 5-10 minutes with her, but the nurses were there constantly treating her as more than a patient,” he continued. “They got to know her and developed a relationship that was more than just her cancer treatment. During multiple hospitalizations, it was the nurses who stayed by her side. I felt they cared and truly understood the pain, anxiety and frustration that comes with being sick. I really valued that and wanted that to be me.”

Keaton Akers

(Left to right) Noriko Kuwahara, Jake Susanto, Jayden Susanto, Joshua Susanto and Hendrata Susanto. Photo by Kathy Behrmann

he has had two health scares with the virus: an up-close scare in late April after falling ill and an earlier scare when a doctor she visited showed signs of the virus the next day.

Kuwahara traveled this summer to her native Tokyo, Japan, to ride out the pandemic with her sons Jake (4), Jayden (9) and Joshua (13). Her husband, Hendrata Susanto, is a financial system engineer. He couldn’t make the trip and continues to work from home. Things have gotten better as COVID cases slowed and more stores reopened. “You don’t feel the stress going out,” she says. But the new normal remains. Temperature checks, masks, constant hand-washing and 6-foot distancing will be around for a long time. Japan offers more vibrant opportunities for rest and relaxation. Kuwahara is optimistic things will return to normal, but knows it will take time. After making it through 9/11 and experiencing the blackout of 2003, she knows people will persevere with this tragedy and get past it, too.

Gift establishes SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY FUND to support

students’ efforts to enhance CAMPUS,

COMMUNITY By Hali Cartee

Ginger Gray, with her husband Cory Gray, gifted $250,000 to Indiana University East. The Ginger Gray Spirit of Philanthropy Fund provides opportunities for students and student clubs to apply for funding that supports philanthropic efforts on and off campus. IU Board of Trustees member Donna Spears announced the Grays’ gift in November 2019 during the Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner, and the campus’ official Indiana University Bicentennial event. Gray received a Chancellor’s Medallion during the dinner along with Richard (Rick) E. Boston and Marvin (Tom) Thomas Williams. Each also received an IU Bicentennial Medal. IU East Chancellor Kathy Girten said, “Ginger is a philanthropist in the truest sense of the word. She gives of her time, talent and treasure to support IU East and our students. Ginger is one of those rare individuals who inspires others by example through her hard work, enthusiasm, leadership and dedication to our community.” For Gray, being involved with local non-profit organizations is about helping others do their best and contribute to the community. “Philanthropy means the love of humanity and for the

public good,” Gray said. “We just want the best for our community.” Gray is the owner of Ginger Gray Productions, and a philanthropist, planner and historic preservationist. Her husband is a radiologist at Reid Health. “I have witnessed first-hand the IU East commitment to our community and how the campus focuses on the quality of life within Richmond. That is very important to me,” Gray said. “IU East is not just focused on the campus, they want to impact the community around them. Whatever makes the community stronger, makes IU East stronger. I really admire that IU East wants to do the best for the community, as opposed to just what is good for the campus.”

Gray became involved in philanthropy when the family moved to Richmond in 1987. As a new resident in the community Gray was recruited by Sandy Burner, Carol McKey and Jeanne Rush to be a part of the Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for the Richmond Symphony Orchestra (RSO). She observed others and she learned how to best serve the community through philanthropy.

Gray hopes students are encouraged to think about their responsibilities to invest in their communities, to be more involved in the community, and find ways to support the organizations or interests that matter most to them. “I hope this gift helps students to try and think outside of themselves, and that it helps them to see the power they have to make a difference,” she said.

Ginger and Cory Gray at IU East and RAM’s 2020 Palette to Palate event.

In 1992, Burner asked her to chair the dedication celebration for Hayes Hall. Burner was the vice chancellor for External Relations and Development at IU East. Hayes Hall was the second building on the 225-acre property. Planning the Hayes Hall dedication was Gray’s introduction to the campus. “I had never done anything on that scale. We got it done, and it was amazing,” Gray said. “That event gave me confidence. I’ve always been supported by a wonderful, strong group of successful women who have encouraged me. That’s what I try to do for other women and for youth in our community.”

The involvement led Gray to commit herself to improving the community, an effort that has had a vast impact. She has served on boards and in advisory capacities, donated professional services, set the standard for event-based fundraising, and mentored the next generation of event planners and leaders. She continues to work closely with IU East including the medallion dinners, the chancellor’s installation ceremony in 2013, and campus events and fundraisers.

For her volunteer leadership, Gray received the RSO President’s Award in 2016 and the Wayne County Foundation’s Rodefeld Award in 2017.

Gray works with 10-14 non-profit organizations each year throughout Wayne County including the RSO, the Richmond Art Museum (RAM), Cope Environmental Center, Amigos, Richmond Neighborhood Restoration (RNR), and Girls Inc.

Her longstanding philanthropic and community service has helped secure nearly $4 million for the local non-profit community.

Gray is a lifetime board member of the RSO and she has served on the board for the RAM and RNR. Gray is a founding member of Palette to Palate, a collaborative fundraising event between the RAM and IU East. She is also a founding member of the Women’s Giving Circle of the Wayne County Foundation.

IU East professor honors son by establishing SCHOLARSHIP to benefit students PURSUING MEDICINE By Mike Bennett

Robert Lafuze was small in stature, but left a large imprint in his inspiring journey through life. He had an extrovert’s big smile, love for classic rock music and a reputation for helping others. He also had schizophrenia, a mental disorder that causes people to interpret reality abnormally and requires a lifetime of treatments. It is incurable, but treatments can help mitigate the symptoms. One of its well-known negative effects is a life span that averages 25 years less than the general population. Sadly, that was the case with Robert, too. He was 55 when he died of a pulmonary embolism on March 1, 2019. His mother, Joan Esterline Lafuze, Ph.D., professor of biology, explains that his schizophrenia started after he and his late father, Ralph, were involved in a car accident. He was a senior at Hagerstown High School. He was 18. No matter how many good and bad days or painful procedures and hospital stays, schizo-

phrenia never silenced Robert’s voice for speaking out and helping others. Her son’s legacy and her love for IU East led her to endow the new Robert Lawrence Lafuze Scholarship with a gift of $25,000. She is joined in the gift with her daughters Jeannette Ogborn, Leanne Lafuze (Lighty) and Mary Comer.

way to carry on Robert’s legacy to educate and to take care of others, and to thank those who cared for him. We thank Joan, Jeannette, Leanne, and Mary, for their gift that will benefit IU East students for years to come.” The endowment is also established at the same time Lafuze remembers her son through a new book, Dad Named Me Robert: Let’s Talk About Mental Illness, published June 18.

The scholarship is established in time to culminate IU’s Bicentennial Celebration this June, and as IU East enters its 50th anniversary year. IU East will postpone the anniversary celebration until July 1, 2021, based on the coronavirus health and safety guidelines. The scholarship honors Robert and the physicians who cared for him and his family. It is designed to award a minimum of $1,000 each year and help students who are striving toward careers in a medical field. IU East Chancellor Kathy Girten said, “Providing a scholarship for students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine is an excellent

Joan Esterline Lafuze, Ph.D., professor of biology, recently gifted a scholarship in memory of her son, Robert.

2 0 2 0

Photos submitted by (left to right) Jess Przybysz, Paige Mullins, Julian Short, Carmen Lopez, Elizabeth George & Brady Smith, Shelby Horzsa, Tristan Nevels, and Ahmad Benford.

ndiana University East’s Class of 2020 celebrated their accomplishments with a virtual Graduation Ceremony on May 15. Indiana University has postponed this year’s Commencement Ceremonies because of COVID-19.

Though graduates have not yet been able to celebrate together in person, many joined the virtual celebration on social media to share photos, videos and posts using the hashtags #IUEGrad20, #iueast and #PackStrong. IU East’s Class of 2020 has a lot to celebrate, including 853 diplomas, which includes 780 bachelor’s degrees and 73 master’s degrees. The week of the celebration, IU East shared the stories of several graduates. The stories are available to read at iue.edu/commencement. Among the Class of 2020 was one of the youngest graduates to earn a degree at IU East. Kiki Pichini of East Wenatchee, Washington, enrolled in IU East’s B.S. in Mathematics degree program online at age 15. Now 16 years-old, she is the youngest graduate in the Class of 2020. Before attending IU East, Pichini was a full-time figure skater. She trained with at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, when she was 12. She homeschooled while training, and it was then that an injury led her to find new ways to challenge herself while she was recuperating. She decided to study for and take the SAT. “I was always pretty good at math as a kid, but I studied more for the SAT while I was injured,” Pichini said. She used her score to enroll at Pikes Peak Community College, and continued homeschooling and skating full time while completing her associate degree in math. After her two-year degree was finished, she moved to East Wenatchee with her family.

GRADUATION Celebration By Hali Cartee and Mike Bennett

She continues to skate, but not as actively, competing at events in Washington and Oregon, and she has performed solos in The Winter Ice Gala.

Through her research, she lowered an upward bound for the number of rectangulations from what it was in 2006. She completed the project while continuing classes full time. Her paper is online at https://arxiv. org/abs/1911.09740; and she recently submitted it for publication to Computational Geometry: Theory and Applications.

This October Pichini will attend the University of Cambridge. She has been accepted to the Cambridge Judge Business School’s graduate program and Kiki Pichini, B.S. in Mathematics will begin working on her Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Technology Policy degree. The nine-month master’s When Pichini decided she wanted to earn her program is full-time for graduates offered at bachelor’s degree, the closest four-year college the historic Cambridge campus located in she could find in Washington was over 90 eastern England. minutes away. Lawrence Alfred Jr. also received his bachelor’s “I was 14 at the time, so I was too young to get degree in mathematics online. The December my driver’s license and it was unrealistic for my 2019 graduate lives in Tuba City, Arizona. parents who were setting up a business here to drive over three hours away, so I couldn’t do Family and community service mean everythat,” she said. thing to Alfred. He gladly waited to earn a bachelor’s degree until his two younger sisters It was then that Pichini found IU East while had graduated and moved into their careers as researching options for online mathematics a nurse and teacher. programs. The program was a good fit for her. The program provided with a new opportunity “I took care of my family,” explains the 44-yearto study several areas of math and electives old. “I was the oldest ... I have to take care of including English, philosophy and politics. anyone who needs help.” “Since I was so young, I just went with what I was good at and what I enjoyed, and as a 12- year-old that’s how I chose my major. What more could you ask for,” she said with humor. “I think through these courses I’ve had a better idea of what I want to go after, more than just pure math.”

hile continuing her studies online with IU East, Pichini sought extra challenges to enhance her mathematics skills. The faculty helped her with recommendation letters for summer projects and graduate school, which connected her to work with Professor Adam Sheffer from the City University of New York. He mentored her on a research paper on combinatorics, “An Upper Bound for the Number of Rectangulations of a Planar Point Set.”

imes were hard. Everyone was required to wear a mask and there was a curfew during the night hours, no exceptions. He lives close to a hospital and watched as helicopters evacuated six to seven people on some days; one day five went out one after the other. The reservation has been devastated financially with businesses and schools shut down. Unemployment has surged. Normal connections of reservation commerce have dried up. Alfred earns income by buying handmade pieces from elders and turning them into beautiful jewelry that he sells in roadside bazaars near the Grand Canyon. Nobody is hiring, either. After the pandemic passes, he will continue pursuing a job nearby in computer science or optics. Alfred simply loves math and science. It comes easy to him. “I could do calculus all day. I am really into science, the cause and effect of things,” he said. “It causes me to think more objectively than emotionally.” Alfred said his connection remains with IU East and he often receives information on potential jobs. But, he wants to stay in the Southwest where his family’s roots and history run deep. His family encouraged caring and moving forward. “I think positive things, move away from negativity.”

That’s the traditional way: Navajo life is a community life, a sacrificing life. It’s quiet and sometimes heroic. His grandfather, Johnny Alfred, was a member of the famed Code Talkers that were used to communicate secretly during battles on islands in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. His father served during the Vietnam War. Alfred lives with his parents in a house that he plans to own for the rest of his life. He wants it that way, to be there for everybody when he’s needed, and that includes helping his people to recover following the ravages of COVID-19.

Lawrence Alfred Jr., B.S. in Mathematics

In May, Alfred shared what life was like for his community. “It has hit hard here in the Navajo Nation Community,” Alfred said.

He’s upbeat and likes to laugh and be around people. All people. He doesn’t see them in reds, rainbows, whites, blacks, browns or anything of the like. “If you want to be my friend, I’ll be yours.”

At the time, he had lost 25 close family members, friends and members of the community.

Being upbeat and positive are two traits Austin McNew shares.

Education ’04, and father, Michael McNew, were supportive. “They (his parents) were happy wherever I was happy to go,” McNew said. “With my spinal cord injury going somewhere else was going to be difficult. Due to its proximity IU East was close to home, it made it easy to travel to, and because of its affordability, it’s just a great option for our community.” Before deciding on law, McNew had an interest in becoming a physician or physician’s assistant. That changed after someone mentioned law as a career. He started researching the profession and found it was a good match. Austin McNew, B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Political Science

cNew of Webster, Indiana, completed a double-major in three years while at IU East, receiving his B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Political Science.

Now he is ready to start his first year at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis this August. Many people in the Wayne County area are familiar with McNew. In January 2016, McNew had a serious injury to his spinal cord during a sledding accident. The spinal injury at the C4C5 level left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, he said. At the time, McNew was a junior at Northeastern High School in Fountain City, Indiana. The community rallied around McNew and his family, showing their support with #McNewStrong, as he worked to recover. After his injury, McNew returned to high school in the middle of the semester and caught up over the summer. He graduated a semester early. That fall he started at IU East. At the start of his college experience, McNew minored in political science but soon changed it to the double-major because of his interest in law, and because he enjoyed the classes so much. “I came to IU East planning on going to law school, so I started out in psychology,” McNew said. “I figured in the field of law if I could understand theories, I could maybe understand people a little bit better in situations.” McNew chose IU East based on its affordability and location. His mother, Teresa McNew, B.S. in

“My spinal cord injury has really been what’s pushed me,” McNew said. “After my injury I realized I could work with my mind or I could work with my body, so I chose law in order to work with my mind. I’ve just pushed myself to move through these courses quick so that I can show anyone that no matter the circumstances, anything is possible.” As of right now McNew plans to commute while taking courses full time, which means long days ahead. His interests are in corporate and commercial law, but he would like to explore sports industry law with the possibility of being a sports agent. He would also like to pursue entrepreneurship. It’s always been his goal to be his own boss, and entrepreneurship could lead to his own firm or business. In life, education and his future, McNew is open to the possibilities. “I’m going to see where life takes me,” McNew said. Samantha Elleman of Bath, Indiana, is also ready to see where her life takes her. The elementary education graduate knows that she wants to be an elementary teacher, no matter how education may be delivered for K-12 students in the fall. This spring she completed her student teaching with a fifth-grade class at William Bruce Elementary School in Eaton, Ohio. She enjoyed the teaching community there. The atmosphere reminded her of attending College Corner Union Elementary as a young student. Her mother, Amanda, B.S.W. 1997, also works in education as a secretary at the College Corner Union School and her father, Jeremy, is an electrical contractor. After in-class room teaching was suspended to go to remote learning because of the pandemic, Elleman continued to assist the teacher for the

remainder of the school year. With K-12 school districts considering what the next school year could hold for instruction – including returning to classes in person, online, or a mix of both – Elleman feels she is prepared. “I’m pretty confident in my abilities to use technology,” Elleman said. “I feel like my student teaching experience and helping online has prepared me for this fall, if that’s what I have to do this August.”

he can teach on an emergency license and complete state licensing exams through the year so she can begin teaching right away.

“They (SoE) were really flexible with us,” Elleman said. “The faculty as a whole offered great support, especially in these times of uncertainty. They made sure we all remained calm, and they assured us that they would support us no matter what we needed.” Elleman attended IU Bloomington before transferring in 2017 to IU East. In October 2019 she received a Distinguished Alumni Service Award (DASA) Scholarship. As a recipient of the scholarship, she attended a luncheon and a dinner banquet held at IU. Her oldest brother, a student at IU, attended with her. Elleman was one of the students to speak at the dinner with 300 alumni guests and IU President Michael A. McRobbie present. “It was a pretty good experience,” Elleman said. DASA scholarship recipients are nominated for the award based on academic performance by their respective campuses. Elleman also received the IU East Alumni Association Scholarship, the Bette G. Davenport Scholarship and the IUEAA Pride of the Pack Scholarship. Elleman has wanted to be a teacher since kindergarten. She hopes to teach fourth-grade. She is searching for a teaching position and going through the application process. She and many members of the Class of 2020 are preparing for interviews, now being held online or the telephone instead of in-person, to see where their future takes them.

Samantha Elleman, B.S. in Elementary Education

Jill Russell, a former visiting instructor at IU East in biology and one of Schmidt’s favorites, can picture Schmidt succeeding in any line of the profession.

Uncommon

Achievements During Uncommon By: Kyle Wright

Times

In this uncommon time, Schmidt is the Indiana University East Class of 2020 Naomi Osborne Scholar, an annual honor given to the IU East graduate with the highest grade point average.

Schmidt will graduate with highest distinction with a Bachelor of Science in Human Life Science. She also earned minors in psychology, exercise science, chemistry and neuroscience in preparation for a planned career as a physical therapist. Uncommon achievements. Uncommon time. The customary May Commencement Ceremony has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As the Naomi Osborne Scholar, Schmidt would have helped address the members of the Class of 2020 as they were inducted into the Indiana University Alumni Association. It’s one of many traditions altered for Schmidt and the rest of the Class of 2020. “It has been difficult to cope with this very abrupt end to my college career, but I know it was only done out of necessity,” Schmidt said. “I hope that many lives are saved by the sacrifices that everyone has had to make.”

“Naomi Osborne Scholar” will headline Schmidt’s college resume, but it’s just the first line on a lengthy list of college accomplishments and activities. Schmidt particularly enjoyed volunteering at “Night To Shine,” a prom night experience for people with special needs. Schmidt served as a mentor and science fair judge at Hibberd Intermediate School in Richmond. She volunteered at a local animal shelter. She assisted at Safety Village, where area youngsters learn traffic safety. She was part of an IU East service learning trip to the Dominican Republic to make water filters for hundreds of families in need.

rystal Schmidt’s uncommon tenacity produced uncommon achievement.

IU East’s 2020 Graduation Celebration marks the completion of four accomplished years in Richmond for Schmidt, a Heritage Hills High School graduate who came to IU East from Chrisney in the southwest tip of Indiana.

“Krystal is going to be a phenomenal physical therapist,” Russell said. “She’ll be extraordinary working with patients because she’s got that personality - so easy to be with - that she is going to set all of her patients at ease.”

Schmidt was a student at Heritage Hills High School when she was inspired to pursue a career in physical therapy and when she first heard of IU East. Schmidt was, in her words, “trying to deduce what I wanted to do with my life,” when she had the opportunity to spend a day shadowing her sister-in-law in her role as a physical therapist assistant (PTA). “I remember thinking, ‘Wow! This is awesome! I love this!’” she recalls. “And from that point on, I wanted to be a physical therapist.” Schmidt arrived at IU East in the fall of 2016. Like so many other IU East students, Schmidt appreciated the chance for a quality education in a small-school setting. “IU East really clicked with me because of the small atmosphere. It just felt like home,” Schmidt recalled four years later. “And I really liked the degree. I thought the Human Life Science degree would really prepare me for physical therapy school.” Uncommon perception - she was exactly right. Schmidt will continue her studies in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Indiana State University, a three-year program in Terre Haute.

Schmidt also was a key player in the most successful four-year stretch in the history of the IU East women’s tennis program. Schmidt is the third consecutive Naomi Osborne Scholar from the IU East athletic department. Lucas Huffman from the Red Wolf men’s basketball program was honored in 2018. Bre Nowak from the IU East women’s golf program was the Naomi Osborne Scholar for the class of 2019.

chmidt accumulated 56 singles wins during her IU East career - more than any other Red Wolf tennis player, ever.

“Her tenacity is remarkable,” IU East former head tennis coach Erskine Ratchford said. “Over the past four years I have seen her in numerous matches that were long and challenging, winning many, but regardless of the outcome she never quit.” Told that her professors and coaches all picked ‘tenacity’ as her defining characteristic, Schmidt concurred. “I definitely agree with their assessment of my tenacity,” she concluded. “I wouldn’t call myself the smartest person in my graduating class, but I think my perseverance and drive to succeed has helped set me apart.” Uncommon tenacity, uncommon achievement in this uncommon time.

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Remembered John Jeffrey Schriever, BGS ‘04, Connersville, IN, January 2, Alumni Sarah Alice “Sally” Grohsmeyer, Richmond, IN, January 5, Former IU East Advisor Shelby L. Masters, BGS ‘07, Hagerstown, IN, February 9, Alumni Brian Gregory Stewart, BGS ‘16, New Paris, OH, February 9, Alumni Eugene E. Christopher, AS ‘75, Richmond, IN, February 11, Alumni Virginia E. Hunsucker, AS ‘83, BGS ‘89, Eaton, OH, February 22, Alumni Donald L. MacDaniel, BGS ‘82, Connersville, IN, February 28, Alumni Dr. Richard “Dick” Walter Siebert, Richmond, IN, March 1, Campus Friend Robert Lawrence Lafuze, Greenwood, IN, March 1, Campus Friend Brenda Kay Best, BSN ‘00, Greenville, OH, March 8, Alumni

Remembering the life and legacy of campus friends and alumni who passed away in 2019.

JANE WOOLLEY MCCREA

Robert J. Cline, AS ‘72, BGS ‘82, Madison, IN, March 8, Alumni

Jane Woolley McCrea passed away at 103 years old on June 20, 2020, at Friends Fellowship Community in Richmond.

Kent Arthur Hildebrand, BS ‘09, Brookville, IN, March 13, Alumni Lora K. Baldwin, AS ‘82, Richmond, IN, March 29, IU East Staff and Alumni

McCrea established the Allan B. McCrea Memorial Scholarship Fund at IU East in remembrance of her husband. The couple married in 1942. The scholarship provides funding for students from Wayne County who exhibit academic excellence. McCrea enjoyed meeting IU East students and learning about their career aspirations. A lifelong resident of Richmond, McCrea is a 1935 graduate of Morton High School. She received a degree from the International Business College in Fort Wayne. McCrea worked for Natco in Richmond. She served on the Richmond Art Museum Board of Trustees from 1975-1983. McCrea is survived by her children A. Scott (Carol) McCrea of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary (Jim) McCrea Simkins of Greenville, South Carolina; and Bruce H. (Katherine) McCrea of Nashville, Tennessee; and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

KAREN R. WRIGHT Karen R. Wright passed away on June 25, 2020. She retired from IU East after more than 10 years as an administrative specialist for Tutorial Services and Academic Affairs. In 2006, Wright received IU East’s Staff Council Employee of the Year award.

Dr. John A. Knote, Lafayette, IN, April 22, Campus Friend Stephen Anthony Mosey, Richmond, IN, June 18, Campus Friend Mona S. Moistner, BA’ 99, MS ‘04, Cambridge City, IN, June 25, Former Faculty and Alumni Jack A. Myers, AS ‘72, Richmond, IN, August 10, Alumni James Russell Petersime, AA’ 81, Fountain City, IN, August 12, Alumni David Alan De Courcy, BA ‘03, Richmond, IN, September 13, Alumni Dorothy Lorene Phillips, AA ‘85, Hagerstown, IN, September 18, Alumni

for the Parks Purchasing departments, and the City Controller. She also worked in the guidance department at Northeastern High School, with Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Indianapolis, and locally at Ayr-Way, Ivy-Tech and in Wayne County government offices.

Wright’s family is well-known within the IU Wright grew up in Williamsburg, Indiana. She is East campus community. Her husband, Robert a 1968 graduate of Northeastern High School. Wright, also worked at IU East. Her son, Kyle She graduated from Indiana Business College Wright, is the assistant athletic director and sports information director, and his wife, Sunny, in Indianapolis, and she received an English is a transfer coordinator for the Office of Admisdegree from Ball State University. sions. She is also survived by her daughter, Amy Wright & Ebony Davis; grandson Kyson Wright; In addition to her service at IU East, Wright and family and friends. worked for the City of Richmond, including

MORTEZA (MORT) SEDDIGHIN

Teanna Faye West, ASN ‘89, Greensfork, IN, October 14, Alumni

Morteza (Mort) Seddighin passed away June 30, 2019. He was a professor of mathematics in the IU East School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. He joined the faculty in 2000.

Beth L. Conway, BS’ 78, New Castle, IN, October 15, Alumni

He was an operator theorist but also worked with theoretical aspects of statistics, semi-groups and quantum theory. At IU East he taught courses including calculus, mathematical modeling, linear algebra, and statistics to students at the undergraduate level.

George Edward “Eddie” Ramsey, Vevay, IN, November 28, Student Marsha Dean Karnafel, ASN ‘90, Indianapolis, IN, December 10, Alumni

Seddighin was a known name in mathematics. While a doctoral candidate, he worked with his advisor on what would eventually be known as the “Theory of Antieigenvalues.” He discovered and proved a mathematical Lemma – the Seddighin’s Lemma – in which “Two Nonzero Component Lemma” (TNCL) has applications in fields including economics.

Athena Lane Christodoulou, BS ‘90, Peachtree City, GA, December 10, Alumni Lanette Elaine Young, Richmond, IN,December 16, Retired Faculty

He referred and reviewed a wide variety of mathematics journals, and he was part of the International Linear Algebra Society. Seddighin received the 2010 IU East Award for Excellence in Research, recognizing excellence in research and/or creative work by a full-time faculty member over a sustained period of time.

BENJAMIN KING

Benjamin King IV of Connersville, Indiana, passed away June 15, 2019. He was a charter member of the IU East Alumni Association when it began in 1989. King attended Taylor University, Purdue University, and Rider College in New Jersey. He earned his B.S. in General Studies from IU East in 1982. He received his Master of Arts from Ball State University. Before working with Philco/Ford Corporation, King worked with Owens Illinois Glass and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a training coordinator for Ford when he moved to Connersville in 1979. He became involved with IU East and Purdue University to provide in-plant classes for employees; and with Ball State to design and provide a Master of Arts program on location for employees and non-employees as well. He retired in 1997. King served as president of Whitewater Valley College programs, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and he served on committees with United Way, Junior Achievement, Fayette Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, and the American Heart Association. He was an adjunct faculty member for IU East and Purdue. King married Barbara (Peters) in August 1957. She passed away in May 1992. He is survived by his wife, Rita (married October 1993), and his daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Hoffman of Millville, New Jersey; son, Benjamin V (Stacey) King of Gallatin, Tennessee; daughter, Sandra (Chad) Hoffman of Connersville; step-daughter, Katina Maners of Connersville; and his extended family and friends.

school Notes Chancellor and Faculty Awards

IU East Chancellor Kathy Girten, Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Art Vivian Distinguished Community Leader Award (January 2020)

Carrie Mier, assistant professor of criminal justice, Chancellor’s Community Engagement Course Development Grant

Deborah Miller, assistant professor of psychology, Horizon Teaching Award

Rosalie Aldrich, John and Corinne Graf Professor, Distinguished Research Award

Melissa Blankenship, lecturer of English, Center for Faculty Development Faculty Fellowship for 2020 and a Trustees Award for Teaching Innovation

Ange Cooksey, director of the Honors Program and senior lecturer in humanities, Trustees Award for Teaching Innovation

Edwina Helton, professor of English and director of Women’s and Gender Studies program, Distinguished Service Award and Trustees Award for Teaching Innovation

Andrea Quenette, director of Public Speaking and the Communication Center and assistant professor, Trustees Award for Teaching Innovation

Jaynne Rivas, assistant professor of management, Chancellor’s Community Engagement Course Development Grant

school Notes

Feler Bose, associate professor of finance and economics, Horizon Research/Creative Activity Award

Jamie Buffington-Adams, associate dean for the School of Education and associate professor, Trustees Award for Teaching Innovation

Amanda Carmack, associate dean for the Nursing Undergraduate Program and assistant professor, Trustees Award for Teaching Innovation

Oi Lin Cheung, associate professor of finance and director of the Business and Economic Research Center, Trustees Award for Teaching Innovation

Lindsey Hobson, adjunct for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Part-Time Faculty Award

Parul Khurana, associate dean for the School of Science and Mathematics, associate professor of biology, and an IU Bicentennial Professor, Student Success and Engagement Award

Yan Liu, assistant professor of business administration, Chancellorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Engagement Course Development Grant

Carla Messer, assistant professor in business, Community Engagement Award

LaCalvince (Cal) Simpson, senior lecturer in management, Erwin and Priscilla Boschmann Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant

Angie Smibert, adjunct for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Part-Time Faculty Award

Sanga Song, assistant professor of marketing, Erwin and Priscilla Boschmann Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant

Stephanie Whitehead, director of the Center for Faculty Development and associate professor of criminal justice, Helen Lees Award for Excellence in Teaching

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alumni Notes IU Alumni Association East Region Chapter forms new group The Indiana University East Alumni Association and the East Central Indiana Chapter of the IU Alumni Association have merged to serve the IU Alumni Association East Region. The merger began in April 2019 when the IU Alumni Association reached out to each of the regional campuses to initiate a program to unify campus alumni boards and the alumni chapters in those regions. The goal is to serve alumni in these regions better. The unification of the alumni effort is designed to help strengthen Indiana University's overall presence throughout the state of Indiana -through each of the regional campuses -reminding everyone that we are one IU. "We aspire to have all IU alumni in the region to deepen and strengthen our ties to IU and one another," said J T. Forbes, IU Bloomington '90, IUPUI '96, chief executive officer of the IU Alumni Association. "No matter your campus of origin, we are all alumni of Indiana University who can work together." Terry Wiesehan, IU East '96, is the director of Alumni Relations at IU East. She worked with both boards throughout the merger.

region. The East Region service area includes the Indiana counties of Wayne, Dearborn, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Ohio, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Switzerland and Union. It also includes the Ohio counties of Butler, Darke, Mercer and Preble. Jason Troutwine, IU East '01, is the IU East vice chancellor for the Office of External Affairs. He said the new board is well positioned to help the university and campus connect with all IU alumni. "As IU celebrated its 200th anniversary and IU East prepares to enter its 50th year of serving the region, this is the perfect time to combine our efforts. This new board will have a wonderful opportunity to engage more alumni and leverage our collective resources, and affection for our alma mater, to grow Indiana University's presence and influence within the region." Sarah Soper, IU Bloomington '02, IU East '13, will serve as the board president. Prior to the merger, Soper served as the East Central Indiana Chapter IU Alumni Association president.

"The members of the two boards were extremely helpful in this process. I appreciate their dedication to their alma mater and their vision for how this unified group can move forward in serving our region's alumni," Wiesehan said.

"Our two boards have a robust history of working together to provide quality IU events on the local stage," Soper said. "This formal unification will allow us to more holistically meet the needs of and serve all alumni in the region. We are proud of the work everyone has done, and the work that will be done moving forward, to support all IU alumni who call this region home."

To better serve all alumni living in the East Region, the IU Alumni Association East Region Community board is now comprised of members from the IU East, IU Bloomington and IUPUI campuses to extend the IU network in the

IU Alumni Association East Region officers also include vice president, Rachel Rose (IU East '11 and '16), secretary, Dr. Jerry Logan (IU Bloomington '67 and '69), and past president, Angela Fairchild (IU East '97).

Terry Wiesehan, Director of Alumni Relations, speaks during the 30th Anniversary Charter event.

Other board members include: • Corey Baker, IU Bloomington '12 • Dr. Elise Beatty, IU Bloomington '99, '02 • Kandra Conley, IUPUI '08, '10 • Travis Cornett, IU East '07 • James Day, IU East '92 • Jim Low, IU Bloomington '82 • Chad Steen, IU East '90, IUPUI '92, IU East '14 • Lorin Williams, IU Bloomington '10 "We are proud of the history of the alumni associations and the support to programs, events, services and networking opportunities they have brought to students and to all alumni in this region," Wiesehan said. "Now we look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence as we move forward as one." The IU Alumni Association East Region may be found online at iue.edu/alumni/ or social media including Twitter at @IUAAER or Facebook at facebook.com/IUAAER.

class Notes 2005

Brandon Cappa has been promoted to lieutenant with the Richmond Police Department. Jon Bales will continue to serve RPD as deputy chief of operation as reappointed by new Chief Michael Britt.

2006

Michelle King is serving as the assistant director of Alumni Relations at Earlham College.

2010

Sommer McDaniel, ‘10 and ‘16, is now the director of nursing at Richmond State Hospital. Shaun Steele has been named area executive director at Trilogy Health Services.

2011

Amanda Henry-Spradlin has been promoted to credit analyst at Hillrom in Batesville.

2012

Nick Ary is the general manager and head golf professional at Delaware Country Club/Elevate Golf. Zach Bishop has begun working as a developer with US Digital Partners. Jessica Clark is a graphic designer at the Winchester News Gazette.

Luis Scheker is the owner of Texas Margaritas-Mexican Bar & Grill in Indianapolis.

2013

Liz Ferris is now the associate director for Student Success at IU East.

2014

Cody Banet has been promoted to senior regional manager at Henry Schein Corporation in Indianapolis. Lynn Craig, ‘14 and ‘15, is now a dispatcher for Prewitt and Sons Transportation Trucking.

2016

Chris Halberstadt has taken a position as senior accountant at the Simon Property Group in Indianapolis.

2017

Jill Hughes received the Casper College Innovative Educator of the Year award for 2019-2020 through the Wyoming Innovations in Learning Conference. She is an English placement coordinator at Casper College in Wyoming. Brandon Lingenfelter is serving as a patrol officer with the Clay Township Police Department in Brookville, Ohio. Lizzi Miller is now working as a CRM Communications and Operations Analyst for Indiana University.

Kelsey Weberg has begun the role as property and evidence technician with the Richardson Police Department in Richardson, Texas.

2018

Auntia King has taken a position as executive assistant for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. Charles Peterson now works in Sales Support at Fastenal Company in Connersville.

2019

Karrie Buehner serves as the resource development specialist at Amigos Latino Center in Richmond. Paige Gray is a currently a financial analyst with Blue Buffalo in Richmond. Tyler Pearson has taken a position as a real estate agent at Better Homes and Garden First Realty Group in Richmond.

Alumni Update Alumni do you have an exciting event in your life? Update your alumni information by emailing Terry Wiesehan, director of Alumni Relations at twiesaha@iue.edu.

Faculty and Staff Retirement IU East celebrated the retirements of four faculty and staff members this year. Combined they share 103 years of service. • Shelia Armstead, director of field and clinical assistant professor for the School of Social Work, 25 years of service from January 1, 1995 to June 30, 2020. • Star Johnson, senior accounting specialist for the Business Office, 31 years of service from October 3, 1988 to January 31, 2020. • Robert (Bob) Ladd, custodian for Physical Facilities, worked on campus for 21 years from September 22, 1997 to June 14, 2019. • David (DQ) Quinter, custodian for Physical Facilities, 26 years of services from October 17, 1993 to February 21, 2020.

Parting Shot Vivian Auditorium has a new look. In December 2019, IU East started renovating the auditorium with updated sound tech, seating and overall appearance changes. Vivian Auditorium has been home to events, performances and classes for decades - and the upgrades will provide new opportunities for students, alumni and the community!

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