Spring 2007 UIndyThe Magazine of the University of Indianapolis Portico In this issue High-tech forensic video analysis laboratory brings UIndy a significant law enforcement distinction. Page 5 Gateway Business Alliance offers an opportunity to help transform the southside of Indianapolis. Page 6 Randy Ellison ’80 will soon retire as a U.S. Marshal, but he still has some big plans. Page 16 ALUMNI.UINDY.EDU 1 UIndyPortico Table of Contents 4 6 14 19 President’s forum Gateway Business Sports Update It’s all about the ‘U’ Dr. Beverley Pitts invites you to Alliance to transform Check out recent Athletics Meet Hal Cole ’54, who take a look at the University’s Indy’s south side highlights, including the serves on the Alumni Board new strategic plan to guide it The University is teaming GLVC champion women’s and has many fond memories through the next five years. with business owners to make soccer team, and learn who of his alma mater. vast improvements in the area made it into the 2007 class of 5 surrounding campus. the Athletics Hall of Fame. 20 LEVA lab puts Upcoming UIndy in the law 7 16 alumni events enforcement spotlight The department beat Playing the ‘ultimate Have you signed up for that In February the University Catch up on the news of some chess game’ trip to Germany and the became the premiere site in of the University’s schools and Randy Ellison ’80 has had an Czech Republic yet? If that’s the world for high-tech forensic departments, and meet three impressive law enforcement not in the cards for you, make video analysis and the training new UIndy trustees. career. Today he’s a U.S. sure you come back to campus of law enforcement officers Marshal—and has one more for Alumni Weekend (see in the use of this important notable role in his sights. pages 22 and 23) or one of the investigative tool. many other events coming up. On the Cover UIndy President Beverley Pitts addresses a packed house at the unveiling of the new LEVA lab, which represents a partnership between the University of Indianapolis and the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Assocation. See page 5. 2 PORTICO SPRING 2007 2006–2007 Alumni Association Board of Directors Editor’s Note Brian Martin ’88, President Amber Harrison Stearns ’95, Greetings! You may notice a change in the format of this and subsequent issues of Portico. From now on, we’ll group President-elect the pages that pertain most specifically to our alumni. You’ve been accustomed to seeing “Upcoming Alumni Events,” Cindy Blackburn Bickel ’94 ’98, Immediate Past President “Recent Alumni Events,” and other alumni content up front, with the ever-popular Class Notes and pertinent forms Vicky Swank ’78 ’80 ’99, Secretary in the back of the magazine. Since our readership goes beyond alumni to include friends of the University and parents Roberta Brooker ’74 of students, this new format should be more convenient for all our readers. We hope you’ll find it helpful. Your Haldon Cole ’54 Suzanne Davidson ’02 ’06 comments are always welcome. Michael Deemer ’98 C. Randy Ellison ’77 ’80 ’99 Gretchen Craft Fox ’93 Mustafa Guven ’99 Mariel High ’99 Greg Hill ’74 David Howey ’94 R. Jeffrey Irvin ’65 Nick LaGuire ’04 Cindy Lewis ’99 ’05 Kelly Dunwell McWilliams ’91 Bruce Miller ’74 Juan Paz ’95 ’96 ’99 Marvin Pavlov ’98 Shariq Siddiqui ’96 Shane Steimel ’95 ’97 Joe Stafford ’98 David Swift ’72 22 27 Portico Todd Sturgeon ’94 Alumni Weekend ’07 Having trouble receiv- The quarterly alumni magazine Amy Buskirk Zent ’58 All roads lead to UIndy! Hope ing your UIndy E-News? of the University of Indianapolis to see you on campus for this If your online newsletter University Editor special weekend! seems to be getting lost in the R. Peter Noot ’77 ’84 Nondiscriminatory ether (or if you’ve yet to sign Policies up), Todd Sturgeon ’94 may Art Director 24 The University of Indianapolis Recent alumni events have the answer. Jeannine R. Allen does not discriminate on the Revisit the Alumni Dinner Assistant Director basis of race, color, gender, age, Theatre and Pack-the-House 30 for Publications religion, creed, sexual orientation, Night, among other events. Class Notes Jennifer L. Huber ’07 marital status, or ethnic or Don’t forget to visit the photo Catch up on former classmates Director of Alumni Relations national origin in any of its album at Alumni Central! and other alumni. When’s the Monica M. Woods program offerings or employment last time you shared your news practices. The University is with your old buddies? Alumni Relations Coordinator 25 committed to the spirit and letter Trainer and therapist Jay Starks of the Rehabilitation Act of completes a grueling Back cover Class Notes 1973 and the Americans with year on the LPGA tour Fired up for the Colts Kendra Fowler ’08 Brad Smith ’85 served as UIndy went a little crazy for Amanda Strohmeier ’08 Disabilities Act and strives to athletic trainer and physical the home team during the provide equal access to all phases Contributing Writers of University life and activity. therapist for the Ladies week leading to the Super Mary Atteberry Professional Golf Association. Bowl victory. “Feeling blue” Scott Hall took on a whole new meaning! Please address correspondence and address changes to the Office of Alumni Relations. ALUMNI.UINDY.EDU 3 ‘Commitments to Excellence’ Strategic Plan 2006–2011 During the past year or so, the faculty, students, lead learning through themes, beliefs, and methods staff, and trustees have given careful consideration that are appropriate to the 21st-century student.” to the direction the University will go in the coming This goal focuses our attention on our primary years. We’ve all seen the dramatic improvements on mission: to make sure that every one of our students campus in recent years as a result of previous strategic has the highest-quality educational experience, planning efforts, so it’s clear just how important that each of them sees the learning experience as this process is. At its November meeting, the Board happening both inside and outside the classroom, of Trustees affirmed the latest blueprint for the and that each of them learns not only through study University, and I’m pleased to be able to share a little in one field, but also by way of the broad liberal of it with you. (For more about UIndy’s Strategic arts experiences. We want them to demonstrate Plan, visit http://www.uindy.edu/aboutuindy/ critical thinking, creativity, performance, and social strategic_plan.php.) responsibility as part of their learning goals. Our vision is that the University of Indianapolis If you visit the Web site to read the plan in its will be recognized regionally and internationally for entirety, you’ll notice frequent references to our plans its high quality of student engagement in learning, to “challenge” and “engage,” as well as to “create” leadership, and service. and “support.” These four verbs are particularly A university, no matter what its future direction, important on a vibrant college campus. is always grounded in its mission and values. The The second goal is to “strengthen and expand following University values were affirmed: the learning community for students through varied We value an emphasis on student learning in all formative experiences on campus and in surrounding President’s aspects of University life. neighborhoods.” Forum We value faculty and student interaction that “Whether they live on or off campus,” the provides individual attention, engagement, and document goes on to say, “our students need resources opportunities for mentoring. for socialization, recreation, wellness, spiritual We value international experiences for students, development, connection, and service to off-campus faculty, and staff. community life and activities.” Realizing this goal We value engagement with religious traditions will have a considerable impact on the physical campus. in an environment of hospitality, informed by the The third and final goal is to “expand the impact United Methodist Church and enriched by other of the University beyond its physical boundaries.” traditions, religious and secular. UIndy’s involvement in the Gateway Business We value purposeful engagement with the city Alliance, described in the article on pages 6 and of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. 7 of this issue of Portico, is only one example of the We value ethical, responsible, and professional effect we can have beyond those boundaries. Those behavior with respect expressed among all boundaries reach not only to Indianapolis, but also to members of the University community. Athens, to China, to our alumni and friends, and all We value individual contributions of all members over the globe. of the University community toward advancing We look forward to the challenges that the our mission. Strategic Plan sets for us, and we hope you join us in Three broad goals were established as part this pledge to continue to make the University one of the strategic planning effort. The first goal is to that we all take great pride in. “focus on student learning through engagement.” The There is so much more information to be shared; rationale: “All members of the campus community I do hope you’ll take the time to visit the Web site for are committed to connecting with our students and more details, including five-year aspirational targets their ways of learning and knowing through the most for each goal identified. I think you’ll be both proud effective ways of teaching. We research, model, and and eager for the future, as I am. —Beverley Pitts 4 PORTICO SPRING 2007 News of the lab prompted New forensic video lab a significant financial gift from retired Judge Paul H.