Indiana University East celebrates the faculty, staff and a member of the Board of Advisors who received recognition from the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce during the 2023 Annual Dinner, “Wayne County – The Incredible Machine,” held January 20.

IU East faculty member Tim Scales, staff members Kara Bellew and Eric Marsh, and Board of Advisor chair, Brenda McLane, received awards or recognition during the dinner. For more on the award recipients, visit the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

Tim Scales received this year’s Educator of the Year award for Excellence in Higher Education from the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. Scales is the director of the IU East Center for Entrepreneurship and a senior lecturer of business for the IU East School of Business and Economics.

Kara Bellew, director of Career Services, completed the Wayne County Leads (WC Leads) program. Members of the program’s second cohort were recognized during the dinner. The program is aimed at young professionals and brings together a cohort for professional development workshops on topics like leadership, community involvement, overcoming obstacles.

Each member was partnered with a mentor who met with them during the program and will likely remain a mentor afterward. Bellew was mentored by Valerie Shaffer, B.S. ’05, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County.

Eric Marsh, executive director of WCTV, was recognized as an Outstanding Member of the Issues & Advocacy Committee.

The Issues & Advocacy Committee engages public issues on behalf of the Chamber to educate and inform Chamber members, visibly advocate for the interests of the Chamber, and work in a collaborative way to enhance partnerships among Wayne County’s business, non-profit, and educational communities, as well as the Chamber’s relationship with economic policymakers and government offices and officials.

McLane and Jim McLane were recognized for Achievement of Excellence in Small Business as previous owners of the Western Wayne News and Nettle Creek Gazette.Brenda McLane serves as chair of the IU East Board of Advisors.