FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURDUE UNIVERSITY FORT WAYNE HEHE SAIDSAID,, SHE SAID ALSO ININ THISTHIS ISSUE:ISSUE: SHE SAID • Jerome Grant feasts on the Big Apple A lighter look at some serious • Chancellor’s letter to alumni campus romances in “Love IPFW Style.” • Lecture and theatre schedules FALL 2002 • VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 1 DIRECTOR LETTER ▼ Dear Fellow Alumni, What would you tell an IPFW student who plans to enter the same career field you’re in right now? What shortcuts could you recommend? What secret tips would you offer? Well, here’s an opportunity to provide your sage advice. Through the IPFW Academic Counseling and Career Services office, IPFW alumni can now sign up to mentor IPFW students by going on the Web to http://www2.monstertrak.com/students/unreg/contact.html and registering. The mentoring commitment is all within your control. You can arrange to have students contact you via e-mail, phone, or snail mail. You can determine the number of times per month you’re willing to be contacted. You can choose the number of students you’re willing to mentor. The program is adjustable to your schedule. While you’re mentoring, be sure and share the importance of networking. One of Contents the best ways for students to network is to attend some alumni events. Why not bring them along to an IPFW alumni event as your guest? Great networking times ahead include: 1 Enamored of the dance Alumnus Jerome Grant has landed Oct. 10, 5 to 7 p.m. a dream job in New York. Meet Me at Five at IPFW 2 Alumni update Williams Theatre $3 at the door 7 Class notes Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 8 Omnibus schedule IPFW Legislative Luncheon with our legislators Walb Ballroom 9 Theatre schedule $10 per person Love IPFW Style 10 Nov. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Six couples share the stories Homecoming pregame reception behind how they met on campus. Memorial Coliseum Blue Room On the cover are Steve (1979) and Stacey Salisbury. Free 18 Retrospective Hope to see you and your e-mail protégé in the near future! Sincerely, Inside back cover: Brain Drain? Chancellor Michael Wartell contends that northeastern Indiana both retains homegrown talent and attracts creative, Jennifer R. Bosk ’87, ’01 educated people from elsewhere. © 2002 IPFW Alumni Association Published by IPFW University Relations and Communications Irene Walters Jennifer Bosk Executive Director of University Relations and Communications Director of Alumni Relations Produced by Nichols & Company 1 ALUMNI CLOSEUP ▼ Enamored of the dance IPFW alumnus Jerome Grant is director of marketing for the internationally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem. erome Grant might have been held in Oklahoma! As a senior, Jerome played In 1994, Jerome earned a master’s in spellbound by his high school’s Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. business, and New York City beckoned. J production of The King and I, but Jerome says three people were particularly He worked in marketing for City Center when the question “Shall We Dance?” influential during his days at IPFW—Larry and the American Ballet Theatre before was posed by one of the many memorable Life, now chair and artistic director of the taking a similar position with the YWCA songs, his answer was an immediate and theatre department; Steve Sarratore, now of New York. Then, Jerome got the call: resounding “Why yes, I shall!” assistant vice chancellor of academic programs, The Dance Theatre of Harlem wanted him. Jerome, who earned an IPFW bachelor’s and Ruth Bowman, former IPFW acting “It was a wonderful opportunity and a degree in theatre and dance in 1991, has coach and costume designer. “I received a major challenge for me,” he says. been feasting on the Big Apple since 1994. very diverse education at IPFW, learning Jerome’s duties include overseeing public In November 2001, he accepted a dream what it’s like to put a production up from relations, licensing, community and job: director of marketing for the prestigious both sides, both as a performer and as an audience development, a Web site, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. administrator,” Jerome says. marketing research. But the perks are very But it all goes back to when Jerome was Life says he knew success was waiting in cool—he’ll travel with the company to a sophomore at Harding High School in the wings for Jerome from the start. “The London this fall and Japan next spring. Fort Wayne and he saw The King and I. He theater requires incredible degrees of A source of inspiration for Jerome is was enthralled—and envious. “I thought, discipline and commitment, and Jerome Arthur Mitchell, cofounder and artistic ‘Those people are having so much fun. That demonstrated both from day one,” Life says. director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem needs to be me!’” Jerome says. “He knew what he wanted, and nothing was and the first African American male dancer Jerome soon began studying with the going to stop him from achieving his goals.” to become a permanent member of a major Fort Wayne Ballet, and during his junior While at IPFW, Jerome danced ballet company. “The work Dance Theatre year at Harding, he was the lead dancer professionally with the Fort Wayne Ballet, of Harlem does is truly amazing,” Jerome and he fondly remembers his roles in several says. “Arthur Mitchell has been successful IPFW productions, too. During this time in changing the mindset of people of color, he also worked as an assistant in the showing them that they can excel at classical Embassy box office. “At the Embassy I had ballet if that’s what they want. But you have the opportunity to see touring Broadway to want it and make it happen.” shows, variety shows, the Fort Wayne Jerome continues to hone his dance skills Philharmonic—and the business side in the studio and at the gym and still finds of it all,” Jerome says. “I was immersed time to take in many a show. “New York is in that world.” truly driving—there’s so much going on, Jerome’s thespian and terpsichorean and the arts world here is so extensive,” he talents were readily recognized during says. “I enjoy being able to do anything at his grad-school days in Bloomington. any time of the day at the drop of a hat.” He landed several roles and Although Jerome is out of the limelight was the only nontheater or right now, he’s still a dancer at heart. “I’m nondance major invited to focusing much more on the business side perform in the IU School than the artistic side. I don’t have any plans of Music’s production to perform professionally, but if they put up of Pippin. the right show on Broadway ... ” F ALL 2002 ALUMNI UPDATE 2 ▼ Upcoming events That’s one happy SPEA grad at the Fourth Annual Mastodon Roast post-Commencement party this past Thursday, Sept. 12 • 5–7 p.m. • Under May. He’s being handed his IPFW the tent on the McKay Farm (near the Alumni Association membership card Plex) • Free to alumni and IPFW faculty and a six-month free membership. This is our biggest and best networking Handing him the card is alumnus Roland event each year. Come renew your Stringfellow, ‘92, ‘97, who’s also on acquaintance with former classmates, the IPFW Alumni Association Board update your favorite professor on how of Directors. In the background your career is going, bring your resume is SPEA Dean William Ludwin. and make some inroads, and most of all, have fun! Roasted hog, all the trimmings, exhibit in the gallery of the Visual Arts and we’ll seat you with a legislator. Just and a free beer, wine, or pop is yours! Building. No R.S.V.P. needed. $10 for lunch and program. Call us at Because of university policy regarding 260-481-6807. the serving of alcohol, you must be on the Annual Alumni Awards Dinner R.S.V.P. list to enter. You must also be 21. Wednesday, Oct. 16 • 6:30–9 p.m. • Second Annual Homecoming Please call Nancy at 260-481-6807 to put Walb Ballroom on campus Friday, Nov. 22 • Memorial Coliseum your name on the list! Each year the alumni association Were you there last year? We had a presents six awards to special people who blast! Four hundred alumni and friends Meet Me at IPFW at Five have impacted the IPFWAA and our alma crowded the pregame reception and more Thursday, Oct. 10 • 5–7 p.m. • mater. Join us as we celebrate their good than 2,000 attended the game! Don’t be Williams Theatre on campus works. Call 260-481-6807 for a spot at left out. Details about the pregame alumni In partnership with the Greater Fort this extravaganza! bash and how to get basketball tickets will Wayne Chamber of Commerce, the IPFW come your way in October. Alumni Association will host a “Night at Annual Legislative the Arts” Meet Me at Five. Come network Issues Luncheon Old Oaken Bucket Bus Trip with alumni and chamber members. Cost Tuesday, Oct. 29 • 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 • IPFW to Purdue is $3 for chamber members and $5 for Walb Ballroom on campus and back • Times TBA the general public. Enjoy music in the Join our state legislators and students Hop aboard the buses heading down Williams Theatre lobby and the latest as we present a program to encourage to the annual football game pitting the more state funding for IPFW.