Wabashiki turtle research holds promise
Libby Roerig, Indiana State Universtiy
An effort to protect turtles crossing one of Terre Haute’s busiest roads may lead to research that helps protect humans.
A group of residents has been working to save turtles crossing U.S. 150 near the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area. Realizing valuable blood samples could be collected from these animals, Indiana State University doctoral biology student Ryan Seddon teamed up with them.
“As biologists, the first challenge is getting your animal,” said Diana Hews, Indiana State biology professor and interim department chair.
Their efforts looking at the stress hormones and health of the red-eared slider are just in the beginning stages of building a dataset, which can be used to apply for more grants, but this research holds promise for countless other projects, including studying endocrine disruption markers.
“That would be very important to know for people eating fish out of the Wabashiki,” Hews said.
The Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, which includes 2,400 acres along the west bank of the Wabash River between Terre Haute and West Terre Haute, opened to the public in August 2010.
“Marshes are known for being able to clean up water and things like that. Potentially, it would be useful to know if we can show certain remediation practices, such as letting the marsh grow back, leads to improvement in the dysfunction we’re finding,” she said. “It’s a longer-term approach. We thought it’d be kind of neat to get in there on the front end and document the current status of the animals and then follow them as presumably as the water gets cleaned up.”
The earth and environmental systems department at Indiana State has been testing for heavy metal contamination in locations near the Wabashiki — a database of soil samples Hews said she’d like to tap.
“There are a growing number of studies showing the kind of environment you grew up as a kid — including in humans — influences the set point of your adrenal gland and your responsiveness as an adult to stressors and how much hormone you release,” she said.
Assisted by undergraduate Rodney Lockman, Seddon’s analysis focused on the hetrophil-lymphocyte ratio, a measurement of white blood cells, and corticosterone, comparing turtles found along U.S. 150 and at a lake located in an apartment complex near Indiana 46, about a mile from Terre Haute’s east side Walmart.
He discovered the lake turtles have a higher hetrophil-lymphocyte ratio than the road turtles, but the highway turtles have an elevated stress hormone compared to those at the lake.
“There is a difference between the stationary lake turtles and the road ones. It could be because (the road turtles) are moving,” he said. “Corticosterone releases energy into your blood. You need the energy to move.”
Known as a stress hormone, corticosterone mobilizes glucose in the body.
“A short-term high is adaptive. It’s good. The hormone is there for a reason,” Hews said. “You might not even call that stress — their glucose is up, their cort levels are up, because they’re walking across the road.”
If it’s chronically high, though, that’s a different situation.
“We’d need to look at stationary ones within the Wabashiki to see if they have a similar response. We’re just looking at those mobile ones, so it’s hard to tell how much is attributed to moving across the road versus environmental conditions,” Seddon said. “It is a little higher than you’d expect for a turtle just sitting there.”
The researchers are hoping to add more types of sites, including reclaimed strip mines, and maybe expanding their study to other animals, such as fish. Turtles are long-lived creatures, so even if there’s an improvement in the environment, their longevity could inhibit seeing much of a change biologically.
“If we have any changes in the next five or 10 years, a lot of these (turtles) are already too old (to see a change). They’ve already been affected,” Seddon said.
The Wabashiki itself offers different kinds of sites to test, but they’ll need permission to conduct research in the area, and any turtle traps they set will need regular monitoring.
Seddon and Hews aren’t the only ones looking toward the future. This past winter, the group of turtle enthusiasts was successful in getting “Turtle Crossing” signs erected along U.S. 150, and now they’re lobbying to create an eco-tunnel for the animals. Plans created by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students call for a tunnel that runs under the highway so the turtles can safely cross and a fence to keep them off the roadway.
“It would be pretty effective, so we could save a lot of turtles,” Seddon said.
(8/14)
Libby Roerig, Indiana State Universtiy
An effort to protect turtles crossing one of Terre Haute’s busiest roads may lead to research that helps protect humans.
A group of residents has been working to save turtles crossing U.S. 150 near the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area. Realizing valuable blood samples could be collected from these animals, Indiana State University doctoral biology student Ryan Seddon teamed up with them.
“As biologists, the first challenge is getting your animal,” said Diana Hews, Indiana State biology professor and interim department chair.
Their efforts looking at the stress hormones and health of the red-eared slider are just in the beginning stages of building a dataset, which can be used to apply for more grants, but this research holds promise for countless other projects, including studying endocrine disruption markers.
“That would be very important to know for people eating fish out of the Wabashiki,” Hews said.
The Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, which includes 2,400 acres along the west bank of the Wabash River between Terre Haute and West Terre Haute, opened to the public in August 2010.
“Marshes are known for being able to clean up water and things like that. Potentially, it would be useful to know if we can show certain remediation practices, such as letting the marsh grow back, leads to improvement in the dysfunction we’re finding,” she said. “It’s a longer-term approach. We thought it’d be kind of neat to get in there on the front end and document the current status of the animals and then follow them as presumably as the water gets cleaned up.”
The earth and environmental systems department at Indiana State has been testing for heavy metal contamination in locations near the Wabashiki — a database of soil samples Hews said she’d like to tap.
“There are a growing number of studies showing the kind of environment you grew up as a kid — including in humans — influences the set point of your adrenal gland and your responsiveness as an adult to stressors and how much hormone you release,” she said.
Assisted by undergraduate Rodney Lockman, Seddon’s analysis focused on the hetrophil-lymphocyte ratio, a measurement of white blood cells, and corticosterone, comparing turtles found along U.S. 150 and at a lake located in an apartment complex near Indiana 46, about a mile from Terre Haute’s east side Walmart.
He discovered the lake turtles have a higher hetrophil-lymphocyte ratio than the road turtles, but the highway turtles have an elevated stress hormone compared to those at the lake.
“There is a difference between the stationary lake turtles and the road ones. It could be because (the road turtles) are moving,” he said. “Corticosterone releases energy into your blood. You need the energy to move.”
Known as a stress hormone, corticosterone mobilizes glucose in the body.
“A short-term high is adaptive. It’s good. The hormone is there for a reason,” Hews said. “You might not even call that stress — their glucose is up, their cort levels are up, because they’re walking across the road.”
If it’s chronically high, though, that’s a different situation.
“We’d need to look at stationary ones within the Wabashiki to see if they have a similar response. We’re just looking at those mobile ones, so it’s hard to tell how much is attributed to moving across the road versus environmental conditions,” Seddon said. “It is a little higher than you’d expect for a turtle just sitting there.”
The researchers are hoping to add more types of sites, including reclaimed strip mines, and maybe expanding their study to other animals, such as fish. Turtles are long-lived creatures, so even if there’s an improvement in the environment, their longevity could inhibit seeing much of a change biologically.
“If we have any changes in the next five or 10 years, a lot of these (turtles) are already too old (to see a change). They’ve already been affected,” Seddon said.
The Wabashiki itself offers different kinds of sites to test, but they’ll need permission to conduct research in the area, and any turtle traps they set will need regular monitoring.
Seddon and Hews aren’t the only ones looking toward the future. This past winter, the group of turtle enthusiasts was successful in getting “Turtle Crossing” signs erected along U.S. 150, and now they’re lobbying to create an eco-tunnel for the animals. Plans created by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students call for a tunnel that runs under the highway so the turtles can safely cross and a fence to keep them off the roadway.
“It would be pretty effective, so we could save a lot of turtles,” Seddon said.
(8/14)
Laura Bates, professor of English, Indiana State University
Indiana State English professor finalist for state Emerging Author Award
Libby Roerig, Indiana State Universtiy
Preparing for the Indiana Authors Award Dinner on Oct. 10, Indiana State University professor Laura Bates says she’ll have an acceptance speech and a gracious concession ready.
“It’s really exciting. It’s kind of like going to the Academy Awards dinner, where you find out whether you win or not,” she said, adding the event is also the day before her birthday.
Bates, who teaches English, is a finalist for the Emerging Author Award in recognition for her highly acclaimed first book “Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard,” which chronicles her time teaching Shakespeare in the maximum-security wing of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility.
Bates says she now includes the book in the curriculum for her “Crime and Punishment” class. The message resonates with students, many of which realize if the main character survived all his hardships, they can, too. At book signings, she said people ask how to get involved in a similar line of work.
“Shakespeare Saved My Life” was also selected for the Big Library Read this year, introducing it to more than 100,000 people in 12 countries. A movie by two independent filmmakers in Toronto is also in the works.
Bates said she never expected the widespread media attention and acclaim the book has received.
“I felt like there was a story that needed to be told. I don’t think I thought much beyond getting the story told,” she said. “It’s not so much my story as it is the life story of the prisoner.”
Indiana State is no stranger to the Indiana Authors Award Dinner, as Bates’ English department colleague Michael Shelden was the national winner for last year’s Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. Shelden is the author of five biographies, including “Orwell: The Authorized Biography,” “Mark Twain, Man in White: The Grand Adventure of His Final Years” and “Young Titan: The Making of Winston Churchill.”
“I’m so pleased to have such a wonderful colleague in Michael. We’ve actually done book signings together,” she said.
During these signings, Shelden showed her what page of the book to sign and to cross out her printed name in favor of the more personal handwritten version.
“He’s been very supportive of my work,” she said.
As the award she is a finalist for implies, Bates is indeed an emerging author and well into her second book, “Letters from Camp.”
“It has nothing to do with prison, nothing to do with Shakespeare,” she said with a laugh. The content, however, is no less serious, and Bates said in some ways, puts her other main character’s 10 years in solitary in perspective.
“It’s the very personal account of experiences of refugees from World War II,” she said. “The refugees happen to be my mother and my father.”
Starting in 1945, Bates’ parents started corresponding, and during the course of their five-year separation, they amassed more than 100 letters.
Bates’ mother had been married just days before she boarded a refugee train. The couple was separated, and her mother’s husband was forcibly consigned into the German army.
While visiting a prisoner of war camp, Bates’ mother learned her husband was being sent to the Soviet Union and would face certain death there. It was at this POW camp that she met her second husband, Bates’ father.
“In my family, it’s just me and my sister,” Bates said. “We said, ‘We had no idea.’ We had no idea of the hardship they endured.”
Just the day-to-day difficulties were unimaginable, especially since both of her parents were isolated from any emotional support system. Many refugees had someone — a parent, child or spouse to lean on during the experience.
“He, like my mother, lost all contact with their families. They were both dealing with being completely alone in the world,” she said.
A staged reading of the correspondence is set for Nov. 11 during part of the “Night of Broken Glass: Remembering the Holocaust” event at Indiana State. Two showings, one at 5 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., will be performed in the recital hall of the Landini Center for Performing Arts.
It was a challenge to stage this production from what is now just a rough draft of her book and she tapped theater professor Arthur Feinsod for his expert assistance.
“I wrote a theatrical adaptation of a book that hasn’t been written yet,” she said.
(8/14)
Libby Roerig, Indiana State Universtiy
Preparing for the Indiana Authors Award Dinner on Oct. 10, Indiana State University professor Laura Bates says she’ll have an acceptance speech and a gracious concession ready.
“It’s really exciting. It’s kind of like going to the Academy Awards dinner, where you find out whether you win or not,” she said, adding the event is also the day before her birthday.
Bates, who teaches English, is a finalist for the Emerging Author Award in recognition for her highly acclaimed first book “Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard,” which chronicles her time teaching Shakespeare in the maximum-security wing of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility.
Bates says she now includes the book in the curriculum for her “Crime and Punishment” class. The message resonates with students, many of which realize if the main character survived all his hardships, they can, too. At book signings, she said people ask how to get involved in a similar line of work.
“Shakespeare Saved My Life” was also selected for the Big Library Read this year, introducing it to more than 100,000 people in 12 countries. A movie by two independent filmmakers in Toronto is also in the works.
Bates said she never expected the widespread media attention and acclaim the book has received.
“I felt like there was a story that needed to be told. I don’t think I thought much beyond getting the story told,” she said. “It’s not so much my story as it is the life story of the prisoner.”
Indiana State is no stranger to the Indiana Authors Award Dinner, as Bates’ English department colleague Michael Shelden was the national winner for last year’s Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. Shelden is the author of five biographies, including “Orwell: The Authorized Biography,” “Mark Twain, Man in White: The Grand Adventure of His Final Years” and “Young Titan: The Making of Winston Churchill.”
“I’m so pleased to have such a wonderful colleague in Michael. We’ve actually done book signings together,” she said.
During these signings, Shelden showed her what page of the book to sign and to cross out her printed name in favor of the more personal handwritten version.
“He’s been very supportive of my work,” she said.
As the award she is a finalist for implies, Bates is indeed an emerging author and well into her second book, “Letters from Camp.”
“It has nothing to do with prison, nothing to do with Shakespeare,” she said with a laugh. The content, however, is no less serious, and Bates said in some ways, puts her other main character’s 10 years in solitary in perspective.
“It’s the very personal account of experiences of refugees from World War II,” she said. “The refugees happen to be my mother and my father.”
Starting in 1945, Bates’ parents started corresponding, and during the course of their five-year separation, they amassed more than 100 letters.
Bates’ mother had been married just days before she boarded a refugee train. The couple was separated, and her mother’s husband was forcibly consigned into the German army.
While visiting a prisoner of war camp, Bates’ mother learned her husband was being sent to the Soviet Union and would face certain death there. It was at this POW camp that she met her second husband, Bates’ father.
“In my family, it’s just me and my sister,” Bates said. “We said, ‘We had no idea.’ We had no idea of the hardship they endured.”
Just the day-to-day difficulties were unimaginable, especially since both of her parents were isolated from any emotional support system. Many refugees had someone — a parent, child or spouse to lean on during the experience.
“He, like my mother, lost all contact with their families. They were both dealing with being completely alone in the world,” she said.
A staged reading of the correspondence is set for Nov. 11 during part of the “Night of Broken Glass: Remembering the Holocaust” event at Indiana State. Two showings, one at 5 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., will be performed in the recital hall of the Landini Center for Performing Arts.
It was a challenge to stage this production from what is now just a rough draft of her book and she tapped theater professor Arthur Feinsod for his expert assistance.
“I wrote a theatrical adaptation of a book that hasn’t been written yet,” she said.
(8/14)
Sullivan students earn Kyle Snyder Post scholarships
WVCF Photo/ Pictured from left: Madison Boston, WVCF Chaplain Tim Tanner and Will Arnett
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
CARLISLE- The first ever Kyle Snyder American Legion Post 398 scholarships have been awarded, to Purdue-bound Sullivan High School students!
The Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) incarcerated veterans created two $500 scholarships, with a military twist. WVCF Chaplain Tim Tanner, the post coordinator, said a contest helped determine the recipients. The contest was open to all Sullivan County High School seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher and a family member serving or having served in the United States Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard).
Each contestant was then required to submit a 500 word essay about their relative and what his or hers service to our country meant to the contestant. Chaplain Tanner and Post Officers then determined the winners, one male and one female.
Madison Boston and Will Arnett of Sullivan High School were presented with the inaugural scholarships on graduation day, May 23rd.
Chaplain Tanner presented them with a scholarship certificate, the American Legion Scholarship Medal and a check for $500 each. He said the post is dedicated to giving back to community, especially our youth, the driving force behind the creation of the scholarships.
(June 10)
CARLISLE- The first ever Kyle Snyder American Legion Post 398 scholarships have been awarded, to Purdue-bound Sullivan High School students!
The Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) incarcerated veterans created two $500 scholarships, with a military twist. WVCF Chaplain Tim Tanner, the post coordinator, said a contest helped determine the recipients. The contest was open to all Sullivan County High School seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher and a family member serving or having served in the United States Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard).
Each contestant was then required to submit a 500 word essay about their relative and what his or hers service to our country meant to the contestant. Chaplain Tanner and Post Officers then determined the winners, one male and one female.
Madison Boston and Will Arnett of Sullivan High School were presented with the inaugural scholarships on graduation day, May 23rd.
Chaplain Tanner presented them with a scholarship certificate, the American Legion Scholarship Medal and a check for $500 each. He said the post is dedicated to giving back to community, especially our youth, the driving force behind the creation of the scholarships.
(June 10)
Zak Milam
Soldier-scholar battles to help his fellow veterans
Indiana State University
When Zak Milam crosses the stage at Hulman Center today, his graduation from Indiana State University will have been 20 years in the making. But the two decades that have passed since he finished high school were years full of learning — lessons he regularly shares with Sycamores … and hopes to share with his fellow war veterans.
“I’ve been waiting 20 years to walk across the stage. My mom’s coming up for it,” he said. “I’ve been waiting this long, and it’s been a journey. I don’t have any regrets.”
Milam of Paris, Ill., joined the U.S. Army in 2006 — long after the swell of patriotism that prompted many young men and women to enlist after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He was also 29 — much older and worldly than his idealistic enlisted comrades.
“I knew signing up I was going to be deployed. It wasn’t if, it was when,” he said. “I really wasn’t worried about it. By the time I got over there, I was 30 — so I had 30 years. It was just a challenge, to see what it was all about.”
Stationed with the 632nd Movement Control Team, 106th Transportation Battalion Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Milam’s military occupational specialty was transportation management coordinator — or 88N — and he was responsible for tracking soldiers and equipment by rail, sea and air.
“That’s what the job is on paper, but when you get to Iraq, you might do your job, but nine times out of 10, you’re doing something else. It’s whatever meets the needs of the Army,” he said.
His unit left for Iraq in June 2007, with orders to stay 12 months or until “mission complete.”
“They train you up and pump you full of patriotism and Toby Keith songs, but when you get over there, there’s no training to actually prepare you for what you’re going to see or do,” he said. “At 30, I didn’t know what to expect.”
Milam hit it off with a first sergeant, who was about the same age as him. During a conversation one evening, Milam heard a series of bangs and booms and asked what was the noise.
“Those are mortars,” the first sergeant said.
“Are they outgoing or incoming?” Milam asked.
“I don’t know.”
In a 30-minute conversation, there were 27 hits, Milam recalled.
“What did I get myself into? That was on a daily basis,” he said. “There’s bunkers strategically placed around the base. At first, you’re looking for one. You’re running, and you better hope no one gets in your way.
“But after that happens so many times, you just get tired of it. You get mad, especially if you’re sitting on a post, you’re just a sitting duck. So, you just have to hope the technology they have that shoots them down works. Most of the time it didn’t.”
Milam and his unit endured these near-daily attacks for 14 months. Even today, certain cell phone tones remind Milam, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), of the base’s mortar warning system.
“I hear it at school. It’s so intense. It just takes you back,” he said.
Out of the military and adjusting to civilian life, Milam felt the daily life-threatening stresses of Iraq still haunting him. He started some mindfulness therapy and met with a group of multi-generational veterans.
One of his peers only left his house for the group therapy sessions. He spent the rest of the time “bunkered up” in his room, emerging at night.
“These guys hadn’t progressed over 30, 40 years. That’s somebody’s husband. That’s somebody’s grandpa that can’t even leave the house,” Milam said. “I told this Vietnam veteran — I just started crying because I have this guilt for how they’re treated versus how they roll the red carpet out for us — I don’t want to be you in 40 years. That’s when I knew I had a problem.”
Living in Texas, Milam says he felt “just thrown into” the huge Veterans Affairs office in Dallas. Again itching for a change of scenery, he returned to east-central Illinois, where he was born, and found a good therapist in Danville.
“She pushed and pushed and pushed for me to go to school,” Milam said. “I kept saying, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it next semester.’ She kept pushing and pushing, and my son was born in 2012, so I said, ‘Now it’s not just me anymore.’”
Driven to help his fellow veterans, Milam enrolled at Indiana State as a human development and family studies major.
“I love the major. It’s so broad. There’s so much you can do with it,” he said. “It’s from cradle to grave. It’s a program that you learn about the lifespan — your first day to your last day.”
After completing coursework this summer, Milam plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work.
“I’m pretty dead set that I want to work with veterans. I owe it to them, because when I came back, I didn’t have that support,” he said. “A lot of time, you’re dealing with civilians, and they don’t know. They follow this protocol, they know what they’re supposed to do, but they don’t know.”
But long before Milam makes his mark in the professional world, he’s been helping his Sycamore family.
“A lot of them have accepted me, and that’s awesome to have young students who want to know your story. (They ask) how you got here, how was the military, do you recommend this, do you recommend that?” he said. “I try to give them as much advice as possible about the military. It’s not for everyone.”
Despite his affection for the students, his struggles with PTSD are still present. The fact that he’s one of four male students graduating in his major — of about 40 total — doesn’t help.
“They’re all females … and they all want to talk — at the same time,” he said.
During a recent class exercise, everyone was paired off to simulate married couples and had to make a paper chain to represent what they’d acquired during the relationship — and then work out the terms of a divorce.
“There was so much talk, and it was so loud in there. It was a fun activity, but for me, it was nerve-wracking. I like order. I don’t like loud noise,” he said. “I get startled and there’s a lot of commotion; sometimes it takes you back. So, I’ll walk out of class … because my anxiety is so high. So, I step out for a few minutes and go back in, but it’s just like walking right back into the lion’s den, because they haven’t stopped (talking).”
As an alternative form of therapy, Milam also participates in the Indiana State chapter of Team River Runner (Health and Healing through Paddlesports).
“The therapy is ongoing. I’ve accepted I’ll probably be going to therapy in some form for most of my life — in some aspect,” he said. “Hopefully, at some point, I’ll be on the other end of it.”
Carrying around these scars, one has to ask if he’d re-enlist again, knowing what he knows now.
“If I didn’t have my son, I’d go back in a heartbeat. But I’m too old for them to beat up,” he said. “It’s not about hatred or violence. I have a lot of guilt. I don’t feel like I did enough. I feel bad, because when I got out, there were all these younger soldiers who had longer contracts. To me, 14 months over there wasn’t enough. I should have been over there multiple times.”
Milam, a dean’s list student, does continue to apply his military training — only to his studies.
“I can almost guarantee you can look at any veteran’s grade point average, and I would say it’s above average — the majority of the ones I’ve met are geared toward school,” he said. “One day, you don’t just say, ‘Forget about all that they taught me in the military.’”
(May 9)
Indiana State University
When Zak Milam crosses the stage at Hulman Center today, his graduation from Indiana State University will have been 20 years in the making. But the two decades that have passed since he finished high school were years full of learning — lessons he regularly shares with Sycamores … and hopes to share with his fellow war veterans.
“I’ve been waiting 20 years to walk across the stage. My mom’s coming up for it,” he said. “I’ve been waiting this long, and it’s been a journey. I don’t have any regrets.”
Milam of Paris, Ill., joined the U.S. Army in 2006 — long after the swell of patriotism that prompted many young men and women to enlist after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He was also 29 — much older and worldly than his idealistic enlisted comrades.
“I knew signing up I was going to be deployed. It wasn’t if, it was when,” he said. “I really wasn’t worried about it. By the time I got over there, I was 30 — so I had 30 years. It was just a challenge, to see what it was all about.”
Stationed with the 632nd Movement Control Team, 106th Transportation Battalion Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Milam’s military occupational specialty was transportation management coordinator — or 88N — and he was responsible for tracking soldiers and equipment by rail, sea and air.
“That’s what the job is on paper, but when you get to Iraq, you might do your job, but nine times out of 10, you’re doing something else. It’s whatever meets the needs of the Army,” he said.
His unit left for Iraq in June 2007, with orders to stay 12 months or until “mission complete.”
“They train you up and pump you full of patriotism and Toby Keith songs, but when you get over there, there’s no training to actually prepare you for what you’re going to see or do,” he said. “At 30, I didn’t know what to expect.”
Milam hit it off with a first sergeant, who was about the same age as him. During a conversation one evening, Milam heard a series of bangs and booms and asked what was the noise.
“Those are mortars,” the first sergeant said.
“Are they outgoing or incoming?” Milam asked.
“I don’t know.”
In a 30-minute conversation, there were 27 hits, Milam recalled.
“What did I get myself into? That was on a daily basis,” he said. “There’s bunkers strategically placed around the base. At first, you’re looking for one. You’re running, and you better hope no one gets in your way.
“But after that happens so many times, you just get tired of it. You get mad, especially if you’re sitting on a post, you’re just a sitting duck. So, you just have to hope the technology they have that shoots them down works. Most of the time it didn’t.”
Milam and his unit endured these near-daily attacks for 14 months. Even today, certain cell phone tones remind Milam, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), of the base’s mortar warning system.
“I hear it at school. It’s so intense. It just takes you back,” he said.
Out of the military and adjusting to civilian life, Milam felt the daily life-threatening stresses of Iraq still haunting him. He started some mindfulness therapy and met with a group of multi-generational veterans.
One of his peers only left his house for the group therapy sessions. He spent the rest of the time “bunkered up” in his room, emerging at night.
“These guys hadn’t progressed over 30, 40 years. That’s somebody’s husband. That’s somebody’s grandpa that can’t even leave the house,” Milam said. “I told this Vietnam veteran — I just started crying because I have this guilt for how they’re treated versus how they roll the red carpet out for us — I don’t want to be you in 40 years. That’s when I knew I had a problem.”
Living in Texas, Milam says he felt “just thrown into” the huge Veterans Affairs office in Dallas. Again itching for a change of scenery, he returned to east-central Illinois, where he was born, and found a good therapist in Danville.
“She pushed and pushed and pushed for me to go to school,” Milam said. “I kept saying, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it next semester.’ She kept pushing and pushing, and my son was born in 2012, so I said, ‘Now it’s not just me anymore.’”
Driven to help his fellow veterans, Milam enrolled at Indiana State as a human development and family studies major.
“I love the major. It’s so broad. There’s so much you can do with it,” he said. “It’s from cradle to grave. It’s a program that you learn about the lifespan — your first day to your last day.”
After completing coursework this summer, Milam plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work.
“I’m pretty dead set that I want to work with veterans. I owe it to them, because when I came back, I didn’t have that support,” he said. “A lot of time, you’re dealing with civilians, and they don’t know. They follow this protocol, they know what they’re supposed to do, but they don’t know.”
But long before Milam makes his mark in the professional world, he’s been helping his Sycamore family.
“A lot of them have accepted me, and that’s awesome to have young students who want to know your story. (They ask) how you got here, how was the military, do you recommend this, do you recommend that?” he said. “I try to give them as much advice as possible about the military. It’s not for everyone.”
Despite his affection for the students, his struggles with PTSD are still present. The fact that he’s one of four male students graduating in his major — of about 40 total — doesn’t help.
“They’re all females … and they all want to talk — at the same time,” he said.
During a recent class exercise, everyone was paired off to simulate married couples and had to make a paper chain to represent what they’d acquired during the relationship — and then work out the terms of a divorce.
“There was so much talk, and it was so loud in there. It was a fun activity, but for me, it was nerve-wracking. I like order. I don’t like loud noise,” he said. “I get startled and there’s a lot of commotion; sometimes it takes you back. So, I’ll walk out of class … because my anxiety is so high. So, I step out for a few minutes and go back in, but it’s just like walking right back into the lion’s den, because they haven’t stopped (talking).”
As an alternative form of therapy, Milam also participates in the Indiana State chapter of Team River Runner (Health and Healing through Paddlesports).
“The therapy is ongoing. I’ve accepted I’ll probably be going to therapy in some form for most of my life — in some aspect,” he said. “Hopefully, at some point, I’ll be on the other end of it.”
Carrying around these scars, one has to ask if he’d re-enlist again, knowing what he knows now.
“If I didn’t have my son, I’d go back in a heartbeat. But I’m too old for them to beat up,” he said. “It’s not about hatred or violence. I have a lot of guilt. I don’t feel like I did enough. I feel bad, because when I got out, there were all these younger soldiers who had longer contracts. To me, 14 months over there wasn’t enough. I should have been over there multiple times.”
Milam, a dean’s list student, does continue to apply his military training — only to his studies.
“I can almost guarantee you can look at any veteran’s grade point average, and I would say it’s above average — the majority of the ones I’ve met are geared toward school,” he said. “One day, you don’t just say, ‘Forget about all that they taught me in the military.’”
(May 9)
Community School of the Arts unveils summer class schedule
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Indiana State University’s Community School of the Arts’ summer classes are more than just a way to keep your youngsters busy while school’s out.
Students, parents and instructors agree it’s a way to supplement what these young minds might not have the opportunity to learn during the school year — or build upon the lessons they do get.
CSA percussion instructor Sean Cook, a junior music education major at Indiana State, said when he was in high school, peers in neighboring school districts would tell him how much they envied him being part of Avon’s national-championship-winning marching band.
“They had no reason to envy me. If they would have lived five minutes south, then they would have been part of the same program,” Cook said. “Because they lived five minutes north and outside of that (school district), they’re now doing things at a lower level and they’re not exposed to what could be.”
As the instructor of CSA’s summer Rock Camp! and Indoor Drum Line, Cook helps level the playing field for young musicians. For instance, Indoor Drum Line, offered in a gym on a tarp rather than on a football field, allows students to try their hand at more difficult music — and techniques.
“You take away all of the winds, the brass, and it’s strictly the marimba, xylophones in the front and the drum line in the back. And that’s it,” Cook said. “It’s also a way for them to perform a story, to be more theatrical. I think that’s important for kids to break out of their shell. They play at a higher level, they play at a faster pace and they can be more connected to a show they learn. I just hope every student can be a part of it.”
For Christin Scott’s four home-schooled children, who range in ages 6 to 12, seizing the opportunities CSA presents was exactly why she started enrolling them in 2013.
“Our children get the freedom to create and express themselves. Pablo Picasso said, ‘Every child is an artist,’ and we agree. Creativity is a valuable and priceless gift of childhood that should be nurtured and cultivated,” Scott said. “Freedom to be creative is significant in the emotional and intellectual development of every child. These classes bestow upon our children a dedicated time and commitment to create, which further builds the foundation for well-trained, creative thinking.”
Scott’s children have participated in art, guitar, children’s choir, drama, pottery and piano classes.
Seven-year-old Carter Moore, a first-grader at Dixie Bee Elementary, has taken many of those same classes, but theater is his favorite.
“I like it. It was fun,” he said of the class, adding that he likes being on stage and participated in four plays last summer.
It wasn’t all fun for this natural performer, though. He says he became nervous during one exercise when they had to tell the class about themselves — within a certain time limit. He was able to meet the task … give or take a second.
In pottery class, Moore said, “I made lots of bowls. One of the bowls is in Mommy’s office; she puts paper clips in it.”
A Dixie Bee classmate of Moore’s has also attended CSA’s summer session, he said. He also made “a bunch” of new friends in one of his classes and is looking forward to this summer, Moore said.
The learning isn’t reserved for just the elementary-age youngsters. In fact, Cook’s students are high schoolers — an age group he really enjoys teaching because of the lasting affect he can make on their lives.
“I like helping students do something they never thought they’d be able to do — just a simple breakdown of ‘Do this, do this. OK, you just did it. Why did you say you couldn’t do it?’ I like to eliminate the words ‘can’t,’ ‘never be able to,’ ‘impossible,’” he said. “It’s also just a way of teaching discipline and life lessons through music that they can take on for other activities. With high school kids, hopefully they can take the discipline to their jobs, so they can go further in their careers.”
Cook, who is in his second summer teaching at CSA, comes from a long line of musicians and took up percussion when his drummer dad “handed me some sticks and bongos” at age 2. A drum set followed when he was 10.
“From there, it was trying to learn every single rock song that I listened to. And then when I got to high school, I joined the drum line and it really took off,” he said.
Success in music comes down to practice — and practicing correctly, Cook said.
“I really hope the students can come in and appreciate music on a new level and learn different ways to practice,” he said. “Anybody can go out and learn a song, but it’s applying the right practice techniques that make it perfect.”
And in Rock Camp!, students learn how to become an actual rock band. The first time CSA offered the class, the students got off to a slow start, but now they’re challenging their instructor.
“We can’t give them songs that are too hard for them,” Cook said. “We’re really excited for Rock Camp this summer, and their ability to play harder songs is going to skyrocket.”
The students’ success is a testament to CSA’s programming and instructors, who are “a community treasure and an amazing resource for fine arts education,” Scott said.
“I always have peace of mind that the CSA is doing a good job, and my children will receive a quality fine arts education,” she said. “The CSA is an asset to our community — creating time and space for personal expression, growth and development.”
Summer class registration is now open. For a full list of CSA’s summer programming options, go tounboundedpossibilities.com/csa or call 812-237-2528.
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Indiana State University’s Community School of the Arts’ summer classes are more than just a way to keep your youngsters busy while school’s out.
Students, parents and instructors agree it’s a way to supplement what these young minds might not have the opportunity to learn during the school year — or build upon the lessons they do get.
CSA percussion instructor Sean Cook, a junior music education major at Indiana State, said when he was in high school, peers in neighboring school districts would tell him how much they envied him being part of Avon’s national-championship-winning marching band.
“They had no reason to envy me. If they would have lived five minutes south, then they would have been part of the same program,” Cook said. “Because they lived five minutes north and outside of that (school district), they’re now doing things at a lower level and they’re not exposed to what could be.”
As the instructor of CSA’s summer Rock Camp! and Indoor Drum Line, Cook helps level the playing field for young musicians. For instance, Indoor Drum Line, offered in a gym on a tarp rather than on a football field, allows students to try their hand at more difficult music — and techniques.
“You take away all of the winds, the brass, and it’s strictly the marimba, xylophones in the front and the drum line in the back. And that’s it,” Cook said. “It’s also a way for them to perform a story, to be more theatrical. I think that’s important for kids to break out of their shell. They play at a higher level, they play at a faster pace and they can be more connected to a show they learn. I just hope every student can be a part of it.”
For Christin Scott’s four home-schooled children, who range in ages 6 to 12, seizing the opportunities CSA presents was exactly why she started enrolling them in 2013.
“Our children get the freedom to create and express themselves. Pablo Picasso said, ‘Every child is an artist,’ and we agree. Creativity is a valuable and priceless gift of childhood that should be nurtured and cultivated,” Scott said. “Freedom to be creative is significant in the emotional and intellectual development of every child. These classes bestow upon our children a dedicated time and commitment to create, which further builds the foundation for well-trained, creative thinking.”
Scott’s children have participated in art, guitar, children’s choir, drama, pottery and piano classes.
Seven-year-old Carter Moore, a first-grader at Dixie Bee Elementary, has taken many of those same classes, but theater is his favorite.
“I like it. It was fun,” he said of the class, adding that he likes being on stage and participated in four plays last summer.
It wasn’t all fun for this natural performer, though. He says he became nervous during one exercise when they had to tell the class about themselves — within a certain time limit. He was able to meet the task … give or take a second.
In pottery class, Moore said, “I made lots of bowls. One of the bowls is in Mommy’s office; she puts paper clips in it.”
A Dixie Bee classmate of Moore’s has also attended CSA’s summer session, he said. He also made “a bunch” of new friends in one of his classes and is looking forward to this summer, Moore said.
The learning isn’t reserved for just the elementary-age youngsters. In fact, Cook’s students are high schoolers — an age group he really enjoys teaching because of the lasting affect he can make on their lives.
“I like helping students do something they never thought they’d be able to do — just a simple breakdown of ‘Do this, do this. OK, you just did it. Why did you say you couldn’t do it?’ I like to eliminate the words ‘can’t,’ ‘never be able to,’ ‘impossible,’” he said. “It’s also just a way of teaching discipline and life lessons through music that they can take on for other activities. With high school kids, hopefully they can take the discipline to their jobs, so they can go further in their careers.”
Cook, who is in his second summer teaching at CSA, comes from a long line of musicians and took up percussion when his drummer dad “handed me some sticks and bongos” at age 2. A drum set followed when he was 10.
“From there, it was trying to learn every single rock song that I listened to. And then when I got to high school, I joined the drum line and it really took off,” he said.
Success in music comes down to practice — and practicing correctly, Cook said.
“I really hope the students can come in and appreciate music on a new level and learn different ways to practice,” he said. “Anybody can go out and learn a song, but it’s applying the right practice techniques that make it perfect.”
And in Rock Camp!, students learn how to become an actual rock band. The first time CSA offered the class, the students got off to a slow start, but now they’re challenging their instructor.
“We can’t give them songs that are too hard for them,” Cook said. “We’re really excited for Rock Camp this summer, and their ability to play harder songs is going to skyrocket.”
The students’ success is a testament to CSA’s programming and instructors, who are “a community treasure and an amazing resource for fine arts education,” Scott said.
“I always have peace of mind that the CSA is doing a good job, and my children will receive a quality fine arts education,” she said. “The CSA is an asset to our community — creating time and space for personal expression, growth and development.”
Summer class registration is now open. For a full list of CSA’s summer programming options, go tounboundedpossibilities.com/csa or call 812-237-2528.
From left, James Kennett, emeritus professor at University of California Santa Barbara, Tony Rathburn, professor of geology at Indiana State University and Indiana State graduate students Ashley Burkett and Ryan Venturelli. (ISU Photo)
Paleoceanography pioneer meets academic progeny at Indiana State
Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Like many higher education institutions, Indiana State University offers a seemingly revolving door of visiting experts from which students and the public can learn. A recent earth and environmental systems scholar, however, is notable for both his renowned expertise and “familial” connection to the university.
A pioneer in developing the field of paleoceanography — or the study of the oceans’ geologic past — James Kennett spoke to Indiana State students on April 16 on the topic of “Evidence for the Younger Dryas Boundary Cosmic Impact 12,800 Years Ago and Its Environmental, Biotic and Human Consequences.”
“You see him on Discovery Channel,” said Tony Rathburn, professor of geology at Indiana State. “He’s the major pioneer in paleoceanography and literally wrote the book on marine geology that everyone used for decades.”
The talk was part of the Earth and Environmental Systems seminar series that is also linked to a course. Students read literature related to the lecture beforehand and then are able to speak informally with the speaker and ask questions afterwards.
“Students and faculty don’t often get the chance to sit down, chat and ask questions of someone of Jim Kennett’s experience and caliber,” Rathburn said. “Having such a well-known scientist here presenting new ideas and relating experiences with enthusiasm and energy is such a great opportunity for students.”
Kennett, who is an emeritus professor at the University of California Santa Barbara, is also Rathburn’s academic grandfather, as Rathburn studied under Bruce Corliss when Rathburn was a graduate student at Duke University. Corliss, who is now dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, was a graduate student under Kennett at Rhode Island.
“(Kennett) has all kinds of academic grandsons,” Rathburn said, adding that Kennett probably has academic great-great-great grandchildren somewhere, given how impactful his career has been. In fact, the week after Kennett gave his talk, Ingrid Hendy, a well-known paleoceanographer from the University of Michigan, gave a talk at Indiana State about her research. Hendy also studied under Kennett, making her Rathburn’s “academic aunt.”
Graduating this spring is Rathburn’s doctoral student Ashley Burkett — herself a standout scholar who presented in the Indiana State lecture series a week before Kennett, speaking on the topic of “Geochemistry of Benthic Foraminifera from Pacific Methane Seeps” — and is one of Kennett’s newest great-grandchildren.
“On this line, I think Ashley is Corliss’ only academic grandchild,” Rathburn said.
When mention of Corliss’ name is made to Kennett, one could easily confuse Kennett’s pride for his former student’s success with that of a biological parent.
“That was quite thrilling for me to see that accomplishment,” Kennett said of Corliss’ dean position.
After more than 50 years of publishing research on a variety of topics, seeing your legacy continued through scholars who further help our understanding is satisfying, Kennett said.
“You feel an accomplishment for understanding new things about the earth and how it functions. That’s what drives science, of course, is making new discoveries. When all is said and done, after decades, the most satisfying experience is seeing your former students succeed — in various ways. It gives me enormous pleasure,” he said.
“That’s the human thing at the end. I’m not at the end, but I’m rapidly approaching it. So it goes,” he added with a laugh.
Kennett’s talk at Indiana State shared the hypothesis that a fragmented comet hit the earth 12,800 years ago and “basically all hell broke loose,” Kennett said. The event left a layer of cosmic impact-related materials at more than 30 sites over four continents, including nanodiamonds, high temperature impact spherules, meltglass and minerals and a peak in platinum.
“It was pretty widespread. It was pretty dramatic,” Kennett said.
Widespread biomass burning, a shift in ocean circulation and the extinction of the North American megafauna — including mammoths, ground sloths, sabertooth cats, horses and camels — are attributed to the event, he said. The human Stone Age Clovis Culture was also severely affected.
“It took hundreds of years for that population to rebound,” he said.
The latest academic paper Kennett co-authored was published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on the topic of abrupt climate changes that caused small decreases in seawater oxygenation and in turn led to extensive seafloor ecosystem reorganizations. Recovery from these reorganizations took up to 1,000 years.
With so much research to tackle even in retirement, it’s his family ties to Rathburn that brought him to Indiana State.
“I appreciate him,” Kennett said of Rathburn. “Years ago, we had some overlapping research. I suppose if it weren’t for Tony, I wouldn’t come.”
Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Like many higher education institutions, Indiana State University offers a seemingly revolving door of visiting experts from which students and the public can learn. A recent earth and environmental systems scholar, however, is notable for both his renowned expertise and “familial” connection to the university.
A pioneer in developing the field of paleoceanography — or the study of the oceans’ geologic past — James Kennett spoke to Indiana State students on April 16 on the topic of “Evidence for the Younger Dryas Boundary Cosmic Impact 12,800 Years Ago and Its Environmental, Biotic and Human Consequences.”
“You see him on Discovery Channel,” said Tony Rathburn, professor of geology at Indiana State. “He’s the major pioneer in paleoceanography and literally wrote the book on marine geology that everyone used for decades.”
The talk was part of the Earth and Environmental Systems seminar series that is also linked to a course. Students read literature related to the lecture beforehand and then are able to speak informally with the speaker and ask questions afterwards.
“Students and faculty don’t often get the chance to sit down, chat and ask questions of someone of Jim Kennett’s experience and caliber,” Rathburn said. “Having such a well-known scientist here presenting new ideas and relating experiences with enthusiasm and energy is such a great opportunity for students.”
Kennett, who is an emeritus professor at the University of California Santa Barbara, is also Rathburn’s academic grandfather, as Rathburn studied under Bruce Corliss when Rathburn was a graduate student at Duke University. Corliss, who is now dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, was a graduate student under Kennett at Rhode Island.
“(Kennett) has all kinds of academic grandsons,” Rathburn said, adding that Kennett probably has academic great-great-great grandchildren somewhere, given how impactful his career has been. In fact, the week after Kennett gave his talk, Ingrid Hendy, a well-known paleoceanographer from the University of Michigan, gave a talk at Indiana State about her research. Hendy also studied under Kennett, making her Rathburn’s “academic aunt.”
Graduating this spring is Rathburn’s doctoral student Ashley Burkett — herself a standout scholar who presented in the Indiana State lecture series a week before Kennett, speaking on the topic of “Geochemistry of Benthic Foraminifera from Pacific Methane Seeps” — and is one of Kennett’s newest great-grandchildren.
“On this line, I think Ashley is Corliss’ only academic grandchild,” Rathburn said.
When mention of Corliss’ name is made to Kennett, one could easily confuse Kennett’s pride for his former student’s success with that of a biological parent.
“That was quite thrilling for me to see that accomplishment,” Kennett said of Corliss’ dean position.
After more than 50 years of publishing research on a variety of topics, seeing your legacy continued through scholars who further help our understanding is satisfying, Kennett said.
“You feel an accomplishment for understanding new things about the earth and how it functions. That’s what drives science, of course, is making new discoveries. When all is said and done, after decades, the most satisfying experience is seeing your former students succeed — in various ways. It gives me enormous pleasure,” he said.
“That’s the human thing at the end. I’m not at the end, but I’m rapidly approaching it. So it goes,” he added with a laugh.
Kennett’s talk at Indiana State shared the hypothesis that a fragmented comet hit the earth 12,800 years ago and “basically all hell broke loose,” Kennett said. The event left a layer of cosmic impact-related materials at more than 30 sites over four continents, including nanodiamonds, high temperature impact spherules, meltglass and minerals and a peak in platinum.
“It was pretty widespread. It was pretty dramatic,” Kennett said.
Widespread biomass burning, a shift in ocean circulation and the extinction of the North American megafauna — including mammoths, ground sloths, sabertooth cats, horses and camels — are attributed to the event, he said. The human Stone Age Clovis Culture was also severely affected.
“It took hundreds of years for that population to rebound,” he said.
The latest academic paper Kennett co-authored was published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on the topic of abrupt climate changes that caused small decreases in seawater oxygenation and in turn led to extensive seafloor ecosystem reorganizations. Recovery from these reorganizations took up to 1,000 years.
With so much research to tackle even in retirement, it’s his family ties to Rathburn that brought him to Indiana State.
“I appreciate him,” Kennett said of Rathburn. “Years ago, we had some overlapping research. I suppose if it weren’t for Tony, I wouldn’t come.”
Indiana State University graduate student Lindsay Forrette was recently awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation research fellowship. (ISU Photo)
Indiana State grad student awarded prestigious NSF fellowship
Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
With the recent award of a National Science Foundation pre-doctoral fellowship to a Sycamore, Indiana State University is now mentioned in the same breath as Harvard and Princeton.
The prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides three years of financial support for science and engineering students such as Lindsay Forrette, a first-year biology Ph.D. student at Indiana State. By all accounts, it’s the first fellowship of its kind for the university.
Forrette of Chicopee, Mass., found out about the honor on April Fools Day. She was checking her email before teaching her morning classes and saw there was a message from NSF.
“My first response was, ‘I have to get through four hours of teaching.’ If this is bad, I can’t see this now,” she said. “I closed it, and halfway through my second section, my students were working independently.”
So, she opened her email again and clicked on the message.
“I read, ‘Congratulations,’ and I sat there and got a big smile on my face. Once I got out of class, I forwarded the email to Dr. (Elaina) Tuttle and Liz (Metzger, contracts and grants specialist at the university),” Forrette said. “I still can’t believe that they were interested in my work and my proposal. I’m very honored to have them select me.”
During a time when any research funding is scarce, these graduate research fellowships often go to Ivy League students.
“It’s very difficult to get grants at all, and the fact that NSF has been able to hold onto this program is pretty good, but it makes it even more competitive,” said Tuttle, professor of biology at Indiana State. “I have no doubt she’ll be successful in anything she does. I’m just really honored to be her graduate advisor. And I’m really happy she choose ISU.”
Forrette came to Terre Haute after working as a field assistant for Tuttle during the 2012 and 2013 seasons when she was a student at the University of New England. Tuttle has conducted research on white-throated sparrows at Cranberry Lake in New York each summer for the past 27 years.
“She’s one of the best nest-finders and observational people we’ve had. She always asked questions — deeper questions about the science, why they do this,” Tuttle said. “She’s got the right mind, the right dedication. She would work and work and work and work until she dropped. The things you need to be successful are the drive to want to work and dedication to want to know why. And she’s got those.”
These qualities, combined with the fact Forrette published a whopping six academic papers from her undergraduate research, made her an ideal candidate for NSF, said Tuttle, who has participated on NSF review boards.
Forrette’s research will focus on social behavior, communication and genetic aspects of the white-throated sparrows — specifically, the Major Histocompatibility Complex, a group of genes that control a large portion of the immune system, and odor.
“That’s what I initially wrote the NSF grant for — how (MHC) relates to odor, mate choice and communication,” Forrette said. “Projects often change over time. You might walk in with a particular idea, but maybe it isn’t feasible or maybe it’s better to do it in another way.”
Forrette’s research could build on previous findings of Tuttle’s regarding the composition of preen oil, a waxy secretion that birds spread on their feathers while they’re grooming. She’s interested in learning whether the oil — and its volatiles — have a role in communication through olfaction.
“We see differences in preen oil volatiles between males and females, as well as between seasons. Some of these volatiles are elevated in males during the breeding season, whereas they’re not so much in females,” Forrette said. “The white-throated sparrow is polymorphic, and there’s a genetic basis for a bird with white plumage versus tan plumage, regardless of its sex. It’s possible that differences in morphs and sex in volatiles may be linked to MHC genes and allow individuals to tell each other apart. For the Tuttle lab, these findings are so new that I’ll be the first graduate student to examine whether there are links being genetics, odor and communication.”
Tuttle says she’s excited about Forrette combining fieldwork with genomics — experience that will make her well prepared for her professional ventures.
“It’s going to make her be very integrative. She’s not going to just do fieldwork, she’s going to do a combination of field and lab and behavior and molecular,” Tuttle said.
(April 25)
Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
With the recent award of a National Science Foundation pre-doctoral fellowship to a Sycamore, Indiana State University is now mentioned in the same breath as Harvard and Princeton.
The prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides three years of financial support for science and engineering students such as Lindsay Forrette, a first-year biology Ph.D. student at Indiana State. By all accounts, it’s the first fellowship of its kind for the university.
Forrette of Chicopee, Mass., found out about the honor on April Fools Day. She was checking her email before teaching her morning classes and saw there was a message from NSF.
“My first response was, ‘I have to get through four hours of teaching.’ If this is bad, I can’t see this now,” she said. “I closed it, and halfway through my second section, my students were working independently.”
So, she opened her email again and clicked on the message.
“I read, ‘Congratulations,’ and I sat there and got a big smile on my face. Once I got out of class, I forwarded the email to Dr. (Elaina) Tuttle and Liz (Metzger, contracts and grants specialist at the university),” Forrette said. “I still can’t believe that they were interested in my work and my proposal. I’m very honored to have them select me.”
During a time when any research funding is scarce, these graduate research fellowships often go to Ivy League students.
“It’s very difficult to get grants at all, and the fact that NSF has been able to hold onto this program is pretty good, but it makes it even more competitive,” said Tuttle, professor of biology at Indiana State. “I have no doubt she’ll be successful in anything she does. I’m just really honored to be her graduate advisor. And I’m really happy she choose ISU.”
Forrette came to Terre Haute after working as a field assistant for Tuttle during the 2012 and 2013 seasons when she was a student at the University of New England. Tuttle has conducted research on white-throated sparrows at Cranberry Lake in New York each summer for the past 27 years.
“She’s one of the best nest-finders and observational people we’ve had. She always asked questions — deeper questions about the science, why they do this,” Tuttle said. “She’s got the right mind, the right dedication. She would work and work and work and work until she dropped. The things you need to be successful are the drive to want to work and dedication to want to know why. And she’s got those.”
These qualities, combined with the fact Forrette published a whopping six academic papers from her undergraduate research, made her an ideal candidate for NSF, said Tuttle, who has participated on NSF review boards.
Forrette’s research will focus on social behavior, communication and genetic aspects of the white-throated sparrows — specifically, the Major Histocompatibility Complex, a group of genes that control a large portion of the immune system, and odor.
“That’s what I initially wrote the NSF grant for — how (MHC) relates to odor, mate choice and communication,” Forrette said. “Projects often change over time. You might walk in with a particular idea, but maybe it isn’t feasible or maybe it’s better to do it in another way.”
Forrette’s research could build on previous findings of Tuttle’s regarding the composition of preen oil, a waxy secretion that birds spread on their feathers while they’re grooming. She’s interested in learning whether the oil — and its volatiles — have a role in communication through olfaction.
“We see differences in preen oil volatiles between males and females, as well as between seasons. Some of these volatiles are elevated in males during the breeding season, whereas they’re not so much in females,” Forrette said. “The white-throated sparrow is polymorphic, and there’s a genetic basis for a bird with white plumage versus tan plumage, regardless of its sex. It’s possible that differences in morphs and sex in volatiles may be linked to MHC genes and allow individuals to tell each other apart. For the Tuttle lab, these findings are so new that I’ll be the first graduate student to examine whether there are links being genetics, odor and communication.”
Tuttle says she’s excited about Forrette combining fieldwork with genomics — experience that will make her well prepared for her professional ventures.
“It’s going to make her be very integrative. She’s not going to just do fieldwork, she’s going to do a combination of field and lab and behavior and molecular,” Tuttle said.
(April 25)
Indiana State scores ‘Green Colleges’ three-peat
Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
For the third year in a row, Indiana State University has been selected as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the nation, according to The Princeton Review.
“This is a fantastic honor every time we receive it. ISU may have received this designation for three consecutive years, but I think that speaks to the strength of our sustainability offerings more than anything,” said Caroline Savage, interim executive director of the university’s Institute for Community Sustainability. “This designation is highly competitive and receiving it is by no means a given. ISU continues to do an excellent job of responding to the 21st century problems of energy price volatility, societal inequities and ecosystem destruction with innovative 21st century solutions.”
The profiles in “The Princeton Review's Guide to 353 Green Colleges” provide information about each school’s admission requirements, cost and financial aid and student body statistics. They also include “Green Facts” about the schools with details on the availability of transportation alternatives at the schools and the percentage of the school food budgets spent on local/organic food.
“We strongly recommend Indiana State and the other fine colleges in this guide to the many environmentally-minded students who seek to study and live at green colleges,” said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s senior vice-president and publisher.
News of the award came just days after another successful Earth Day celebration on April 15 at Indiana State, one that drew thousands to the university’s grassy quadrangle for the day that included a picnic lunch, information and entertainment.
“Our Earth Day celebration is excellent for raising broad awareness of sustainability on our campus and in the community. Annually, it sees about one-sixth of ISU’s student population participating — about 2,500 students — and many more community members and ISU employees,” Savage said.
“It helps remind us that being a Sycamore means being engaged with our communities thinking about the long-term impacts of our actions and proactively building a better future for all,” she added. “It becomes a springboard for the deeper interactions we have with students and others throughout the year — so many partnerships and projects are formed around Earth Day, and this is how a lot of students experience sustainability on campus for the first time; many of them seek us out after the event, now that they know we exist.”
The basic tenets of sustainability emphasize how the core components of economy, society and environment are interconnected. The Institute for Community Sustainability adapts this practice and marks collaboration as one of its greatest qualities, which are especially evident during events such as Earth Day.
“We were so pleased with both campus and community engagement. Earth Day takes many hands working hard throughout the year, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude toward all of the different campus departments and individuals who feel personally responsible for its success,” Savage said. “This is probably the best sustainability success story anybody could ask for: A project that goes beyond just the sustainability office to have a life of its own across departments. This is truly the highest echelon of sustainability.”
Starting last fall, Indiana State students were able to take advantage of a minor in sustainability, which was previously known as the conservation minor. The change was the result of feedback from a university survey in which most students said they would like more sustainability curriculum offered.
Franek, too, noted the growing interest the company has seen among college-bound students in green colleges.
“Among nearly 10,000 teens who participated in our 2015 College Hopes & Worries Survey, 61 percent told us that having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the college, he said.
The Princeton Review chose the schools for this sixth annual edition of its “green guide” based on data from the company’s 2014 survey of hundreds of four-year colleges concerning the schools’ commitments to the environment and sustainability.
Work to continue and broaden the institute’s partnerships, which this year alone have included the university’s Division of Student Affairs, Residential Life, Office of Diversity, African-American Cultural Center, Community School for the Arts, Center for Global Engagement, Recycle Center and Facilities Management, is underway.
“I love to see how interconnected we are becoming with these campus partners, as well as community partners, and I think that our future will see us continuing to work on projects like Earth Day that are bigger than the sum of their parts and impact more people more deeply than our one office could alone,” Savage said.
“This year, we and the other Unbounded Possibilities offices have been asked to submit three-year work plans and budgets. It is wonderful to know that the university is committed to our long-term success in this way, and we will work hard to live up to the challenge,” she added.
(April 22)
Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
For the third year in a row, Indiana State University has been selected as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the nation, according to The Princeton Review.
“This is a fantastic honor every time we receive it. ISU may have received this designation for three consecutive years, but I think that speaks to the strength of our sustainability offerings more than anything,” said Caroline Savage, interim executive director of the university’s Institute for Community Sustainability. “This designation is highly competitive and receiving it is by no means a given. ISU continues to do an excellent job of responding to the 21st century problems of energy price volatility, societal inequities and ecosystem destruction with innovative 21st century solutions.”
The profiles in “The Princeton Review's Guide to 353 Green Colleges” provide information about each school’s admission requirements, cost and financial aid and student body statistics. They also include “Green Facts” about the schools with details on the availability of transportation alternatives at the schools and the percentage of the school food budgets spent on local/organic food.
“We strongly recommend Indiana State and the other fine colleges in this guide to the many environmentally-minded students who seek to study and live at green colleges,” said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s senior vice-president and publisher.
News of the award came just days after another successful Earth Day celebration on April 15 at Indiana State, one that drew thousands to the university’s grassy quadrangle for the day that included a picnic lunch, information and entertainment.
“Our Earth Day celebration is excellent for raising broad awareness of sustainability on our campus and in the community. Annually, it sees about one-sixth of ISU’s student population participating — about 2,500 students — and many more community members and ISU employees,” Savage said.
“It helps remind us that being a Sycamore means being engaged with our communities thinking about the long-term impacts of our actions and proactively building a better future for all,” she added. “It becomes a springboard for the deeper interactions we have with students and others throughout the year — so many partnerships and projects are formed around Earth Day, and this is how a lot of students experience sustainability on campus for the first time; many of them seek us out after the event, now that they know we exist.”
The basic tenets of sustainability emphasize how the core components of economy, society and environment are interconnected. The Institute for Community Sustainability adapts this practice and marks collaboration as one of its greatest qualities, which are especially evident during events such as Earth Day.
“We were so pleased with both campus and community engagement. Earth Day takes many hands working hard throughout the year, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude toward all of the different campus departments and individuals who feel personally responsible for its success,” Savage said. “This is probably the best sustainability success story anybody could ask for: A project that goes beyond just the sustainability office to have a life of its own across departments. This is truly the highest echelon of sustainability.”
Starting last fall, Indiana State students were able to take advantage of a minor in sustainability, which was previously known as the conservation minor. The change was the result of feedback from a university survey in which most students said they would like more sustainability curriculum offered.
Franek, too, noted the growing interest the company has seen among college-bound students in green colleges.
“Among nearly 10,000 teens who participated in our 2015 College Hopes & Worries Survey, 61 percent told us that having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the college, he said.
The Princeton Review chose the schools for this sixth annual edition of its “green guide” based on data from the company’s 2014 survey of hundreds of four-year colleges concerning the schools’ commitments to the environment and sustainability.
Work to continue and broaden the institute’s partnerships, which this year alone have included the university’s Division of Student Affairs, Residential Life, Office of Diversity, African-American Cultural Center, Community School for the Arts, Center for Global Engagement, Recycle Center and Facilities Management, is underway.
“I love to see how interconnected we are becoming with these campus partners, as well as community partners, and I think that our future will see us continuing to work on projects like Earth Day that are bigger than the sum of their parts and impact more people more deeply than our one office could alone,” Savage said.
“This year, we and the other Unbounded Possibilities offices have been asked to submit three-year work plans and budgets. It is wonderful to know that the university is committed to our long-term success in this way, and we will work hard to live up to the challenge,” she added.
(April 22)
Lubbers and Ellspermann join business, community and education leaders to launch Indiana’s first Career Ready campaign
By Indiana Commission for Higher Education
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers and Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann gathered with representatives from business, higher education and the non-profit community to kick off Indiana’s inaugural Career Ready campaign at the Indiana Statehouse Monday.
Career Ready Indiana is a public awareness campaign that runs through July 31, 2015 and will focus on making sure every Hoosier student has a work-based learning experience—like an internship or job shadowing opportunity—before graduating from high school and college.
“We know that when students have meaningful career experiences throughout their education, they are more likely to find and prepare for a career path that matches both their interests and aptitude,” Lubbers said. “Equally important, these work-based opportunities help ensure our students remain in Indiana and are equipped to meet the demands of our rapidly changing workforce and economy.”
Lt. Governor Ellspermann, who is vice-chair of the Indiana Career Council, added, “The Career Council recognizes the value of work-and-learn experiences as well as mentoring and other career counseling to prepare our young Hoosiers for the high-demand, high-pay jobs in the Indiana marketplace. This campaign aligns with the Career Council’s strategic plan goal of adding 10,000 new work-and-learn experiences at Indiana employers.”
The campaign kick-off event showcased efforts by business, higher education and the non-profit community to provide students career experiences. Representatives from enFocus—a South Bend-based non-profit focused on building a stronger workforce pipeline through internships and fellowships, Vincennes University and Backhual Direct, LLC—an Indianapolis-based third-party logistics company—shared their efforts at the Career Ready Indiana launch.
The Career Ready Indiana campaign helps support statewide efforts to better align K-12, higher education and the workforce. From April through July, Career Ready Indiana will gather and highlight successful statewide and regional efforts, connect schools and businesses in every county, and share best practices and tools for career experiences through CareerReadyIndiana.org.
(April 21)
By Indiana Commission for Higher Education
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers and Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann gathered with representatives from business, higher education and the non-profit community to kick off Indiana’s inaugural Career Ready campaign at the Indiana Statehouse Monday.
Career Ready Indiana is a public awareness campaign that runs through July 31, 2015 and will focus on making sure every Hoosier student has a work-based learning experience—like an internship or job shadowing opportunity—before graduating from high school and college.
“We know that when students have meaningful career experiences throughout their education, they are more likely to find and prepare for a career path that matches both their interests and aptitude,” Lubbers said. “Equally important, these work-based opportunities help ensure our students remain in Indiana and are equipped to meet the demands of our rapidly changing workforce and economy.”
Lt. Governor Ellspermann, who is vice-chair of the Indiana Career Council, added, “The Career Council recognizes the value of work-and-learn experiences as well as mentoring and other career counseling to prepare our young Hoosiers for the high-demand, high-pay jobs in the Indiana marketplace. This campaign aligns with the Career Council’s strategic plan goal of adding 10,000 new work-and-learn experiences at Indiana employers.”
The campaign kick-off event showcased efforts by business, higher education and the non-profit community to provide students career experiences. Representatives from enFocus—a South Bend-based non-profit focused on building a stronger workforce pipeline through internships and fellowships, Vincennes University and Backhual Direct, LLC—an Indianapolis-based third-party logistics company—shared their efforts at the Career Ready Indiana launch.
The Career Ready Indiana campaign helps support statewide efforts to better align K-12, higher education and the workforce. From April through July, Career Ready Indiana will gather and highlight successful statewide and regional efforts, connect schools and businesses in every county, and share best practices and tools for career experiences through CareerReadyIndiana.org.
(April 21)
Hamm, Howard-Hamilton receive President’s Medal
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Indiana State University honored eight educators during its annual Faculty Recognition Banquet last Wednesday evening.
President Dan Bradley presented the President’s Medal — the university’s highest award for faculty — to Mark Hamm, professor of criminology, and Mary Howard-Hamilton, Bayh College of Education professor of educational leadership.
Hamm, a 1971 graduate of Indiana University and faculty member marking his 30th year at Indiana State, is a leading terrorism expert and one of the few criminology researchers who actually meets with his subjects.
“You would be surprised at how many criminologists have never met an actual criminal. This is especially true for terrorism. An estimated 24,000 academic works on terrorism have been published since the 9/11 attacks on America, but only 1 percent of them have included direct contact with terrorists,” Hamm said. “I’m pleased to say that my research is part of the 1 percent and grateful that ISU recognizes the principle that criminologists should never lose touch with the persons, faces, stories and lives we come across in the pursuit of theory.”
While Hamm’s terrorism research is top-of-mind for the media, governments and many citizens worldwide, it’s his work with Cuban prison rioters in the late 1980s that is most memorable for Hamm.
In 1987, 3,000 Mariel Cuban detainees protested an international treaty by seizing control of federal prisons in Oakdale, La., and Atlanta. It would become the longest and most destructive prison riot in U.S. history.
“After the smoke cleared, several hundred of the detainees were transferred to the federal penitentiary at Terre Haute,” Hamm said. “Assisted by civil rights attorneys, I trained and led a group of criminology students in representing the Cubans in parole board hearings before the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.”
Hamm and his students discovered most of the detainees had committed minor crimes or were wrongfully imprisoned by INS.
“As a result of the hearings, roughly 100 detainees were released from prison and joined their families in Miami,” he said.
Hamm went on to publish “The Abandoned Ones: The Imprisonment and Uprising of the Mariel Boat People” in 1995.
“The experience had everything a humanist scholar could hope for: a compelling story, a teachable moment about human rights, extraordinary sacrifices, and in the end, the good guys won,” he said. “The Cubans may have been abandoned by power elites in Havana and Washington, but they were redeemed by criminology students of ISU. I am proud of what we accomplished together.”
After graduating with an education degree from Indiana University, Hamm worked as a teacher and administrator at juvenile and adult corrections facilities. In 1979, Hamm earned a Master of Education from the University of Arizona. In 1985, he earned a Ph.D. in public administration from Arizona State University and joined Indiana State’s criminology department.
In 2009, he became a faculty member of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Training for Anti-Terrorism Prosecutors and Joint Terrorism Task Force agents. That same year, John Jay College selected him as a senior research fellow at their Center on Terrorism. In 2011, Hamm became a U.S. representative to the United Nations Crime and Justice Institute. He remains active in these roles.
Having served Indiana State and its students for a decade, Mary Howard-Hamilton has “dedicated countless hours to challenging and supporting students as a faculty member, dissertation advisor and academic advisor, guiding them to become excellent scholars and practitioners who use evidence-based practice in leadership for colleges and universities,” said President Bradley.
Howard-Hamilton has served the university through involvement in key search committees, including the provost, president, chief diversity officer and deans; serving on major initiative committees, including Unbounded Possibilities, the University Speakers Committee, the Task Force on the Freshman Year and Program Prioritization Committee; advising student organizations, including the Student African American Sisterhood and the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society.
“Sometimes you get a little worn out and wonder if you’re making an impact, so it’s great when you are recognized for what you do, especially when you’re recognized by not only the students but also the entire university as well,” Howard-Hamilton said. “I love what I do, and it’s amazing to be awarded for it. I already had a lot of energy, but this gives me even more energy and I want to do more.”
She was also recognized as a recipient of the Dreiser Award for 2015. Her other previous recognitions includeHolmstedt Distinguished Professor in the Bayh College in 2012 and the Robert S. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member from NASPA-Student Affairs Educators in Higher Education in 2007.
An ongoing and sustained commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and global engagement has also earned Howard-Hamilton the Equity and Diversity Leadership Award from the Terre Haute Human Relations Commission in 2013 and the Champion of Diversity Award from the Indianapolis Recorder and Indiana Minority Businesses in 2013, presenting at the Oxford Roundtable at Oxford University in 2010, consulting for the Student Housing Training Institute in South Africa in 2010 and receiving the Mildred Garcia Exemplary Scholarship Award from the Council on Ethnic Participation of the Associate for the Study of Higher Education in 2011.
“There are so many people who are supportive of the things I do, but not just about what I do,” she said. “It’s like being on a basketball team. You need all of the players to help you be successful. I’m just a tiny component of many moving parts that making everything work.”
Other awards and their recipients were:
• Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award: Valentina French, associate professor of physics.
• Community-Based Learning and Scholarship Award: Bridget Roberts-Pittman, associate professor of counseling.
• Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research and Creativity Award: Mary Howard-Hamilton, Bayh College of Education professor of educational leadership, Betty Phillips, professor of linguistics, Tony Rathburn, professor of geology, and Guo-Ping Zhang, professor of physics.
• Faculty Distinguished Service Award: Darlene Hantzis, a professor of communication and women’s studies.
(Apeil 18)
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Indiana State University honored eight educators during its annual Faculty Recognition Banquet last Wednesday evening.
President Dan Bradley presented the President’s Medal — the university’s highest award for faculty — to Mark Hamm, professor of criminology, and Mary Howard-Hamilton, Bayh College of Education professor of educational leadership.
Hamm, a 1971 graduate of Indiana University and faculty member marking his 30th year at Indiana State, is a leading terrorism expert and one of the few criminology researchers who actually meets with his subjects.
“You would be surprised at how many criminologists have never met an actual criminal. This is especially true for terrorism. An estimated 24,000 academic works on terrorism have been published since the 9/11 attacks on America, but only 1 percent of them have included direct contact with terrorists,” Hamm said. “I’m pleased to say that my research is part of the 1 percent and grateful that ISU recognizes the principle that criminologists should never lose touch with the persons, faces, stories and lives we come across in the pursuit of theory.”
While Hamm’s terrorism research is top-of-mind for the media, governments and many citizens worldwide, it’s his work with Cuban prison rioters in the late 1980s that is most memorable for Hamm.
In 1987, 3,000 Mariel Cuban detainees protested an international treaty by seizing control of federal prisons in Oakdale, La., and Atlanta. It would become the longest and most destructive prison riot in U.S. history.
“After the smoke cleared, several hundred of the detainees were transferred to the federal penitentiary at Terre Haute,” Hamm said. “Assisted by civil rights attorneys, I trained and led a group of criminology students in representing the Cubans in parole board hearings before the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.”
Hamm and his students discovered most of the detainees had committed minor crimes or were wrongfully imprisoned by INS.
“As a result of the hearings, roughly 100 detainees were released from prison and joined their families in Miami,” he said.
Hamm went on to publish “The Abandoned Ones: The Imprisonment and Uprising of the Mariel Boat People” in 1995.
“The experience had everything a humanist scholar could hope for: a compelling story, a teachable moment about human rights, extraordinary sacrifices, and in the end, the good guys won,” he said. “The Cubans may have been abandoned by power elites in Havana and Washington, but they were redeemed by criminology students of ISU. I am proud of what we accomplished together.”
After graduating with an education degree from Indiana University, Hamm worked as a teacher and administrator at juvenile and adult corrections facilities. In 1979, Hamm earned a Master of Education from the University of Arizona. In 1985, he earned a Ph.D. in public administration from Arizona State University and joined Indiana State’s criminology department.
In 2009, he became a faculty member of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Training for Anti-Terrorism Prosecutors and Joint Terrorism Task Force agents. That same year, John Jay College selected him as a senior research fellow at their Center on Terrorism. In 2011, Hamm became a U.S. representative to the United Nations Crime and Justice Institute. He remains active in these roles.
Having served Indiana State and its students for a decade, Mary Howard-Hamilton has “dedicated countless hours to challenging and supporting students as a faculty member, dissertation advisor and academic advisor, guiding them to become excellent scholars and practitioners who use evidence-based practice in leadership for colleges and universities,” said President Bradley.
Howard-Hamilton has served the university through involvement in key search committees, including the provost, president, chief diversity officer and deans; serving on major initiative committees, including Unbounded Possibilities, the University Speakers Committee, the Task Force on the Freshman Year and Program Prioritization Committee; advising student organizations, including the Student African American Sisterhood and the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society.
“Sometimes you get a little worn out and wonder if you’re making an impact, so it’s great when you are recognized for what you do, especially when you’re recognized by not only the students but also the entire university as well,” Howard-Hamilton said. “I love what I do, and it’s amazing to be awarded for it. I already had a lot of energy, but this gives me even more energy and I want to do more.”
She was also recognized as a recipient of the Dreiser Award for 2015. Her other previous recognitions includeHolmstedt Distinguished Professor in the Bayh College in 2012 and the Robert S. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member from NASPA-Student Affairs Educators in Higher Education in 2007.
An ongoing and sustained commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and global engagement has also earned Howard-Hamilton the Equity and Diversity Leadership Award from the Terre Haute Human Relations Commission in 2013 and the Champion of Diversity Award from the Indianapolis Recorder and Indiana Minority Businesses in 2013, presenting at the Oxford Roundtable at Oxford University in 2010, consulting for the Student Housing Training Institute in South Africa in 2010 and receiving the Mildred Garcia Exemplary Scholarship Award from the Council on Ethnic Participation of the Associate for the Study of Higher Education in 2011.
“There are so many people who are supportive of the things I do, but not just about what I do,” she said. “It’s like being on a basketball team. You need all of the players to help you be successful. I’m just a tiny component of many moving parts that making everything work.”
Other awards and their recipients were:
• Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award: Valentina French, associate professor of physics.
• Community-Based Learning and Scholarship Award: Bridget Roberts-Pittman, associate professor of counseling.
• Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research and Creativity Award: Mary Howard-Hamilton, Bayh College of Education professor of educational leadership, Betty Phillips, professor of linguistics, Tony Rathburn, professor of geology, and Guo-Ping Zhang, professor of physics.
• Faculty Distinguished Service Award: Darlene Hantzis, a professor of communication and women’s studies.
(Apeil 18)
Science, traditional cultures topic of Earth Day speaker
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Creating a partnership between traditional cultures and scientific innovation is possible and beneficial to the planet, says an environmental biologist who will speak at Indiana State University in observance of Earth Day.
Robin Kimmerer, professor of environmental biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, is the founding director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, which aims to create programs drawing on the wisdom of both indigenous populations and scientific knowledge for shared goals of sustainability.
“I believe that environmental science and traditional knowledge can be symbiotic in nature, where the strengths and limitations of each knowledge system are balanced by the other,” Kimmerer said. “For example, the scientific method necessarily separates the observer and the observed, attempts to be strictly objective, rational and reductionist. Science engages the human powers of intellect, but explicitly excludes the other ways that humans have of understanding the world.
“Many of the questions of sustainability that we face involve the intersection between human culture and values and the natural world,” she added. “So relying on a single knowledge system, which excludes human values, is inadequate to address the challenges we face. Traditional knowledge is more holistic and includes values, ethics and responsibilities ... so makes a good partner to balance scientific ways of knowing.”
Kimmerer is this year’s Earth Day Speaker at Indiana State and will present her talk, “The Honorable Harvest: Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation,” at 7 p.m. April 21 in the events area of the Cunningham Memorial Library. The free event is part of the Darwin Keynote Speaker Series and is sponsored by Indiana State’s University Honors Program and Center for Community Engagement.
“I will be talking about the indigenous philosophies of respect, reciprocity and responsibility — understanding that humans are more than just passive consumers in the ecosystem, that through practices of reciprocity, we can give back to ecosystems in order to sustain the beings who sustain us,” Kimmerer said. “I will be talking about the philosophy and practice of the Honorable Harvest, an ancient protocol that governs how we take from the earth. In an era of hyper-consumerism and economies based on resource exploitation, this is an idea for our time.”
Kimmerer said she hopes attendees take away an appreciation for how indigenous knowledge can be respectfully used as a partner to western science for conservation and ecological restoration.
Syracuse — similar to Terre Haute — is a post-industrial city working to become more sustainable. Kimmerer points to the restoration of Onondaga Lake, once known as the most polluted lake in the country, as a promising sign of progress there.
“It has taken enormous political will and pressure on the polluters, but alliances between the city, county, universities and the Onondaga Nation have helped create a vision and a pathway for its restoration,” she said. “The partnership with the Onondaga Nation needs to be more fully respected and implemented, as they have much higher standards for restoration of the landscape than the responsible corporation or government agencies.”
These types of partnerships must be replicated for future progress, she said.
“Making alliances is key to success, engaging people’s visions of a whole and healthy landscape, restoring not only land, but most importantly, our relationships to land,” Kimmerer said.
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Creating a partnership between traditional cultures and scientific innovation is possible and beneficial to the planet, says an environmental biologist who will speak at Indiana State University in observance of Earth Day.
Robin Kimmerer, professor of environmental biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, is the founding director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, which aims to create programs drawing on the wisdom of both indigenous populations and scientific knowledge for shared goals of sustainability.
“I believe that environmental science and traditional knowledge can be symbiotic in nature, where the strengths and limitations of each knowledge system are balanced by the other,” Kimmerer said. “For example, the scientific method necessarily separates the observer and the observed, attempts to be strictly objective, rational and reductionist. Science engages the human powers of intellect, but explicitly excludes the other ways that humans have of understanding the world.
“Many of the questions of sustainability that we face involve the intersection between human culture and values and the natural world,” she added. “So relying on a single knowledge system, which excludes human values, is inadequate to address the challenges we face. Traditional knowledge is more holistic and includes values, ethics and responsibilities ... so makes a good partner to balance scientific ways of knowing.”
Kimmerer is this year’s Earth Day Speaker at Indiana State and will present her talk, “The Honorable Harvest: Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation,” at 7 p.m. April 21 in the events area of the Cunningham Memorial Library. The free event is part of the Darwin Keynote Speaker Series and is sponsored by Indiana State’s University Honors Program and Center for Community Engagement.
“I will be talking about the indigenous philosophies of respect, reciprocity and responsibility — understanding that humans are more than just passive consumers in the ecosystem, that through practices of reciprocity, we can give back to ecosystems in order to sustain the beings who sustain us,” Kimmerer said. “I will be talking about the philosophy and practice of the Honorable Harvest, an ancient protocol that governs how we take from the earth. In an era of hyper-consumerism and economies based on resource exploitation, this is an idea for our time.”
Kimmerer said she hopes attendees take away an appreciation for how indigenous knowledge can be respectfully used as a partner to western science for conservation and ecological restoration.
Syracuse — similar to Terre Haute — is a post-industrial city working to become more sustainable. Kimmerer points to the restoration of Onondaga Lake, once known as the most polluted lake in the country, as a promising sign of progress there.
“It has taken enormous political will and pressure on the polluters, but alliances between the city, county, universities and the Onondaga Nation have helped create a vision and a pathway for its restoration,” she said. “The partnership with the Onondaga Nation needs to be more fully respected and implemented, as they have much higher standards for restoration of the landscape than the responsible corporation or government agencies.”
These types of partnerships must be replicated for future progress, she said.
“Making alliances is key to success, engaging people’s visions of a whole and healthy landscape, restoring not only land, but most importantly, our relationships to land,” Kimmerer said.
Mallory Pugh
Indiana State student researches gender differences in drug court participants
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
When it comes to the differences between male and female participants in Vigo County, an Indiana State University graduate student has found the two genders are as markedly different as John Gray’s famous relationship book proclaimed.
“Most drug court programs follow the same guidelines for recovery, regardless of gender, (but) the research showed that females abuse differently than males,” said Mallory Pugh, who defended her master’s thesis earlier this month.
Women, Pugh’s research discovered, abuse prescription drugs — known as a “quiet” or largely unreported type of substance abuse — at a higher rate than men. Additionally, women experience different factors that may contribute to their substance abuse, compared to their male counterparts.
“There are so many more contributing factors for female substance abuse like mental illness, children and victimization that males do not experience,” said Pugh of Cory, Ind. “If more specialized programs could be developed for these females, the women involved may have increased chances for long-term sobriety.”
To reduce recidivism in Vigo County, Pugh suggests implementing programs that offer assistance with child care and specialized victimization counseling. Improving familial relationships has also shown to improve a woman’s sobriety success.
“If the (Vigo County Drug Court) would implement programs like this, within time, I feel like they would see an increase in females substance abusers successfully completing a program,” she said. “Drug courts tend to be male-dominated, so they lack specialized programs and treatment for just females. Hopefully, this will help some of these programs understand how different female substance abusers are.”
Pugh examined 259 drug court participants (188 male, 71 female) from Jan. 1, 2008-Dec. 31, 2010 and measured successful completion of the program after 30 months of sobriety.
She became interested in this topic after first researching the Vigo County Drug Court — the first of its kind in Indiana — during the university’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in 2013.
“We did a program evaluation of the VCDC, and I absolutely loved it,” she said. “I found it incredibly interesting to see the difference between genders and substance abuse.”
Pugh set out to learn more but discovered there was little research available.
“The lack of information was just enough fuel to the fire and gave me a reason to research it,” she said. Her master’s committee included professors Lisa Kay Decker (chair), Frank Wilson and David Polizzi.
With the completion of her master’s degree, Pugh’s next step is to apply to doctoral programs on her way to becoming a professor of criminal justice and criminology.
“Some of my strongest mentors have been my criminology professors, and I would like to be able to help students the same way that I have been helped,” she said. “I also want to continue research in my field, focusing on gender-related issues with substance abuse and programs that could help individuals overcome their substance abuse problems and achieving long-term sobriety.”
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
When it comes to the differences between male and female participants in Vigo County, an Indiana State University graduate student has found the two genders are as markedly different as John Gray’s famous relationship book proclaimed.
“Most drug court programs follow the same guidelines for recovery, regardless of gender, (but) the research showed that females abuse differently than males,” said Mallory Pugh, who defended her master’s thesis earlier this month.
Women, Pugh’s research discovered, abuse prescription drugs — known as a “quiet” or largely unreported type of substance abuse — at a higher rate than men. Additionally, women experience different factors that may contribute to their substance abuse, compared to their male counterparts.
“There are so many more contributing factors for female substance abuse like mental illness, children and victimization that males do not experience,” said Pugh of Cory, Ind. “If more specialized programs could be developed for these females, the women involved may have increased chances for long-term sobriety.”
To reduce recidivism in Vigo County, Pugh suggests implementing programs that offer assistance with child care and specialized victimization counseling. Improving familial relationships has also shown to improve a woman’s sobriety success.
“If the (Vigo County Drug Court) would implement programs like this, within time, I feel like they would see an increase in females substance abusers successfully completing a program,” she said. “Drug courts tend to be male-dominated, so they lack specialized programs and treatment for just females. Hopefully, this will help some of these programs understand how different female substance abusers are.”
Pugh examined 259 drug court participants (188 male, 71 female) from Jan. 1, 2008-Dec. 31, 2010 and measured successful completion of the program after 30 months of sobriety.
She became interested in this topic after first researching the Vigo County Drug Court — the first of its kind in Indiana — during the university’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in 2013.
“We did a program evaluation of the VCDC, and I absolutely loved it,” she said. “I found it incredibly interesting to see the difference between genders and substance abuse.”
Pugh set out to learn more but discovered there was little research available.
“The lack of information was just enough fuel to the fire and gave me a reason to research it,” she said. Her master’s committee included professors Lisa Kay Decker (chair), Frank Wilson and David Polizzi.
With the completion of her master’s degree, Pugh’s next step is to apply to doctoral programs on her way to becoming a professor of criminal justice and criminology.
“Some of my strongest mentors have been my criminology professors, and I would like to be able to help students the same way that I have been helped,” she said. “I also want to continue research in my field, focusing on gender-related issues with substance abuse and programs that could help individuals overcome their substance abuse problems and achieving long-term sobriety.”
Indiana State University technology alumna Mary McGuire (left) joined Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Bev Bitzegaio, director of outreach and career support for the university’s College of Technology, in kicking off Indiana’s commitment to the “Million Women Mentors” initiative March 25, 2015 at the Lilly Technology Center in Indianapolis. (ISU Photo)
Indiana State takes lead on Million Women Mentors initiative
By Betsy Simon, Indiana State University
It will take a group effort to find one million mentors for females in middle school, high school, college and early career during the next three years.
Bev Bitzegaio, director of outreach and career support for Indiana State’s College of Technology, and Indiana State University Foundation board member Mary McGuire, are leading a statewide effort to encourage Indiana’s business leaders to participate in a national women’s mentoring program. As co-chairs of Indiana’s “Million Women Mentors” program, Bitzegaio and McGuire were joined by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, who is serving as honorary chair, for the kickoff of the program on Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Indiana has pledged at least 5,000 mentors toward the national goal of one million mentors by 2018. This national call to action seeks to find women and men to provide career mentoring in science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM), Million Women Mentors is an initiative of the STEM Connector organization and a collaboration of more than 50 leading national organizations.
"Over the past two years, we have developed and are implementing programs to prepare Indiana's workforce for the jobs in our growing economy,” Ellspermann said.
“We know that a large number of those positions are STEM-related. However, women only hold 25 percent of STEM-related positions. We simply need more girls and young women pursuing STEM education and careers," she said.
"As a female engineering student at Purdue, I can confirm to you that the mentoring and support that I received from the Purdue Women in Engineering staff and colleagues helped me persist through the studies and succeed,” Ellspermann added. “Now I ask you to be one of those mentors so you can be that voice of encouragement and a role model for a young girl debating a STEM career or working her way through a STEM course of study. You can be a difference-maker."
Bitzegaio said a shortage of women has existed for years in science, technology, engineering and math “and we want to help women find successful mentors to help them in those fields. It’s expensive to hire new employees and we want companies to see that mentoring, particularly in STEM careers, is a great way to attract, prepare, and sustain the future workforce. One of our goals is to get companies and organizations to embrace the idea of mentoring, but how they do it is ultimately up to them.”
Mentoring helps everyone, “but especially with women going into STEM careers, because there aren't that many of us,” said Mcguire, a 1979 College of Technology graduate and retired engineer with Remy International. “I have either been a mentor or mentee almost all my life, and some of the best advice I've received has been from my mentors. Females need to see and talk to other women in STEM careers and be encouraged that they can do it too.”
“March is Women's History Month, so it is a good time to reflect where we've been and where we are headed,” McGuire said. “We have come a long way and still have a lot to do.”
Whether it’s face-to-face, online or as part of new employee training, mentoring could play a role in getting more females involved in STEM.
“Mentors can help mentees learn how to connect their interests with a variety of career fields, and they can be role models by sharing their stories with others looking to get into that field,” Bitzegaio said.
As part of the movement, she will focus some of her efforts on encouraging Indiana State’s Females in Technology organization to become mentors for middle and high school girls, as well as for new females enrolling in technology majors.
“Employers value the skills students gain from mentoring knowing those skills can be used in the workplace for company mentoring programs,” she said. “Participating in the Million Women Mentors movement will help our students build their confidence and expand their professional development, as well as help to attract more females to STEM fields.”
http://www.milionwomenmentors.org/
By Betsy Simon, Indiana State University
It will take a group effort to find one million mentors for females in middle school, high school, college and early career during the next three years.
Bev Bitzegaio, director of outreach and career support for Indiana State’s College of Technology, and Indiana State University Foundation board member Mary McGuire, are leading a statewide effort to encourage Indiana’s business leaders to participate in a national women’s mentoring program. As co-chairs of Indiana’s “Million Women Mentors” program, Bitzegaio and McGuire were joined by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, who is serving as honorary chair, for the kickoff of the program on Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Indiana has pledged at least 5,000 mentors toward the national goal of one million mentors by 2018. This national call to action seeks to find women and men to provide career mentoring in science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM), Million Women Mentors is an initiative of the STEM Connector organization and a collaboration of more than 50 leading national organizations.
"Over the past two years, we have developed and are implementing programs to prepare Indiana's workforce for the jobs in our growing economy,” Ellspermann said.
“We know that a large number of those positions are STEM-related. However, women only hold 25 percent of STEM-related positions. We simply need more girls and young women pursuing STEM education and careers," she said.
"As a female engineering student at Purdue, I can confirm to you that the mentoring and support that I received from the Purdue Women in Engineering staff and colleagues helped me persist through the studies and succeed,” Ellspermann added. “Now I ask you to be one of those mentors so you can be that voice of encouragement and a role model for a young girl debating a STEM career or working her way through a STEM course of study. You can be a difference-maker."
Bitzegaio said a shortage of women has existed for years in science, technology, engineering and math “and we want to help women find successful mentors to help them in those fields. It’s expensive to hire new employees and we want companies to see that mentoring, particularly in STEM careers, is a great way to attract, prepare, and sustain the future workforce. One of our goals is to get companies and organizations to embrace the idea of mentoring, but how they do it is ultimately up to them.”
Mentoring helps everyone, “but especially with women going into STEM careers, because there aren't that many of us,” said Mcguire, a 1979 College of Technology graduate and retired engineer with Remy International. “I have either been a mentor or mentee almost all my life, and some of the best advice I've received has been from my mentors. Females need to see and talk to other women in STEM careers and be encouraged that they can do it too.”
“March is Women's History Month, so it is a good time to reflect where we've been and where we are headed,” McGuire said. “We have come a long way and still have a lot to do.”
Whether it’s face-to-face, online or as part of new employee training, mentoring could play a role in getting more females involved in STEM.
“Mentors can help mentees learn how to connect their interests with a variety of career fields, and they can be role models by sharing their stories with others looking to get into that field,” Bitzegaio said.
As part of the movement, she will focus some of her efforts on encouraging Indiana State’s Females in Technology organization to become mentors for middle and high school girls, as well as for new females enrolling in technology majors.
“Employers value the skills students gain from mentoring knowing those skills can be used in the workplace for company mentoring programs,” she said. “Participating in the Million Women Mentors movement will help our students build their confidence and expand their professional development, as well as help to attract more females to STEM fields.”
http://www.milionwomenmentors.org/
Indiana State, Vigo County School Corp. announce Early College partnership
By Dave Taylor, Indiana State University
Graduates of Vigo County public high schools will be able to complete a four-year college degree in just three years thanks to a new partnership with Indiana State University.
The Early College program will allow participating students to complete their freshman year of college by the end of the summer following high school graduation.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Vigo County families,” said Indiana State University President Dan Bradley. “The Early College partnership is Indiana State’s latest effort to help more Indiana residents complete a four-year degree while also reducing the cost of a college education. The Vigo County School Corporation and Indiana State’s College Challenge team are to be commended for developing this visionary program.”
Danny Tanoos, Vigo County School Corporation superintendent, said the Early College initiative “is a win-win for our high school students. They are able to remain in high school during their senior year but also accumulate credits for college simultaneously. Earning college credits while still in high school enables students to experience the new challenges of college while still in the familiar high school environment.”
In 2013-14, more than 1,300 high school students were enrolled in College Challenge classes through Indiana State, an increase of more than 50 percent in just two years and enrollment for 2014-15 is on track to exceed last year, said Jill Blunk, director of College Challenge.
“The number and variety of dual-credit courses has also increased exponentially in recent years and Vigo County School Corporation students may now move directly into specific degree programs at Indiana State,” Blunk said. “The Early College program will allow students to take selected dual credit courses in the junior and senior years of high school, along with Indiana State courses in ISU’s summer session, and enter Indiana State as a sophomore in the fall after high school graduation.”
Students will complete a combination of foundational studies classes and major core classes as high school juniors and seniors for a total of 30 credit hours that are directly applicable to their chosen college major. Eligible programs represent the top five majors Vigo County School Corp. graduates select at Indiana State:
• Nursing
• Pre-business/business administration
• Pre-elementary education
• Psychology
• Criminology and criminal justice
Thanks to the significantly reduced tuition rate for College Challenge courses and scholarships for summer course enrollment, the Early College program will save students nearly $16,000 off the total cost of a four-year degree, Blunk said. The savings will be even greater for students on free or reduced-price lunches, she noted.
To participate in the program, students must be on a Core 40 or better diploma track, have a minimum 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and submit an Early College application along with high school transcripts. While many components are already in place, the full program will be in operation for high school juniors this fall.
More information about Early College is available at Vigo County School Corp. high schools or by contacting Blunk at812-237-2670 or jill.blunk@indstate.edu
By Dave Taylor, Indiana State University
Graduates of Vigo County public high schools will be able to complete a four-year college degree in just three years thanks to a new partnership with Indiana State University.
The Early College program will allow participating students to complete their freshman year of college by the end of the summer following high school graduation.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Vigo County families,” said Indiana State University President Dan Bradley. “The Early College partnership is Indiana State’s latest effort to help more Indiana residents complete a four-year degree while also reducing the cost of a college education. The Vigo County School Corporation and Indiana State’s College Challenge team are to be commended for developing this visionary program.”
Danny Tanoos, Vigo County School Corporation superintendent, said the Early College initiative “is a win-win for our high school students. They are able to remain in high school during their senior year but also accumulate credits for college simultaneously. Earning college credits while still in high school enables students to experience the new challenges of college while still in the familiar high school environment.”
In 2013-14, more than 1,300 high school students were enrolled in College Challenge classes through Indiana State, an increase of more than 50 percent in just two years and enrollment for 2014-15 is on track to exceed last year, said Jill Blunk, director of College Challenge.
“The number and variety of dual-credit courses has also increased exponentially in recent years and Vigo County School Corporation students may now move directly into specific degree programs at Indiana State,” Blunk said. “The Early College program will allow students to take selected dual credit courses in the junior and senior years of high school, along with Indiana State courses in ISU’s summer session, and enter Indiana State as a sophomore in the fall after high school graduation.”
Students will complete a combination of foundational studies classes and major core classes as high school juniors and seniors for a total of 30 credit hours that are directly applicable to their chosen college major. Eligible programs represent the top five majors Vigo County School Corp. graduates select at Indiana State:
• Nursing
• Pre-business/business administration
• Pre-elementary education
• Psychology
• Criminology and criminal justice
Thanks to the significantly reduced tuition rate for College Challenge courses and scholarships for summer course enrollment, the Early College program will save students nearly $16,000 off the total cost of a four-year degree, Blunk said. The savings will be even greater for students on free or reduced-price lunches, she noted.
To participate in the program, students must be on a Core 40 or better diploma track, have a minimum 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and submit an Early College application along with high school transcripts. While many components are already in place, the full program will be in operation for high school juniors this fall.
More information about Early College is available at Vigo County School Corp. high schools or by contacting Blunk at812-237-2670 or jill.blunk@indstate.edu
Commissioner calls on colleges to strengthen connections between higher education and employment
Submitted by Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education
INDIANAPOLIS – At the third-annual State of Higher Education Address, Commissioner Teresa Lubbers called on Indiana colleges to embrace new data measures that better convey the value of college while taking steps to incorporate meaningful internships—and other work-based experiences—as part of their degree programs.
“Indiana can and should be a national leader in measuring the impact of higher education in equipping our graduates to lead fulfilling, productive lives,” said Lubbers. “We must also strive to strengthen the connection between education and employment by making work-based learning a core component of the college experience.”
Measuring College Value
Lubbers announced that the Commission would be partnering with Indiana colleges and the national Gallup organization to measure the satisfaction and well-being of Hoosier graduates.
With funding support from USA Funds and Gallup, the Commission has negotiated a discounted price for colleges that sign up to participate before June 30, 2015. The effort will be based on the national Gallup-Purdue Index, which found that graduates who had a college internship and completed their degrees on time were significantly more positive about their college experience.
Connecting College to Careers
Embracing Governor Pence and Lt. Governor Ellspermann’s goal to add 10,000 internships statewide, Lubbers is encouraging Indiana colleges to expand partnerships with employers and to incorporate work-based learning experiences into their undergraduate degree programs. Lubbers pointed to Gallup data indicating that only 6 percent of graduates strongly agree that they had a meaningful internship or job during college.
“It is abundantly clear that students who have opportunities to apply their classroom learning in a real-world setting are better prepared to meet employer expectations and succeed in their careers,” Lubbers said, noting that most degree programs do not require it. “We want work-and-learn experiences to become the new standard on our campuses and in our classrooms.”
To build momentum for change in this area, the Commission is sponsoring a new statewide Career Ready campaign this spring in partnership with educators and employers around the state. The campaign will teach students of all ages about the many pathways to a meaningful career and the workplace experiences—from job shadowing to internships—that will make them more employable upon completing education and training beyond high school.
Visit www.che.in.gov for a transcript and video of the full address or to read the Commission’s “Reaching Higher, Achieving More” strategic plan. Learn more about Indiana’s Career Ready campaign at CareerReadyIndiana.org.
(Press release, Feb. 23)
INDIANAPOLIS – At the third-annual State of Higher Education Address, Commissioner Teresa Lubbers called on Indiana colleges to embrace new data measures that better convey the value of college while taking steps to incorporate meaningful internships—and other work-based experiences—as part of their degree programs.
“Indiana can and should be a national leader in measuring the impact of higher education in equipping our graduates to lead fulfilling, productive lives,” said Lubbers. “We must also strive to strengthen the connection between education and employment by making work-based learning a core component of the college experience.”
Measuring College Value
Lubbers announced that the Commission would be partnering with Indiana colleges and the national Gallup organization to measure the satisfaction and well-being of Hoosier graduates.
With funding support from USA Funds and Gallup, the Commission has negotiated a discounted price for colleges that sign up to participate before June 30, 2015. The effort will be based on the national Gallup-Purdue Index, which found that graduates who had a college internship and completed their degrees on time were significantly more positive about their college experience.
Connecting College to Careers
Embracing Governor Pence and Lt. Governor Ellspermann’s goal to add 10,000 internships statewide, Lubbers is encouraging Indiana colleges to expand partnerships with employers and to incorporate work-based learning experiences into their undergraduate degree programs. Lubbers pointed to Gallup data indicating that only 6 percent of graduates strongly agree that they had a meaningful internship or job during college.
“It is abundantly clear that students who have opportunities to apply their classroom learning in a real-world setting are better prepared to meet employer expectations and succeed in their careers,” Lubbers said, noting that most degree programs do not require it. “We want work-and-learn experiences to become the new standard on our campuses and in our classrooms.”
To build momentum for change in this area, the Commission is sponsoring a new statewide Career Ready campaign this spring in partnership with educators and employers around the state. The campaign will teach students of all ages about the many pathways to a meaningful career and the workplace experiences—from job shadowing to internships—that will make them more employable upon completing education and training beyond high school.
Visit www.che.in.gov for a transcript and video of the full address or to read the Commission’s “Reaching Higher, Achieving More” strategic plan. Learn more about Indiana’s Career Ready campaign at CareerReadyIndiana.org.
(Press release, Feb. 23)
Work with Syrian children in refugee camps topic of keynote Community Semester event April 23
“Seen for Syria” is the keynote and closing event for Indiana State University’s Community Semester, 4-6 p.m. April 23 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
An adjunct professor in Indiana State’s department of art, Soulaf Abas, ’08, GR ’13, started “Seen for Syria,” as an art therapy and education initiative for the Syrian refugee children in Jordan in August 2013. The goal is to help the children channel the trauma they have been through using painting and drawing.
Abas traveled to Syrian refugee camps and worked with the children for two and a half months in summer 2014. During her stay, she worked with hundreds of children in the Zaatari camp, in makeshift camps and in host communities for Syrian refugee families in Amman. She worked on daily basis with 75 children. She planted gardens in the shape of the Syrian map (“Blooming Syria”) with the children. They also painted murals and completed numerous art projects for groups and individuals.
One of the results of the project was the book “Me and You,” a letter and art exchange between Syrian refugee children and Terre Haute children. The book strives to raise awareness and bridge the two cultures together. So far, sales of the book have raised $12,000 for Syrian children.
At the Community Semester event, Abas will speak on the project and her experiences. Her paintings and samples of the children’s artwork will be on display. Copies of her book will be on sale during the presentation. All of the proceeds from the book sales go to help the Syrian children who participated in creating it.
St. Stephens Episcopal Church is located at 215 N. 7th St., Terre Haute. The event is free and open to the public.
For a complete schedule of Community Semester events, go to http://www.indstate.edu/cas/communitysemester/.
“Seen for Syria” is the keynote and closing event for Indiana State University’s Community Semester, 4-6 p.m. April 23 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
An adjunct professor in Indiana State’s department of art, Soulaf Abas, ’08, GR ’13, started “Seen for Syria,” as an art therapy and education initiative for the Syrian refugee children in Jordan in August 2013. The goal is to help the children channel the trauma they have been through using painting and drawing.
Abas traveled to Syrian refugee camps and worked with the children for two and a half months in summer 2014. During her stay, she worked with hundreds of children in the Zaatari camp, in makeshift camps and in host communities for Syrian refugee families in Amman. She worked on daily basis with 75 children. She planted gardens in the shape of the Syrian map (“Blooming Syria”) with the children. They also painted murals and completed numerous art projects for groups and individuals.
One of the results of the project was the book “Me and You,” a letter and art exchange between Syrian refugee children and Terre Haute children. The book strives to raise awareness and bridge the two cultures together. So far, sales of the book have raised $12,000 for Syrian children.
At the Community Semester event, Abas will speak on the project and her experiences. Her paintings and samples of the children’s artwork will be on display. Copies of her book will be on sale during the presentation. All of the proceeds from the book sales go to help the Syrian children who participated in creating it.
St. Stephens Episcopal Church is located at 215 N. 7th St., Terre Haute. The event is free and open to the public.
For a complete schedule of Community Semester events, go to http://www.indstate.edu/cas/communitysemester/.
Indiana State student studies abroad in South Korea
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
When Indiana State University junior Yahzmine Rodriguez decided to study abroad for a semester in South Korea, she knew nothing about the country. So when she returned to campus this spring, she — as expected — had learned a lot about her hosts, but she also learned a lot about herself.
“The best part of this whole experience was connecting with Koreans,” she said. “My language exchange partner gave me a pair of socks and a thank you card on my birthday. I read the card and cried like a fool in front of her in a coffee shop.
“‘Why are you crying? They are just socks,’ she told me.
“I told her I wasn’t crying over the socks, but that I was very touched by her kindness. That was a pivotal point for me, and I knew it would be hard to leave South Korea.”
Rodriguez’s interest in studying abroad was partially fueled by a summer research experience with the university’s Institute for Community Sustainability.
“Working at the Institute for Community Sustainability really got me thinking about how I live my life. Sustainability isn’t just something we can apply to the environment but we can also apply it to ourselves, seeing as how we are a limited resource,” she said. “While I was away, I focused on eating better and exercising. I went hiking a lot and spent time in Buddhist temples just meditating. I recycled all my old thoughts and insecurities to find myself. After a month, I had so much energy. I felt nothing could hold me down. Since I’ve been home, I’ve found that I’ve been happier and more patient with others.”
The marketing major from Indianapolis is also a recipient of Indiana State’s prestigious President’s Scholarship and Networks Scholarship for business students.
During her time abroad last fall, she penned a blog, “Young in Yonsei: How does the minority travel abroad? With her Seoul!” On it, she cataloged her thoughts on her experiences, some of which involved conversations about race and how Koreans viewed her and her home country.
“Koreans asked me a lot of personal questions like how it felt to be a black female in America and if I felt discriminated against,” she said. “I think they thought I was Ruby Bridges (the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South), because I had one Korean ask me if people had ever tried to throw rocks at me or prevent me from going to school.”
News headlines in the U.S. were also a topic of discussion.
“I was also surprised that my Korean friends came to me wanting to talk about the Ferguson (Mo., case). They protested in the streets of Myeongdong to support. It really blew my mind. Koreans have a lot of social awareness, more so than some of the people I know,” she said. “After this whole experience, I’ve realized that I know nothing about other cultures. I think each culture deserves to be experienced and respected. Through it all, I learned how to love and accept myself. That was the biggest takeaway.”
Rodriguez says she didn’t have an unpleasant moment while away, yet one of the best experiences was completely unexpected.
“I was constantly told that I looked like Beyoncé and Halle Berry. I’m not sure how you can top that,” she said.
Appearances aside, Rodriguez developed a deep connection with the Korean people.
“I was completely surprised by how many friends I made. Koreans just seemed to gravitate naturally to me,” she said. “It was really uncomfortable at first, but after a while, I accepted their kindness graciously. My Korean friends and I openly held hands and locked arms in public to solidify our friendship. It felt more like a love you would have for your siblings.”
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
When Indiana State University junior Yahzmine Rodriguez decided to study abroad for a semester in South Korea, she knew nothing about the country. So when she returned to campus this spring, she — as expected — had learned a lot about her hosts, but she also learned a lot about herself.
“The best part of this whole experience was connecting with Koreans,” she said. “My language exchange partner gave me a pair of socks and a thank you card on my birthday. I read the card and cried like a fool in front of her in a coffee shop.
“‘Why are you crying? They are just socks,’ she told me.
“I told her I wasn’t crying over the socks, but that I was very touched by her kindness. That was a pivotal point for me, and I knew it would be hard to leave South Korea.”
Rodriguez’s interest in studying abroad was partially fueled by a summer research experience with the university’s Institute for Community Sustainability.
“Working at the Institute for Community Sustainability really got me thinking about how I live my life. Sustainability isn’t just something we can apply to the environment but we can also apply it to ourselves, seeing as how we are a limited resource,” she said. “While I was away, I focused on eating better and exercising. I went hiking a lot and spent time in Buddhist temples just meditating. I recycled all my old thoughts and insecurities to find myself. After a month, I had so much energy. I felt nothing could hold me down. Since I’ve been home, I’ve found that I’ve been happier and more patient with others.”
The marketing major from Indianapolis is also a recipient of Indiana State’s prestigious President’s Scholarship and Networks Scholarship for business students.
During her time abroad last fall, she penned a blog, “Young in Yonsei: How does the minority travel abroad? With her Seoul!” On it, she cataloged her thoughts on her experiences, some of which involved conversations about race and how Koreans viewed her and her home country.
“Koreans asked me a lot of personal questions like how it felt to be a black female in America and if I felt discriminated against,” she said. “I think they thought I was Ruby Bridges (the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South), because I had one Korean ask me if people had ever tried to throw rocks at me or prevent me from going to school.”
News headlines in the U.S. were also a topic of discussion.
“I was also surprised that my Korean friends came to me wanting to talk about the Ferguson (Mo., case). They protested in the streets of Myeongdong to support. It really blew my mind. Koreans have a lot of social awareness, more so than some of the people I know,” she said. “After this whole experience, I’ve realized that I know nothing about other cultures. I think each culture deserves to be experienced and respected. Through it all, I learned how to love and accept myself. That was the biggest takeaway.”
Rodriguez says she didn’t have an unpleasant moment while away, yet one of the best experiences was completely unexpected.
“I was constantly told that I looked like Beyoncé and Halle Berry. I’m not sure how you can top that,” she said.
Appearances aside, Rodriguez developed a deep connection with the Korean people.
“I was completely surprised by how many friends I made. Koreans just seemed to gravitate naturally to me,” she said. “It was really uncomfortable at first, but after a while, I accepted their kindness graciously. My Korean friends and I openly held hands and locked arms in public to solidify our friendship. It felt more like a love you would have for your siblings.”
‘Richard III’ rebooted with Hollywood glamour, mobster vice
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Punctuated with old Hollywood glamour and mobster flair, “Richard III” by Indiana State University’s theater department promises to be a feast for the eyes.
Some of the most important details, however, will not be noticed by the audience — and that’s OK, says the production’s costume designer Lauren Kreigh.
“To be a costume person, you have to be aware of very small details that many people overlook,” Kreigh said.
Shakespeare’s tragedy has been rebooted from the 15th century English battlefields to Los Angeles, 1947. In the years following World War II, the City of Angels is a land of opportunity — for industry, entertainment and organized crime. In this American dreamland, Ricky “Gloucester” Cohen of Chicago’s York crime family begins his ruthless rise from lowly enforcer to the king of the streets of L.A.
“Richard III” will run 7:30 p.m. April 16-18 and 4 p.m. April 19 in Indiana State’s New Theater. Tickets are $10 each (or free with a valid student ID) and are on sale noon-4:30 p.m. April 13-17 in the New Theater lobby, 536 S. 7th St.
To bring director Chris Berchild’s vision to life, Kreigh spent the winter pouring over everything 1940s, soaking up film noir and creating concept collages.
“Research, research, research — everything. I looked at a lot of celebrities at that time, Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake, Katherine Hepburn,” she said. “Men in the ’40s dressed head to toe. They had a hat, a tie, a carnation in their lapel. They had a trench coat, their slacks were pressed — especially mobsters. They come in from Chicago and New York and Italy, and they have personal tailors. They really can dress so well.”
Her goal? To transport the audience to that era — instantly — with her designs.
“For someone who doesn’t know anything about the 1940s, ‘Oh OK, that’s the 1940s.’ Or for someone who really knows the 1940s, ‘OK, I think that’s 1940s.’ If they think it is, then I’ve done my job correctly,” she said. “It all goes back to research — silhouettes and details and colors and history.”
Kreigh graduated in December with a major in textiles and apparel merchandising and minor in theater. Earlier this month, she started work as a sales associate at Marigold, a boutique in Broad Ripple Village — a connection she made through a wholesale market class-sponsored trip to Chicago.
“It’s really awesome, because I feel like my major and costume design intersect a lot and they mesh really well,” she said. “I didn’t really plan on that, but it turned out for the best, definitely.”
During her time at Indiana State, Kreigh racked up a resume so extensive and diverse, it’s difficult for her to recall all the productions in which she’s participated, among them “The Color Purple,” “Antigone,” “Nightfall,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” Not too shabby for the freshman from Indianapolis who didn’t have a minor when she arrived in Terre Haute.
Her adolescent love of fashion and buying up anything she and her high school friend “thought looked crazy” at Goodwill helped developed her personal style — and led her to her textiles major.
“I just loved clothes in high school,” she said. “I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I should try to make a job out of this.’”
It was her first friend at Indiana State, however, who introduced her to the theater department … and its costume shop.
“At the time, I didn’t know all the programs that were available outside my major,” she said. Considering a theater minor, she reasoned, “‘Why not? I can sew —moderately.’”
Under the guidance of pros such as costume studio manager Madonna Hummel and her daughter, Claire Hummel, Kreigh sharpened the skills she acquired from her grandmother.
“I kind of fiddled around with (sewing) and took some classes, but I really didn’t learn construction until I came down here,” Kreigh said. “They know it all.”
In the theater department, Kreigh has worked on costumes — in one capacity or another — for the School of Music’s Yuletide Madrigal Feaste, Crossroads Repertory Theater and, of course, student productions.
“The design people are very important — set, costume and props,” she said.
When starting a new production, Kreigh’s first step is to read the original play, paying close attention to the setting and the characters. “You have to start with the words,” she said.
During the design meeting, the director explains his vision and why he or she wants to do the show.
“Berchild likes to adapt different worlds. I would have never thought (mobsters and Shakespeare) could be cohesive, but it’s really amazing,” she said. “It’s really great working with Berchild, because you can show him an idea and then run with it.”
While every character’s look is important, the leads tend to get the most attention, because the story is told through them and they have the most stage time.
For “Richard III,” Kreigh is most excited for the audience to see Queen Margaret (senior Rayanna Bibbs) — “She’s this mysterious witchy character, so that’s why she’s in all black. She’s great and spooky.”
And the ghosts, who wear rubber gloves and gas masks.
After the designs are approved and the costumes are either pulled from back stock or sewn, the dressed cast is literally paraded on the stage.
“We basically dissect what they’re wearing. It’s a really stressful, but awesome, day,” she said. “I like to see people together. Like, I want to see all the Indigo Queens (Ylana Aukamp, Jessica Hall and Hannah Payne) on the stage, under the lights with their fans and doing a 360.”
Seeing the designs under the lights is key, Kreigh said, because what looks black in the costume shop could appear more brown or purple on stage.
Some final backstage choreographing comes with the dress and final dress rehearsals.
“That’s really when we figure out quick changes: You’re this person at this part of the play, then you’re this person during this part and at the beginning of the play, you’re this other person,” she said. “That’s where the wardrobe crew is really great. It’s a choreographed dance they do backstage. You have to figure out how to get them out of a costume and into another as fast as possible — without ripping it or snagging it — and making sure their tie is straight, their hat is on the right way.”
After the final performance, the costume staff “strikes,” meaning all the garment bags are emptied, every costume is disassembled, washed or dry cleaned and then stored for future use.
“It’s like the show never happened … and then we get ready for the next one,” she said.
But for a costume designer, Kreigh always remembers what it’s like to see her creations under the stage lights.
“It’s amazing. It’s the most satisfying feeling I’ve found so far in my short life,” Kreigh said.
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
Punctuated with old Hollywood glamour and mobster flair, “Richard III” by Indiana State University’s theater department promises to be a feast for the eyes.
Some of the most important details, however, will not be noticed by the audience — and that’s OK, says the production’s costume designer Lauren Kreigh.
“To be a costume person, you have to be aware of very small details that many people overlook,” Kreigh said.
Shakespeare’s tragedy has been rebooted from the 15th century English battlefields to Los Angeles, 1947. In the years following World War II, the City of Angels is a land of opportunity — for industry, entertainment and organized crime. In this American dreamland, Ricky “Gloucester” Cohen of Chicago’s York crime family begins his ruthless rise from lowly enforcer to the king of the streets of L.A.
“Richard III” will run 7:30 p.m. April 16-18 and 4 p.m. April 19 in Indiana State’s New Theater. Tickets are $10 each (or free with a valid student ID) and are on sale noon-4:30 p.m. April 13-17 in the New Theater lobby, 536 S. 7th St.
To bring director Chris Berchild’s vision to life, Kreigh spent the winter pouring over everything 1940s, soaking up film noir and creating concept collages.
“Research, research, research — everything. I looked at a lot of celebrities at that time, Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake, Katherine Hepburn,” she said. “Men in the ’40s dressed head to toe. They had a hat, a tie, a carnation in their lapel. They had a trench coat, their slacks were pressed — especially mobsters. They come in from Chicago and New York and Italy, and they have personal tailors. They really can dress so well.”
Her goal? To transport the audience to that era — instantly — with her designs.
“For someone who doesn’t know anything about the 1940s, ‘Oh OK, that’s the 1940s.’ Or for someone who really knows the 1940s, ‘OK, I think that’s 1940s.’ If they think it is, then I’ve done my job correctly,” she said. “It all goes back to research — silhouettes and details and colors and history.”
Kreigh graduated in December with a major in textiles and apparel merchandising and minor in theater. Earlier this month, she started work as a sales associate at Marigold, a boutique in Broad Ripple Village — a connection she made through a wholesale market class-sponsored trip to Chicago.
“It’s really awesome, because I feel like my major and costume design intersect a lot and they mesh really well,” she said. “I didn’t really plan on that, but it turned out for the best, definitely.”
During her time at Indiana State, Kreigh racked up a resume so extensive and diverse, it’s difficult for her to recall all the productions in which she’s participated, among them “The Color Purple,” “Antigone,” “Nightfall,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” Not too shabby for the freshman from Indianapolis who didn’t have a minor when she arrived in Terre Haute.
Her adolescent love of fashion and buying up anything she and her high school friend “thought looked crazy” at Goodwill helped developed her personal style — and led her to her textiles major.
“I just loved clothes in high school,” she said. “I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I should try to make a job out of this.’”
It was her first friend at Indiana State, however, who introduced her to the theater department … and its costume shop.
“At the time, I didn’t know all the programs that were available outside my major,” she said. Considering a theater minor, she reasoned, “‘Why not? I can sew —moderately.’”
Under the guidance of pros such as costume studio manager Madonna Hummel and her daughter, Claire Hummel, Kreigh sharpened the skills she acquired from her grandmother.
“I kind of fiddled around with (sewing) and took some classes, but I really didn’t learn construction until I came down here,” Kreigh said. “They know it all.”
In the theater department, Kreigh has worked on costumes — in one capacity or another — for the School of Music’s Yuletide Madrigal Feaste, Crossroads Repertory Theater and, of course, student productions.
“The design people are very important — set, costume and props,” she said.
When starting a new production, Kreigh’s first step is to read the original play, paying close attention to the setting and the characters. “You have to start with the words,” she said.
During the design meeting, the director explains his vision and why he or she wants to do the show.
“Berchild likes to adapt different worlds. I would have never thought (mobsters and Shakespeare) could be cohesive, but it’s really amazing,” she said. “It’s really great working with Berchild, because you can show him an idea and then run with it.”
While every character’s look is important, the leads tend to get the most attention, because the story is told through them and they have the most stage time.
For “Richard III,” Kreigh is most excited for the audience to see Queen Margaret (senior Rayanna Bibbs) — “She’s this mysterious witchy character, so that’s why she’s in all black. She’s great and spooky.”
And the ghosts, who wear rubber gloves and gas masks.
After the designs are approved and the costumes are either pulled from back stock or sewn, the dressed cast is literally paraded on the stage.
“We basically dissect what they’re wearing. It’s a really stressful, but awesome, day,” she said. “I like to see people together. Like, I want to see all the Indigo Queens (Ylana Aukamp, Jessica Hall and Hannah Payne) on the stage, under the lights with their fans and doing a 360.”
Seeing the designs under the lights is key, Kreigh said, because what looks black in the costume shop could appear more brown or purple on stage.
Some final backstage choreographing comes with the dress and final dress rehearsals.
“That’s really when we figure out quick changes: You’re this person at this part of the play, then you’re this person during this part and at the beginning of the play, you’re this other person,” she said. “That’s where the wardrobe crew is really great. It’s a choreographed dance they do backstage. You have to figure out how to get them out of a costume and into another as fast as possible — without ripping it or snagging it — and making sure their tie is straight, their hat is on the right way.”
After the final performance, the costume staff “strikes,” meaning all the garment bags are emptied, every costume is disassembled, washed or dry cleaned and then stored for future use.
“It’s like the show never happened … and then we get ready for the next one,” she said.
But for a costume designer, Kreigh always remembers what it’s like to see her creations under the stage lights.
“It’s amazing. It’s the most satisfying feeling I’ve found so far in my short life,” Kreigh said.
King Richard III lives again at Indiana State April 16-19
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
King Richard III’s remains may have been reinterred recently, but he will live again on Indiana State University’s stage with the production of William Shakespeare’s “Richard III.”
“When all of (the reburial news) started coming down, I thought there is some cosmic force that is speaking my language and saying, ‘Do “Richard.” We approve,’” said Chris Berchild, director and associate professor of theater.
The reburial has also raised questions about who really was this infamous historical figure. Shakespeare portrays him as a Machiavellian villain, who would stop at nothing to seize power and subsequently experienced a short reign that ended as violently as it began.
On the British monarchy’s official website, King Richard is described as a usurper, and Queen Elizabeth II was noticeably absent from the funeral services on March 26.
“Was he this evil being? Or was he misrepresented by Shakespeare? I kind of like having our students to be a part of that discussion,” Berchild said.
This telling of Shakespeare’s tragedy, however, finds itself not on the battlefield of Bosworth in 1485, but in Los Angeles 1947. In the years following World War II, the City of Angels is a land of opportunity — for industry, entertainment and organized crime. In this American dreamland, Ricky “Gloucester” Cohen of Chicago’s York crime family begins his ruthless rise from lowly enforcer to the king of the streets of L.A.
For those who haven’t ever lived in southern California, their impression of Los Angeles is likely based on Hollywood stereotypes. But Berchild, an L.A. native, has a much different perspective, one dating back to his school days when he first learned about the young city’s rise to power and significance in the United States.
“What kind of money (exchanges) and double-dealings must have occurred to get it there?” Berchild said. “One of the big bells that rang for me was that the mob had a big incursion in Los Angeles culture in the late 1940s.”
One of those mobsters — Mickey Cohen, whose ties to the Jewish and Italian mafia has been the subject of many TV and movie productions — provides the perfect inspiration for this Shakespearean reboot.
“This guy really was the Richard of 1940s Los Angeles,” Berchild said. “He was working his way up in the crime family, he was pushing people out of his way, he was double-dealing people, there were rumors he killed his best friend to get ahead.”
Along with exploring this seedy underbelly of L.A., Berchild has added some post-modern themes to the production, including a variety of music — anything from David Bowie to Benny Goodman and Lorde.
“There’s a whole lot of challenges I’ve thrown at the students, but they’re really stepping up,” Berchild said. “I think they’re having fun with creating these new ideas. It’s definitely not traditional Shakespeare.”
Shakespeare purists may be relieved to learn the Elizabethan iambic pentameter is still intact, providing a valuable lesson for theater students.
“Shakespeare is hard. The language is difficult, so the students were tasked with not only having to take on this almost foreign language, but also copious amounts of it. This is Shakespeare’s second-longest play, right behind ‘Hamlet,’” Berchild said. “They’re doing a great job, and they’ve really put in the time and effort to exploring what these words are all about.”
As the theater department continues to delve into emerging technologies for its productions, the use of newsreels in “Richard III” offers another teaching moment.
“I’m excited to give them the opportunity to play around with these ideas in the safety of our theater, where they can fail and try again and really hone their skills and go out with this entirely new skill set — skills some people don’t think the typical theater person has,” Berchild said.
In the 1940s, many learned the latest news before the screening of a movie. In “Richard III,” these newsreels provide necessary context for characters and situations.
“If you don’t (have the newsreels), then people say, ‘Who is this Richard? Who is Buckingham? Why do I care?’ All they are are names and weird relationships,” Berchild said. “You have to recreate those relationships. That’s one of the things we’re doing with the projections and some of those elements.”
“Richard III” also caps a trilogy of World War II-era adaptations Berchild has created from Shakespeare’s work. For Crossroads Repertory Theater’s 2009 season, he adapted the comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” for 1930s Hollywood. In a twist, the last scene introduced the incoming Nazi threat.
“A lot of people looked at that and said, ‘What? I don’t remember Nazis in Shakespeare,’” he said. Then in 2011, Berchild set Shakespeare’s bloodiest play, “Titus Andronicus” in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1943.
To round out the final post-war piece, “Richard III” explores what happens when the world is at relative peace.
“Hopefully, people will take the chance and not get weighed down in ‘Shakespeare’ and that old, crumbling notion a lot of people sometimes have coming out of their high school English classes,” Berchild said.
Often asked, “Why mess with Shakespeare?” Berchild responds that Shakespeare was the ultimate “mess-around-with-a-story person,” that the playwright was never confined to convention or even vocabulary and was cavalier with his storylines and intellectual property rights.
“That’s part of his genius. He knew what the crowds wanted. He knew what entertained people,” Berchild said. “For my money, it’s the greatest literature in the English language. I’m just so happy it happens to be in theater. I like to grab ahold of it and work with Shakespeare.”
“Richard III” will run 7:30 p.m. April 16-18 and 4 p.m. April 19 in Indiana State’s New Theater. Tickets are $10 each (or free with a valid student ID) and are on sale noon-4:30 p.m. April 13-17 in the New Theater lobby, 536 S. 7th St.
(April 11)
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
King Richard III’s remains may have been reinterred recently, but he will live again on Indiana State University’s stage with the production of William Shakespeare’s “Richard III.”
“When all of (the reburial news) started coming down, I thought there is some cosmic force that is speaking my language and saying, ‘Do “Richard.” We approve,’” said Chris Berchild, director and associate professor of theater.
The reburial has also raised questions about who really was this infamous historical figure. Shakespeare portrays him as a Machiavellian villain, who would stop at nothing to seize power and subsequently experienced a short reign that ended as violently as it began.
On the British monarchy’s official website, King Richard is described as a usurper, and Queen Elizabeth II was noticeably absent from the funeral services on March 26.
“Was he this evil being? Or was he misrepresented by Shakespeare? I kind of like having our students to be a part of that discussion,” Berchild said.
This telling of Shakespeare’s tragedy, however, finds itself not on the battlefield of Bosworth in 1485, but in Los Angeles 1947. In the years following World War II, the City of Angels is a land of opportunity — for industry, entertainment and organized crime. In this American dreamland, Ricky “Gloucester” Cohen of Chicago’s York crime family begins his ruthless rise from lowly enforcer to the king of the streets of L.A.
For those who haven’t ever lived in southern California, their impression of Los Angeles is likely based on Hollywood stereotypes. But Berchild, an L.A. native, has a much different perspective, one dating back to his school days when he first learned about the young city’s rise to power and significance in the United States.
“What kind of money (exchanges) and double-dealings must have occurred to get it there?” Berchild said. “One of the big bells that rang for me was that the mob had a big incursion in Los Angeles culture in the late 1940s.”
One of those mobsters — Mickey Cohen, whose ties to the Jewish and Italian mafia has been the subject of many TV and movie productions — provides the perfect inspiration for this Shakespearean reboot.
“This guy really was the Richard of 1940s Los Angeles,” Berchild said. “He was working his way up in the crime family, he was pushing people out of his way, he was double-dealing people, there were rumors he killed his best friend to get ahead.”
Along with exploring this seedy underbelly of L.A., Berchild has added some post-modern themes to the production, including a variety of music — anything from David Bowie to Benny Goodman and Lorde.
“There’s a whole lot of challenges I’ve thrown at the students, but they’re really stepping up,” Berchild said. “I think they’re having fun with creating these new ideas. It’s definitely not traditional Shakespeare.”
Shakespeare purists may be relieved to learn the Elizabethan iambic pentameter is still intact, providing a valuable lesson for theater students.
“Shakespeare is hard. The language is difficult, so the students were tasked with not only having to take on this almost foreign language, but also copious amounts of it. This is Shakespeare’s second-longest play, right behind ‘Hamlet,’” Berchild said. “They’re doing a great job, and they’ve really put in the time and effort to exploring what these words are all about.”
As the theater department continues to delve into emerging technologies for its productions, the use of newsreels in “Richard III” offers another teaching moment.
“I’m excited to give them the opportunity to play around with these ideas in the safety of our theater, where they can fail and try again and really hone their skills and go out with this entirely new skill set — skills some people don’t think the typical theater person has,” Berchild said.
In the 1940s, many learned the latest news before the screening of a movie. In “Richard III,” these newsreels provide necessary context for characters and situations.
“If you don’t (have the newsreels), then people say, ‘Who is this Richard? Who is Buckingham? Why do I care?’ All they are are names and weird relationships,” Berchild said. “You have to recreate those relationships. That’s one of the things we’re doing with the projections and some of those elements.”
“Richard III” also caps a trilogy of World War II-era adaptations Berchild has created from Shakespeare’s work. For Crossroads Repertory Theater’s 2009 season, he adapted the comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” for 1930s Hollywood. In a twist, the last scene introduced the incoming Nazi threat.
“A lot of people looked at that and said, ‘What? I don’t remember Nazis in Shakespeare,’” he said. Then in 2011, Berchild set Shakespeare’s bloodiest play, “Titus Andronicus” in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1943.
To round out the final post-war piece, “Richard III” explores what happens when the world is at relative peace.
“Hopefully, people will take the chance and not get weighed down in ‘Shakespeare’ and that old, crumbling notion a lot of people sometimes have coming out of their high school English classes,” Berchild said.
Often asked, “Why mess with Shakespeare?” Berchild responds that Shakespeare was the ultimate “mess-around-with-a-story person,” that the playwright was never confined to convention or even vocabulary and was cavalier with his storylines and intellectual property rights.
“That’s part of his genius. He knew what the crowds wanted. He knew what entertained people,” Berchild said. “For my money, it’s the greatest literature in the English language. I’m just so happy it happens to be in theater. I like to grab ahold of it and work with Shakespeare.”
“Richard III” will run 7:30 p.m. April 16-18 and 4 p.m. April 19 in Indiana State’s New Theater. Tickets are $10 each (or free with a valid student ID) and are on sale noon-4:30 p.m. April 13-17 in the New Theater lobby, 536 S. 7th St.
(April 11)
All welcome to Criminology and Criminal Justice Career Fair April 8
Students of any academic emphasis are encouraged to attend the Criminology and Criminal Justice Career Fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 8.
Nearly 40 vendors will be at Indiana State University’s Dede II and III to share information about a variety of employment opportunities.
“The Criminology and Criminal Justice Career Fair is designed to give students direct connections to a variety of agencies within the criminal justice field,” said Travis Behem, instructor in the criminology and criminal justice department. “This is a great way to network with recruiters and discuss how best a student can work to get a job they are seeking.”
The criminology and criminal justice department is the largest degree program at Indiana State, with nearly 900 undergraduates and graduate students enrolled.
“We feel the career fair is a chance for us to help our students find out more about careers in the highly competitive criminal justice system,” Behem said. “(It) also gives students the opportunity to find if an agency has internships and what their requirements are, if any, to apply for an internship.”
Agencies within the criminal justice field are always seeking a variety of degreed people, Behem said. Many agencies hire graduates with degrees in accounting, technology, nursing and beyond.
“So someone who does not want to be the police officer or correctional officer can find a different job within the criminal justice field,” Behem said. “Maybe they want to be a counselor or work in human resources; there are opportunities for students who are studying nursing, accounting, computer/technology, psychology, finance, counseling, science and so on.”
The career fair is sponsored by the department of criminology and criminal justice and the Career Center.
“We want to give our students the best chance they can to succeed after they graduate from ISU. The career fair is just one more element to help do that,” Behem said.
Vendors include the following: FBI, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Lowes, Target, Securitas, Casa, Gibault, Indiana Department of Corrections, Rockville Correctional Facility, Indiana Department of Correction Parole (Terre Haute), Department of Natural Resources, Indiana State Police, Excise, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, Terre Haute City Police Department, Indianapolis Metro Police Department, Indiana State University Public Safety, Fishers Police Department, Speedway Police Department, Plainfield Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Indiana State University Graduate School, Alcohol Tobacco Firearms, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Indianapolis Airport Police Department, U.S. Marines, Law Table, Charleston (Ill.) Police Department, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System and Avon Police Department.
Students of any academic emphasis are encouraged to attend the Criminology and Criminal Justice Career Fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 8.
Nearly 40 vendors will be at Indiana State University’s Dede II and III to share information about a variety of employment opportunities.
“The Criminology and Criminal Justice Career Fair is designed to give students direct connections to a variety of agencies within the criminal justice field,” said Travis Behem, instructor in the criminology and criminal justice department. “This is a great way to network with recruiters and discuss how best a student can work to get a job they are seeking.”
The criminology and criminal justice department is the largest degree program at Indiana State, with nearly 900 undergraduates and graduate students enrolled.
“We feel the career fair is a chance for us to help our students find out more about careers in the highly competitive criminal justice system,” Behem said. “(It) also gives students the opportunity to find if an agency has internships and what their requirements are, if any, to apply for an internship.”
Agencies within the criminal justice field are always seeking a variety of degreed people, Behem said. Many agencies hire graduates with degrees in accounting, technology, nursing and beyond.
“So someone who does not want to be the police officer or correctional officer can find a different job within the criminal justice field,” Behem said. “Maybe they want to be a counselor or work in human resources; there are opportunities for students who are studying nursing, accounting, computer/technology, psychology, finance, counseling, science and so on.”
The career fair is sponsored by the department of criminology and criminal justice and the Career Center.
“We want to give our students the best chance they can to succeed after they graduate from ISU. The career fair is just one more element to help do that,” Behem said.
Vendors include the following: FBI, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Lowes, Target, Securitas, Casa, Gibault, Indiana Department of Corrections, Rockville Correctional Facility, Indiana Department of Correction Parole (Terre Haute), Department of Natural Resources, Indiana State Police, Excise, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, Terre Haute City Police Department, Indianapolis Metro Police Department, Indiana State University Public Safety, Fishers Police Department, Speedway Police Department, Plainfield Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Indiana State University Graduate School, Alcohol Tobacco Firearms, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Indianapolis Airport Police Department, U.S. Marines, Law Table, Charleston (Ill.) Police Department, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System and Avon Police Department.
‘TXT L8R’ social media contest offers $5,000 scholarships
By INDOT
INDIANAPOLIS (March 27, 2015) – Indiana high school and college students have a choice: Use their smartphones behind the wheel and make a tragic mistake, or engage their social media followers to “Drive Now. TXT L8R.” and earn a $5,000 scholarship.
Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Department of Labor, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police are again partnering to award $5,000 scholarships to students who compose the most creative and viral social media posts on Twitter, Instagram and Vine.
Contest Rules
Students may register their public Twitter accounts through April 10 and read contest rules atwww.txtl8r.in.gov. Entries must be posted during April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and use the hashtag #TXTL8RIN.
Keeping one’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road is not just a safe driving practice – it’s the law.Social media posts that are composed while driving will be disqualified.
High school and college entries will be awarded separately, and up to three students may work together on the same social media account. The state will deposit $5,000 into the CollegeChoice 529 savings plans for the winners of five categories:
By INDOT
INDIANAPOLIS (March 27, 2015) – Indiana high school and college students have a choice: Use their smartphones behind the wheel and make a tragic mistake, or engage their social media followers to “Drive Now. TXT L8R.” and earn a $5,000 scholarship.
Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Department of Labor, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police are again partnering to award $5,000 scholarships to students who compose the most creative and viral social media posts on Twitter, Instagram and Vine.
Contest Rules
Students may register their public Twitter accounts through April 10 and read contest rules atwww.txtl8r.in.gov. Entries must be posted during April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and use the hashtag #TXTL8RIN.
Keeping one’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road is not just a safe driving practice – it’s the law.Social media posts that are composed while driving will be disqualified.
High school and college entries will be awarded separately, and up to three students may work together on the same social media account. The state will deposit $5,000 into the CollegeChoice 529 savings plans for the winners of five categories:
- Twitter – most tweets/retweets/favorites
- Vine – most likes
- Vine – most creative
- Instagram – most likes
- Instagram – most creative
Jack Turman
Dean to discuss early brain development during Darwin address
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
The human brain’s early development will be the topic of Tri-Beta Darwin Keynote speaker Jack Turman 4 p.m. March 24 at Indiana State University.
Turman, who is dean of the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services at Indiana State, has made a career of working to give youngsters the best possible start. He founded and directed the Center for Premature Infant Health and Development at the University of Southern California and developed and implemented a community partnership at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to improve birth outcomes among African Americans.
During his talk, Turman will answer the question “Why are we so concerned about early periods of brain development?”
“There is much focus on fetal and infant brain development and how the environmental influences early brain development,” Turman said. “There is also much interest in understanding the changes that occur during adolescence. Overall, we know that brain development is a long process that extends from conception through adolescence.”
The brain is quite malleable during development and therefore highly influenced by environmental conditions, relationships, stress and nutrition, he said.
“Developmental neuroscientists, like myself, believe that we need to optimize biological, social and environmental conditions for all pregnant women and infants so that a healthy condition is created for brain and behavior development,” Turman said.
Parents need to be equipped with the skills to optimize their child’s development, and daycare and early education experiences need to be grounded in evidence-based practices to support a child’s brain and behavior development, he said.
Turman said he hopes attendees to the Darwin event learn “the complexity of early brain development and how vulnerable it is to biological, social and environmental conditions that surround it, the importance of healthy relationships in influencing fetal and infant brain development (and) to validate the importance of early education experiences for all children.”
A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Turman began his career in the area of pediatric physical therapy. He earned a master’s degree and doctorate in kinesiology from the University of California-Los Angeles and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Washington University in St. Louis.
Turman has served as a research consultant for the School of Health Professions at the University of Missouri and as a community engagement consultant with the Black Infant Health Alliance at Florida A&M University.
The event, to be held in room 12 of the science building, is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served at 3:30 p.m.
Beta Beta Beta is the national biological honor society and is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study through scientific research. The centers for Community Engagement and Genomic Advocacy are also sponsors.
By Libby Roerig, Indiana State University
The human brain’s early development will be the topic of Tri-Beta Darwin Keynote speaker Jack Turman 4 p.m. March 24 at Indiana State University.
Turman, who is dean of the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services at Indiana State, has made a career of working to give youngsters the best possible start. He founded and directed the Center for Premature Infant Health and Development at the University of Southern California and developed and implemented a community partnership at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to improve birth outcomes among African Americans.
During his talk, Turman will answer the question “Why are we so concerned about early periods of brain development?”
“There is much focus on fetal and infant brain development and how the environmental influences early brain development,” Turman said. “There is also much interest in understanding the changes that occur during adolescence. Overall, we know that brain development is a long process that extends from conception through adolescence.”
The brain is quite malleable during development and therefore highly influenced by environmental conditions, relationships, stress and nutrition, he said.
“Developmental neuroscientists, like myself, believe that we need to optimize biological, social and environmental conditions for all pregnant women and infants so that a healthy condition is created for brain and behavior development,” Turman said.
Parents need to be equipped with the skills to optimize their child’s development, and daycare and early education experiences need to be grounded in evidence-based practices to support a child’s brain and behavior development, he said.
Turman said he hopes attendees to the Darwin event learn “the complexity of early brain development and how vulnerable it is to biological, social and environmental conditions that surround it, the importance of healthy relationships in influencing fetal and infant brain development (and) to validate the importance of early education experiences for all children.”
A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Turman began his career in the area of pediatric physical therapy. He earned a master’s degree and doctorate in kinesiology from the University of California-Los Angeles and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Washington University in St. Louis.
Turman has served as a research consultant for the School of Health Professions at the University of Missouri and as a community engagement consultant with the Black Infant Health Alliance at Florida A&M University.
The event, to be held in room 12 of the science building, is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served at 3:30 p.m.
Beta Beta Beta is the national biological honor society and is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study through scientific research. The centers for Community Engagement and Genomic Advocacy are also sponsors.
Regulatory challenges for financial markets to be discussed at Insurance Public Policy Summit
By Betsy Simon, Indiana State University
Leading experts in Congressional, state, federal and insurance industry thinking will provide insight into the hurdles facing U.S. and international markets at the 2015 Networks Financial Institute's Insurance Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
The 11th annual summit will be held March 17 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The theme for the summit, which is organized by Indiana State University's Networks Financial Institute with support from Faegre Baker Daniels, will be "Complex Challenges of International and U.S. Policy Regimes: Who's in Charge Here?"
Rebecca Wray, director of Networks Financial Institute, said the goal is to facilitate lively discussion about how state and federal regulation can work best together both in the U.S. and internationally.
"Every year, we want to have something new that will spark discussion. We've tried to do that again this year by adding a policy research discussion to our Congressional, industry and state regulatory discussions," she said.
Keynote speakers this year include:
• Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), member, Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
• Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), member, House Financial Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance
• Commissioner Kevin McCarty (Fla.), member and past president, National Association of Insurance Commissioners
• Michael T. McRaith, director, Federal Insurance Office
• Thomas R. Sullivan, senior adviser, Banking Supervision and Regulation Division, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System
Special guest speakers include:
• Charles M. Chamness, president and CEO, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
• Peter G. Gallanis, president, National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations
• Dirk Kempthorne, president and CEO, American Council of Life Insurers
• Aaron Klein, director of the Financial Regulatory Reform Initiative, Bipartisan Policy Center
• Franklin W. Nutter, president, Reinsurance Association of America
• Hester Peirce, senior research fellow, George Mason University MercatusCenter
• Karen Shaw Petrou, co-founder and managing partner, Federal Financial Analytics, Inc.
• Leigh Ann Pusey, president and CEO, American Insurance Association
• David A. Sampson, president and CEO, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Six Indiana State students will have the opportunity to attend this year's summit: Abby Shanks, a sophomore accounting major and insurance and risk management minor; Mitchell Wasmund, a junior finance major and Spanish minor; Ben Weber, a sophomore financial services major; Christena Hoopingarner, a senior insurance and risk management major; Lily Eubank, a freshman marketing major and Spanish minor; and Trevor Steiner, a freshman insurance and risk management major.
"Insurance can impact a variety of people and industries, so we wanted to open this opportunity to students in others fields," said Wray, who helped in the selection of the student participants. "It's a great opportunity for students to network with thought leaders in the industry, learn how things work in the insurance and financial services industries and really open their minds to real-world issues and different topics we'll cover."
More information on the 2015 Insurance Public Policy Summit, including a registration form, is available at http://isunetworks.org.
(March 3)
Leading experts in Congressional, state, federal and insurance industry thinking will provide insight into the hurdles facing U.S. and international markets at the 2015 Networks Financial Institute's Insurance Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
The 11th annual summit will be held March 17 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The theme for the summit, which is organized by Indiana State University's Networks Financial Institute with support from Faegre Baker Daniels, will be "Complex Challenges of International and U.S. Policy Regimes: Who's in Charge Here?"
Rebecca Wray, director of Networks Financial Institute, said the goal is to facilitate lively discussion about how state and federal regulation can work best together both in the U.S. and internationally.
"Every year, we want to have something new that will spark discussion. We've tried to do that again this year by adding a policy research discussion to our Congressional, industry and state regulatory discussions," she said.
Keynote speakers this year include:
• Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), member, Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
• Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), member, House Financial Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance
• Commissioner Kevin McCarty (Fla.), member and past president, National Association of Insurance Commissioners
• Michael T. McRaith, director, Federal Insurance Office
• Thomas R. Sullivan, senior adviser, Banking Supervision and Regulation Division, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System
Special guest speakers include:
• Charles M. Chamness, president and CEO, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
• Peter G. Gallanis, president, National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations
• Dirk Kempthorne, president and CEO, American Council of Life Insurers
• Aaron Klein, director of the Financial Regulatory Reform Initiative, Bipartisan Policy Center
• Franklin W. Nutter, president, Reinsurance Association of America
• Hester Peirce, senior research fellow, George Mason University MercatusCenter
• Karen Shaw Petrou, co-founder and managing partner, Federal Financial Analytics, Inc.
• Leigh Ann Pusey, president and CEO, American Insurance Association
• David A. Sampson, president and CEO, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Six Indiana State students will have the opportunity to attend this year's summit: Abby Shanks, a sophomore accounting major and insurance and risk management minor; Mitchell Wasmund, a junior finance major and Spanish minor; Ben Weber, a sophomore financial services major; Christena Hoopingarner, a senior insurance and risk management major; Lily Eubank, a freshman marketing major and Spanish minor; and Trevor Steiner, a freshman insurance and risk management major.
"Insurance can impact a variety of people and industries, so we wanted to open this opportunity to students in others fields," said Wray, who helped in the selection of the student participants. "It's a great opportunity for students to network with thought leaders in the industry, learn how things work in the insurance and financial services industries and really open their minds to real-world issues and different topics we'll cover."
More information on the 2015 Insurance Public Policy Summit, including a registration form, is available at http://isunetworks.org.
(March 3)
Pence signs legislation today to shorten ISTEP test
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement after he signed into law SEA 62, the bill which allows the Indiana Department of Education to shorten this year’s ISTEP test, which would have been more than 12 hours for third
graders. The bill passed unanimously in both houses.
“Hoosier students, teachers and parents can breathe easier now that this year’s ISTEP test will be significantly shortened. I commend the Indiana General Assembly for their unanimous support of this measure, and applaud the efforts of House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tempore David Long in moving this legislation in time to impact this year’s ISTEP test. I also am grateful for the collaboration between our administration, the Superintendent and the Department of Education to achieve this reform. Our success in shortening the ISTEP test should reassure Hoosiers that we can accomplish much for our kids, teachers, and schools when we work together.”
(Press release photo and story, Feb.23)
graders. The bill passed unanimously in both houses.
“Hoosier students, teachers and parents can breathe easier now that this year’s ISTEP test will be significantly shortened. I commend the Indiana General Assembly for their unanimous support of this measure, and applaud the efforts of House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tempore David Long in moving this legislation in time to impact this year’s ISTEP test. I also am grateful for the collaboration between our administration, the Superintendent and the Department of Education to achieve this reform. Our success in shortening the ISTEP test should reassure Hoosiers that we can accomplish much for our kids, teachers, and schools when we work together.”
(Press release photo and story, Feb.23)