IU East Student Showcase
Indiana University East and Purdue University College of Technology in Richmond students now have their work on display in the Meijer Artway through Friday, May 10. Students exhibiting work were in fine arts classes at IU East during the fall 2012 and spring 2013 semesters.

Instructors selected pieces for monetary awards during the artists’ reception April 17. Robert Warfel, president of Stagg Safety of Richmond, sponsored the awards.

First Place
James T. Snyder, Brownsville, Ind. – Metalsmithing and Jewelry
Kaly Reichter, Richmond, Ind. – Photography
Jody Jones, Richmond, Ind. – Sculpture/3D
Jama Young, Indianapolis –Ceramics
Melissa Whicker, Richmond, Ind. – Painting/Drawing
Richard Spence, Eaton, Ohio – Mixed Media

Second Place  
Kelsey Hoffmann, Richmond, Ind. – Metalsmithing and Jewelry
Jackson Seitz, Richmond, Ind. – Sculpture/3D and Ceramics
Diana Fahl, Lynn, Ind. – Photography
Rebecca Murray, Richmond, Ind. – Photography
Kelsey Rubright, Eaton, Ohio – Drawing/Painting
Danielle Standley, Connersville, Ind. – Mixed Media

Third Place
Ashley Caudill, Eaton, Ohio – Photography
Julie Beaver, Connersville, Ind. – Photography
Piedad Llerena, Richmond, Ind. – Metalsmithing and Jewelry
Sadie Harmeyer, Richmond, Ind. – Sculpture/3D
Adam Gibb, Richmond, Ind. – Ceramics
Jennifer Sandstrom, Richmond, Ind. – Photography
Chris Halberstadt, Cambridge City, Ind. – Drawing/Painting
Heather Sites, Hagerstown, Ind. – Drawing/Painting
Candice Davis, Richmond, Ind. – Drawing/Painting
Seth Prince, Albany, Ind. – Drawing/Painting
Eric Hall, Economy, Ind. – Drawing/Painting

Visitors are welcome to view the exhibit during regular hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call Ed Thornburg, gallery curator, at (765) 973-8605 or visit iue.edu/gallery.

IU East Honors Program students present at MEHA
Thirty-one IU East Honors Program students presented papers at the Mid-East Honors Association (MEHA) Conference in Dearborn, Mich., held April 5-7. MEHA is comprised of honors colleges and programs from Eastern Illinois, Indiana, Northern Kentucky, Southern Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Students were accompanied by Alisa Clapp-Itnyre, Honors Program director and professor of English, Daron Olson, assistant professor of history, and Ron Itnyre, visiting lecturer in biology.

Congratulations to students who presented papers (paper descriptions are available online):
Tony Breitenbach, Connersville, Ind.
Christine Carrera, Richmond, Ind.
Eleanor Casson, Connersville, Ind.
Hannah Clark, Richmond, Ind.
Alexis Doughty, Richmond, Ind.
Leigh Anne Ernst, Richmond, Ind.
Donnie Estes, Richmond, Ind.
Kaylyn Flora, Richmond, Ind.
Ashley Hall, Connersville, Ind.
Ian Holt, Richmond, Ind.
Chanda Hunt, Union City, Ohio
Alexis Hurd, Richmond, Ind.
Layne Husted, Centerville, Ind.
Brianna Keener, Connersville, Ind.
Carly Manis, Richmond, Ind.
McKenna Marshall, Eaton, Ohio
Mariah Marshall, Eaton, Ohio
Rachael Money, Cedar Grove, Ind.
Casey Mowen, Eaton, Ohio
Emily O’Brien, Richmond, Ind.
Adam Obringer, Lewisburg, Ohio
Rachel Phenis, Lynn, Ind.
Heather Proctor, Richmond, Ind.
Deidra Purvis, New Madison, Ohio
Lori Stephens, Carthage, Ind.
Stephanie Stewart, Richmond, Ind.
Brooke Sahm, Richmond, Ind.
Shelby Stokes, Elwood, Ind.
Michael Teufel, Richmond, Ind.
Katie Wooten, Brookville, Ind.

IU East Students Present at Women’s & Gender Studies Conference
Six IU East students presented their research or creative work at the 25th Annual Indiana University Women’s and Gender Studies Undergraduate Conference, which was held at IU Bloomington on April 12. IU East faculty members Denise Bullock, associate professor of sociology, Ann Kim, assistant professor of fine arts, and Laverne Nishihara, associate professor of English, served as faculty advisors and chaired sessions at the conference.

Congratulations to all the students, whose presentations were well received:

Kaylyn Flora, Richmond, Ind.: “Essentialist and Social Constructionist Theory: Evolving from Modern to Practical Postmodern”
Stephanie Fudge, Richmond, Ind.: “A Rainbow of Perspectives on Homosexuality”
Chanda Hunt, Union City, Ohio: “Suzanne Valadon: Conquering the Male Gaze”
Emily O’Brien, Richmond, Ind.: “Age of Arousal: Debunking the Myth about Victorian Women”
Danielle Standley, Connersville, Ind.: “The Collapse of a System” (art work)
Anastasia Tuggle, Richmond, Ind.:“The Quest for Identity in Audre Lorde’s Zami: A New Spelling of My Name”

IU East Enactus team receives 4.0 Club, 44 Club Awards
The Enactus team at Indiana University East has received two more awards since attending the Enactus United States Regional Competition Exposition held April 12 in Chicago. The team was named a league champion in its league while in Chicago and will advance to the national competition May 21-23 in Kansas City.

The Enactus team received notification that it has also received a 4.0 Club Award and Club 44 Award.

The 4.0 Club Award recognizes chapters for quality education programs, success in Enactus and long-term sustainability in enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. Enactus United States has a Team Index that was designed many years ago to measure the health of a team. The factors used to evaluate a team on the Team Index includes: Quality Faculty Advisor, Quality Administrative Support, Student Leaders’ Success, Program Success, Financial Stability, Community Engagement, Participating in Enactus Events and Competitive Initiatives, and Competition Results. Each year Enactus recognizes the teams who earn a 4.0 or higher out of a 5.0 scale.

The Club 44 Award recognizes the accomplishments of the top university teams in the nation. Enactus U.S. has set a benchmark for college and university teams to reach 44 students per team; IU East has a total of 46 students participating in Enactus. To honor those teams reaching 44 or more active members, Enactus U.S. recognizes each team, awarding them for their membership into the Club 44. Active Enactus team members contribute at least 10 hours an academic year by using their business concepts to develop community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

IU East students on the team are Hannah Clawson, Hagerstown, Ind., Ryan Doughty, Richmond, Ind., Tyler Fangman, Cold Spring, Ky., Drew Houck, Portland, Ind., Nick Miller, Lynn, Ind., Dan Printz, Greenville, Ohio, Bryan Schlatter, Indianapolis, Clint Shepherd, Eaton, Ohio, Troy Weir, Richmond, Ind., and Megan Winn, Eaton, Ohio.

Enactus (formerly known as SIFE) is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to enable human progress. Enactus establishes student programs on college campuses across the nation. Enactus students apply business concepts to develop community outreach projects, transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

Indiana University East recognized several faculty and staff with awards for their service to the university during the Honors Convocation ceremony held April 25.

Ange Cooksey, senior lecturer in humanities, is this year’s recipient of the Helen Lees Award, established in 1991. Professor Emeritus Lees passed away in 1992, but her spirit continues in this annual award to honor a full-time faculty member who has taught at least 10 semesters at IU East.

Cooksey received the award for demonstrating that she is an engaged teacher who motivates her students to excellence in the classroom, online and through her leadership in service-learning. Students know that she brings enthusiasm and caring to everything that she does. She experiences fully the joy of teaching and the fulfillment that comes when students grasp a difficult concept.

Daron Olson, assistant professor of History, received the Award for Excellence in Research. This award recognizes excellence in research and/or creative work by a full-time faculty member over a sustained period of time.

His research focuses on Scandinavia, particularly Norway, and the topics of national identity, migration and race. He published a book in 2012 entitled “Vikings Across the Atlantic: Emigration and the Building of a Greater Norway, 1860-1945.” He is currently researching his next book about how Norway promoted its national identify in exile during World War II.

Katherine Frank, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, received the Distinguished Faculty Service Award. This award recognizes distinguished service, either one-time or sustained, by a full-time faculty member above and beyond the expectations of any compensation or release time provided for the service.

Frank has restructured the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, added seven new full-time faculty members and five new academic programs. She led the “One Book, Many Voices” project which involved tremendous collaborations both internally and externally. Frank serves on the Positive Place Initiative Steering Committee, the boards of the Richmond Symphony, Cope Environmental Center, and Communities in Schools, just to name a few, and her activities have strengthened the relationship between IU East and the Richmond community.

Natalia Rybas, assistant professor of Communication Studies, received the Progress Award for New Faculty. The Progress Award is a symbol of achievement for new faculty members as they are establishing their careers at IU East.

Rybas has integrated her teaching, scholarship and service to support the mission of IU East. She is engaged in service in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and has been particularly active in the community.

Her scholarship focuses on cultural communication studies that evaluate phenomena of everyday life with special emphasis on the issues of new media and culture. She is a proponent of active learning and she encourages students to be both creative and critical in the learning process.

Wayne Klusman is the recipient of the part-time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. He began teaching geology at IU East in 1973 when classes were still held on the Earlham College campus.

Awards were presented to an outstanding support staff member and professional staff member who have made significant contributions to IU East during the past year. Kara Newman, assistant director in the Office of Admissions, received the Professional Council Service Award and Deanna Cooper, secretary for the Center for Health Promotion, received the Staff Council Service Award.

Newman was recognized for being instrumental in the enrollment growth at IU East, in particular her work with high school students, their parents, guidance counselors, and other school officials. She also has developed the Admissions Ambassadors, a group of students who lead campus tours for new and prospective students and staff important campus events.

Cooper is highly respected by her coworkers and the students. She has coordinated numerous health initiatives and activities on campus, and she volunteered to be the lead person for the health screenings.

Andrew Britt is the recipient of the Student Employee Service Award. He is currently an intern for the Office of Career Planning & Placement and brings with him a vast skill set and experience by working with other departments on campus including University College. He is a Peer Mentor for four First-Year Seminar classes and has served as the campus mascot, Rufus.

Britt demonstrates a strong work ethic and leadership skills in serving as a role model to orientation leaders, envisioning and building one of the most active student clubs on campus, leading the first Spirit of Philanthropy week as part of Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow, and organizing many student events. He has worked tirelessly to create, promote, develop, maintain, and advocate for programs that contribute to student success.

Following graduation this May, Britt plans to pursue his Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, in the fall.

Indiana University East celebrated the accomplishments of its students during the annual Honors Convocation held April 25.

Chancellor’s Scholar Awards are campus-wide awards, presented to the highest achieving seniors, by academic school. Chancellor’s awards were presented to:
Ronald Jarvis Jr., Richmond, Ind., School of Business and Economics
William Theising, Sunman, Ind., School of Education
Hillary Padgett,  Rushville, Ind., School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Ryan Doughty, Richmond, Ind., School of Natural Science and Mathematics
Sherry West, New Point, Ind., School of Nursing
Whitney Wesley, Gaston, Ind., School of Social Work

Outstanding Student Awards were given to individuals in their degree programs who displayed outstanding academic achievement at IU East. Students receiving awards are the following:

School of Business and Economics
Margaret Bloom, Connersville, Ind., Outstanding Student in Accounting
Heather Beshears, Merrillville, Ind., Outstanding Student in Business Administration
Catherine Ward, Magnet, Ind., Outstanding Student in Finance
Ryan Frame, Centerville, Ind., Outstanding Student in Management Information Systems
Anna Harrison, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Student in Informatics
Jeff Foglesong, Vevay, Ind., Outstanding Graduate Student in Business

School of Education
Abigail Fox, Rising Sun, Ind., Outstanding Student in Elementary Education
Brianne Simpson, New Paris, Ohio, Outstanding Student in Secondary Education
Rob Bailey, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Graduate Student in Education
Jason Allen, Richmond, Ind., Indiana Association of College Teacher Educators Outstanding Student Teacher Award-Elementary
Deidra Purvis, New Madison, Ohio, Indiana Association of College Teacher Educators Outstanding Student Teacher Award-Secondary

General Studies Program
Lisa Thomas, Outstanding Student in General Studies

School of Humanities and Social Sciences
William Kelley, Brookville, Ind., Outstanding Student in Communication Studies
Kristin Waechter, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice
Patricia Finley, Dublin, Ind., Outstanding Student in English
Kraig Rose, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Student in History
Chris Carr, Eaton, Ohio, Outstanding Student in Humanities
Clayton Haisley, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Student in Political Science
Sophia Binkley, Union City, Ind., Outstanding Student in Psychology

School of Natural Science and Mathematics
Jessica Skinner, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Student in Biochemistry
Brittany Phelps, Eaton, Ohio, Outstanding Student in Biology
Brenda Newman, Winchester, Ind., Outstanding Student in Mathematics

School of Nursing
Stacia Richardson, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding BSN Student
Kevin Reed, Brookville, Ohio, Outstanding RN to BSN Student

School of Social Work
Lee Ann Goeke, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Student in Social Work

Purdue University College of Technology at Richmond
Justin Wymer, Lewisburg, Ohio, Outstanding Student in Computer Graphics and Engineering Technology
Joshua Sargent, Richmond, Ind., Outstanding Student in Technology Leadership and Innovation

IU East Honors Program Graduates
Leigh Anne Ernst, Richmond, Ind.
Patricia Finley, Dublin, Ind.
Kris Haines, New Castle, Ind.
Clayton Haisley, Richmond, Ind.
Mariah Mason, Centerville, Ind.,
Hillary Padgett, Rushville, Ind.
Deidra Purvis, New Madison, Ohio
Kraig Rose, Richmond, Ind.

Kelly Coffman is the Naomi Osborne Scholar. The award is given to the baccalaureate candidate with the highest grade point average.

Victoria Hicks is the Herbert Presidential Scholar graduate. The Herbert Presidential Scholar program is a prestigious Indiana University-wide scholarship program.

The pinning ceremony for Indiana University East nursing graduates on Friday, May 10, begins at 2 p.m. with a slide show followed by the ceremony at 2:30 p.m. The annual ceremony for nursing students will be held at the Ligthhouse Assembly of God, located at 2339 West Cart Road in Richmond.

Graduates will receive their pin to wear for commencement which will be held that night at 6 p.m. at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center. Also at this ceremony, nursing awards will be given to students. This year, 93 nursing students will graduate with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

Dean of the School of Nursing Karen Clark said, “This year’s class is the largest number of graduates for the School of Nursing. Through increased enrollment in our traditional BSN program and our enrollment in our five RN to BSN sites as well as online availability of this option, we are graduating increasing numbers of BSN prepared nurses who will positively impact the health care of the citizens where they work and live.”

Jodie Engelhardt, Guilford, Ind., is the RN to BSN nominee and Jaime Erbse, Richmond, Ind., is the BSN nominee for the Elizabeth Grossman Award. Each year Elizabeth Grossman, former dean of the Indiana University School of Nursing, recognizes a student from each program who has maintained the highest Nursing Grade Point Average (NGPA) on all IU campuses. These students will be placed in a pool with other IU students with the highest NGPA and the winner will receive a small cash award and an award certificate.  The overall winners will be announced later.

The School of Nursing will recognize the students who received outstanding awards during the Honors Convocation held April 25. Sherry West, New Point, Ind., was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholar Award. Stacia Richardson, Richmond, Ind., received the Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Award and Kevin Reed, Brookville, Ohio, received the Outstanding RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Award.

During the pinning ceremony, students inducted to the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Alpha Chapter, will be recognized. Bachelor of Science in Nursing student inductees to the honor society are Koren Blankley, Union City, Ohio, Courtney Coon, Connersville, Ind., Courtney Drees, Versailles, Ohio, Jodi Engelhardt, Guilford, Ind., Jaime Erbse, Richmond, Ind., Hannah Fenker, New Castle, Ind., Lisa Hartman, Osgood, Ind., Kristi Henderson, Cambridge City, Ind., Chassity Howard, Rushville, Ind., Natalie Koditk, Richmond, Ind., Jamie Krauss, Greendale, Ind., Amanda Kurtz, Liberty, Ind., Beverly McCord-Thornburg, Winchester, Ind., Courtney McCracken, Hagerstown, Ind., Melissa Nichols, Lawrenceburg, Ind., Stacia Richardson, Richmond, Ind., Rebekah Ross, Richmond, Ind., Clayton Siegrist, Winchester, Ind., Jaime Lyn Shuler, Richmond, Ind., Angelina Stuart, Eaton, Ohio, and Hamid Zakaeifar, Richmond, Ind.

The following IU East nursing students have been named to the “Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities & Colleges”: Tina Berhalter, Hagerstown, Ind., Courtney Drees, Versailles, Ohio, Natalie Koditek, Richmond, Ind., Laura McCord, Richmond, Ind., Beverly McCord-Thornburg, Winchester, Ind., Stacia Richardson, Richmond, Ind., Rebekah Ross, Richmond, Ind., and Clayton Siegrist, Winchester, Ind.

For more information, contact the School of Nursing at (765) 973-8213 or visit iue.edu/nursing. For more information, visit iue.edu/commencement.

Indiana University East will host its 42nd Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center.

This year, the university will confer 532 baccalaureate degrees and 28 master’s degrees. The awarding of the degrees is a significant increase for IU East and this year marks the most awarded in the school’s history. In 2012, IU East awarded 445 baccalaureate degrees and 16 master’s degrees. Additionally, the first cohort of students in the Master of Science in Management will have degrees conferred during the ceremony.

Interim Chancellor Larry Richards comments that “the growth in number of graduates over the past two years has been phenomenal and is a testament to the success of the approach the campus has taken to its change in mission. As the leader in public bachelor’s and master’s degree education in the region, I expect this growth to continue next year as well.”

Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie and IU East Interim Chancellor Larry Richards will preside and address the 560 graduates eligible to receive IU degrees during the ceremony. The figures include degree recipients from December 2012 and candidates for May, June and August 2013.

The ceremony will be broadcast via live stream video at iue.edu/live. The website also includes live commencement updates and commentary via Twitter and Facebook. Richmond residents can also watch the ceremony live on WCTV Channel 20.

As part of the ceremony, IU East will award a Distinguished Alumni Award to Robert A. Coons, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. Over the past year, Coons served Rose-Hulman as the interim president. Coons received his associate degree from IU East.

Britany Swallow of Richmond, Ind., will address fellow classmates during the ceremony as the student speaker. Swallow will receive a Bachelor of Social Work and was selected to address the 2013 class after auditioning for the honor. Swallow was president of the Student Government Association (SGA).

Kelly Coffman of West Alexandria, Ohio, is the recipient of the Naomi Osborne Award, an honor given to the graduate with the highest grade point average, and will lead the graduating class during the alumni induction ceremony. Coffman will receive a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

For more information, visit iue.edu/commencement.

Indiana University East has appointed Neil Sabine as the Dean of the School of Natural Science and Mathematics, effective May 1, 2013. Sabine has served the campus as the interim dean since August 2011, in addition to teaching as an associate professor of biology.

As dean, Sabine is responsible for all aspects of the school, including faculty recruitment, development and evaluation; program development, assessment and improvement; student recruitment and success; budget management and fundraising; and other matters related to the continuing well-being of the school and its faculty, staff and students. The school currently offers bachelor’s degrees in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, human life science, and mathematics and an interdisciplinary degree in natural science and mathematics as well as a variety of minors.

Interim Chancellor Larry Richards compliments Sabine, saying that “IU East is truly fortunate to have someone of Neil’s abilities and dedication to serve as dean of natural science and mathematics. His service over the past couple of years as interim dean has been exemplary, and I know his faculty and staff are extremely pleased with his willingness to continue in the more permanent role, as am I.”

Sabine first joined IU East as an assistant professor of biology in 1991. He was promoted to associate professor in 1998.

“It is an honor to be working with the outstanding faculty and staff that make up our school. When I came to IU East I found a home here. It is a pleasure to serve the institution that has done so much for me and my family,” Sabine said.

Sabine added that the School has set a goal to double the number of majors and graduates in five years. In fall 2012, the School of Natural Science and Mathematics enrolled 241 students.

While at IU East, Sabine has received the IU East Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2002, the Indiana University Trustee’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003, and IU’s Frederic Bachman Lieber Award in 2004.

Sabine’s research interests include roosting and foraging behavior of Turkey Vultures in east central Indiana. He also researches the relationship between student learning environments and their academic performance.

Sabine received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Secondary Education from the State University College at Oswego, New York. He received his Master of Arts in Zoology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., and his Ph.D. in Zoology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Before joining the faculty at IU East, Sabine was a professor in the Department of Arts and Sciences at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Karen Clark, dean of the School of Nursing at Indiana University East, was recently recognized for her dedication to service on campus and within the community. Clark was one of this year’s Indiana University W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service recipients. She received the award at the 2013 Celebration of Distinguished Teaching dinner on April 5. The dinner is one of the activities held as part of Founders Day, the annual celebration of IU’s founding in 1820.

Clark said she in honored to receive the award because service is near and dear to her heart. Service, she said, also goes back to her early career as a community health nurse.

“Service for me has always been about giving back. I don’t think any of us in this world get anywhere on our own,” Clark said. “I taught my children over the years that philanthropy is to give of your time, talents and treasures. I’ve tried to model that philosophy and to really give of myself to make a difference. Service is not a mandate; it’s a part of who I am.”

Clark joined IU East in 1987 as a lecturer in nursing. In 2004, Clark was named as the dean of the School of Nursing and continued instructing courses as an assistant professor of nursing, a faculty title she held until 2010 when she was promoted to an associate professor of nursing.

Through her position as dean and associate professor of nursing, Clark views service as a necessity to improve the nursing profession and to make an impact. At IU East, Clark has been a member of the Institutional Review Board and has helped to lead the campus in defining its mission as a premiere bachelor and master’s degree institution and vision to move the university forward. She has been instrumental in leading the development of new graduate, off-campus and online programs.

Clark serves the community with a commitment to improving the health of residents. She is a member of the Reid Hospital & Health Care Services Governing Board. Professionally, she volunteers her time as the president of the Indiana League for Nursing Board of Directors. She has worked with the East Indiana Area Health Education Center, the United Way Health Visioning Task Force and the Wayne County Health Vocations Advisory Committee. Outside of the world of nursing, Clark has been a leader in education. She helped establish a charter school to help fill a community need for educational opportunities.

Angie Dickman, Vice President of Reid Hospital & Health Care Services and chair of the IU East Board of Advisors, said Clark exemplifies the best in community service, education, and health care.

“At IU East, she sets the example for each of the nursing students about the importance of giving back personally and professionally.  Her leadership of taking students to Chinle, Arizona instills a lifelong lesson of the importance of giving of yourself and being open to new perspectives,” Dickman said. “Karen also gives countless hours through her service on Reid’s Governing Board and bringing invaluable insight and leadership to our team. IU East, Reid, and our community are better places because of Karen’s efforts.”

Barry MacDowell, former CEO at Reid Hospital & Health Care Services, worked with Clark through the Reid Governing Board and in her role as dean. He said Clark deserves this award because she has enriched the community in countless ways through the sharing of her time and talents. Groups, boards and organizations are strengthened by her ability to think with both her head and her heart, he added.

“There is incredible depth and breadth to Karen’s service to east central Indiana, the Richmond community, Indiana University East, Reid Hospital and the nursing profession. She has made a measurable and real impact on each of these facets of her life,” MacDowell said. “Further, the ripple effect of her contributions has touched the lives of countless people in our community. Karen is an effective leader with a clear vision for education, community health and nursing. She articulates these perspectives in a thoughtful, yet real-world context. As a result things happen, change occurs and community life is improved for all of us.”

Dean of the School of Education Marilyn Watkins said Clark has infused service as a component in all of her courses, along with the belief that service is a natural expectation within the nursing profession and her commitment to modeling what a life of service looks like.

“Karen brings a wealth of content knowledge along with the world view that desires to build a healthy environment in which each individual has the knowledge and tools to live a quality life,” Watkins said.

As a teacher, she seeks opportunities for her students to provide service. Each year, the nursing program takes senior nursing students to Chinle, Ariz., to a Navajo Reservation as part of the school’s outreach programs. Students are immersed in the culture and experience home health care and hospital care. In return the students provide teaching presentations in the reservation school system. The trip, Clark said, provides students the chance to learn about the culture as well as to provide service. For example, in 2012 the nursing students gave 750 flu vaccinations over a three-day period. This year, they expect to give even more.

The School of Nursing encourages all of its students to incorporate service into their learning and experience though other programs including anti-bullying, anti-smoking, or health screening programs.

IU East recognized Clark for her service to the university in 2012 by awarding her a Distinguished Faculty Service Award.

“Dr. Clark’s vita clearly shows the depth, breadth, and longevity of her commitment to service.  A trend that becomes evident is her focus on those whose voice is often overlooked or even not heard including adolescents and those in poverty,” said Mary Folkerth, assistant clinical professor of nursing. “The characteristics that Karen brings to any service are commitment to excellence, the desire and ability to listen carefully to what the individuals in question truly need, the ability to work effectively as a team member, the leadership ability to accomplish goals set forth, a delightful sense of humor, and seemingly tireless energy.”

Clark received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana State University. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctorate of Education in Adult and Community Education from Ball State University. Her research interests include scholarship of teaching, RN to BSN education, community health and cultural competency.

About the Indiana University W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service
The Indiana University Faculty Council established the Pinnell Award in 1988, honoring the memory of the former executive vice president of the university who also served during his career as president of the IU Foundation and dean of IU’s Kelley School of Business. The award recognizes faculty members or librarians who have shown exceptional breadth of involvement and depth of commitment in service to the university, their profession or the public.

The Indiana University East Enactus team won a regional championship in its league during the Enactus United States Regional Competition Exposition held April 12 in Chicago. The team will advance to the national competition May 21-23 in Kansas City.

Enactus (formerly known as SIFE) is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world.

IU East students on the team are Hannah Clawson, Hagerstown, Ind., Ryan Doughty, Richmond, Ind., Tyler Fangman, Cold Spring, Ky., Drew Houck, Portland, Ind., Nick Miller, Lynn, Ind., Dan Printz, Greenville, Ohio, Bryan Schlatter, Indianapolis, Clint Shepherd, Eaton, Ohio, Troy Weir, Richmond, Ind., and Megan Winn, Eaton, Ohio.

The team has been working throughout the year on various projects related to teaching financial literacy concepts and entrepreneurship. Enactus members featured a variety of projects at the competition including “Shop with the Chef,” “Name Change to Enactus,” “YouTube Video Series: Working with Small Business,” “Social Entrepreneurship,” and “Podcast Series: Who’s Idea Was It?” The projects also included books on curriculum development including “ME,” a math entrepreneurship curriculum book, “ME2,” a book on math entrepreneurship and economics, “Women Create Jobs,” and “Business Success.”

“All of our practice really paid off,” Miller said. “I’m excited that our team will advance to nationals in Kansas City.”

Tim Scales, lecturer of business and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, is the team’s advisor.

“Advancing to the national competition comes as a realization of endless hours and tireless efforts from a dedicated group of students making a difference for our campus, university and our community,” Scales said.

IU East competed in League Seven which included co-championship teams Graceland University, located in Lamoni, Iowa, and IPFW. The league includes first-runner up University of Dubuque from Dubuque, Iowa.

Indiana University East’s Master of Science in Nursing program welcomes applications for its third cohort to begin May 2013. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis with priority given to applications received prior to May 1.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a special report in 2010 regarding the future of nursing. Several recommendations were made for registered nurses to engage in lifelong learning and advance their education. This includes preparing and enabling nurses to initiate and lead effective change in today’s health care arena to advance health.

“With tracks in nursing administration and nursing education, the IU East master’s in nursing enables nurses to effectively lead and advance health within their communities. We are excited to be able to offer our service area advanced education opportunities, close to home,” said Associate Dean for Nursing Graduate Programs Tonya Breymier.

The IU East Master of Science in Nursing is a six-semester program designed for nurses seeking a graduate-level nursing degree. The program offers an Indiana University degree and provides two different tracks to choose from: nursing administration or nursing education.

For more information and admission criteria, visit iue.edu/nursing or contact Tonya Breymier, associate dean for Nursing Graduate Programs, at (765) 973-8520 or tbreymie@iue.edu.

The Indiana University East Alumni Association invites alumni to attend ReConnect 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, in Springwood Hall.

Alumni will learn about the IU East campus today, meet students, and catch up with professors and classmates.

The program includes “IU East 2013 – Our Campus Today”and a tour of the campus led by Student Ambassadors. Alumni will learn about new academic programs, including graduate programs. Participates will hear about Alumni Legacy Scholarship programs and meet with some long-time faculty members.

Participants can also talk with Campus Life and Athletics to get a view of what students do outside the classroom on campus and hear from student-athletes about the rapidly growing sports programs. Alumni can also connect IU East students with their workplace through internships and other creative experiential learning opportunities.

The program concludes with lunch and a student panel for alumni and students to have further interaction and discussion.

Attendees will also receive an IU East t-shirt and other IU East items, as well as door prizes.

The IU East Alumni Association’s ReConnect program was awarded the “2012 Best New Alumni Program” by Council for the Advancement and Support of Education District Five.

To register for ReConnect 2013 or for more information, contact Terry Wiesehan, director of Alumni Relations and Campus Events, at twiesaha@iue.edu or call (765) 973-8221.