illumeUniversity of Southern Indiana

AWARENESS | Fall 2016 illume | VOLUME 49 issue 2 Fall 2016 34

How Travis Got Here 16 Scoreboard

2 The Big Picture

You Said You 12

features departments

State of the U 4 Behind the Scene 32 The House that Wayne Built 20 An alum and judge who’s changing the lives of convicted felons Coneucopia 6 Open Dialogue 35

Student POV 14 Colleges 36 Staying on Track for a Better Tomorrow 24 How USI’s Counseling Center helps students maintain mental health From the Desk of 15 World Class 40

Poetry 18 Class Notes 42

Homelessness 30 Tailfeather 48

on the cover | illustration by David Branstetter. The ripple effect. Impacting a community. YOU said | feedback

FRESH AND NEW So, let me tell you about Someone Else’s USI Health Prof @USI _ CNHP EDITOR I just got my copy of illume magazine. It’s Kidney. The Indiana State Games & C. L. Stambush mommy_to_paige beautiful! Congratulations on the start of University of Southern Indiana @USIedu make national news. illume WRITERS something new and fresh! Someone Else’s Kidney was placed in my The Day in Photos husband when he was 17. Someone Else’s John Farless ’98 Susan Wedeking Gregory ’82 Kidney let him attend high school and Barb Goodwin college as a normal person his age, without Almira Havic M ’16 dialysis. Someone Else’s Kidney let him Ben Luttrull M ’19 A CLASS ACT experience these years of his life while C. L. Stambush I just wanted to congratulate you on the taking anti-rejection medications. DESIGNERS copy of illume I received in the mail today. Someone Else’s Kidney failed after the What a classy magazine! I so enjoyed disease returned to his kidney, which had Laura Everest ’13 reading “Someone Else’s Lungs” by AmyLu to be removed. Amy Ubelhor INNOVATION | Spring 2016 Zach Weigand ’02 Riley. Thank you for putting out such a Tracy Sparks beautiful and high-quality magazine. It was during the end of Someone Else’s Great magazine! You and your PHOTOGRAPHERS Kidney that I met and fell in love with my coworkers have done a fantastic job. family members can find themselves hoping and praying for He paused. “Okay.” Jane (Case) Vickers ’89 a donor to die. When they learn that organs are on the way, Aleisha Jones ’17 now-husband.their relief can also be hung with the heavy chains of grief “Eyeballs?”We do not hope and pray for for having hoped for the death of a stranger. The weight falls hard on some and is not easily shrugged off. His loved one’s body was being dismantled, and although donating her organs was what she had wanted, the timing of Learning that new lungs might arrive with a spiritual these decisions was hurting him, piercing him even through LaVerne Jones ’05 one Someoneheaviness embedded in their delivery informedElse’s my previous, shock.Kidney. He told the surgeons, “We quit here.” SOME glass-half-full, scientific viewpoint. It came as a surprise to hear how a soul can be deeply scarred in the search for its He later received grateful letters from several of his wife’s loved one’s next breath. An unconsidered reality was now organ recipients and their families. He was glad they had Elizabeth Courtney Randolph else's before me: If I ever needed and chose to be the recipient of been helped; he was a goodhearted man and he knew this by AmyLu Riley ’93 a vital organ, my loved ones might struggle with the moral is what his wife had wanted. @Zack Mathis net I had cast over them. Was it still a better choice than Zack Mathis lungs the alternative? Could everyone’s family bear with such strength the added The school bus radio broke the news to me: The Jarvik-7 artificial heart New lungs would give him time to meet and marry the love of burden of organ harvesting in the hours after a loved one’s had replaced a human heart and the patient had lived. My science- his life. He would have more years—working from a U.S. home WeWere transplants are good for some familieshappy and not others? andaccidental death? thankful I wondered. What would it be like for myfor every day we LETTER TO THE EDITOR hungry young mind whirled: How did it work? What had the surgeon office—to support others who now traveled doing the global Were they good only if we didn’t think too deeply about these family if I were the donor in such a scenario? Who would be At @USIedu watching TCA Director of University done with the sad, defective human heart that had failed its owner, a missionary work to which he had devoted his life. There would questions? Or were they good only if we could peacefully in the room answering those questions and waiting for the dentist named Barney Clark? The choice had been transplant or death, be more laughter in the world from that wrinkled smile with the answer them all? transplant team to arrive if it were my body on the table? The entire athletic department of and this gadget-heart had thrown open a new door in medicine. Even if matching crinkly eyes. have together, notI needed to considerbecause those individuals in my own decisionhe has a chronic Communications As soon as I saw the article “Someone Else’s the new heart had only extended a man’s life for fewer than four painful And what if I were to be an organ donor? The weight of that about being a donor. I now realized that my choice to donate months, having one’s own vital organ fail no longer meant immediate Transplants were good. decision would certainly fall more heavily on my family organs would barely affect me at all. It would greatly affect pitches. Continued collaboration death. A heart could be removed and replaced with something other. than it would on me. After all, it is not the donor, but the other people, some of whom I know and dearly love, and And if a heart could be transplanted, I reasoned, what other organs Later, Jonathan’s laugh was quieted for many weeks while he slept family who lives with that decision when it is carried out. others I’ll never know but also need to love. our local college, USI, sent Paige cards and John Farless ’98 Lungs” after checking the mail, I excitedly might soon be swapped out on the operating table? in a coma. The immunosuppressive drugs that prevent transplant- disease, but because it is how everyone organ rejection had held open the door for colon cancer to grow I had declared my own organ-donor intentions at the There were more issues surrounding transplants than I had Transplants were possible. unchecked. His only hope for treatment required an abdominal Bureau of Motor Vehicles back when transplants had simply ever realized. How could I weigh them all? with @NAVSEACrane combines bright surgical site kept open to a doctor’s view day after day, as the been good. Transplants had extended the lives of people shirts. She would only tolerate taking her The first time I saw Jonathan, with his shiny blond hair, there calendar pages turned. He lived. He went home. shouldI cared about. My decision had live. included consideration of Several years before the first Jarvik-7 heart transplant, I had sat to read more. However, after reading the was something about his face that became synonymous with my myself, some nameless stranger whose organs had failed, learned a song at school about how to treat others. “Do as Director of Alumni brain’s lifelong image of him. It was a smile that seemed to be from But there was more pneumonia, more cancer, more coma. It ran and the cut-and-paste surgical science that could save a life you wish to be done by,” we sang, our high, childish voices somewhere other than this world, surrounded by deep wrinkles that together, and then it came to an end. using what I no longer needed. I had not considered that fueled by our gusty lungs, “for that is the Golden Rule. minds, great ideas, valuable resources. belonged on someone much older. He’s been gone for several years this transaction would have implications for others. I now Do as you wish to be done by—at play, at home, at school.” picture holding one of the shirts. But it’s a and Volunteer Services article I was left feeling confused and angry. now—and I hadn’t seen him for a long time before that—but I can As I learned more about the immune system, I came to needed to understand what those were. It had been good advice for life, and it had stuck with me vividly recall that face, and the musical laugh that always came out of it. understand that accepting someone else’s organs in a transplant through the years. Could that old, simple principle possibly meant more than just receiving interchangeable spare parts. I spoke with someone whose dearest love, a registered organ apply to such new, complex issues as the ones now being Janet Johnson M’05 The laugh originated in lungs that had betrayed him since birth: A transplant meant likely trading one cause of death for another, donor, had died unexpectedly, leaving him in a room with posed by the science of transplants? super adorable picture!!! The card says it’s mucous-filled, fibrous, cystic lungs. Or maybe the laugh originated because turning off the immune system to prevent organ rejection Yes,medical professionals transplants who had to get on with the business are good. The opinions expressed are generalizing from his heart, one fully devoted to Jesus, the name he reverently was akin to unlocking the front door to the castle and leaving the of harvesting the organs to be donated. The song hadn’t addressed a scenario in which I needed spoke often in his quiet, sweet South African accent. He coughed drawbridge down over the moat. Nothing would be kept out. someone else’s lungs and so hoped for an unknown person and laughed, took digestive enzymes, and traveled the country and It was first-come, first-served to any pathogen that wandered in or After his wife died, her body had to be kept on life support to take his last breath. It hadn’t told me whether I should for a full day to give the transplant surgeons time to arrive. register to give a desperate stranger my heart at a time when for her to grow into. Love that!! Her daddy the world, sharing the good news about Jesus that he had learned disease state that developed. one third-party experience to a community from his missionary parents. And while the new widower was still in shock, the questions the hearts of my loved ones would be freshly broken from Transplants were still good, right? came about what he would permit them to take. He was fine an unexpected goodbye. The principle of “do unto others” Several years later, after too much time in the hospital with with the liver, heart, kidneys, and even bone. After all, those hadn’t equipped me to weigh all of the ethical, spiritual and illume is published two times pneumonia, he was given someone else’s lungs, and more time. I began to take a deeper look. I had known several other people were interior structures he had never seen. But he soon felt emotional aspects of transplants of which I was now aware. _kaitlinking_ is a #usialumni. #universityofsouthernindiana When the surgeon trimmed away his ruined lungs, his world-travel involved with transplants, and I was surprised to learn about Ithe listhope growing morbid. the magazine will not feature articles of over 100,000 that are waiting for a wings were clipped as well. But his laugh remained; the transplanted some of the other issues they had encountered, such as the deep Or maybe it was the only thing that had. annually by the University of lungs hadn’t changed that at all. sorrow that can arise as a family waits for a donor. Anguished “Retinas?” © 2015 AmyLu Riley ’93, communications, is a writer in Evansville, Indiana. University of Southern Indiana #usi #southernindiana #screamingeagle Southern Indiana for its alumni donation. Our household is a part of that Illustrated by Erich Shelton ’02 similarTo submit to your creativethis work, visit USI.edu/illumein the for submission guidelines.future. Thank you for 16 | illume your time. 17 | usi.edu/illume #screaglepride #evansvilleindiana #softball and friends. Reach us at: community. University of Southern Indiana, #birthdaycards #soloved #peopleareawesome 8600 University Boulevard, Deidre (Callahan) Widdicombe ’07 #cardsfromaroundtheworld #all50states Evansville, IN 47712. Send editorial It was irresponsible to publish statements information to University such as, anti-rejection medications cause #22countries #happybirthdaypaige Communications (812-465-7005) or [email protected]. the immune system to keep nothing out; #osteogenesisimperfecta #type50I #3rdbirthday #thank you #thankful It is the policy of the University of family members hope and pray for a donor USI PRIDE Southern Indiana to be in full compli- To the entire staff at the new illume....What @usiathletics, @ usiedu ance with all federal and state non- to die; and, families experience deep discrimination and equal opportunity sorrow during the waiting process. This a delightful surprise to receive the newly laws, orders and regulations relating to race, sex, religion, disability, age, perpetrates misconceptions in regards to designed magazine....From cover to cover, national origin, sexual orientation or the magazine explodes with outstanding Dr. Linda Bennett @USIprez veteran status. Questions or concerns organ donation and those that experience should be directed to the Affirmative transplantation. The message could have design, layout and content. I am proud to be So very proud of the @USIedu Action Officer, USI Human Resources Department, University of Southern been lost in translation, but it left me with a a part of an organization that exhibits such Chamber Choir for taking first Indiana, 8600 University Boulevard, first-class quality. place in an international competition! Evansville, Indiana 47712. pit in my stomach and restless sleep. No one says either side of the process is pleasant, John Dunn but it is a reality. shawn @shawnbrod We invite readers to comment on articles and start conversations by bringing unique perspectives to relevant magazine topics. Correspondence and comments @ _ ablackwell @USIedu can’t will not be limited to letters mailed to the editor, but may be from email or social media networks. Letters mailed to the editor may be published in the Officially a USI Screaming Eagle and I magazine unless the author states it is not for publication. Letters should be kept to 250 words, and may be edited for style, length, clarity, grammar and wait for another year of adventures couldn’t be more excited for this chapter of relevance to USI issues. Letters to the editor should be sent to [email protected]. with great people! my life to begin!! #screaglepride #usibound

2 | illume 3 | usi.edu/illume Presidential STATE OF THE U | Elections

Q: For many USI students, this election will be their first on us to provide revenues through our tax dollars to cover various movement, and even an organized political party for a short period of time. presidential voting experience. What should they know about functions. Some candidates who have made this proposal concede Generally anti-immigration and anti-capitalism, the Populist Party merged the difference between voting for the party versus that increased taxes will be necessary to make “free tuition” a reality. with the Democratic Party in the late 1890s. The anti-immigration and anti- the candidate? Are we prepared to pay more? Some will say yes, others no. Wall Street themes still resonate today. A: I know many people who say, “I vote for the person, not the party.” Q: Several candidates in the presidential primaries were Donald Trump’s candidacy is the merging of populist rhetoric with the I then ask, “What do you know about the person? How do you successful in mobilizing the college vote. These voters may influence, particularly in media coverage, of celebrity status not seen in know? What are your major sources of information for your now find themselves affiliated with a candidate that didn’t modern times. It defies the standard framework for assessing candidates. conclusions about the person?” The conversation usually gets advance, and many simply will not vote. What is the result of , as first female presidential candidate and the wife of a former strained fairly quickly. While there are those who would be such inaction? president, as well as an experienced political actor in her own right, represents classified as true “independents,” research has established that a departure from the mold that has defined presidential candidates. That both those who affiliate strongly with a political party know more about A: Young voters are always an unpredictable part of the electorate and, Trump and Clinton have high negative public opinion numbers may bode ill politics than those who are “independent.” I am not saying their in most presidential years, their turnout rates are far lower than for turnout in November elections, and the internal health of the two political information is always correct, or with sufficient context. older age groups. Most campaign rhetoric does not address issues relevant to them, though this year may be different. What they need parties. to keep in mind is by not voting they have silenced their voices in Think of political party affiliation as a file cabinet with folders Through a series of guest speakers and other dialogue, you’ve brought the process. Of course, the top position on the ballot is important, Q: marked with issues such as “Immigration,” “Power of Government,” the notion of civility to the forefront of campus conversations. As you but there are many offices and issues on the ballot that need our “Abortion,” and so on, and those who affiliate with a party will reflect on the current election and the level of discourse we’ve seen, attention as well. Congressional seats, state and local offices, and a organize their understanding of those issues along party lines and be why is this topic timely for the nation, and right here on our campus? more informed than those of us without the mental filing cabinet. host of issues find their way to the ballot during presidential election years. The American election ballot is longer than most other A: Our nation is grappling with issues that threaten to tear the fabric of our Q: The idea of free college tuition, at least for certain segments democracies in the world and demands on voters in the United society and undermine the spirit of our governing system. American politics of the population, has been proposed in many forms, by States are particularly high. have always been a rough-and-tumble game, but we have been able, at the current administration and by candidates in this year’s critical times, to draw upon core values, even when we were found wanting primary and general election. As president of a publicly funded Q: In many ways, this year’s election, both the primaries and the in upholding those values. At important times, public orators lifted our eyes university, what are your thoughts on free tuition general election, has broken from the norm. As a political from narrow interests to a larger purpose. Without the practice of civility—to for public colleges and universities? scientist yourself, how do you see this election being listen to each other and imagine we can learn from each other even when we historically unique, and what would you encourage students disagree—we will weaken the bonds we share and forget that our fates are A There’s something about the phrase “free college tuition” that seems : to be aware of? tied together. This has been true since 1789, when our second Constitution be an oxymoron. The proposals I have heard give very little detail was ratified, and remains true today. about how they would be implemented. The operational costs that A: The populist rhetoric of candidates from both parties harkens to tuition revenues support would not magically disappear. Those other periods in American history when candidates made emotional appeals to sway voters to their camps. In the wake of the Civil who say, “the government will pay” need to understand one simple What topics would you like President Bennett to address? | magazine @ usi.edu reality: We are the government. The national government relies War leading to the turn of the 20th Century, populism became a The Next 50 Years USI’s recently concluded Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence resulted in an amazing outpouring of $4 M ENDOWING FACULTY PROFESSORSHIP generosity from all of you—going above and beyond expectations, delivering a cool $57 million*. The funds will bring a wealth of new opportunities to students, faculty $2 M and the campus as a whole as USI enters the second CREATING FACULTY ENGAGEMENT half of its first century. In USI’s 50-year history, only two such drives have been executed. Alumni and friends continue to prove their love for what this $1 M INNOVATIVE institution means to them personally, and the  SPEAKERS SERIES value it’s brought to the community for five decades.

* The images represent earmarked funds thus far. 4 | illume 5 | usi.edu/illume CONEucopia | happenings Changing the ay e See Others While the world has gotten smaller—thanksW to technology—our intolerance of those who are different seems to be growing. That’s why the University launched a new program last winter titled Voices of Discovery. The program, founded at Arizona State University, GOING brings diverse groups of people together and gets them talking to each other. Understanding others’ viewpoints surrounding ethnicity, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and age provides students with a TO THE better sense of the world and prepares them to be a positive part of it. Singing DOGS, Changing the way we look at others in the world changes us. CATS, An Alternative Wave USI radio students first took to the AM Competingour against choirs frompraises nations around the world, USI’s Chamber DONKEYS airwaves in 1981 from a small house near Choir took first place in the Premiere Competition at the May International the woods on the west side of campus. Choral Festival in Castlebar, Ireland. More than 30 choirs from Ireland, Now, they’re cranking out music on a Norway, Wales and the competed. Under the direction of AND MORE new FM station—WSWI, 95.7, The Spin Daniel Craig, associate professor of music, USI won both the Four-part Evansville’s Alternative—from a state-of- Competition and the Sacred Music Competition, and placed second in the-art studio in the Liberal Arts Center. the Gaelic Languages Competition. Their repertory included works by Inspired by ’s call for Rachmaninoff, Bruckner, Giovanelli, Gjeillo, Stroope and Daniel Craig. illume The station’s initial AM frequency, alumni’s pets sporting USI AM 820, was donated to USI by logo wear, the USI Campus South Central Communications and Store now stocks mesh dog indfulness continues today. In the beginning, Knowing how to respond in a jerseys and bandanas that classical and jazz music were played, M mindful manner rather than react attach to collars. but in 1983 it switched to rock and thoughtlessly to situations is an alternative tunes. essential skill USI’s freshman to Wearing the latest graduate-level students are learning looks are Sweet Tea, The station’s new, stronger FM from specially trained faculty. “By the donkey and signal delivers a better listening teaching college students how to Cooper, who made experience for fans far and deal with stress, we are planting his modeling wide. Those who live out of seeds for how to deal with conflict,” debut in the last range can tune in and listen said Dr. Kathy Elpers, associate issue of the to USI’s award-winning professor in social work. Making magazine. DJs broadcast live online mindsets more intentional and at 957thespin.com. responses more thoughtful cultivates gratitude and awareness. But, it doesn’t happen overnight; it has to be practiced. Taking 16 seconds to pause and breathe before reacting to a stressor—such as your boss, a co- worker, your children or something on social media—allows you to destress and get out of fight or flight mode. People who are more mindful have less stress, better sleep and fewer negative judgments.

6 | illume 7 | usi.edu/illume CONEucopia | happenings

A Guide to Understanding the Elections and Candidates

This 2016 Presidential Election season has been a rough- and-tumble ride, resulting in candidates from the two main political parties—Democrat and Republican— emerging with polar views on what America and Americans need. While they may be confident of their plans for our future, some of us might need a little help understanding the issues and each candidate’s position Visitors arriving on campus will soon be greeted with a 6,000-square- before heading to the polls on November 2. A Warm foot facility serving as the central point for convening all campus tours. The Fuquay Welcome Center, located adjacent to the Orr Fortunately, USI’s Rice Library has created an New Center, will accommodate the more than 200,000 people who outstanding source of information for anyone—students, annually use USI’s campus for activities other than academic classes. faculty, community members—to access. This easy-to- Welcoming The building will feature an accessible green roof that will include follow guide, navigating complex issues, was created by plants, walkways, patios and seating areas. New trees will be planted Philip Orr, distance learning librarian, and a student around campus to replace those being removed for the project. worker, and was designed to appeal to anyone interested Facility The project is expected to take nine months to a year to complete. in knowing more about the political parties, candidates, voting and issues in the 2016 election.

The site contains links to outside sources of information as well as in-house content (print books and e-books) that interested parties can access. Anyone currently teaching or enrolled in classes can read the library’s collection THE RSometimesIPPLE a simple gesture canE leadFFECT to deep learning. of e-books and online articles In the case of James the Bus Driver (aka, METS driver 24/7 by logging in with their James Putnam), his friendliness makes him not only the MyUSI credentials. Others are USI campus’ good will ambassador, but also a valuable instructor, welcome to visit Rice Library teaching students (and others) a lesson. He waves at EVERY and check out books using a METROPOLITAN EVANSVILLE TRANSIT SYSTEM passing vehicle and fist bumps EVERY boarding passenger courtesy card, as well as benefit on his campus/Evansville route. Students say his small and from the full array of services consistent acts of kindness and compassion make them the research staff offers. feel good that a stranger cares enough about them to offer a The guide will be updated friendly wave and smile. The next time you’re on the road, throughout the election cycle. why not follow in James’ tire tracks and give a friendly wave Check it out at USI.edu/ Illustrated by Jon Siau and a big USI smile to all you encounter. electionguides.

8 | illume 9 | usi.edu/illume CONEucopia | happenings

USI’s Reflection Lake is more than beautiful to look at, it’s The Voice heating and cooling the new FRUITFUL GETTING Griffin Center as well as lowering USI senior marketing and radio and USI’s carbon footprint. The television major Jevin Redman ’17 ART state-of-the-art, closed-loop is ranked the 17th best college GREENER geothermal system cycles sportscaster in America. He’s the water through the meeting and only announcer from a Division II New Harmony, Indiana, was the perfect conference space, nestled into school to be honored. What’s the location for contemporary artist Sam Van the woods on the campus’ west secret to his success? “He draws Aken to plant two of his hybridized fruit side, and can simultaneously heat beautiful word pictures that trees known as the Tree of 40 Fruit. one room while cooling another. help the listener see what is Through a unique process he calls The system saves the University happening,” said John Morris, “sculpting through grafting,” he’s hundreds of dollars, with a USI instructor of radio and created trees that will bear 40 different return-on-investment in three to The Spin radio station general types of stone fruits, among them eight years. manager. peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, cherries and almonds. The trees planted Redman, the sports director for in New Harmony next to the Atheneum USI’s student radio station The are numbers 20 and 21 in Van Aken’s Spin, has been calling play-by- tree series across the nation. As the trees on plays for the University since his mature they’ll host an infusion the freshman year. He was the voice of of pink, crimson and white Doodling Mind the USI Baseball team’s 2014 NCAA blossoms composed of native and The next time you see coworkers doodling on a page during a meeting, don’t assume they’re Division II National Championship, heirloom stone fruit varieties that not paying attention. Doodling improves memory and increases focus—crucial to any and traveled with the team to the are not commercially produced career—as well as enhances attention to detail, improves the ability to grasp new concepts, 2016 Division II College World or available. The purpose behind inspires ideas and reduces stress, which can lead to stroke, high blood pressure and obesity. Series to broadcast the games from his trees? Like all art, the intent Cary, North Carolina. He also is to challenge and change the way Research shows that doodlers’ minds are more focused than non-doodlers’—whose announces for USI Basketball and people perceive things. Seeing a tree that minds tend to drift. “Doodling a picture of a cat or trying to figure out how you high school football games. offers plums and peaches and almonds are going to structure a document are two tasks that require very different under one canopy will certainly do that. levels of cognitive energy,” says Dr. Amie McKibban, associate professor of psychology. “The more complex a cognitive task, the more energy we use, making it difficult to attend to other events around us. This is where doodlers have the advantage. Rather than using the finite amount of cognitive energy they have on daydreaming or planning, doodlers are able to conserve some of that brainpower. At the end of the day, humans are cognitive misers. We have to be. So Some 20 students crawled into boxes and slept outside last spring in Among the 633,782 homeless people in the United States, 56,000 of doodlers, an effort to raise money for and awareness of homelessness, but when them are college students, according to Free Application for Federal doodle temps dipped to 37 degrees, almost half gave up and headed home to Student Aid (FAFSA) data from the 2012-2013 academic year. away.” warm beds. Still, the lesson wasn’t lost on them. “Many of us could not stay warm despite the blankets we had. It just shows how even The students raised $450 from local businesses to purchase and more difficult the homeless have it when it is colder, and they may not fill bags with hygiene products and donate them to Aurora Inc., a even have a blanket or a box to sleep in,” said Jenna Kruse ’16, a social nonprofit organization that raises awareness of and provides services work major. for the homeless population in Evansville.

10 | illume 11 | usi.edu/illume Hairy legs and high heels make more than a fashion statement in the 10th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes; they heighten awareness to crimes of rape and sexual violence and cultivate campus safety. The event is just one of a multitude of campus-wide programs designed to educate, develop response skills and instill confidence to intervene and report crimes of violence. Other initiatives include Bystander Intervention Training, Safe Zone Workshops, Self Defense for Women, Think About It, Flowers on the Lake, online prevention and safety tips, emergency contact numbers and more.

THE BIG PICTURE

Fostering a safe and secure environment for everyone, while developing personal responsibility among students, is paramount at USI, and involves the collaboration of every member of the USI community. LaVerne Jones, ’05 LaVerne

12 | illume 13 | usi.edu/illume Dr. Amie McKibban STUDENT Associate Professor of Psychology P.O.V. DESK OF...

in ways I hadn’t experienced before. I wanted to yell back. I wanted to fight their hate with my anger. My sister kept her cool, looked at me, and said, “Just keep walking.” I did. And for one of the first times since making my vow, I fell silent.

Damien Burge ’17 Over the next year, while remaining outspoken, others, strangers Bachelors of Arts in International Studies who felt the need to be as vocal as I, would lash out at me with with a minor in Journalism hate, screaming things like “homo” and “fag lover.” I reminded from the myself in those moments that this was my sister’s experience Homeless in America Driving down the road one day in the summer of 1997, my and, if she was strong enough to live in an unjust world, I could sister, who’s two years younger than me and was about to start be strong enough to speak out. I thought love was all I needed to stay strong. It wasn’t. I learned that inequity and hate can chip When the state of Indiana lost my SAT scores, My $700 wasn’t going to last long and a job stared and whispered, and I realized that college, came out, simply saying, “I’m gay,” and not much more. Little was said as she drove me home. Upon being dropped off, away at the core of the strongest people. And eventually, I fell I put college on hold and took a job. This wasn’t coming quickly, so I signed up for I was becoming that man on the bicycle. silent again. was fine for a while, but after a bad breakup state assistance. I went inside and cried. I can’t tell you exactly why there were so I decided I needed a fresh start elsewhere. Even though conditions were hard, the many tears, but I can tell you that they weren’t tears of anger or joy. They were tears of fear. I didn’t really know what being gay I remained an ally, but a passive one. I put rainbow stickers on I boarded a bus in downtown Evansville After a week of job searching, I still didn’t experience was freeing, as there’s a generosity my name tags at conferences, conducted small research studies bound for Los Angeles, California, with one have one and began rationing what I spent among the homeless that I didn’t expect, and meant for her at that time, but I understood society’s stance on sexual orientation enough to be scared for her. on attitudes toward the LGBT community and hung Safe Zone bag and $700. My plan was to find work, and on food to $5 a day, eating three cookies for I wasn’t ready to call it quits and go home. signs on my office doors. But I was silent. When I saw hate and I was sure I would, since I always landed on breakfast, a meal-deal from Taco Bell for That changed, however, when I woke one heard hate, I stayed calm and kept on walking. I thought that if my feet. lunch, and a banana and an Arizona Tea morning with a pinched nerve that rendered Upon attending college, she told me stories about being harassed, called names and feeling unsafe in the dorms. I would listen, I remained calm, if I didn’t engage, it wouldn’t give others the for dinner. I had no money for a hotel and my left arm useless. I knew then it was time chance to lash back. Upon arrival in LA, I noticed all the homeless started sleeping on the streets, next to a to leave. I wouldn’t get a job with a half- contemplating what the future held for her. If she didn’t feel safe people panhandling and sleeping on sidewalks 7-Eleven that another homeless man told me functioning body, and without work living on a college campus, where would she feel safe? Through her tears, she would ask, “Why me? Why do I have to be gay?” It wasn’t until I was working on my PhD in 2005, and I found and grates. I saw a woman urinate on herself about. I hadn’t wanted to worry my mother, I wouldn’t make it. myself immersed in the LGBT community, that I also found as if it no longer mattered and a man riding a so I didn’t tell her how I was living. By then, It was then, in those moments when I listened to her struggle, that I realized what it meant for her: a life of rejection, silence my voice again. Witnessing the silence they faced day in and bicycle yelling at people no one else could see. my beard had grown bushy and my hair was When I first arrived in LA, I was confident day out brought me back to the importance of speaking up and Their lives were rough, and I was thankful unkempt, and people asked if I was “alright.” I’d find work; but life didn’t work out as and fear. It was then that I vowed to become an ally, to speak out against intolerance, so that the world would see the person I saw: understanding that staying calm didn’t mean having to stay not to be in their situation. planned. I was lucky enough to have choices silent. And now I am visible and strong, understanding more The nights were cold, even in July, and the and a home to return to, unlike the homeless a young woman, my idol, with so much to give and so much yet to accomplish. completely and fully the lesson my sister taught me so long ago. I got a room in a run-down hotel in Compton, concrete hard, so I rode buses at night to stay people I saw and met. My short time on the I am no longer silent. courtesy of the state of California, and began warm, getting two hours of sleep nightly. streets taught me how easy it is for a person applying for jobs online using the public Once, due to sleep deprivation, I found to lose control of his life, and how important My sister and I decided to attend a concert near downtown library’s computers, competing with myself having a conversation with a man on it is to have people you can turn to for help. Kansas City, one long weekend. I don’t remember what the thousands of applicants for every opening. the bus who didn’t exist. Other passengers concert was or who was playing. The only thing I remember is encountering protesters affiliated with Westboro Baptist Church, holding signs that read, “God hates fags” and “You’re going to hell.” The level of anger and fear I felt toward the protestors at continue the conversation at #illumeUSI that moment was foreign; emotions coursed through my body

suggest a subject at [email protected]

14 | illume 15 | usi.edu/illume score | BOARD Fearless Faces MILESTONES: Like warriors who paint their faces before battle, USI’s Softball players mark their faces with fierce images to empower themselves and intimidate their opponents on the field. Ratcheting up the eye black, TOP STUDENT traditionally worn as a single smear under the eyes to deflect the sun’s glare, not only gives the players a psychological edge over their opponents, it allows them to express their individuality. ATHLETES AND

“Whether we have crosses under our eyes, lightening bolts like Janna, stripes across our face like Claire, or the intimidating design that Lexi brings, it allows us to be ourselves.” – Olivia Clark-Kittleson, Outfielder ’18 COACHES

ANASTASIA CARTER ’16 Women’s Golf 1st USI female golfer to compete at NCAA II Championships

JOHNNIE GUY ’16 Men’s Cross Country/ Track & Field Ended career with 19 Academic and Athletic All-America awards

USI BASEBALL 4th NCAA II Midwest Region title All since 2007

TRACY ARCHULETA Baseball Coach 500 Career Wins Midwest Region Coach of the Year

SUE KUNKLE Softball Coach 400 Career Wins

MIKE HILLYARD ’94 Cross Country Coach GLVC Coach of the Year 22 times

Where are they | NOW? COACHES’ QUOTES Duncan Bray ’05 grew up racing sailboats in the United Kingdom, the recipient of the GLVC’s stranger—has given Bray the opportunity to embark Scotland before becoming a star soccer player on Paragon Award has launched a career in the on global expeditions that align with his adventurous USI’s men’s team. Now, after earning a bachelor’s international yachting industry. From Nice, spirit. “I learned a lesson—when you chat with “ No excuses, degree in exercise science from USI and another France, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this career— people, you never know what may come of it. That bachelor’s degree in environmental science and that appeared out of the blue when he struck 10-minute chat opened an entire world just results.” technology from Robert Gordon University in up a pool-side conversation with a complete to me,” said Bray. Eric Schoenstein ’93, coach Women’s Soccer

16 | illume 17 | usi.edu/illume Skyline Graveyard Stars For centuries now, OoF I wait for clear nights man has unearthed you; (when you awaken early staked your broken bones with an echoing of footsteps along his valley, ŦĦĘ from the loft) snapped citrines idols Tribe and stars. I wait for you down your spine. by Jennifer Wagner ’16 to rise and follow me to where our mountain sputters, He cracks your shoulders A Puddle After Drought and juts out limestone wider apart, each year, The Weakest like a tongue. I’ll balance fills the gap with garnets. After years of little, and months of none: on its tip, the celestial charge While amber marrow leaches rain came at last. The rooftop soured, swelled I only had to glimpse that ball of bears and bulls framed farther across the skies, with acrid drippings; brewed gutter leaves into patchouli. to dread its cafeteria-ketchup between my splayed hands. dark expanses disguise The scent, steeped in oily light, anointed skin then color; its indentations splattered the only remnants awakened her near dawn. She dressed and walked across red rubber like gravel This is where—and how— of your meat: through the worm-fed bedlam of crows who cackled, scars on my knees. So awkward, I learned the constellations: pecking at acres of rutted pools. Bare feet familiar with your fingers tipped by distant the river’s tongue on the shoulders of a field hunched-over, yet obedient of his skillful dribbling. horns and tails, hands dipped which corkscrews she lingered amid a plowed-under summer As he sized the boys up for potential within the empty rise through your waist, and bent to gather bits of stalks that yet remained. kickball captains, he’d chew on that of Ursa’s chest. You taught licking ribs along the way; same toothpick. All class long, it spun, the name of every blue-spark the untouched flesh Decades before drought, this was a jungle spittle-crusted, between whistles; bristling on his hide; spoke of cemeteries. of corn thicker than her wrists. She’d sprinted, sneers of “Chickie, Chickiiie, Chickiiiies” of the brilliant stars beyond. panting, below a canopy of tassels which hissed and rattled, One or two, at least, have died On the horizon, men on his lips. In open-handed slaps, her arms ruddied by whips of green-leaf leather. long before they bore have ploughed up new skeletons, he passed the ball, left hand to right; Her palm had throbbed around the stick she clutched, their man-made names; exploded I see; erected the splinters, punctuated his sermon of the weakest rendering children’s names with cursive in dank soil. in the grip of chill nights like this, diamond-crusted. link in any situation. They quickly picked up She’d crouched, fingers knotting husk into blemished dolls. when the horizons shiver, They’ll top everything, eventually, their teams until just girls were left, Their silk hair nearly glowed beneath the slightest touch and space itself seems to constrict with a sparkle. Perhaps, saturated by frailty. For years we sweated of narrow blue which, over-head, escaped the rows and milk the universe and captured her eyes when she looked up. through our Friday afternoons save their own graves, of small-town school for all it’s worth. Light may deceive the river’s twist, Now, all is barren, cauterized. A dusty puddle spins shafts us with its distance, traveling and the silent crest and Mr. Habakus. On graduation day, he preached like runes thrown seeking answers. She kneels, as a strung-together phantom, from which I watch of character at commencement, “...chains flesh muddied, one finger tracing her face’s sepia reflection: unraveling from one place and wait. are only as strong as....” My stare had sharpened a stare attending a forgotten picture of her youth. to the next; we’ll notice nothing his toothpick by then; whittled it down to a prick- Hands wet, cupping water, a memory is strained, then stirs: when the dry end of these pulses likely point. I hoped that he would swallow beyond the crows, corn is promising, once more, with whispers, is suctioned to the earth. Yet we must know wrong, hard—Mr. Habakus, teachers form a chain earth fertile on each breath. In shadows, a girl squats barely seen, the calculations—plot each exact position— of education— cradling dolls with flaxen hair as if her own.... Their names to comprehend when which link were you? may still be etched beneath the dirt. this dust that haunts us will disperse.

I need you to explain, again, Jennifer Wagner is a senior majoring in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences how these graveyard stars at USI. She currently lives in a rural area of Arizona (somewhere between shine-on for years, how the earth Mad Max and Las Vegas) and works as a traveling medical device specialist. connects to dead-spots in the heavens. Teach me about light-year mathematics;

I need to calculate how long you will remain visible in my world.

To submit your creative work, visit USI.edu/illume for submission guidelines.

18 | illume 19 | usi.edu/illume Wayne Trockman’s penchant for going they could receive eight, 10 or 20 years in population reportedly increased an estimated against the norm is barely visible in his prison, served alongside society’s most anti- 600 percent.) “What we found was we’d be downtown Evansville office. Equipped with social people. “I’ve been accused of being building prisons forever, and we already an ordinary desk, a small plain conference soft on crime, of having ‘drunk the kool-aid,’ incarcerate more people than any other table and a row of ordinary book shelves, sometimes by other judges,” Trockman says. nation in the world. That’s not something we there’s little to indicate that he advocates a “But it sickened me to see these young kids— should be proud of.” way of thinking some have condemned. Yet, 20, 21, 22 year olds—getting mandatory, if you look closely, the tell-tale signs of his non-suspendable sentences. Once you go to Researching the problem in the late ’90s, less-than-traditional perspective are visible prison [for] that much time, you’re not likely Trockman learned that when people who through a scattering of cylinder heads, to ever function normally in society again.” were unlikely to reoffend were housed from old motorcycles he’s rebuilt, that hold among some of society’s most anti-social and up his law books. While some might see a As a defense attorney, Trockman was aware repeat offenders, they became more likely to ‘disconnect’ between the gear-head and legal- of the problems, but as a judge he had the commit a crime and land back in prison. scholar, Trockman doesn’t. In his mind, they power to try and change the sentencing On the monetary side of imprisonment, both come down to the same thing: making laws to help rather than hurt people whose things weren’t much better. When Trockman something work. addictions led them to criminal behavior. did the math, he discovered that long-term There was more at stake than the individuals imprisonment (an average of 12 years for When Trockman—a 1981 USI graduate with being sentenced; their children, spouses, non-violent, drug-related crimes) cost a bachelor’s in management—was appointed parents and grandparents, as well as the taxpayers $254,040, and did nothing to as a Vanderburgh County Superior Court community at large suffered too. “I saw whole change those prisoners’ behavior. Judge 16 years ago, one of the first things he generations of families being destroyed,” noticed was a system that didn’t work when it he says, “kids being put into foster care.” Turning it over in his mind, he believed came to dealing with non-violent felony drug that treatment, as opposed to long-term offenders. Yes, they’d broken the law, but the Trockman could see that the costs to incarceration, was best for offenders, their judicial system’s sentencing requirements personal lives were devastating and the families and society as a whole. What was weren’t working in the best interests of anyone. financial expense borne by taxpayers was set needed was a collaboration between the to become staggering. “In the ’80s and ’90s, courts and the corrections system. The minimum sentence for such offenders was we couldn’t build prisons fast enough,” he Trockman, who had been operating his own six years, but depending on their past record says. (During that period, the nation’s prison drug court on a small scale for a few months,

by C. L. Stambush 21 | usi.edu/illume worked with the Indiana Department of Corrections to establish a the program or not. Akin, however, isn’t the only USI graduate Therapeutic Community at the Branchville Correctional Facility in involved in the program’s operation. Jodi Uebelhack ’87, social work, Perry County, Indiana—what he calls a “small house within The Big is director of the facility where participants engage in the required House”—where 600 select inmates serve nine-month sentences for programs. their drug-related crimes while receiving treatment, counseling and many other services designed to modify their behavior and prepare Trockman’s connection to and reliance on USI goes beyond hiring them to return to and become productive members of society. This other graduates to work with him in the program. He’s developed rehabilitation program would save taxpayers $238,380 over time and a life-long affiliation with USI’s expert faculty. “One of the best change lives. “We did [risk-to-reoffend assessments] at sentencing decisions that I made in the beginning,” Trockman says, “was to on these people before sending them into Branchville’s Therapeutic contact USI about hiring someone to keep the statistics and produce Community,” Trockman says, “and guess what? After nine months quarterly reports.” He had two key concerns he wanted a researcher at the therapeutic community, their risks to reoffend came down.” to tackle: where the program excelled and where it didn’t. “It turned out that it was best to know where we were not excelling, because The program isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card, however. Once released then we could fix the problems,” he says. from prison, parolees enter the Re-Entry Court that Trockman Dr. Iris Philips, professor of social work and the department’s lobbied Indiana legislators hard to establish. Traditionally, the chair, tracked and reported findings for the first 12 years, and now parole system operates on a “track ’em and whack ’em” basis, but Dr. Jay Dickerson, assistant professor of social work, provides in the Re-Entry Court (phase two of the Drug Treatment Court’s Trockman data that supports the program’s success. “We’ve had the process) participants are rigorously monitored for three years benefit of this research for 16 years and the state’s had the benefit of by the court and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, who the research. That’s been very helpful.” The statistical findings have perform home visits to ensure they stay on course. During this resulted in 25 to 30 counties in Indiana implementing similar drug time, they’re required to be employed, pay their way through the treatment courts, marking a new direction for criminal justice in program, be engaged in a 12-Step program, undergo mental health THE MAN IN THE ARENA Indiana. For the first time since the program began, Trockman says evaluations, report and be breathalyzed daily, be randomly drug the number of felony drug offenders is decreasing, which was his tested twice a week, be drug-free and follow the treatment plan Excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech ultimate goal. “We’re saving money, lives, families, and improving “Citizenship In A Republic” delivered at the Sorbonne, specifically designed for each of them, and more. The court insists the quality of life and safety in our community,” he says. “Also, in Paris, France, on 23 April, 1910 that participants be involved in pro-social activities such as church for the first time, money to run programs such as ours is more too. It’s working. At the end of their three-year probation period, available.” “It is not the critic who counts; not the participants’ risk-to-reoffend scores dropped significantly. man who points out how the strong man The men and women who enter one of these small houses within stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could “We provide incentives for accomplishments ranging from bus The Big Houses still pay for their crimes, but they’re given an tokens to gas cards to phase changes [which allow participants have done them better. The credit belongs to opportunity to redeem their lives by rechanneling the way they more freedoms, such as to report less often],” Trockman says, noting think and act. And while there is some failure, for 70 percent of the man who is actually in the arena, whose that slip-ups do occur. “Breaking one or more of the rules always them the program is working. “I have thousands of graduates face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; involves an immediate sanction ranging from writing assignments around town who stop me and say, ‘Thank you for saving my life.’ who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes to community service and, ultimately, a period of time in jail.” Their parents stop me and say, ‘Thank you for saving my son’s or short again and again, because there is no daughter’s life.’” To be eligible for Branchville’s Therapeutic Community and effort without error and shortcoming; but later Trockman’s Re-Entry Court, James Akin M’05, social work, who does actually strive to do the deeds; performs a battery of tests to determine if a person is suitable for who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

This framed quote hangs over Judge Trockman’s desk as a source of inspiration. 22 | illume 23 | usi.edu/illume by C. L. Stambush

Although the sentence contains just 11 simple words, its message is powerful and hopeful: So far, I’ve made it through 100 percent of my rough days. It’s a maxim Dr. B. Thomas Longwell, director of USI’s Counseling Center, wants students to be mindful of as they struggle with mental health issues that, if left unaddressed, could derail their education.

“We are helping students emotionally and intra- personally,” he says. “That’s important for health and well-being, but it serves them academically as well. If a student is not okay emotionally, they’re not going to be okay academically.” aAnxietyre considered the “commonand cold”of depression mental health illness. Dr. B. Thomas Longwell

25 | usi.edu/illume Teaching basic coping skills is key to equipping students 35.3% to deal with their struggles, both today and tomorrow. But, of students report that before that can happen there must be trust. While each at some point counselor has a different approach to restoring mental health, they all practice first and foremost kindness, they felt compassion, warmth, empathy and unconditional positive “so depressed regard. “This forms the core of our counseling sessions,” says that it was Longwell. “For students, it’s important to find the right fit with a counselor. I could give you the greatest coping skills difficult to function.” in the world, but if you don’t feel connected to me you may National College not use them.” Health Assessment (Fall 2015) The Counseling Center is staffed by five full-time and one part-time professional mental health experts who offer Gaining a client’s trust and establishing a connection isn’t students individual, group or couples counseling, as well derived from feel-good affirmations often seen on posters as substance use assessment and consultations for those depicting a cute kitten hanging from a branch with the concerned about a friend or a loved one who is a USI student. quip ‘Hang in There,’ but rather through active listening. If a student’s mental health issue is beyond the scope of what “A large portion of what we do is just listen,” Longwell says, USI counselors can offer, the client is referred to an agency “but in a very strategic way. Active listening uses a lot of equipped to provide the best care. paraphrasing, metaphor, reflecting back what was heard. By doing this, we tell our students, ‘I get it,’ which allows them The most common mental health issues students seek help to go even deeper and explore more and learn things about for are anxiety and depression—the two go hand-in-hand— themselves they wouldn’t otherwise.” which results either in connection to a major life event, such as a relationship breakup or academic and financial Mental health is primarily addressed within the Counseling struggles, or as General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). “People Center, but the University believes the overall responsibility with GAD worry about the same things everybody else for students’ well-being belongs to the campus community as worries about—grades, money, love—but at a higher and a whole, from faculty and staff, to students’ friends to every deeper level,” says Longwell. “Worry is an expected part of level of the administration. This team-based approach results life for most of us, but catastrophizing an issue only leads to in faculty and staff trained to watch for signs of distress and undermining your abilities to develop positive mental health take appropriate action. Resident assistants undergo intense coping strategies.” instruction on USI’s policies and procedures and learn to ask students questions in a way that doesn’t shut them down. The Dean of Students Office created the CARE Team, a cross- functional assessment group that responds to students in apparent/potential distress. “The CARE Team lives up to its name by identifying students who need additional support and resources to achieve their personal and academic goals.

46% of the people in the United States We discuss students individually in a manner that considers will be diagnosed with some form of mental health illness in their lifetime. all aspects of their well-being,” says Dr. Bryan Rush, dean of The average age for the onset for any disorder is 14 years old, with anxiety issues setting in at age 11. students. Dr. B. Thomas Longwell

26 | illume 27 | usi.edu/illume Even with all the conversations in the media and among our politicians, the subject of mental health is often shrouded in a code of silence. “I think the stigma connected to mental health is stronger in our neck of the woods,” says Longwell. “The Midwest ethic—when struggling—is to power through it. Don’t talk about it because it reflects poorly on you and your family.” This is particularly true of veterans, says Joel Matherly, manager of the Veteran, Military and Family Resource Center Despite the strides made, Longwell says, “It’s not where I at USI. “Vets don’t seek help often. It’s seen as a think we want to be.” What would it take to score an A? The weakness. The military is often seen as the ‘last line director’s wish list is short: a psychiatrist on campus just as of defense.’ Because of this vets don’t feel they can there is a physician; counselors specializing in substance ask for help because no one is ‘behind’ them.” abuse and eating disorders; and lessening the wait period to get an appointment with a counselor. (During peak times— To combat the stigma, the Counseling midterms and finals—students may have to wait a couple of Center hosted 181 outreach events in weeks to see a counselor if it’s not an emergency. Emergencies 2015/16, reaching over 9,000 members are always attended to immediately.) of USI’s community with the message that there’s no shame in getting help. USI’s Counseling Center is focused on helping students reach “For a university’s counseling center their career dreams. “The number-one reason students leave to be able to maintain that high of an a university isn’t because they can’t handle it academically,” outreach is a rarity,” says Longwell, noting says Longwell, “it’s because of social and emotional that Dr. Stephanie Cunningham, senior difficulties. In addition to being a positive, supportive office staff psychologist and outreach/training where students feel cared for, we also are a retention agent. coordinator, made this happen. This year, the Counseling Center helped retain an estimated 213 students. If we are successful in our treatment of them, It’s easy to see that USI is doing a lot of not only do we make a difference in their here and now, but things right, but Longwell says there’s room we make a difference in their academic lives, allowing them for improvement. “I’d give us a B. Our CARE to succeed and become good productive citizens of the world, Team is firing on all cylinders,” he says. “We which is the University’s goal.” added two counselors to our staff. If you’d asked me last year what grade I’d give us it would have been a C. Those two counselors bumped us up a whole grade.”

Client demographics: female male Hours of counseling provided: Number of group counseling appointments: 68.9% 29.8% 2,434 (up 80%) Impact of Counseling Center (up336 113%) Number of students served: Number of crisis counseling appointments: 2015-2016 (up476 41%) Percentages in paranthesis indicate increases from 2014-2015. (up265 68%) Number of individual counseling appointments: Number of outreach programs: 2,043 (up 81%) 28 | illume (up181 99%) 29 | usi.edu/illume Hidden Cost of

Homelessnessby C. L. Stambush Being chronically homeless comes at a The Indiana Permanent Supportive disciplines: Dr. Perry Burnett, associate cost to both individuals and the cities Housing Initiative in Evansville has several professor of economics, Dr. Matthew in which they live. While the impetus sites that provide homeless families, Hanka, assistant professor of political for homelessness varies from person individuals and veterans with apartments science, Dr. Iris Philips, professor of social to person—prolonged unemployment, in buildings where onsite case managers work, Dr. Erin Reynold, assistant professor domestic abuse, substance abuse, mental are available during the day, at three of of health services/administration and health and physical disabilities—it always the four sites. They help residents develop master’s in social work student Sue Cupka involves a struggle to secure shelter, food, more effective coping and daily-living skills Head M’14 M’15. The team gathered employment, medical care and more. This so they can concentrate on long-term additional data concerning quality-of-life constant state of upheaval often results goals they had to put on hold. improvement. in missed appointments with physicians, “The use of emergency services dropped social workers and other professionals “There were a number of women who had dramatically, especially after being in who can help the homeless get back on experienced domestic violence who often their apartments for about six months,” their feet. would go back to the abuser because they Opatrny Pease said. “This was accredited didn’t have anywhere to go or any support to staff and case managers being available Without a network of support, the system,” Opatrny Pease said. “However, at residential sites.” homeless often are forced to use with this program, many now say they’ve emergency rooms and hospitals, which USI faculty worked closely with Indiana not experienced any more abuse, feel more costs taxpayers plenty. That cost in Indiana Housing and Community Development in control of their lives and they have a wasn’t quantified until state officials Authority officials to ensure the research place for their children to thrive.” partnered with USI’s Center for Applied yielded the hard data the state sought, Research and Economic Development but learned some surprising insights State officials now have quantifiable to determine the economic impact of a in the process. “In all the interviews I evidence that permanent supportive permanent supportive housing initiative conducted—about 70—the old stereotype housing for the homeless works. “A lot of in Evansville. of who is homeless simply did not people feel that if they could just get a job, emerge,” Opatrny Pease said. “We had things would be better. But actually, a safe, “It came out loud and clear: substantially people who were college graduates, and permanent place to live is more important. fewer dollars are spent per year housing others who had a work history who, due to It allows the individual to be able to an individual and providing them with some unfortunate sets of circumstances— work on their future goals,” said Opatrny case management, than is spent on just such as illness, injury or job layoff—became Pease. “Down the road, the results can be a few trips to the emergency room or a homeless.” used for advocacy for expansion of these few nights in the hospital,” said Dr. Marie programs in other areas of Indiana and Opatrny Pease, USI associate professor of In addition to Opatrny Pease, the research hopefully across the United States.” social work. team included faculty from varying

30 | illume 31 | usi.edu/illume 4 BEHIND THE 3 6 SCENE Before a show can go on, discusses the characters every costume is painstakingly with the directors. She created from scratch by then researches the play’s students in USI’s theatre arts periods and each character’s costume shop. Under the given circumstances before supervision and direction sketching ideas for the of Shan Jensen, professor of director’s approval. Next, theatre, and Kim Coleman fabrics, fasteners and ’06, costume shop manager, closures are sourced locally each item is created down and online. Coleman, whose to the smallest, most experience is concentrated authentic detail. in theatre, manages each production’s costs, time and “If we don’t build, the kids students as they execute don’t learn,” says Jensen, who the ideas into patterns, has 30 years of experience prototypes and finished designing costumes for film, costumes. television and theatre. “The shop is a lab for what they The shop produces all the learn in class. Even if we can costumes for every USI, buy, we often don’t because New Harmony Theatre they need the experience.” (a professional equity stage) and Repertory Project (a USI/ Before students’ skills can New Harmony collaboration) be honed, Jensen reads and production. analyzes the scripts, then

1. Any play set before 1918 includes corsets. Actors begin wearing 5 them during rehearsals to help them move on stage and get into character.

2. Puppets can’t change clothes between scenes the way actors do, so in “Avenue Q” whole puppets had to be constructed for each scene requiring a change of costume.

3. Patterns are made by draping muslin on a dress form before transforming the resulting shape into a paper pattern used to 2 cut the fabric. Commercial patterns are occasionally used as “slopers” (a basic shape).

4. Approximately 1,274 hours go into creating costumes for each play.

5. Thousands of costumes hang in the stockroom; they can be deconstructed and repurposed for other plays. A costume can weigh well over 50 pounds

1 6. Mask-making enhances students’ design and sculpting skills. In “Much Ado About Nothing,” a masquerade-ball scene inspired the creation of zodiac-sign masks.

32 | illume 33 | usi.edu/illume c

Travis Hill ’07 went from majoring in accounting to being a special agent for the FBI, investigating government contract frauds worth millions of dollars, election crimes and bribery Saving money while in college is I wanted to graduate debt-free, of political officials. one of the biggest challenges for but working full time, 40 hours a student. I am an RA, so the a week, as a sales lead at Sprint University provides housing, and to pay for school out of pocket, I have a part-time job to cover while taking nine to 12 credit additional living expenses. I am 1985-2002 hours per semester, has been a How fortunate enough to have been struggle. I had to sit out a couple I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and awarded several scholarships and of semesters just to save up for be a police officer, so I thought I should earn a grants. Those will keep me debt-free, degree in criminal justice. My father, who was my courses. At times, I felt like as they cover my tuition and book fees. giving up because I was getting Evansville’s chief of police then, advised me to – Valarie Kendall ’19 further behind on my graduation choose a business degree so I’d have more radiologic and date. I’m just very thankful I didn’t career options. imaging give up on my goal of becoming sciences major a college graduate. Open Evansville, – Spencer Blade ’16 Indiana marketing major 2002-2003 Terre Haute, Indiana During high school, I worked part-time for an auto dealership’s accounting department. I liked the Dialogue rational process of accounting. There were a lot of rules, but not rules you had to memorize as in college the law. Plus, I was decent at math, so when I started college I declared accounting as my major. debt Travis Graduating in four years is an extremely important facet of my I’ve put away a portion of my 2004 undergraduate education, in order to paychecks in a savings account minimize as much debt as possible— An FBI agent spoke to one of my accounting classes, telling since my first job at age 15. During especially since I aspire to further my us the Bureau needed people with a range of expertise. my three years at USI, I’ve worked education to a doctoral level. While It seemed the perfect combination of what I wanted to do, on campus in Planning, Research I have held a few small jobs in my and my dream was rekindled. The FBI, however, requires and Assessment, the Summer college career thus far, they’re not my both a degree and three years of professional experience. Rehab Program and the Technology sources of dependence when it comes Commercialization Academy. to paying for school; my academics I’ve made it a point to find out come first. As an out-of-state student from USI faculty members about at a public university, I’ve received scholarships and job opportunities financial support through the Non- that are applicable during each year Residential Top Scholar Award and 2005-2009 Got of my education. a Deans Scholarship, as well as help During college, I interned in a local – Caleb Riley ’17 from my family. company’s tax department, often assisting The hours were long (70 hours a week during management major – Erin Bonner ’18 a large international corporation with audits, tax season) and the travel intense, so I took a Haubstadt, Indiana psychology major which led to a job offer at its Indianapolis position with a smaller firm that contracted McLeansboro, Illinois office after graduation. There, I became a with the U.S. Department of Defense. That’s certified public accountant. when I began making my dream of working

in law enforcement, and particularly the FBI, come true.

I kept my grades up in high 2010-Present I have academic and athletic school in order to get as many I applied online to become a special agent. scholarships to help pay for scholarships as possible to help After much scrutiny, I was hired and sent college, as well as support from pay for college. I also receive to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, my parents and grandparents. a departmental scholarship, a for training, and later assigned to the I finished my bachelor’s degree in scholarship through vocational financial institution fraud squad in D.C. three years to minimize expenses. rehabilitation and a disabilities There I investigated banking and mortgage I currently work at the pool on scholarship for my low-vision fraud, and money laundering for four years TAKEAWAY: campus, although I have had disability. I work full-time at by analyzing bank records—criminals can several other jobs over the years Take college Home Instead Senior Care as use hundreds of bank accounts to disguise seriously, to help pay for utilities and rent. their crimes—and interviewing people. a caregiver, and part-time as a because the student worker in the Social Work – Jamie Adkins ’15 M ’17 knowledge Department to help pay kinesiology and sport degree A year ago, I took a position within the public corruption squad, Here gained and for college. occupational therapy investigating election crimes and government fraud. The positions of the relationships – Kayla Fein ’17 Owensboro, Kentucky Illustrated by ’94 J. Shea Stanley people I investigate now are much higher, and there are millions more dollars at stake. built there will X affect your social work major opportunities Elkhart, Indiana in life. 34 | illume 35 | usi.edu/illume COLLEGE ROMAIN OF COLLEGE LIBERAL OF ARTS BUSINESS INSIDE THE Going the INSIDE THE

Extra Mile, Something in the Miles Away Jamaican orphan’s assessment reports Adding Advantages to Your CV caught Dr. Wendy Turner-Frey’s attention. The associate professor Have you climbed a mountain? Traveled to Ghana to assist in a well-digging of social work noticed that every one of the project? Been part of a team that volunteered at a local school? If so, you’ve gained girl’s developmental assessment tests were experiential skills that Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the Romain College of inconclusive, and the child was deemed Business, says can and should be added to your résumé. “It’s not just technical “uncooperative and could not be tested.” The knowledge employers want, it’s the practical elements of experiences—time The Long Reach of Education uncompleted tests meant the girl, who was management, group work and interpersonal relations—as well.” nonverbal probably due to autism, wouldn’t It wasn’t until Dwayne Smith was introduced to a group Khayum recommends job seekers create a professional electronic portfolio that of USI students, who were on a trip to Jamaica, that receive the help she needed. illustrates the experiences in which they acquired the skills to share with interviewers. he became aware of the opportunities an education By focusing on skills gained through specific experiences and highlighting them on offered, and his future took a turn. The problem, Turner-Frey realized, wasn’t with the child but rather the circumstances under a résumé and in person, job seekers set themselves apart and gain a true edge. The USI students, social work majors led by Dr. which she was tested—miles away from home Wendy Turner-Frey, associate professor of in a clinical setting in the capital, Kingston. social work, were on a service-learning trip The solution was one she and the social work to island orphanages in 2007. The then students she took on annual service-learning 13-year-old Smith was living in a boys’ home trips could provide. “The children being tested in Mandeville, Jamaica, due to some trouble were often tired, frightened and uncooperative. Pumped Up Potential: new online MBA program he’d gotten into. “It was comforting to see By our students and myself completing these them care for people who were outsiders assessments annually, it allows the children to be Nearly 75 percent of employers polled worldwide want to hire in society; it allowed me to want to realize my understood in their own environment.” people with MBAs, according to a recent survey conducted by the potential.” Graduate Management Admission Council. But earning a Master of The assessment test Turner-Frey created was Business Administration degree doesn’t always fit easily into a working College wasn’t a likely option for Smith, who says he was modeled after other standardized tests, but professional’s schedule. USI’s new, 100-percent online MBA program a “bit of a rebel,” as most boys from the homes entered one modified to meet the specific cultural differences positions candidates to earn higher salaries in as little as 18 months and 30 of the trade industries: tourism, agriculture, mining or others. of Jamaican children, specifically those living in credit hours, while doing so at their own convenience. “I never saw myself working in a trade; I always wanted more,” he said. institutions. “We do developmental assessment on all of the young children at one of the The accelerated online program offers seven-week courses with rolling Turner-Frey says Smith’s desire for an education was orphanages,” Turner-Frey said. “We look at admissions instead of the traditional 14 weeks, and allows students to unheard of among the children she met on the trips. their cognitive, social, physical and emotional choose between a general MBA and three areas of concentration: “You never hear them say they’ll go to college.” But development annually, enabling us to track Smith did, and now he’s at USI earning a master’s them year to year to see if they’re developing • MBA in data analytics degree in sport management. Before coming to USI, appropriately.” • MBA in engineering management he earned an associate’s degree from Moneague • MBA in human resources College in Jamaica and a bachelor’s degree in Turner-Frey has been taking groups of USI social marketing from the University of the West Indies. work students on service learning trips to the The innovative program is accredited by the Association to Advance tiny nation since 2004. “I realized there was Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and taught by USI professors and Smith’s journey to USI came through a series need for social work in Jamaica, and knew our instructors delivering the same high-quality education that USI students of connections orchestrated by Turner-Frey, students were too sheltered,” she said. In the receive in the classroom. “Our accelerated online MBA program offers starting with meeting USI students nine past 13 years, she’s taken more than 150 social highly interactive instruction and innovative approaches to problem years ago. Now, the soccer-loving graduate work students to various orphanages, allowing solving that develop students’ abilities to think critically and creatively student is looking forward to changing the them to gain practical experience and insight within the business world,” said Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the lives of students he hopes to meet one day they’ll incorporate into their careers. She’s even Romain College of Business. “Enrollment is three times what we expected.” while working at either an NCAA college sports established a fund to help support students who program or for FIFA (International Federation of can’t afford the costs of the trip: the Turner-Frey Now, if working professionals can’t make it to classes on campus, they can Association Football), noting, “I’m a sports and Global Social Work Scholarship. still earn the same excellent USI education from home. books person.”

36 | illume 37 | usi.edu/illume COLLEGE POTT OF COLLEGE NURSING OF SCIENCE, and HEALTH ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONS and EDUCATION INSIDE THE INSIDE THE

FU EL I N G PEA K PER FOR M A N CES Armed in the war on illiteracy Inspired by an article in a professional journal about USI’s teacher candidates have been foot soldiers in the America Reads tutoring army since 2001, what another college was doing, Beth Young, through the vision of Dr. Robert Mays, associate dean of education emeritus. The program, instructor in the Food and Nutrition Program, founded by the 1996 Clinton Administration, sends 10 to 15 USI teacher candidates to West Terrace decided USI “could take it a step further.” She and Tekoppel elementary schools every semester. They provide personal one-on-one attention to enlisted the help of three of the College of children needing help with literacy skills, while honing their teaching craft in the process. “It truly is a Nursing and Health Professions’ dietetic win-win situation for all involved—the USI teacher candidate, the classroom teacher and the student majors and the Athletic Department to create who is the recipient of the extra assistance,” says Dr. Sarah Wannemuehler, director of assessment a cookbook that provides USI’s athletes and early field experience teacher education. with a credible source of sports nutrition information and also acts as a recruitment tool Studies show that children who are still struggling with and community outreach product. literacy skills by the 4th grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school and not attend college. “When The book educates student athletes on cooking basics young children read more, they mature into adolescents and sports nutrition, such as food safety and meal planning, and adults who read, which is linked to college and career as well as tips on travel nutrition. The recipes, submitted by Dealing with dementia isn’t success,” says Dr. Jeff Thomas, professor of education. athletes, coaches and dietetic students, are easy to follow and easy, but the $75,000 grant “One of our goals is to cultivate passion and practice for coded to indicate if they meet pre-, post- or during workout USI received from the Indiana children to read in and out of school since research finds nutritional needs, or if they’re simply a fan favorite. B ETTE R State Department of Health a correlation between reading and learning across all C A R E FO R will make it possible for the subject matter.” The project was funded by both a student Endeavor grant College of Nursing and and faculty Majors at Home grant that paid for printing and DE M E NTI A Health Professions to train distributed the cookbook to every USI athlete, as well as to nursing home staff members high school athletic departments within Vanderburgh and PATI E NTS in Southwest Indiana to care Warrick counties. for dementia patients.

The 18-month program is based on Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, which teaches caregivers how to “live in AN OPIOID EDUCATION relationships with a changing brain.” It’s a pilot and the first As part of ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug of its kind across the nation, serving as a model for other and opioid abuse across the United States, the College university-community collaborations. of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) has proudly committed to educating its advanced practice registered Snow has been a favorite presenter at the Mid-America nursing (APRN) students on the Centers for Disease Institute on Aging (MAIA), hosted by USI for the past three Control and Prevention’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids years. She knows how to make people laugh, and knows for Chronic Pain. that laughing leads to learning. Funding for this program trains 22 expert dementia trainers and coaches, two from 11 Heating up the ice with science The commitment was featured in a recent White House participating nursing homes, said Dr. Katie Ehlman, associate fact sheet as part of the White House Champions of professor of gerontology. “Through this train-the-trainer Two USI departments from two colleges are teaming up to help Evansville’s newest Change event on Advancing Prevention, Treatment, and model, 360 nursing home staff members will go through the hockey team—The Thunderbolts—determine how to fuel and use the mechanics of Recovery. USI’s CNHP recognizes that opioid abuse is a training series, potentially impacting 1,000 nursing home their bodies to beat their opponents. Students from Kinesiology and Sports in the Pott pressing public health crisis, and it is critical that APRN residents in southwest Indiana.” College of Science, Engineering, and Education and Food and Nutrition in the College students receive education on current standards. of Nursing and Health Professions will meet with the players, perform tests and monitor their physical attributes, as well as provide nutritional counseling to help ensure they’re adequately fueled to perform their best each time they’re on the ice.

38 | illume WORLDWORLD || ClassClass

“we continually THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS need to stop Don’t In the film Field of Dreams, the mantra was “If you build it, they will “We look at data, like the Institute of International Education’s annual briefly and be come.” There’s only a grain of truth to that when it comes to recruiting census, to determine where students are coming from and which ones international students. The key is relationship building. are financially prepared or have access to scholarships,” she said. “The conscious just data really drives our strategies.” Efforts recently netted USI’s first about how Talented international students at USI are courted from countries Fulbright scholar. One of the strongest recruiting tools remains the USI with emerging economies that fit well with the University’s strengths experience. “Word of mouth is one of the top ways students learn about we define show —countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Mexico, Venezuela, us,” she said. Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Taiwan. Building those relationships success for takes time. “We know that we have to visit a place at least three times In some countries, the U.S. Department of State or other exchanges, There is evidence that reading complex fiction enhances cognitive skills, up! to get name recognition and establish very important relationships in such as the Global UGrad Program, place students based on a ourselves Want to make particularly the capacity for . I'm not sure that students person,” said Heidi Gregori-Gahan, assistant provost for International determination of best fit. In those cases, the real work is in selling the and not how empathy a difference. Programs and Services. “We’re starting to see the effects of those efforts.” University to the agency. The results are a diverse campus community, realize the significant disadvantage diminished skills in Want to have a more well-rounded experience for all students and an ever- others define critical Gregori-Gahan and her team rack up more than 74,000 miles, visiting expanding international footprint. of texts represents. During an election year like an impact. strategic regions as well as recruitment agencies in Washington analysis it for us. this, we can't overestimate the need for analytical skills. Whether Lisa Gish ’00 MHA’04 | D.C. and New York City. They also rely on USI alumni and local director of Clinic representatives in other countries. Eileen Weber ’98 | 2009 it's a political debate, a sound bite, an op-ed, a tweet or a news Operations with Tri-State GLVC Hall of Fame, Community Clinics, LLC; Pott College of Science, report, we need to have the strategies that literature teaches us. College of Nursing and Engineering, and Education Health Professions Spring FOSTERING WOMEN’S ROLES GLOBALLY Spring Commencement We need to know the weight of words. Commencement Dr. Becky Boling In developing KESHO (Swahili ’75 | director of Latin American Studies at Carlton, College of Liberal Arts Spring Commencement countries across for “tomorrow”) “ the globe, women whose mission Education play by the rules is to inspire and is an essential of their cultural empower women Learn how to shut up and listen: part of our norms, many globally, and raise believing their awareness of listen to smart people especially, but also listen to community; only role is that of global issues. those in lesser positions. People in all walks of life come into your wife and mother. it's the best The Center for KESHO has life to guide and teach you important lessons for being a better investment International begun to shape we can make. Programs at USI awareness of person andior running a better business. is empowering global issues The more brain international by shifting the Ron Hon ’89 | co-founder of Musicians for Musicians, Romain College of Business Spring Commencement power we keep here in the community, women to step discourse within People will still be able to listen outside of the the community. to us via our internet stream and the more the roles dictated by “It’s our ongoing phone app. but now, those in the society, and is responsibility to We are approaching a tipping point. community giving them the tell stories,” says Evansville area will be able will advance with We expect 10 billion humans for dinner in to hear us with an outstanding cross-cultural Heidi Gregori- signal at 95.7 F.M. It's a great the University. skills needed Gahan, assistant the not-too-distant future; how we meet their day for all, and an incredible to be leaders in a global society. Two years ago, the enthusiasm built provost for International Programs and Services. “We have to find ways opportunity for the students of USI. Robert Griffin | during a Global Leadership Retreat for International Women in New to advocate for our students by highlighting the amazing things they are demands for food will again reshape civilization. chairman of Escalade, John Morris general manager of at the ribbon cutting Harmony, Indiana, led to the formation of the student organization doing, who they are and what they bring to this community.” Dr. Nina Fedoroff | recipient of National Medal of Science and the Marlene V. Shaw | WSWI radio station, at the station’s ceremony for the new Lecturer on “Food and Civilization” FM launch party Griffin Center

40 | illume 41 | usi.edu/illume Hospital as an on-call trauma social worker named on the 2016 Indiana Rising Stars in Jasonville, Indiana. list. Jean is an attorney at Ziemer, Stayman, 1 2 3 Weitzel and Shoulders, LLP in Evansville. Susan Bohrnstedt ’91, accounting, has been promoted to the newly-created Jami Allen ’01, accounting, has been hired position of director of accounting at as a mortgage loan originator at Evansville Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc. in Teacher Federal Credit Union in Evansville. Evansville. Kyle Wininger ’01, accounting and business Troy Tornatta ’93, biology, has joined Hahn law, earned his Certified Fraud Examiner Kiefer Real Estate Services as a commercial (CFE) designation from the Association of broker in Evansville. Certified Fraud Examiners.

Tamara Brown ’93, business administration, Courtney Crowe ’01, education, is office is a financial advisor at New Horizons director for the Indiana Department of Financial Consultants in Evansville. Child Services Hendricks County office in Class Avon, Indiana. AmyLu Riley ’93, communications, David Frey ’05, art, has been selected Amanda Mitchell ’06, early childhood Jennifer Crow ’10, accounting and authored a book titled Jesus as Healer: Lynn Lingafelter ’02, health services, will as the new digital solutions marketing education, is a cashier at the University of professional services and finance,’13 , 4 Miracles and Meditations in Luke. serve as a board chair for the Tri-State manager for Heritage Federal Credit Union Southern Indiana. masters in business administration, is Better Business Bureau in 2016 in Evansville. in Newburgh, Indiana. accounting/financial analyst at Berry Lisa Witte ’93, business administration, Christine Beyer ’06, art, music and theatre, Plastics in Evansville. Paul Medcalf ’86, business administration, in the commercial contracts manager for Charles Miller ’02, political science, is a Michael Summers ’05, sociology, is office was hired as service coordinator for Holly’s is director for Sustainable Business Kimball Office in Jasper, Indiana. parole board member for the Indiana Parole director of Knox County for the Indiana House in Evansville. Meredith Alcorn ’10, management, is a 1970s Ventures in Lexington, Kentucky. Board in Indianapolis, Indiana. Department of Child Services. human resources generalist at Evansville Lisa Watson ’94, political science, is an Amanda Redenbaugh ’07, art, is the Vanderburgh School Corporation. David Gray ’74, political science, is now an Debra Wolf ’86, management, has been attorney at Yocum Law Office in Evansville. Jesse Phillips ’02, theatre, is the wardrobe Brooke Shappell ’05, education, ’10, graphic designer at Tucker Publishing Group attorney at the law offices of Jones Wallace, hired as a recruiter at Arc of Evansville. attendant for Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas, masters in education, is the substitute in Evansville. Jennifer Arnold ’10, public relations and NotesLLC in Evansville. Jared Florence ’96, accounting, ’03, Nevada. principal at Cairo Elementary in Henderson, advertising, ’15, masters in communication, David Higgins ’87, psychology, has earned masters in business administration, is now Kentucky. William Montgomery ’07, finance, is a was named media director of AXIOM in Tom Williams ’77, communications, sold his doctorate in counselor education vice president, business development, at Timothy Shoemaker ’02, biology, is a real estate broker for ERA First Advantage Evansville. his television station Channel 24, WEAC in and supervision from the University of Deaconess in Evansville. member of Franciscan Physician Network Kyle Dodd ’05, communications, joined Realty, Inc. in Newburgh, Indiana. Oxford, Alabama. Once his wife retires, the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. and is seeing patients at Putnam County Banterra Bank’s Indiana Region as an Shance Sizemore ’10, communications, pair plans to travel. Stacy Dye ’96, business administration, is Hospital in Indiana. assistant senior commercial banking officer Erin Smith ’08, health services, has has been named head of the Lawrence vice president/client development at SIRS in Evansville. joined Evansville-based St. Mary’s Health County Economic Growth Council and the in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Ryan Jackson ’02, business administration, as a senior coordinator for strategic Bedford Chamber of Commerce in Bedford, is the new principal of Mt. Pleasant High Stephanie Wininger ’06, finance, is the development. Indiana. Valerie Turpen ’97, joined Deaconess School in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee. new executive administrator for Woodward 1980s 1990s Primary Care for Seniors as a board- Commercial Realty, Inc. in Evansville. Julie Cline ’08, marketing and advertising, Amie Anthrop ’11, history and English, is certified acute care nurse practitioner. Charity Smith ’02, accounting and is system manager at WOW Internet, Cable the new girls’ basketball coach at Lafayette Randall Irvin ’80, marketing, is general Ed Staton ’90, business administration, professional services and business Mandi Fulton ’06, public relations and Phone for the Evansville Market. Harrison high school in West Lafayette, manager at Chemical Resources in has retired from his position as vice Michael Davis ’98, psychology, has been administration, has been hired as a staff and advertising, ’10, masters in public Indiana. Louisville, Kentucky. president of state regulation and rates promoted to an associate at Hafer in accountant at Regency Properties in administration, has been promoted to Lisa Wilson ’08, masters in education, is from Louisville Gas Evansville. Evansville. assistant director of Athletics at the an academic advisor at the University of Sarah Bengert ’11, international studies, Sharon Dockery ’81, and Electric Company University of Southern Indiana. Southern Indiana. of Cash-Pro, Inc, achieved the American business education, and Kentucky Abigail Adler ’99, communications, has Tenley Lester ’03, elementary education, Collectors Association Certification in is a senior Utilities Company been named development director for is the new K-12 curriculum director and Leslie Cuma-Fontaine ’08, biology, is a Evansville. Photos administrative DID YOU in Elizabethtown, 1. In his 13th season with the Minnesota Ronald McDonald House Charities of the elementary assistant principal in the paramedic for White River Township Fire assistant at the Kentucky. Ohio Valley. Barr-Reeve School district in Montgomery, Department. She has recently introduced a Joshua Breivogel ’11, accountancy, of Vikings organization, Bryan Harper ’96 University of Southern Indiana. program to decrease emergency response Weinzapfel & Co., LLC has successfully celebrates the ribbon-cutting at the Vikings Indiana in Evansville. ... Rhonda Ramsey ’90, times for at-risk populations in Greenwood, passed the Indiana CPA exam, becoming a new home - U.S. Bank Stadium. accounting, is Andrea Daub ’03, accounting and finance, STAY IN Indiana. certified public accountant in the state of Randall Haaff ’84, manager of financial ’08, masters in business administration, Indiana. 2. Ryan, Marshall, Griffin andLaura finance, is a financial reporting at St. Mary’s KnowThe 1991 2000s is information systems manager for the TOUCH Casey Thorbeck ’08, economics and (Davis) Reidford ’03 at Grants Farm advisor at Raymond Medical Center in University of Southern Indiana. us finance, is senior import/export specialist David Sutton ’11, economics, is the advisor/ James & Associates in Evansville. Ryan Haas ’00, elementary education, EMAIL at Mead Johnson Nutrition in Evansville. paralegal planner at Weaver, Dalton, & Archibald T. Eagle 3. Aletta Thomas ’08, 6-year-old Evansville. has been appointed as a board of director Jarod Morrison ’03, finance, is chief at [email protected]. Associates in Henderson, Kentucky. Barry Paddock ’90, D’Mairjé, 11-month-old Avion and mascot for the Dubois County Community financial officer at Farbest Foods, Inc. in your information Gerri Moore M’08, nursing, joined Steven Shore ’85, accounting, has Foundation. Ryan is principal at Pine Ridge Huntingburg, Indiana. UPDATE Deaconess Urgent Care as a nurse Adam Vaal ’11, finance, is the financial husband Darius management, has stood 6’9” and taken the position Elementary School in Birdseye, Indiana. and send photos practitioner in Evansville. advisor for Choice Investment Services in been appointed to the of controller with Kristi Etienne ’04, business via the form at Evansville. 4. Sara McCoy ’16, snaps a selfie with position of President/ had a 7’ wingspan. Regency Properties in Lacey Poag ’00, interpersonal administration, is a marketing coordinator USI.edu/AlumniUpdate. Austin Inge ’09, radio/television, was friends and the Queen’s Royal Guard. CEO of DayMet Credit Evansville. organizational communications, has been at Knu, LLC in Ferdinand, Indiana. named the 2016 Lincoln Middle School Daniel Osborne ’11, graphic design, hired It was Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday Union in Dayton, hired as an organizing specialist at Lasting Teacher of the Year in Evansville. as a marketing coordinator for Evansville Class notes may be edited celebration and the guards were Ohio. Kimberly Reed ’90, Order in Newburgh, Indiana. DJ Martin ’04, communications, recently Teachers Federal Credit Union. for length or clarity. directing traffic when Sara (far left) elementary education, served as vice president at Type A We regret That we may not Mike Bevers ’85, communications, received is the principal at Mayfield Middle School in Brandon Vignolo ’00, marketing, is Marketing in New York City, New York. Robert Bauer ’12, ’14, health services and and her friends asked for a photo. be able to use all the Professor Grubbs Distinguished Advisor Mayfield, Kentucky. an independent Ruby 6 distributor at nursing, promoted to the Heart Hospital submitted photos, and 2010s Award for Sigma Tau Gamma National AdvoCare in Evansville. Jamie Jordan ’04, psychology, is a RN Informatics Specialist as well as reserve the right to select Fraternity at their national convention in Jenny Scott ’91, social work, is the Lieutenant in the United States Navy in serving on the Vanderburgh County Old which ones are included. Keith Rahman ’10, business, is an associate Orlando, Florida. counseling director at Shakamak Junior- Jean Blanton ’01, political science and Newport, Rhode Island. attorney at Segal McCambridge Singer & Courthouse board of directors. Senior High School and works for Regional public relations and advertising, has been Mahoney in Chicago, Illinois.

42 | illume 43 | usi.edu/illume CLASS notes | alumni updates

Tyler Raben ’15, business management, Ellen Shrode ’14, occupational therapy Leslie Keys ’06, early childhood education, joined Summit Real Estate Services as an assisting, and David Hall, April 22, 2016. and Kevin Keys, welcomed son, Weston associate broker in commercial real estate Daniel, May 4. Photos in Evansville. Jill Wheeler ’14, family nurse practitioner, 8. Wesley ’12 and Lauren (West) and Gregory Sither, January 6, 2016. David Hurlbut ’07, business administration, Unfried ’12 married on July 11, 2015, Rachel Snyder ’15, finance, hired as a and Dawn Hurlbut welcomed son, Evan market data analyst for Evansville Teachers Andrea Dickenson ’15, business Ryan, April 1. in Haubstadt, Indiana. Photo taken by Federal Credit Union. administration, and Matthew Wood, May Greg Bader ’17 21, 2016. Jessica Paul ’07 M’09, business administration, and Michael Paul, 9. David Martinez ’13 and Allison Diane Lintzenich ’15, accounting, and Josh welcomed son, Braxton Charles, May 9. Claxton ’12 at Mandalay Bay Shark McBride, June 4, 2016. Reef in Las Vegas, Nevada Marriages Katherine Rotramel ’07, management, and Patrick Rotramel, welcomed son, Angela Montgomery ’91, Peyton Douglas, May 4. communications, and Kenneth Sparks, February 14, 2015. Jennifer Thomas ’07, physical education Births and teaching, and Justin Thomas, welcomed 5 6 7 Jennifer Skaggs ’94, accounting, and son, Garrett Reid, May 2. Richard Hill, September 26, 2015. Adoptions Heather Underhill ’07, health services, and Jennifer Kluesner ’00, nursing, M’10, Jason Fromme ’98 and Shannon Fromme, Kyle Underhill ’10, social science teaching, Mike Huling ’12, physical education, is Caylin Blockley ’13, public relations and Molly Maloney ’14, sociology, is social nursing education, D’13, advanced practice, mechanical engineering tech, welcomed welcomed daughter, Prudence Ryan, May 10. head basketball coach at Indiana University advertising, is assistant director of Alumni media manager for Socially Present in and Bryce Evans, January 9, 2016. daughter, Jade McKenzie, April 27. South Bend in South Bend, Indiana. and Volunteer Services at the University of Paducah, Kentucky. Rustin Bargo ’08, business administration, Photos Lindsay Wilson ’04, public relations and and Candice Bargo, welcomed daughter, 5. Kiley Jo, daughter of Casey Southern Indiana in Evansville. Jesse Butler ’99, business administration, Jazmine Kellum ’12, public relations and Katelyn Maymon ’14, elementary advertising, and Benjamin Hartmann, Noelle Elaine, May 4. (Alexander) Thorbeck ’08 and Dan and Haley Butler, welcomed daughter, Jesse advertising, was promoted to import/ Jordan Hamblin education, is a fifth November 2014. Monroe, April 25. export operations-Canada & CARICOM ’13, finance, is a grade teacher at Greater Mistie Doyle ’08, elementary education, 6. Amanda Bradley ’13, Lauren Luce specialist at Mead Johnson Nutrition in financial analyst Clark County Schools in Michelle Elsbury ’06, public relations and Brandy Bryant ’01, nursing, and Jason and James Doyle ’01, political science, ’13, and Tara Creighton ’13. We just Evansville. at Warehousing Charlestown, Indiana. advertising, and Jake Anderson, September Bryant, welcomed daughter, Madison Jane, daughter, Emerson Grace, welcomed son, went to a concert in Indianapolis and Services, Inc. in DID YOU 26, 2012. May 2. Jackson James, May 2. we live five minutes from each other Mallory Joest ’12, accounting and Mount Vernon, Mitchell Mullis ’14, radio here in Indy! We continue to be best professional services, is a staff accountant Indiana. and television, is helpdesk Amber Gehlhausen ’06, management April Condi ’03, health services, ’04, Ashley Lancaster ’08, dental hygiene, with human resources emphasis, and Travis M’14, health administration, and Andrew friends, and they are my Maids of at Allegion in Carmel, Indiana. administrator at George nursing, and Jarrod Condi, welcomed son, Lindsey Neukam ... Koch Sons in Evansville. Snow, June 14, 2014. Lucas James, April 21. Lancaster ’12, social work, welcomed son, Honor. Ryan Strouse ’12, computer information ’13, health Abram Lee, April 29. 8 systems, is a QA engineer at Healthx in services, ’15, Logan Osborne ’14, Megan Woodsmall ’07, biology, and Drew William Bowles III ’04, business 7. Betsy Jo (Farley) Mullins ’10 family Indianapolis, Indiana. masters in health KnowIn 1975, sociology, won his second Jines April 2, 2016. administration, and Ashley Bowles, fishing trip to Cumberland Lake administration, is Evansville City Golf welcomed daughter, Emilia Grace, April 21. Anna Ubelhor ’12, early childhood a transformation top recording star Tournament, 2016. The Leslie Cuma ’08, biology, and Zack education, is a preschool teacher at specialist at St. first was in 2013. Fontaine, May 2, 2015. Brandi Coomes ’04, elementary education, Evansville Catholic Diocese. Mary’s Medical Brenda Lee, and David Coomes, welcomed daughter, Group in Ryan Schillo ’14, Aletta Fields ’08, early childhood, and Eleanor Harper, April 10. Brittany Rutledge ’12, health services, has Evansville. famous for her songs finance, is an inventory Darius Thomas, September 5, 2014. joined Holiday Health Care Corporation “I’m Sorry” and compliance specialist Jayme Trevino ’04, psychology, ’06 as an administrator of Heritage Center Whitney Bailey at Lids Sports Group in Kristina Pelly ’08, political science, and masters in social work, and Juan Trevino and Horizons Rehabilitation Center in ’14, public “Rockin’Around the Indianapolis, Indiana. Anthony Filocamo, April 17, 2016. ’12, computer science, welcomed son, Evansville. relations and Miguel Ryne, April 15. advertising, has Christmas Tree” Katelyn Henning ’15, Mallory Chaffin ’12, accounting and Jared Gray ’12, biology, was named director been hired at public relations and professional services, and Michael Joest Kelly Wilkinson ’04, radiology, and Jordan of operations for PBS, a new business unit Shoe Carnival, Inc. entertained alumni at advertising, has been ’12, journalism, May 31, 2014. Wilkinson ’09, radiology, welcomed for Pollux Systems in Evansville. as their buyer’s hired on at Shoe Carnival, daughter, Georgianne Sue, April 15. assistant in the Annual Alumni Inc. as their recruiting Celeste Drew ’12, accounting, and Derek Gwen Gude ’13, psychology, joined music Evansville. Banquet. coordinator in Evansville. Tabor ’12, accounting and professional Kathleen Sokeland ’05, political science, industry company Kalatech and will handle services, October 30, 2015. and Nicholas Sokeland, welcomed son, client relations in Nashville, Tennessee. Katelyn Hugunin Jordan Evans ’15, public Henry Audubon McGinnis, May 10. ’14, occupational relations and advertising, Mary Johnson ’12, English, and Tyler Holli Dawson ’13, elementary education, therapy, ’15, masters in occupational has joined Tucker Publishing Group as a Yegerlehner, September 26, 2015. David Whitney ’05, English, and Jamie is a family case manager at the Indiana therapy, is an OTR at Healthcare Therapy marketing and circulation coordinator in Whitney, welcomed son, Miles Benjamin, Department of Child Services Perry County Services, Inc. in Greenwood, Indiana. Evansville. Benjamin Hamm ’12, engineering, and April 11. in Tell City, Indiana. Emily Paul, October 4, 2013. Dalton Isham ’14, public relations and Brenna Hoffman ’15, public relations Job Wilson ’05, marketing, and Krystalynn Nikkole Papenmeier ’13, marketing, has advertising, is the integrated supply chain and advertising, is a customer service Haley Oeth ’14, public relations and Wilson, welcomed son, Judah Montgomery, joined Regency Properties as an acquisitions executive analyst at AkzoNobel in Marietta, representative at Stens Corporation in advertising, and Nathaniel Duckworth, April 13. sourcing specialist in Evansville. Georgia. Jasper, Indiana. September 5, 2015. 9

44 | illume 45 | usi.edu/illume CLASS notes | alumni updates

10 11 12 Erin Georges M’14, family nurse practitioner, Don Pierce ’79, management, of Mount and Richard Georges Jr., welcomed son, Keller Vernon, Indiana, died April 7, 2016. He served Allen, April 25. in the U.S. National Guard for many years. He retired from Babcock & Wilcox. Ashley Grasso ’14, respiratory therapy, and Matt Grasso, welcomed daughter, Caroline William Harrison ’80, communications, of Nicole, April 18. Evansville, died March 24, 2016. William was an active member of the West Side Nut Club. Hannah Wilson ’15, health services, and William Wilson, welcomed son, Jordan Paul Simon ’80, business, of Troy, Indiana, William, May 4. died June 15, 2016. He was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the Air Force and Air National Guard. Paul was a craftsman and worked as a carpenter and a farmer. In Memoriam Julie Ann Jarvis ’81, accounting, of Evansville, Indiana, died on August 1, 2016. William (Bill) Grossman ’71, management, She was heavily involved in her church as well of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, died February 28, as the Susan G. Komen Foundation where 13 2016. He was a proud feed and animal health she was a past president and treasurer. She sales representative for Cargill. enjoyed working in her yard, walking half marathons, reading Nathan Blackford ’98, communications, Daniel McVay ’08, art, public relations and Michael Phegley ’10 , English teaching, and , nursing, and Katherine Shahine ’12 Sister Barbara Jean and attending country of Boonville, Indiana, died April 13, 2016. He advertising, and Lindsey McVay, welcomed Larina Phegley, welcomed son, Jack Robert , marketing, Samuel Shahine III ’09 Luebbehusen ’72, music concerts. was a producer for Channel 14 News as well son, Connor James, April 19. Michael, April 9. welcomed son, Joseph Julian, April 12. Photos elementary education, Did you as the voice of Warrick County High School of Ferdinand, Indiana, Nancy Peters ’82, sports. 10. Andrea and Mike Buchanan ’71 in Anna Myers ’08, occupational therapy, and Craig Phifer M’10, health administration, Katelynn Smith ’12, German and early died April 6, 2016. art, of Evansville, died Manarola, Italy Daniel Myers, welcomed son, Joshua Louis, and Kathryn Schwartzkopf-Phifer, childhood, and Nicholas Smith ’09, public She was a teacher for December 16, 2015. She Shannon Michelle French-Holt ’99, March 28. welcomed son, Eric Joel, April 9. relations and advertising, welcomed son, the past 15 years at Simon Nicholas, May 4. ... was an artist, teacher, business administration, of Evansville, died 11. Declan Allen Williams, son of Alicen Sacred Heart Model art conservator and March 11, 2016. Molly Schwitz ’08, math teaching, M’13, Carissa Shiyab ’10, marketing, and Adam (Schwartz) ’13 and Brett ’13, was born School in Louisville, animal lover. She was secondary education, and Samuel Schwitz, Shiyab, welcomed daughter, Halle Adam, Marie Stewart ’12, nursing, and Adam Screagle, June 26, weighing 8 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 May 9. Stewart, welcomed daughter, Finley Marie, Kentucky. She served as Know a founding member of Karen Sue Womack ’00, business welcomed son, Sawyer Walter, April 18. inches long May 6. a missionary and teacher as in Screagle Pride, the River City Corvair administration, of Newburgh, Indiana, died in Morropón, Peru and in Club. April 11, 2016. , elementary Cassandra Cannon ’11, social work, is a hybrid of Jessica Baumeyer ’09 Cobán, Guatemala. 12. Jennifer (Jones) Chansler ’03 education, and Brian Baumeyer ’09, and David Cannon ’12, management, Eric Westlund ’12, advanced Screaming Eagle. Randy Curl ’86, Daniel Dro ’02, communications, Carmel, on vacation with her boyfriend and elementary education, welcomed daughter, welcomed daughter, Callie Joy, April 29. manufacturing, and Demi Westlund Steven Deckard ’73, sociology, of Des Indiana, died June 1, 2016. He pursued his their blended family at Wisconsin Brielle Rae, April 21. welcomed son, Brooks Eric, April 19. Patricia Goodwin ’11, health services, and business, of Tallahassee, Moines, Iowa, died dream of starting his own business. Daniel Dells Mt. Olympus Waterpark. (Left Andrew Goodwin, welcomed son, Dominic Florida, died May 27, January 11, 2010. was an avid sports enthusiast and played Jennifer Lamb M’09, secondary education, Jessica Bailey ’13, elementary education, to right) Jaidyn Chansler, Jennifer Lee, May 4. 2016. Steven retired as a business owner and multiple sports growing up, including and Richard ’00 Lamb, sociology, welcomed and Logan Bailey, welcomed daughter, (Jones) Chansler ’03, Jeff Morrison, Kyle computer programmer. Brett Lucas ’86, business, Newburgh, died football, baseball and basketball. daughter, Gemma Grace, April 19. Rowan Grace, May 3. Morrison, Jaxtyn Chansler Ashley Kappler ’11, math teaching, and May 6, 2016. Brett was one of the founding David Kappler, welcomed son, Warner Robert Joseph Freihaut Jr ’73, business, of members of the Newburgh Barbecue Jeanne Marie Melton ’03, masters in health Erica Hazel ’09, elementary education, and Jared Blue ’13, social science teaching, and James, March 30. Evansville, died July 27, 2016. Coalition and enjoyed grilling for various administration, of Evansville, died April Nathan Hazel, welcomed daughter, Gemma Megan Blue, welcomed daughter, Skylin non-profit organizations, donating time and 20, 2016. She was a professor at St. Louis Kay, April 22. Marie, April 15. Michelle Offerman ’11, business Anna Thompson ’77, health services, of talent for their benefit. University in St. Louis, Missouri. administration, and Chad Offerman, Mount Vernon, Indiana, died April 5, 2016. Maloree Tippett ’09, elementary Devan Elpers ’13, nursing, and Dalton welcomed son, Carson Henry, April 19. Marc Duhe ’87, communications, of Jesse Nickens ’03, business administration, education, and William Tippett, welcomed Elpers, welcomed son, Ashton Bryan, April Kim David DeVillez ’77, education, of Evansville, died June 20, 2016. of Folsomville, Indiana, died July 16, 2016. daughter, Baylor Kate, April 25. 27. Abby Shipley ’11, nursing, M’15, nursing Evansville, died July 13, 2016. He loved He was store manager for Lowes in Murray, education, and Brett Shipley ’11, nursing, gymnastics, starting at the age of 5. Kim Kathryn Bennett Skelton ’88, elementary Kentucky. Jesse was an avid University of James Whitehead ’09, management, Ashley Hughes ’13, social work, and M’15, nursing education, welcomed taught many trophy-winning gymnasts education, of Boonville, Indiana, died April Tennessee football fan. He enjoyed boating and Michelle Whitehead, welcomed son, Christopher Hughes, welcomed son, Parker daughter, Addison Nicole, May 12. during his career at Central Turners and 5, 2016. She was a teacher at Tennyson and spending time with his family. 14 Cameron Michael, March 29. Scott, May 5. finally at Kim’s Gymnastics, which he owned Elementary and Oakdale Elementary Craig Weinzapfel M’11, business and operated in Newburgh, Indiana. schools. Elizabeth Curtis-Robinson ’07, geology and Kinzy Amos ’10 M’13, nursing, and Joseph Kathleen Rogers ’13, nursing, and David administration, and Mackenzie Weinzapfel, physics, Clinton, Illinois, died July 15, 2016. Amos’11 M’15, nursing, welcomed son, Rogers, welcomed son, Weston Joseph, welcomed son, Preston Allen, April 11. Timothy Will ’77, humanities, of Citrus Geraldine (Gerri) Schnaus ’89, marketing, She worked as a geologist for the University Ethan Kent, April 15. April 29. Heights, California, died on August 6, 2016. of Loogootee, Indiana, died March 20, 2016. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which was Ashly Williams ’11, nursing, M ’15, family He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Gerri taught high school business classes her dream job. Elizabeth lived with pure joy Photos Benjamin Halbig ’10, engineering, and Stuart Sharp ’13, computer science, and 13. Alex Goeckner, Jess Goeckner ’12, nurse practitioner, and John Williams, and strived to make a difference in all her and happiness on her farm with her fiancé. Katelynn Halbig, welcomed son, Rhett Rebecca Sharp, welcomed daughter, Darci Sarah Lasher ’12 (MSN ’16), Aaron welcomed son, Graham David, May 4. Nicholas Zenthoefer ’78, art, of Evansville, students and everyone else around her. Allen, May 10. Lillian, April 14. died April 1, 2016. Nick had a love for painting, Cody Austin Keith ’12, management and Field ’11 on a zip-lining adventure on the sculpting, music, the outdoors and most of Cheryl Beth Owen ’90, art, of Ava, Illinois, computer science, of Washington, Indiana, Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour in southern Eileen Kirchoff ’10, elementary education, all his two children. died April 9, 2016. died July 28, 2016. He was a First Lieutenant Illinois. and Jeffrey Kirchoff, welcomed son, Kevin in the U. S. National Guard, as well as being Wayne, May 13. Did you Alumni live in Norma Lee Bodkins ’78, health services, Frances Antoinette Pruett ’92, psychology, selected to serve as the Scout Platoon 14. We got engaged in Florida! Jared of Mt.Vernon, Indiana, died July 7, 2016. She of Ridgeway, Illinois, died March 14, 2016. Leader in the Infantry Platoon 1-151 Infantry Bradley Mangold ’10, health services, 43-plus countries Willis and Stephanie Jacobi ’16. founded the River City Eagles of Evansville Battalion. M’12, health administration, and Chelsey Stephanie is a juvenile probation around the world. and the Oakland City Eagles. Norma had Janice Sullivan Skelton ’96, elementary Mangold , welcomed son, Carter Jacob, ... officer. been active in the State Eagles Organization. education, of Evansville, died March 30, 2016. April 19. Know She loved to dance the polka and the waltz.

46 | illume 47 | usi.edu/illume TA I Lfeather | Dr. Paul Doss Paul has ridden more than 100,000 miles on the two Harleys he’s owned.

A professor of geology at USI since 1997, wonderful, scary, boring, impossible, simple, of carbon-based energy sources, and it is Dr. Paul Doss is driven by both teaching confusing, beautiful, ugly and perfect all already causing significant damage to our and learning. A passionate and political at the same time; and right and wrong is ecosystems, our lives and our economy. advocate and instructor of all things Earth- generally pretty obvious. Many of the It will only be solved culturally and related, he’s a man of Renaissance proportion as well: an accomplished harmonicist, an Allman Brothers’ lyrics are statements socially—technology and science can’t organic gardener, an archer and much more. I identify with: “Don’t fly Mister fix this problem. Third, we eat too The highlight of Doss’ professional career Bluebird, I’m just walking down the much meat. The amount of land, may have been serving as chief geologist for road…,” “Sometimes I feel like I’ve been water and energy consumed Yellowstone National Park in 2000-01, the tied to the whippin’ post…,” and for our industrial meat world’s first national park, but he gladly chose “Get out on the highway and production is a massive to return to teaching at USI, where he can now be heard musing about his record for let her roll on, roll on burden on our planet. diverting business majors into the field back to someplace of geology. you ain’t never You have a lot of been….” Sounds hobbies. What do What one word sums you up? Thank I would like like life, sounds they teach you? to think “passionate.” Most of what I do, and like learning, If I didn’t have to fix what I feel strongly about, I am either sounds like something on our obsessed with or try to immerse myself in. teaching! little 140-year- My colleagues would say…curmudgeon. old, 2.5-acre What farmstead, As a geologist, how concerned are you book should I’d be with fracking? The massive amounts of everyone read, outdoors ou horizontal fracturing and the billions of and why? “Last hiking, Y gallons of wastewater, the disposal of Child in the Woods” kayaking, which has now given Oklahoma the “record” by Richard Louv. camping, sport- of most earthquakes in the lower 48 states, FOR HELPING US It addresses the shooting with my son, will surely generate additional risks for profound disconnect fly-fishing with my wife, or riding humans and ecosystems. We would be much between our children and the my Harley. These things equal simplicity, SERVE UP EDUCATION better served to invest our time, talent natural world, a development I’ve absolutely self-sufficiency, patience and experience over and money on developing alternatives to our witnessed during my 25 years of teaching materialism. finite, and dirty, fossil fuel energy sources. natural science. What lesson have you learned from students? Your emails end with a quote from Greg What are three things people do that are That I probably am a Allman, “It’s hard to live your life in color curmudgeon! I’m old-fashioned in my approach damaging Earth? First, we consume and tell the truth in black and white.” to teaching (hands-on, hard work, a lot of Your gifts to Campaign too much stuff—it uses up too many resources, What does this mean reading, focus!) and I don’t accept too many wastes too much energy and generates too USI: Elevating Excellence to you as an excuses for not getting a job done. But my Paul, his wife, Heidi and son, David host traveling musicians on their property, Doss Barn Concerts. Barn Doss on musicians property, their host traveling David son, and his Heidi wife, Paul, much waste. Second, we aren’t recognizing educator? students are my research collaborators. will nourish the minds the true scope and threat of global climate Their unencumbered perspectives and Daily life is change. It is real, it is human-caused, it and spirits of students insights are always refreshing. complex, is global, it results from our wasteful use for many years to come. Paul’s rock hammer was given to him by his parents when he was 8 years old. HAVE A FAVORITE PROFESSOR YOU’D LIKE TO SEE FEATURED HERE? Let us know at [email protected]. 48 | illume USI.edu/Foundation Spirit and Heart of USI 10001-02050 V16-116335 Evansville, Indiana47712 8600 University Boulevard is.” experience new this beautiful how just realize you faith, of leap the take you once But there. out are snakes or bugs of kind what knowing not wracking, nerve little is a college) (like field unfamiliar avast into “Stepping Hannah Cross ’20, criminal justice major from Newburgh, Indiana, at Blue Grass Fish andWildlife Area Visit USI.edu/spirit heart for heart USI.edu/spirit Visit student submission guidelines. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NONPROFIT ORG EVANSVILLE, IN PERMIT NO.48