Membership Matters. This publication is paid for in part by dues-paying members of the Alumni Association.

independentVol. 4, No. 1 of Arts & Sciences Alumni Association Fall/Winter 2010

From the director’s desk IMP welcomes Williams as director A spirit of enquiry he Individualized Major Program is pleased to welcome as its new direc- tor Professor Nick Williams of the Department of English. Williams, who As I begin my first year as the director T specializes in British Romanticism with a particular interest in William of the Individualized Major Program, I Blake, succeeds Professor John McDowell, who left the IMP post to become chair find myself thinking about how I came of the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology. Williams joined the IU faculty to the position and what I can bring in 1992 after completing his PhD at . He has been energetically to it, beyond my longstanding respect involved in the IMP, both as a sponsor and a member of many faculty committees, for what students can do when given a for more than a decade. greater hand in the creation of a major. After all, like almost all the people who’ve directed such programs, here and elsewhere, I was trained within one IU hosts second annual IMP conference of the traditional disciplines — English literature, in my case. And I’ve been a he second annual conference of indi- Programs: Assessment of Effective Learning fairly happy inmate within the walls of T vidualized major programs was hosted and Best Practices,” included liberal arts my discipline: once I found my major, I — as was the first — by IU. Representa- and career education, student projects and was never really tempted to leave it. tives from programs nationwide convened perspectives, and emerging IMPs. But at the risk of paradox, I do think March 4–5 to discuss issues related to indi- The traditional dinner at Michael’s Up- it’s true that, even if not everyone vidualization in higher education. Among town Café was enlivened this year by a talk should enter the Individualized Major the universities represented were the from Steve Bonchek, BA’71 (creative writ- Program, an individualized major is the University of Massachusetts–Amherst; the ing and history), director of Bloomington’s only one worth having. For surely it’s University of Connecticut, Storrs; Arizona Harmony School and one of the IMP’s first the case that the “individualizing” of a State University; Duke University; and graduates. major can happen within a traditional . Panel topics for the The IMP plans to host the conference discipline as well as between them. Any conference, titled “Individualized Major for a third time in March 2011. time a student, in whatever depart- ment, brings her own interests to a class, thinks about where she fits within a particular discipline, rather than simply recording the information that is being transmitted, that study is being individu- alized. Many students have realized that one of the quickest and most interest- ing ways to individualize their studies is to ponder the question of how classes relate to each other: How does that Introduction to Mythology connect to my bio course? Thinking in an interdis- ciplinary way, a mainstay of IMP, thus involves making sense of the sequence of classes you’re sitting through in the course of a day. From this point of view, one that sees “individualizing” a major as a matter Duke University students Allie Sommer and Anjali Bhatia and Professor Norman Keul of bringing one’s own questions to the gave a presentation on Duke’s “Program II” at the IMP conference.

Jenny Bean (continued on page 2) Program news IU marine biology IMP wins Rolex scholarship Marine biology in Indiana? You bet! lthough a university in the heart of the Midwest might not seem like an ideal place for the devel- Aopment of a major in marine biology, the global reach of IU’s resources — and the ability of programs like the Individualized Major Program to bring them together — makes it possible. Just ask Joshua Stewart, BA’10, who majored in marine biology. The New York native was a freshman at Indiana University when he proposed a major that combined instruction in the natural sciences with courses from the IU School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation’s world-class Academic Diving Program, Joshua Stewart, BA’10 while allowing him to take advantage of opportunities for (marine biology), is the Our field work offered by IU faculty. World–Underwater Scholar- The uniqueness ensured by the individualized approach paid ship Society’s 2010 North off. “If I’d gone to a university on the coast where marine biology American Rolex Scholar. is a top degree, I would have been competing against hundreds of undergrads to do research,” said Stewart, who has been selected Heather Brogden as the Our World–Underwater Scholarship Society’s 2010 North IMP’s Outstanding Senior Project Award for 2009–10 for his work American Rolex Scholar. The prestigious scholarship will finance documenting underwater biological resources in the shallow water Stewart for a year working with underwater filmmakers, photogra- off the Dominican Republic (see page 4). phers, marine biologists, and conservationists, paying for his travel Follow Stewart’s underwater adventures online at and living expenses. Stewart has also been named a winner of the http://owussnorthamerica.org.

From the director (continued from page 1) POSTCARD FROM DENMARK - (gender and sexuality from a cross-disci Senior Alexandra Hernly study at hand, perhaps English does make pline perspective with a concentration in masculinity) writes us from some sense as a preparation. English is the Copenhagen, where she studied this summer at the prestigious Danish great magpie of disciplines, forever sure that Institute for Study Abroad: it needs to turn elsewhere to justify its love “Studying abroad in Copenhagen, the real challenges are outside of fictions. No sooner does one become of the classroom. When I left home I expected to get lost in the city obsessed with stories of a hunt for the great repeatedly, know no one, and have fun. I was right about all of that, white whale, than one must go out and but as soon as I got here I realized I was in for more of a culture learn all one can about whales, usually just shock than expected. The first thing was the language. Even though enough to bore one’s friends and too little almost everyone here speaks English, they generally speak to me first to impress one’s zoologist colleagues. The in Danish and when I stand there looking confused and say, ‘Sorry, intensity of a discipline — and this is true I only speak English!’ they smile and switch to English. That phrase of all disciplines and not just English — is — ‘Sorry, I only speak English!’ — is probably the phrase I have said centrifugal as well as centripetal: it doesn’t most often since I have been here. - only draw you into the vortex of its own “Another thing that has been a very unexpected challenge is gro concerns, but it also propels you back into kollegium — the equivalent of a dorm in the cery shopping. I live in a the world with newly focused questions. U.S. — but instead of a dining hall I share a kitchen with 10 other What I like the most about the IMP and students. If I want to eat and not spend a fortune, I have to grocery what pleases me the most about directing shop, which is a much more tiring excursion than I ever imagined. the program is that this individuating im- The first time I went to the grocery store I probably spent 30 minutes perative is built in. Although I found a way looking for peanut butter; apparently it is not a very common food to individuate my English major to my own - here. It took about two weeks to get over the shock of being in a new liking, thanks to some wonderful mentors, culture, but once I did I realized how much I love it here in Copenha I have the greatest regard for IMP students gen. The city is beautiful, the cool weather is perfect for me, and the in that they’re asking these questions from constant festivities around the city always give me something to do. I the very outset of their study. In that way, still have three weeks here in Copenhagen, but I could spend at least a the IMP is nothing less than a departmental year here just seeing the things this city has to offer.” home for the liberal spirit of enquiry itself. — Nick Williams 2 Student films receive national, Sponsor profile regional recognition Lauren Miller Griffith Andrew Behringer, BA’10 (rock and roll history), won best Among the presenters at the 2010 IMP conference was Lauren drama for his filmCoda at IU’s Campus MovieFest Competi- Miller Griffith, a graduate student in the Department of Anthro- tion, a national competition in which student filmmakers are pology and IMP sponsor. Miller Griffith practices and studies the given one week to complete a five-minute entry.Coda then Brazilian discipline known as capoeira and co-sponsors IMP student advanced to the Northwest regional competition in New York Adam Rector (martial arts training methodologies). City. Another of Behringer’s films,Ashes to December, was Although graduate students are not eligible to sponsor students selected as a finalist in the IU Department of Communication singly, they may serve as co-sponsors with faculty members. In fact, and Culture’s 2009 Iris Film Festival. one theme of the conference panel Miller Griffith presented along Another IMP student, Gesumino Aho-Rulli (film and with anthropology pro- television direction), made it to the national round of Campus fessor April Sievert was MovieFest, held June 10–13 in Las Vegas. Aho-Rulli’s filmGig - the unique ability of gles made the final 16 (of the 240 that had moved on from the individualized programs three regionals) after winning Best Picture at the IU campus to take advantage of level. Giggles also won a Golden Tripod award for best editing. cutting-edge knowledge in areas often pursued, not by faculty, but by graduate students. Two seniors put on an “By working with Adam, my eyes have unusual fashion show been opened to a new ne normally thinks of fashion shows taking place in area of research within Oelegant surroundings. For their presentation of martial arts,” says Miller designs inspired by straitjackets and decaying barns, Griffith. “He has at- fashion design seniors Kate Murphy, BA’10, and Casey tempted to teach me Heck had something different in mind. Selecting a some parkour moves, location on the outskirts of Bloomington — a spartan, and while I doubt I will seemingly abandoned industrial site called the Cassady ever become a serious practitioner myself, I Electrical Co. — and a chilly weekend in late February, Lauren Miller have begun to think the two paraded their models before a heavily bundled Griffith spoke about about the theoretical audience sipping coffee, cocoa, and hot cider. Veterans the role of graduate possibilities such a study of the IMP fashion design program declared it among students in individualized may offer. I have also the most memorable such shows ever. major programs at the worked with Thomas According to the designers, it was natural that the two IMP conference.

best friends would organize a joint event, and although Jenny Bean Greenwood (mar- their inspirations were different, the designs of each tial culture of Japan) complemented the other’s nicely. Heck has been named through my Laboratory in Ethnography course. We have discussed a winner of the IMP’s Outstanding Senior Project Award the possibility of collaborating on the topic of signature pedagogies for 2009–10 (see page 4). within the martial arts.” In addition to her research and work with the IMP, Miller Griffith teaches courses on the anthropology of martial arts and leads master classes on teaching anthropology. Miller Griffith has recently accepted a one-year teaching position Production manager, IMP sponsor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. accepts national position David Grindle, MS’95, who sponsored IMP students in stage management and event planning during his tenure as produc- tion manager of the IU Department of Theatre and Drama, has Phi Beta Kappa inductees left IU to become executive director of the U.S. Institute of Fall 2009 Theatre Technology in Syracuse, N.Y. • Andrew Hahn, ethics Grindle received his BA from Berry College and his master’s • Caleb Levell, social media ecology degree from the Jacobs School of Music at IU. He has served • Brittney Miller, event planning as production manager for the Opera and as production • Aasiya Mirza, speechwriting stage manager for companies throughout North America. In • Jayme O’Hara, stage management 2007–08 he chaired a committee that drafted national standards and core competencies for BFA stage management degrees. Spring 2010 The quality of Grindle’s mentorship in the IMP was excep- The spring induction ceremony featured Nobel laureate tional. One of his recent students, Claire Diedrich, BA’08 Elinor Ostrom. (stage management), won the IMP’s Outstanding Senior Proj- • Melissa Dittmann, intercultural arts programming and ect Award for her experience as the first-ever intern with Opera performance Australia in Sydney and was the first person from IU to win a national USITT award. 3 IMP graduation The University Club in the Indiana Memo- What they’re saying about the IMP rial Union was decorated for the holi- These quotes were selected from a November 2009 survey of graduating seniors. days on Dec. 19, 2009, when 61 people gathered there for the Individualized Major What did you like about the IMP? Program’s winter graduation ceremony. “Its seeming intent to acknowledge controversial topics and to pick up new and The attendees, including seven graduates, under-recognized topics as well.” their families and friends, and IMP faculty “The ability to specialize and really focus on the things that I am passionate and staff, enjoyed a breakfast buffet and about. The Individualized Major Program is the perfect option for people who have selections from pianist Monika Herzig a personalized drive and a clear life goal! It saved my college experience.” (including Vince Guaraldi’s beloved theme “The program is awesome and let me take a bunch of really cool classes and from A Charlie Brown Christmas). There combine them into a more personal degree.” followed a program including student “I learned a lot about using academic resources and doing research, which will speaker Erika Heidewald (world languag- come in handy both in personal pursuits and in graduate school. I was introduced to es) and the reading of student biographies a lot of new ideas and ways of look- and presentation of certificates by IMP ing at the world.” director John McDowell. “I enjoyed my degree program The IMP’s spring graduation was held within the Individualized Major on May 8, 2010, in the Frangipani Room Program; it allowed for exploration of the IMU and attended by 280 people, in other fields which further broad- including 39 graduates. Student speakers ened my horizons. I enjoyed the were Aasiya Mirza (speechwriting) and flexibility as well as the professor- Lauren Zuber (fashion design). student dynamic within my program, something that other programs do not always stress.” “My ability to make my own major through Melissa Malnati, BA’10 the Individualized Major (photojournalism) Program. I’ve really en- joyed making my own class schedules each semester.” “That I could do the individualized major and graduate with Nicole O’Neal, BA’10 (music business), a unique degree that I am happy with.” and Andy Dunn, BA’10 (history of rock “The availability of opportunities to learn a broad spectrum of topics.” and roll), celebrate their graduation at the IMP ceremony. Photos by Ric Cradick, IU PhotoGraphics

Outstanding students recognized with IMP awards in 2009–10 Aasiya Mirza, BA’10 (speechwriting), won Honorable mention goes to Andrew including the artistic/creative (Heck), the the Richard D. Young Award, which honors Hahn, BA’10 (ethics), a Wells Scholar scientific (Stewart), and two approaches to one of the IMP’s early directors and is given who double-majored in IMP and political business: its application in new media (Lev- to the student whose academic achievement science. His final project was a thesis on ell) and critical analysis (Yoder). and civic engagement best exemplify the val- empathy that integrated philosophy, sociol- Heck designed and constructed “Weath- ues he sought to foster. The awards commit- ogy, and psychology. Hahn was a member ered Beauty,” a line of garments inspired by tee considered Mirza’s exemplary academic of the IU Ethics Bowl team and was IUSA the visual attributes of aged, rugged, central record (a Wells Scholar, she also completed student body vice president for congress, (continued on page 5) an English major with departmental vice president for the Collins Living–Learn- honors); the quality of her final project, a ing Center board of governors, and vice The class of 2010 reconstruction of key arguments in the 1991 president for politics of the IU College celebrates at the rape trial of William Kennedy Smith; and her Democrats. He has interned for Sen. Rich- IMP graduation service to the university community. She has ard Lugar, Rep. Baron Hill, and the U.K. ceremony. served as president of the Muslim Student House of Commons. Union and Collins Living–Learning Center The Outstanding Senior Project Award and was the founding president of ABE at was split four ways among Casey Heck IU, an organization devoted to the study of (fashion design); Caleb Levell, BA’09 Abraham Lincoln and the implications of his (social media ecology); Joshua Stewart, political beliefs and acts for the present. She BA’10 (marine biology); and Max Yoder, also served on the Board of Aeons, which BA’10 (brand management and advertising). advises IU President Michael McRobbie on This distribution represents aptly the range

issues affecting students. of subjects pursued by the IMP’s students, Ric Cradick, IU PhotoGraphics 4 Alumni notebook

2000s Recent graduate Keith “Noah” Baker Merrill, BA’02, is Johnny Baseball the co-founder of Direct Aid Iraq, a hu- When the Red Sox won the Laura Nading manitarian aid and peace-building network World Series in 2004, playwright Rich- Laura Nading, BA’10 (community sus- staffed by both Americans and Iraqis. ard Dresser feared the time might have tainability), returned to her hometown of The global network connects Iraqis with passed for a musical about the infamous Hope, Ind., this fall to pursue a career in urgent medical care on a case-by-case basis, Red Sox Curse. But the show went on, sustainable rural community development advocates for resettlement, and facilitates and May 16 marked the world premiere and continue the research begun in her other organizations. As a result of his of Johnny Baseball at the American Rep- final project. Her paper “What’s Wrong activism and support for a peaceful future ertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass. with Rural?” — which earned Nading de- for the people of Iraq, Baker Merrill was Individualized Major Program partmental honors and a nomination for named one of the “50 Visionaries Who Are alumnus Colin Donnell, BA’05 (musi- the Richard D. Young Award — explores Changing Your World” in the November- cal theatre), heads the cast as Johnny barriers to community-led sustainable December 2009 issue of Utne Reader. For O’Brien, a rookie with the 1919 Sox. rural development, focusing narrowly on further information visit http://www.utne. Donnell won the IMP’s Outstanding central Indiana, with the purpose of en- com/Politics/Noah-Baker-Merrill-Direct- Senior Project award in 2005 for his hancing current understandings of issues Aid-Iraq-Humanitarian.aspx. Baker Mer- role in the musical Pal Joey. associated with sustainability implementa- rill lives in Brattleboro, Vt. tion in rural areas. Last summer Nading interned with Raymond L.K. Fleischmann, BA’06, sional Jewelers, and a fashion internship at the IU Office of Sustainability with the had a short story published in the Summer Niche Media, she has secured a position goal of integrating sustainability aware- 2010 issue of River Styx, a literary journal as an account assistant at GMMB, a public ness and practices into the new-student based in St. Louis. He is completing an relations firm in Washington, D.C. To read experience. She had been collaborating MFA in creative writing at the Ohio State Kreindel’s blog, visit http://www.huffing- with the IU Office of First-Year Experi- University and will graduate in the spring. tonpost.com/samantha-kreindel/employed- ence Programs since December 2009 in Fleischmann lives in Columbus, Ohio. after-a-two-year_b_651226.html. In July, , BA’08, efforts to implement sustainability initia- Samantha F. Kreindel Georgia A. Perry, BAJ’09, graduated tives during summer orientation. posted a blog on The Huffington Post’s Web from the IU School of Journalism with Nading is a co-writer and co-host of site detailing her two-year job search after an outside area focus in comedy writing EcoReport, a public affairs program on graduating from IU. After numerous in- though the Individualized Major Program. WFHB radio that features environmental ternships and part-time positions, including She is currently working as an editorial in- and ecological news on relevant local, positions as a sales professional at Tiffany & tern and freelance writer in Portland, Ore. Co., a freelance publicist at Dalyah Profes- regional, and national levels. On Satur- days she can be found at the Community Farmers Market in Columbus, Ind., selling assorted vegetables, flowers, and Alumnus profile animal products from her parents’ farm. Michael Bridavsky: Russian Recording Awards Michael Bridavsky, BA’04, completed an IMP major in music and film and also (continued from page 4) holds an associate degree in audio technology. In fall 2008, he left a position as audio engineer for the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Digital Audio Indiana barns, which she presented at a Archiving Project to focus full time on his career as a recording-studio owner/op- fashion show in February (see page 3). erator. At around the same time, his studio, Russian Recording, moved from Brown Levell created a website, CharityMob. County to its current location in Bloomington, when the space formerly known org, that invites users to donate to vari- as the Art Hospital (once home of world-class Bloomington independent record ous philanthropic causes and to vote label Secretly Canadian) was renovated for use as a recording studio. Since then, on those they consider most worthy of Bridavsky has recorded — and hosted performances by — dozens of local, national, receiving donations. and international artists in styles ranging from baroque to black metal. Stewart’s project, a paper titled “I don’t ever want to make films,” Bridavsky learned from his IMP major. Never- “Methods for Management: Monitoring theless, he’s quick to assert the importance of education for a line of work in which Marine Resources,” explored strategies many assume experience is the only teacher: “To become an engineer is to really for monitoring the health of marine life understand how your equipment works, why it sounds the way it does, why it only found within the marine reserves and provides good results in certain circumstances, and why the equipment is not nearly preserves of the Dominican Republic. as important as understanding acoustics, the physics of sound, electronics, and the Yoder conducted an extended analysis most important thing, people skills. You don’t get that experience by sitting in your of corporate social responsibility that basement with a four-track.” included, presciently, a look at British Petroleum’s “beyond petroleum” cam- paign as an example of “greenwashing.”

5 Nonprofit Org. IMP Independent Postage PAID This newsletter is published by the Indiana Indiana University University Alumni Association, in coop- Alumni Association eration with the Individualized Major Program and the College of Arts and Sci- ences Alumni Association, to encourage alumni interest in and support for Indiana University. For activities and membership information, call (800) 824-3044 or send e-mail to [email protected]. Individualized Major Program Director...... Nick Williams Assistant Director...... Paul Aarstad Student Services Assistant ...... Kristen Murphy College of Arts & Sciences Interim Dean...... David Zaret Assistant Dean for Advancement...... Thomas Recker IMP Alumni: What’s new with you? Director of Alumni Relations...... Marsha Minton The IU Alumni Association is charged with maintaining records for all IU alumni. IU Alumni Association Please print as much of the following information as you wish. Updates are used as class Executive Director...... J Thomas Forbes notes and help keep IU’s alumni records accurate and up to date. Attach additional Sr. Director for Constituent pages if necessary. Mail to the address above, or fax to (812) 855-8266. To update online, & Affiliate Groups...... Nicki Bland visit http://alumni.indiana.edu/directory. Director, Constituent Name______Date______Publications...Sarah Preuschl Anderson Class Notes Editor...... Bill Elliott Preferred name______Last name while at IU______IU Degree(s)/Yr(s)______Univ. ID # (PeopleSoft) or last four digits of SS #______Home address______Home phone______City______State______Zip______Business title______Company/Institution______Company address______Work phone______City______State______Zip______* E-mail______* Home page URL______* Please indicate clearly upper and lower case. Mailing address preference: ❍ Home ❍ Business Spouse name______Last name while at IU______IU Degree(s)/Yr(s)______Your news: ______

o Please send me information about IU Alumni Association membership. IUAA membership is now 80 percent tax deductible. It includes membership in the IU College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Association and in your local alumni chapter. To join: Go to www.alumni.indiana.edu or call (800) 824-3044.

Connect! Search “IUALUMNI” on Facebook and @IUAA on Twitter.