For Indiana University East the past year has brought many celebrations, accomplishments and memorable moments. As we begin the new year, IU East reflects on 2018.

Record breaking numbers
IU East welcomed its largest, most diverse incoming class and increased its fall headcount enrollment in August. The campus recorded a fall headcount enrollment of 3,722 students (an increase of 6.6 percent).

The fall 2018 freshman class comprises 455 degree-seeking students. On average, the members of the Class of 2022 are 18.8 years old. However, the age range is from 16 to 45. In addition, the number of domestic minority students increased 8.3 percent over last year. The average incoming G.P.A. of the class Class of 2022 is 3.22, and includes 121 students who received academic honors diplomas from their high schools. Of the incoming class, 110 students reported being 21st Century Scholars and nine were the valedictorian or salutatorian of their graduating high school class.

Accomplishments and Recognition
Two IU East cadets graduated from the IU Police Academy in August 2017.  Mitch Burelison of Centerville, Indiana, and Rikki Foust of Eldorado, Ohio, were sworn in as IUPD officers during the ceremony held at the Indiana Memorial Union in Bloomington, and became part-time officers on the IU East campus.  Both are senior criminal justice majors.

During the ceremony, Burelison also received the inaugural Randy Williamson Scholarship for Excellence as well as high marks in academics, physical fitness and firearms proficiency. The scholarship is endowed by Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie and First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie in honor of Randy Williamson, who served as President McRobbie’s driver and security officer for 10 years before he retired in 2017. The scholarship is the first awarded by the IU Police Academy.

The School of Business and Economics received notification from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in February that it has reaffirmed accreditation of the school’s business programs: the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program, and the Master of Science in Management, which received its first accreditation from ACBSP.

Also in February, the first Palette to Palate event sold out. This new, collaborative event is organized by IU East and the Richmond Art Museum (RAM) to raise funds for the arts. Proceeds benefit RAM programming and the IU East Department of Fine Arts. The event netted nearly $65,000 in 2018. Palette to Palate is presented by West End Bank which is joined by other lead sponsors including Kyle Tom, Reid Health, Richmond Baking Company, G101.3/ESPN 1490, First Bank Richmond, Golden Engineering, Coldwell Banker Lingle, Paul & Pat Lingle and Robin Henry. This year’s event will be held February 9, 2019.

June provided an opportunity for another first-time collaboration. The IU East School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Business and Economics encouraged students to study how political, economic and cultural processes of globalization have changed relationships between China and the West. Seven students completed the course, Globalization in Context: China, which was offered during the spring 2018 semester. As a part of the course, the students then traveled to Beijing and Shanghai in May. It was the first overseas experience to China offered by IU East. The course was led by Kristoffer Rees, assistant professor of political science, and Litao “Lee” Zhong, associate professor of economics. While in Beijing, IU East students presented at the Symposium on Globalization at Beihang University. The symposium between the two universities discussed how globalization has been a force to shape everyday life in China over the past four decades.

In October, IU inducted new members to its Presidents Circle. Inductees were IU East Chancellor Kathy Cruz-Uribe and Eugene Cruz-Uribe; retired senior lecture of anthropology Rob Tolley and his wife, Nancy; and Jane and Wayne Vincent. The Presidents Circle honors individuals whose lifetime giving to IU has reached $100,000. Presidents Circle members are presented with a personalized medallion cast with a portion of the original carillon bells that once rang in the IU Bloomington Student Building. In addition, their names are added to the honor wall in the Indiana Memorial Union.

Memorable Moments, Events and Celebrations
IU East hosted a first-time event this fall that helped over 300 third-graders from Randolph County take the first steps toward attending college during the “Walk into My Future” event, a day of interactive learning and hands-on discovery. In September, the third-graders attended the kick off to the Randolph County Promise, a program to help third-grade students and their parents open a College Choice 529 Direct Savings plan, which may be used to pay for education beyond high school. As part of the Randolph County Promise, the Community Foundation of Randolph County contributed the first $25 into each eligible CollegeChoice account, to help make attending college in the future a reality. Every student also received a $1,000 scholarship, provided by IU East, to go toward the costs of college. The scholarship is available to Randolph County third-grade students who attend IU East as part of the incoming class of 2027.

The IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences held its Pinning Ceremony in May 2018. This year, 104 nursing graduates received their pin to wear for the IU East Commencement Ceremony. The School of Nursing and Health Sciences prepares highly-qualified nurses for today’s healthcare professions. Graduates are being sought by regional health care employers, and many of those hires are rising quickly in their profession. A four-part series highlighting the school is available at iue.edu/nursingexperience.

In May IU East hosted its 47th Commencement Ceremony at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center. IU East also celebrated its Inaugural Hooding Ceremony for master’s degree candidates, signifying the scholarly and personal achievements of these students.

IU East and the New Castle Community School Corporation developed a plan for the future use of the Danielson Learning Center that will continue serving the educational needs of Henry County residents. In July, IU East transferred the Danielson Center to the New Castle Community School Corporation (NCCSC). The NCCSC officially now owns and operates the center, which retained its name. The center, named for Donald C. “Danny” and Patty Danielson, opened in 1999. The district and the New Castle Career Center use the Danielson Center for high school classes, including its dual credit courses. IU East will also have access to the center for classes.

Renovations to campus
Since May, IU East has worked with Milestone Contractors and Rhinehart Construction to resurface the main drive and construct a new, broad pathway from Chester Boulevard into the main part of campus. Richmond Power and Light assisted with the project by providing lighting for the new path, as well as walkway lights and signs at the main campus entrance. A new bridge has also been completed from Springwood Hall to the Student Events and Activities Center.

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences began development of a unique outdoor Archeology Lab this fall. IU East faculty, Assistant Professor of Archeology Katie Miller Wolf and Archaeological Site Director and Lecturer Marc Wolf, are constructing the site with the help of the Office of Physical Facilities and student workers.  The lab includes replicas of an Adena Mound, a Maya burial site, and a forensic site, providing hands-on experiences for students to explore and excavate. The lab will have multidisciplinary elements, which can be used to teach history, sociology and other social and behavioral sciences. The Archeology Lab has received funding from retired senior lecture of anthropology Rob Tolley and his wife, Nancy.

Gifts supporting students
April was an exciting month for the campus, with IU Day taking place and several new scholarships announced.

First Bank Richmond continued its support of IU East on IU Day with a $10,000 matching gift opportunity for alumni and friends of the campus. IU Day is a 24-hour worldwide celebration of Indiana University – a binge-watching, social-sharing, IU-wearing, gift-giving IU extravaganza. First Bank Richmond has the tradition of matching up to $10,000 in total giving to the IU East campus.

Paul and Pat Lingle announced their plan to endow the Paul and Pat Lingle Scholars Program which provides a four year scholarship to high-achieving area students pursuing a four-year degree at IU East. The scholarship, given to two incoming freshman students accepted to the Honors Program, is to help encourage the brightest and best students in Wayne County to continue their education at IU East. The Lingles’ endowed gift will provide permanent annual funding for the program that was established in 2005. Since that time, the program has helped 14 students achieve their goal of earning a bachelor’s degree.

This year’s new Lingle Scholars are Noah Fox of Richmond, Indiana, and Natalie Peer, of Fountain City, Indiana.

Mike and Wendy Bennett announced a lasting legacy to IU East through a $50,000 donation to establish the Bennett Scholarship. The Bennetts appreciate the university’s energy, inclusiveness and results; they think IU East is a jewel in Wayne County. The scholarship serves as a way to honor the lives of Mike’s younger brother, Steve, and Wendy’s older brother, Wes. The Bennetts want to inspire and help non-traditional full-time students. The scholarship is available for tuition costs to sophomores, juniors or seniors who have graduated from a public high school in Wayne County and have had at least a three-year gap between high school and starting at IU East.

Larry and Jane Richards donated $25,000 to endow a scholarship for an IU East tennis player, the proceeds of which will be matched annually by IU to create a $2,250 annual scholarship. The Venus Williams Tennis Scholarship is named after distinguished IU East alumna and accomplished professional tennis player Venus Williams and helps to support a participant in IU East’s intercollegiate tennis program for up to four years. Williams was the first student to graduate under the agreement that IU East has with the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA). The WTBA agreement supports WTA players who wish to complete their bachelor’s degrees while continuing to play professionally. Larry Richards served as executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at IU East, with a one year appointment as interim chancellor. Jane Richards was an adjunct lecturer in mathematics. Both are now retired, but continue to support the campus.

Thais Mendez,a business administration major from Viña del Mar, Chile, is the first recipient of the Venus Williams Tennis Scholarship.

In February, the School of Education announced its first Minority Scholarship Recipient. Elizabeth “Elly” Huereca, of Fountain City, Indiana, is an elementary education major. She moved from Palmdale, California, to the area in 2011 to pursue her degree. The School of Education is committed to promoting diversity within its student body and in the region’s local schools. The school raised funds for the scholarship through the IU East Campus Campaign.

Welcoming New Leadership
IU East welcomed several new individuals to administrative positions over the year. Leisa Julian is the new vice chancellor for Administration and Finance. Julian started at IU East in November 2018. Daren Snider became the new dean of the School of Humanities in Social Sciences.

Internal changes included Carrie Reisner being named as the assistant vice chancellor for Student Engagement in the Office of Academic Affairs, Amy Jarecki was appointed the new dean of students, and Cherie Dolehanty becoming the new director of University College.

Remembering Legacy and Leadership
Wayne Vincent passed away on December 17, 2017, in Richmond, Indiana. He and his wife, Jane, Ed.D., R.N., Professor Emerita at IU East, were welcomed into the Presidents Circle in October. Vincent graduated from Earlham College with a degree in Music Education and Organ. He was in the U.S. Army. He was a general agent for American United Life. Vincent was dedicated to the Richmond community and the state of Indiana, including IU East and IU.

Eugene Cruz-Uribe, retired professor of History, passed away on March 12, 2018, in Richmond, Indiana. Cruz-Uribe is the husband of IU East Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe. He joined the faculty in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in July 2013. He retired from the university in May 2017. The Cruz-Uribes have been dedicated supporters of the IU East campus and students. Their philanthropic contributions have benefitted scholarships, internships and the Student Events and Activities Center. He was a board member of the Wayne County Historical Museum, and he was instrumental in guiding the Museum’s 50th anniversary memorial of the Richmond Explosion and had conducted many interviews related to the explosion. He also served as the president of the Tourist Club, and supported the Richmond Art Museum, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Girls, Inc., Amigos, the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities and other charitable organizations.

Marilyn Kay Fulton, 67, passed away on July 21, 2018, in Centerville, Indiana. Fulton was remembered and well-known by the IU East community. She is the wife of former Chancellor David Fulton, who passed away in 2016. Fulton was known as the “Associate to the Chancellor.” She volunteered at WCTV as a producer and editor for a variety of shows on public access. She worked for the Centerville Public School district as a teacher’s assistant and nurse.

F. Wayne Stidham, 101, passed away on April 24, 2018, in Richmond, Indiana. He spent most of his life in Richmond. He worked for 50 years at Second National Bank. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Stidham was an active member of The Committee of 100, being instrumental in the rebuilding of downtown Richmond after the 1968 explosion. He helped retain Wayne Works by securing land for the plant on Williamsburg Pike. He, along with 24 other businessmen, secured land for the development of IU East and Ivy Tech Community College campuses. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce and Reid Hospital Foundation, serving as its first president.

Red Wolves Athletics
The IU East men’s basketball program reached new heights in 2018. The Red Wolves led the entire NAIA with 34 victories. IU East reached the Round of 4 at the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship for the second time in three years. IU East finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. The Red Wolves successfully defended their River States Conference East Division and tournament championships with the first unbeaten run through league play by any conference school since 2008. Lucas Huffman represented IU East on the NAIA Division II All-America team.

The Red Wolf women’s basketball program three-repeated as a national tournament participant in 2018. IU East said farewell to the senior class that started Red Wolf women’s basketball program back in the fall of 2014, including Tia King who finished her IU East career as a three-time All-American.

Two IU East athletes earned All-America honors during the spring of 2018.

Bre Nowak became IU East’s first golf All-American on the strength of her 10th-place finish at the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship. Nowak made the national event’s all-tournament team, an honor that includes automatic qualification for the 2019 national tournament.

Seth Reynolds earned All-America honors in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. Reynolds was sixth in the 110-meter hurdles and eighth in the 400-meter hurdles at the national meet. He was one of just two athletes to finish in the top eight in both hurdles events at the national championship.

The accolades didn’t stop during summer break. The men’s tennis team learned in June that it received the Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Team Award for the second consecutive season. The honor is the NAIA “national championship” for sportsmanship and community service.

IU East then enjoyed success across all sports during the fall season.

Red Wolf junior Ashley Toschlog earned her second consecutive trip to the NAIA Cross Country National Championships. Toschlog represented IU East at the national meet held Nov. 16 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The IU East volleyball team repeated as River States Conference East Division Champion. IU East has won 10 conference regular season or postseason tournament championships in the past 10 years.

The IU East women’s soccer wrapped up its second season with an impressive 12-4-4 record. The Red Wolves also reached the championship match of the River States Conference tournament.

The IU East men’s soccer team finished its second season with a flourish. The Red Wolves won seven consecutive contests late in the season to finish the fall with a program-best 10 wins.

The final months of 2018 also provided some encouraging signs for the year ahead.

IU East senior golfer Tyler Pearson won the prestigious NAIA Memphis Shootout.

IU East sophomore tennis player Thais Mendez finished second in the women’s singles draw at the NAIA’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Midwest Regional. Mendez earned a national singles ranking later in the fall on the strength of her performance at the regional event.

The IU East women’s golf team won the River States Conference Fall Preview tournament for the first time at Belterra Resort in southern Indiana. The tournament included all of the teams in the River States Conference.

The conference championship seasons for the IU East golf and tennis programs are in the spring of 2019.