Spring 2006 AlumniThe Alumni Magazine of the University of Indianapolis Portico In this issue Get acquainted with President Beverley Pitts, whose inauguration is slated for March 29. Page 24 ‘Backward thinking’: Students hope experiential history puts them on promising career path. Page 28 Indiana’s only master’s degree program in nurse-midwifery awards its first diplomas. Page 21 ALUMNI.UINDY.EDU AlumniPortico Table of Contents 4 0 22 4 Upcoming Alumni Central PT doctoral The right president alumni events Your University of Indianapolis student earns at the right time national honor Get your “passport back to alumni online connection is up Dr. Beverley J. Pitts, fast campus,” and join us for and running and ready for you Deborah Silkwood-Scherer, approaching her March 9 Alumni Weekend 006. And to register. Check it out now! a faculty member at Central inauguration, hopes she will don’t forget Alumni Day at the Michigan University, has been prove to be what her seven Indianapolis Zoo or the trip to recognized by the American predecessors were: the right Switzerland & Northern Italy. 12 Hippotherapy Association. president at the right time. President’s forum It’s official: the University of 8 Indianapolis has a distinctive 3 8 Colts, University Recent alumni “new” nickname. Backward thinking events community team up seen as key to to help vet Pack-the-House Night, the future ‘Graduates of the Heart’ 3 Professor Greg Clapper, also This Indianapolis Business Alumni Dinner Theatre, and The department beat a chaplain in the Indiana Air Journal feature explains how Alumni Night at the Pacers— The news of our schools and National Guard, relates how students hope experiential were you there, or did you departments includes the first an Iraq vet from Montana history will put them on a miss all the fun? degrees offered by the nurse- came to visit Indianapolis. promising career path. midwife program (page ). On the Cover University of Indianapolis president Dr. Beverley J. Pitts will be inaugurated as the University’s eighth president on March 9, 006. She assumed her duties in July 005. See page 4 to learn more about President Pitts and the events planned during the inauguration. PORTICO SprING 2006 Blast from the past 2005–2006 As part of the University Heights United Alumni Association Methodist Church Centennial fun, a pair of Board of Directors unlikely guests joined worship services: J. T. Cindy Blackburn Bickel ’94 ’98, Roberts, the University’s first president (1905– President 08), and his wife, Alva. Theatre prof Jim Ream Brian Martin ’88, President-elect and Marsha Hart assumed the roles, joining Oscar Gardner ’74, the services in character. Mrs. Roberts used a Immediate Past President cast-iron skillet to show kids how our lives are Lora McCormick ’97, Secretary seasoned by experiences; the president spoke of Roberta Brooker ’74 the transforming power of faith and education. Haldon Cole ’54 The couple then shared a duet of one of J. T.’s Suzanne Smith Davidson ’0 favorite hymns, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Michael Deemer ’98 Spoken.” Centennial committee member Ken Gretchen Craft Fox ’93 Hottell ’62 “can be credited (or blamed) for Mustafa Guven ’99 inviting us,” Jim says. “It was an enjoyable Mariel High ’99 experience to play the part of someone who had Greg Hill ’74 such an influence on so many students, faculty, R. Jeffrey Irvin ’65 and church members. I appreciated getting to Nick LaGuire ’04 Longtime professor of Theatre Jim Ream and know Dr. Roberts through archive documents, Kelly Dunwell McWilliams ’9 Marsha Hart assume the roles of the University’s which included a text of one of his speeches, Marvin Pavlov ’98 memories, and eulogies from family members. Jamie Melfi Shellenberger ’90 first president, J. T. Roberts, & wife, Alva, who are We were quite nervous before the service, but Shariq Siddiqui ’96 greeted by Rev. Mark Dwyer, pastor of the UHUMC. seeing many former faculty, administrators, and Kelli Carr Silcox ’97 ’98 students helped us relax and enjoy the morning.” Amber Harrison Stearns ’95 Vicky Swank ’78 ’80 ’99 David Swift ’7 Todd Sturgeon ’94 Gilbert Taylor ’58 Jim Wernke ’80 ’87 30 33 Portico John Winkler ’63 Sports Update Class Notes We are pleased to share this quarterly Amy Buskirk Zent ’58 alumni magazine with parents of After a successful fall season, Catch up on classmates and students and other friends of the the University of Indianapolis some of our more than 0,000 University of Indianapolis. Nondiscriminatory found itself atop the Great other alumni, like Herschel Policies Lakes Valley Conference Grose, who at 84 is back to University Editor The University of Indianapolis All-Sports standings. And teaching chemistry to a new R. Peter Noot ’77 ’84 does not discriminate on the Ken Partridge ’58 is planning generation of students. Art Director basis of race, color, gender, age, to retire after four decades as Jeannine R. Allen religion, creed, sexual orientation, the Greyhounds’ golf coach. 46 Assistant Director, marital status, or ethnic or Leadership, Publications national origin in any of its 3 loyalty, service Jennifer L. Huber program offerings or employment Portfolio The University is grateful for Director, Alumni Relations practices. The University is Scholarship funding is essential the leadership and support Monica M. Woods committed to the spirit and letter of the Rehabilitation Act of to achieving the University provided by its distinguished Alumni Relations Coordinator 973 and the Americans with mission, and students who are Board of Trustees. Jay Starks Disabilities Act and strives to helped often help others in Class Notes turn after graduation. provide equal access to all phases Lindy Wildman ’06 of University life and activity. Contributing Writers Mary Atteberry Scott Hall Please address correspondence and address changes to the Office of Alumni Relations. ALUMNI.UINDY.EDU 3 Passport back to campus Friday, June 9 C l a s s o f 1 9 5 6 5 p.m. Reception R e g i s t r a t i o n & Schwitzer Student Center Alumni Welcome Center 6 p.m. Class Picture Noon–4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Reunion Dinner Richard E. Stierwalt Alumni House $20 per person Make this your first stop when arriving on campus. Class members from 956 will celebrate a golden Remember where old Buxton Hall was? You’ll now anniversary. Contact cochairs Leo Waynick (lwaynick find the new Stierwalt Alumni House, built with you @aol.com) or Marlene O’Dell ([email protected]). in mind. Pick up your Alumni Weekend registration packets and room keys for Central Hall if you are staying on campus. Enjoy beverages and snacks and Saturday, June 10 tour the facility while you reconnect with old friends. Registration / Alumni Welcome Center 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration Schwitzer Student Center Atrium 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. Schwitzer Student Center Atrium Alumni staff will be on hand to answer all your questions and help make your visit back to campus Didn’t make it to campus early? Anytime a memorable one. Registration packets and Central after 4:30 p.m., come to the Schwitzer Student Hall room keys will be available. Center to pick up your registration packet for June 9–11,the Friday–Sundayrest of the weekend. Fifty-Year Club Breakfast 8 a.m.–9:15 a.m. C l a s s o f 1 9 4 9 Schwitzer Student Center, Dining Hall 6 p.m. Reunion Dinner $6 per person Schwitzer Student Center Come to enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and be a part of an $20 per person exclusive audience: alumni who have been graduated Class members from 949 will gather to catch up fifty years or more! This event is open to all graduates of on days gone by. Contact chair Don Fleener ’49, 1956 and prior years and serves to officially induct the Class of 956 into the Fifty-Year Club. (37) 784-859 or [email protected] 1956 Class Memorial Service Class of 1951 9:45 a.m.–10:15 a.m. 6 p.m. Reunion Dinner Schwitzer Student Center, Orville McCleary Chapel Schwitzer Student Center $20 per person The class of 956 will remember the deceased members of their class and honor their surviving Class members from 95 gather to celebrate their spouses during a special memorial service. 55th class reunion and share a lifetime of memories. Contact cochairs Wayne H. Smith, (revwmsmith@ compuserve.com) or Harold McPherson (sti4535@ Professional Advisory Panel 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. blackfoot.net). Schwitzer Student Center Free Our third annual advisory panel, a free service to our visiting alumni, will consist of University faculty, alumni, and Indianapolis-area professionals IND F I A providing insights regarding economic outlook, O N Y A T P I O investment planning, and financial strategies as they S R L I E S V relate to reaching your overall estate planning goals I rv ice N Education for Se U and objectives. Come spend an hour and walk away 1 9 0 2 with a great deal of professional advice. 4 PORTICO SprING 2006 Alumni Weekend ’06 Alumni Weekend Campus Tours Passport back to campus 2 p.m. Student guides will lead walking tours of the campus. Golf cart transportation is available. Honors and Recognition Dinner 6 p.m. registration; 6:30 p.m. dinner; 7:15 p.m. program; 8–8:45 p.m. dessert/coffee reception Dining Hall & Schwitzer Student Center Atrium $20 per person This annual event honors those who have distinguished themselves through their profession, community service, and service to the University. All alumni and guests are welcome to celebrate the achievements A l l - A l u m n i P i c n i c & of the honorees.