KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo is bringing a hometown flavor to its Cougar Country Café.

Jennifer & Jo Ann RozziKokomo-based Rozzi's Catering will be the campus food service provider starting July 1, offering daily service in the Kelley Student Center Commons, in addition to catering campus events.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke is happy to partner with Rozzi's, a local family-owned business, to bring their popular food to campus.

"We are pleased to bring this local business to our campus," she said. "This will enhance our food service and our students' experience here. Not only will Rozzi's offer great food, but they want to make the Cougar Country Café a cool place where students will want to spend time."

Jennifer Rozzi, co-owner and vice president, plans to bring the company's famous lasagna, signature sandwiches, and other favorites to campus, along with more hot foods, and vegetarian and vegan options.

"We are going to reflect the campus community and what they've been asking for," she said. "We want the Cougar Country Café to be that mom and pop store, the local hometown restaurant everyone gathers at. We are all about being part of the family, and feeding people, and gathering around food."

She anticipates offering pasta, omelet, or waffle stations from time to time, and using locally produced foods.

Rozzi's ties to campus go back many years. She and her sister, JoAnn Rozzi, who is co-owner and the executive chef, decided to purchase the Continental Ballroom with assistance from IU Kokomo Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) students. The students analyzed all the opportunities they were considering, and advised that purchasing the ballroom was the best choice. The students performed a marketing and promotion analysis, reviewed finances, and analyzed what the competition was doing. The Rozzis took their final report to the bank, where it helped gain approval for the purchase.

"It seems like we are coming full circle," Jennifer Rozzi said. "IU Kokomo partnered with us to expand our business before, and now we are part of the campus family, growing with them."

Rozzi's will continue to operate the Continental Ballroom and its catering business.

The Cougar Country Café will close from July 1 until its grand re-opening Tuesday, July 9.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo's Main Building is temporarily closed for electrical renovations.

Main BuildingAll offices and classes housed there have moved to other locations on campus. A directory is available at the Welcome Center, in Alumni Hall.

Renovations are expected to last approximately three weeks.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

Classes resume on their regular schedule on Friday, July 5. Offices open at 8 a.m.

The bookstore, the Cougar Country Café, and the IU Kokomo Library also will be closed Thursday.

Online and electronic resources are available when the library is closed, at www.iuk.edu/library.

Fireworks shows will be available July 4 in many communities in north central Indiana, including: Carmel, Cicero, Fishers, Flora, Frankfort, Gas City, Greentown, Logansport, Marion, Noblesville, North Manchester, Sheridan, Walton, and Westfield, and West Lafayette. The Kokomo Haynes Apperson Festival fireworks are Saturday, July 6. See www.fireworksinindiana.com for the latest updates on fireworks shows.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Steve Vas is now an expert on Turkey. After spending eight days there, visiting businesses, meeting people, and making connections, he received first-hand experiences that couldn't happen in the classroom.

Mary Harlan meets locals while experiencing the culture in Turkey. See more photos."It's one thing to read about business in a textbook, but we got a sense of how the principles we learn are applied in real life," said Vas, who traveled with students from the Indiana University Kokomo School of Business. "It gives you a third dimension to your education, plus it's a lot of fun. This was an opportunity I wouldn't get in most places."

Vas, along with 17 other students and two faculty members, also witnessed history while in Istanbul, as anti-government protests broke out during their final days in the city.

It started as a protest against planned redevelopment of Taksim Gezi Park, and grew, as participants began expressing concerns about increasingly religious overtones of new laws. Turkey has traditionally been a secular state.

"It became a protest about protecting the separation between church and state," Vas said. "They are defending their democracy. It was kind of exciting to witness it in person."

Linda Ficht, associate professor of business law, planned the trip, and was worried the unrest would ruin it. She canceled their free time in the city, keeping everyone at their hotel, as a precaution.

"We were catty corner to the park, and could watch the protests from a safe vantage point," she said. "We were able to see a revolution in the making, civil rights in the making. The students were excited about it."

Before the protests, students spent seven days visiting American and Turkish-owned businesses, meeting IU alumni, and touring cultural sites in Turkey. Ficht's goal in planning the trip was for students to get out of the classroom and meet real people in another country.

"The lens you view business with changes once you go abroad," she said. "It is important to see first-hand what is happening in other countries. When you immerse yourself, you see it up close. You talk to the people, you deal with the currency exchange rate, and you live it. It takes what you are learning from theory to real experience. You can't read that personal experience in a textbook."

They visited American companies, including Starbucks, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Disney, and also met with representatives of domestically owned businesses.

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) student Gabby VanAlstine, from Noblesville, was interested to learn from one female business leader that while only 20 percent of Turkey's women are in the workforce, about 65 percent of the country's top executives are women.

"I loved Turkey, but that made me even admire it more," she said. "They've recognized the value of women in the workplace."

She believes foreign study is an important part of business education, and said Turkey was an excellent choice for the School of Business' first-ever overseas trip.

"Turkey is quickly becoming a global force economically," she said. "Any time you go to a foreign country, it changes your life. It takes you out of everything you know, and everything you are used to, and makes you realize there is a whole other world out there."

Talal Al Hammad, an M.B.A. student from Saudi Arabia, has been to Turkey many times, as it is a favorite vacation destination in his country. He said, though, it was a different experience visiting businesses rather than being a tourist. He appreciated people taking time to talk to students about their companies, and how they've succeeded.

"This trip covered so many of the topics we study in our classes, like production, brand name, business law, marketing, and international business," he said. "This trip took us beyond the academic courses. We met actual business people and learned how they are facing real problems on the ground, and what they are doing to solve those problems."

An unexpected benefit of the trip was that the Saudi and American students forged closer ties, he said.

"Before, maybe we were shy about interacting with them," he said. "Now we are all networking, we're all Facebook friends, we text each other, and we call each other. We've been there, but seeing it through American eyes, it was really exciting for us. We learned we share the same values, but because we live in different places, we share those values in different ways. This trip changed something between us, in a good way."

He owns a business in Saudi Arabia, and was pleased to make contacts on the trip that will be useful to him when he earns his degree and returns home. He especially appreciated meeting members of the IU Alumni Association in Turkey.

"They all have experience in many sectors, and some of them want to explore the Saudi market," he said. "Now we will have IU in common to make those connections."

In addition to meeting business executives, Vas, a senior from Kokomo, enjoyed learning more about Turkey's culture, especially how eastern and western ideas connect in Istanbul.

"It's the only city where you will see a women in a burqa walking next to a woman in a mini skirt," he said. "It's the most western country in the east, and the most eastern country in the west. "

Ficht hopes to return to Turkey with students in the future. She is just starting to plan a trip to Prague, Czech Republic, in 2015. Her own trip to Prague while she was an M.B.A. student made her a strong believer in overseas study.

"If you go, and you participate as a student, not a tourist, you will be changed by the experience," she said. "Once you get home, and you start to think about what you saw and what you did, that's when the transformation happens."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, IND. — Automotive industry leftovers fuel Korey West's dreams of educating third-world children.

See more Innovation Symposium photos here.He envisions recycling tires, seat belts, and carpet from cars, making shoes from these scraps, and giving them to children in places like South America and Africa, where they walk miles to school and risk injury to their bare feet.

He presented his vision for "Junkyard Shoes," as his final project for Indiana University Kokomo's Innovation Symposium, a class intended to make students think about global issues, and what they can do to solve the world's problems.

After a semester of reading and researching about philanthropy, the environment, and technology, they travel to England and Scotland, where they meet people working in these areas, and visit museums and ecological sites.

"As they study historical and current innovators and innovations, they practice thinking outside the box, and examine new ways to solve problems," said Karla Stouse, senior lecturer in English, who leads the trip.

Student projects included plans to create a microbial fuel cell, encourage a sense of community among Frankfort's diverse populations, develop a workshop to help caregivers promote active learning in dementia patients, build a travel table from recycled plastics, and develop a program to bring Afghan refugees to IU Kokomo.

West, who completed his degree in communication arts with the class, came up with his idea based on mission trips he's taken, and then studied the TOMS shoe company, which offers customers a chance to send a pair of shoes to someone else for each pair they purchase for themselves.

"I had to take this opportunity to be able to go somewhere far away, and to learn how to make a difference," he said. "It encourages you to think outside the box about the problems there are in the world, and what you can do about them."

Stouse said the program's goal is to encourage students to think beyond getting the grade in a class.

"Thinking is a skill that has somehow become lost in education," she said. "The world needs thinkers with the courage to innovate, to try new approaches, and take the risks necessary to make positive changes. If we are not going to teach and encourage students to step up and help fix the world's problems, what will the world look like 50 years from now?"

Innovation Symposium participants are nominated by faculty, and chosen through an essay application and interview process. As many as 10 may go each year; this year nine students participated.

In England, they discussed social entrepreneurship at celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's foundation, which offers unemployed young people the chance to train for careers in the restaurant industry. They toured Covent Garden, with homeless people as their tour guides. They also visited the London Science Museum, Isaac Newton's home, the laboratory of penicillin discoverer Alexander Fleming, the Bodlein Library, the British Library, the British Museum, and Westminster Abbey.

For the environmental part of the program, students went to the Isles of Mull and Iona in Scotland. They spent two weeks at Harlaxton Manor, meeting for class twice daily, and working on their final projects.

For Anthony Rentz, a junior new media communications major, that meant preparing videos to promote availability of scholarships and grants from the Community Foundation of Howard County.

"I want to show the importance of giving, and the impact grants have in the community, to encourage more people to give," he said. "A lot of students don't know about the scholarships that are available to them. I just want to help more people get where they want to go."

Sarah Ferenc, humanities major from Kokomo, created travel packets for families to use, to encourage learning on their vacations. She said the experience "pushes you to create something amazing," and requires a lot of work. It was worth it, she said.

"You get so much more out of the trip than you put in."

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke called the trip a unique opportunity for IU Kokomo students, and thanked the sponsors who made it possible.

"We appreciate our community partners who share our vision, and see the benefit of overseas travel for our students," she said. "For many, this is their first time traveling outside the country, and it is a life-changing experience. We are thankful for support from Kathleen Ligocki, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Lasbury, our IU Kokomo Staff Council, and the Office for Applied Learning, along with our other faculty, staff, and friends who have given time and money to this effort."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo will celebrate the life and music of Bob Williams, with a birthday memorial and reception at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, in Havens Auditorium.

Bob WilliamsWilliams, a teacher, actor, and musician, was a long-time friend to the campus, and received its Distinguished Service Award in 2008. He and his wife, Pat, used their musical talents to entertain at many campus events, and donated proceeds from his first CD to IU Kokomo. They also contributed to the campus library.

"Bob and Pat always have been here to support IU, and especially the Kokomo campus," said Cathy Valcke, interim vice chancellor for public affairs and advancement. "They've been great friends to us, and Bob will be missed. He was always there when we called upon him."

Williams was born July 17, 1934, in Warsaw, and died June 24, 2013, at IU Health Hospice House in Bloomington. He earned a bachelor's degree in piano from IU's Jacobs School of Music, and later earned a master's degree. He was the long-time accompanist for IU's Singing Hoosiers.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind.  — When Serina Perry is a teacher, she will be able to empathize with any student who is new to the country, doesn't speak English, and doesn't understand the culture.

Nursing studentsAs a nurse, Crystal Jones will be able to treat her patients with sensitivity, understanding their cultural needs, in addition to their medical needs.

Both students experienced what it is like to be in a place where they did not understand the language and culture, as part of Indiana University Kokomo's overseas study programs in South Korea this summer.

Perry, an elementary and special education major from Delphi, wanted to travel after taking a multicultural education class.

"We were challenged to look within ourselves and find our prejudices, and get rid of them, so we have equity for children of all backgrounds in our classrooms," she said. "After traveling to South Korea, I now know, understand, and empathize with children in my classroom who do not understand the language, and who don't understand the culture, because I've had that experience too."

She looks forward to sharing her Korean experience when she student teaches this fall. She bought souvenirs and books to share with the children, and is working on a teaching unit to incorporate some of what she learned. She would also like to establish a pen pal program between children she met during her travels and her students.

"Our children will have to be prepared to interact with people around the world, because of how technology brings us closer together," she said. "We have to broaden their worldviews."

The six education students toured cultural and historical sites and visited Sungshin University. A highlight of the trip was a day at Sungshin Elementary, where they enjoyed lunch in classrooms with students and taught an English lesson.

"The teachers and the students were very welcoming and receptive to us," Perry said. "The children loved practicing their English with us. They were very well-behaved, and were eager to hear about America."

Associate Dean Shirley Aamidor said students gained insight into what it is like to live with a hostile neighbor during a trip to the demilitarized zone separating South Korea from North Korea.

"At one point, one group of students was standing in North Korea, while the other group was in South Korea," she said. "Students gained a greater understanding of the challenges South Koreans face on a day to day basis."

They also visited street markets and ate South Korean food. Perry was surprised to find she liked the food, though she probably would not have tried squid or octopus if offered at home.

"It was unusual, but surprisingly good," she said, adding that a lot of it was very spicy.

Holly Manns, an elementary education major from Macy, also was surprised that she liked the Korean food, and had hoped to expand her worldview by going to Korea.

"This experience allows me to bring a different culture into my classroom," she said. "It also prepares me to teach children from different cultures. I have a different perspective now, and I can't wait to share it."

She also has the travel bug, she said.

"I'm more open than I was, now that I've experienced something other than my small hometown," she said. "I think it takes getting on the plane that first time to make you want to go again."

Education studentsAamidor, who will spend the fall semester teaching at Sungshin University in South Korea, called the trip a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students.

"We had access to places and people that most tourists never experience," she said.

While this was the first trip to South Korea for the School of Education, the School of Nursing pioneered the campus' overseas travel programs, with Dean Linda Wallace starting a faculty exchange in 2000. Nearly 30 IU Kokomo students have visited since 2003. Dr. Se-Ung Lee, a South Korean businessman and philanthropist, has supported the program for 13 years with grant funding.

Mary Bourke, assistant dean, led the trip, along with three other faculty members. She taught a graduate level class leading up to the trip, about culturally competent health care practices. In addition to cultural experiences, the six students spent time in hospitals and nursing schools.

Bourke said they experienced what life is like for the people who live in South Korea, rather than being tourists, because of IU Kokomo's partnerships there. Visiting lecturer Sung Ja Whang, who is from South Korea, had her sister and other family members lead their tour of Seoul.

"We had a better insight of the cultural significance because of our guides," Bourke said. "We experienced the real culture, and were immersed in it."

Crystal Jones, a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) student from Marion, was impressed to witness how South Korean hospitals incorporate both eastern and western health practices.

"They don't act like one is better than the other," she said. "They have respect for both of them, and use eastern medicine for chronic conditions, and western for emergent care."

She was also surprised by how urban and modern the country is.

"I packed like I did when I went to Africa, and felt like I stepped off the plane in Chicago," she said.

Leigh Swartzendruber, an M.S.N. student from Greentown, enjoyed meeting Korean nursing students.

"We are different in ways, but when you meet them, they're just like us, deep down," she said. "We became like family."

Swartzendruber noted that in South Korea, it is common for family members to stay at the hospital with a patient and perform some of the tasks nurses would do in the United States, and they also bring in their own meals. Because of her experience, she would understand why an Asian patient at her hospital might bring family members along.

"I consider my patients' culture now, when I'm taking care of them," she said. "I'm helping teach other nurses to consider that now, because I've had experience being where I didn't speak the language and didn't know the culture. I'm a better nurse because of this experience."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Joby Renbarger is making his mark on the automotive industry, thanks to a partnership between Indiana University Kokomo and Chrysler Group.

Interns at Chrysler.The senior business marketing and management major is one of 11 students chosen for the first large-scale internship program between the company and the campus.

The students are using their skills to provide leadership training, prepare executives for an upcoming audit presentation, develop project tracking programs and communication workshops, and create recruiting videos, among other projects.

Renbarger called the internship "a giant step to completing my future goals," including earning a Master of Business Administration degree after he graduates.

"I wanted this internship because I have heard many great things about Chrysler, and I know this can be the starting point to my future," he said. "I am learning so much here about myself and others. It has been an amazing experience so far, and I am very blessed to have been given this opportunity."

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke proposed the internship program to Brad Clark, Chrysler Group's general manager of the transmission and casting division. It offers the company specialized resources from IU Kokomo, while providing students real world job experience.

"Our students are receiving invaluable training, while providing a real benefit to Chrysler," she said. "This is a positive program for all involved, and I am proud to offer this opportunity to our students through our partnership."

Lori Hoback, manufacturing planning specialist, said Chrysler focused on its needs in leadership, communication, employee training, and computer skills, when choosing the first interns.

"The students have made a significant impact already," Hoback said. "Our business is growing exponentially, and market demand is driving us to react more quickly. We appreciate the pace Dr. Giesecke is driving in our partnership. I am excited to work with the students this summer, and I look forward to building a long-term relationship with the university in our back yard."

For Mary Olk, who is completing her degree in communication arts this summer, the internship confirmed her career choice in leadership.

"This has been one of the biggest learning opportunities I've ever had, and I'm extremely grateful for it," Olk said. "It has taught me a lot about the real working world, in a global organization. It's affirmed that leadership development is an area I'd like to continue to work in in the future."

Olk is teaching leadership workshops for Chrysler Group executives, and creating self-study programs focusing on the 16 Leadership Behaviors, the criteria by which Chrysler Group employees are evaluated.

"My internship is allowing me to take all the theories and information I've been studying for four years and actively apply them," she said.

Olk also is developing a communication workshop with Renbarger and Jason Chea, and working with Sofia Stout to prepare executives for their upcoming World Class Manufacturing audit presentations.

Chea and Renbarger analyzed the company's leadership program and identified areas where more training is needed. They've also constructed a formal database system for tracking projects.

"The engineers have approved it and are using it and testing it to be sure it's perfect for their needs," Renbarger said. "The goal after this internship is to leave Chrysler with some high-quality materials to use, and to leave our mark. It is very important to all of us to do a great job and make the most of this opportunity."

Stout, a senior communication arts major, said they are helping Chrysler Group achieve its goal of a bronze rating during its upcoming audit by watching and critiquing executives' presentations, and giving suggestions for improvement.

She said the program is a win for the company, the interns, and the community.

"By reaching a bronze level standing, it opens up new business for the Kokomo area plants," she said. "That provides opportunities for expansion and new jobs."

They also are writing a "book of knowledge," which can be used for presentation training in the future.

Stout appreciates the chance to put the skills she has learned on campus to work in a real-world application.

"I love my job," she said. "Public speaking is not an easy thing to do. If I can help these executives feel more comfortable and prepared while standing behind the podium that is enough satisfaction for me. Helping others, and especially helping people communicate to reach a team goal is what drives me to work hard and to do well. It's nice to know my work is appreciated and wanted. I cannot be more thankful for this opportunity to learn and grow."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Laura Brown did not spend her seven days in Hawaii surfing, sunbathing on the beach, or eating delicacies at a luau.

Meeting Veterans in HawaiiInstead, Brown, and two of her Indiana University Kokomo classmates, worked on a documentary, interviewing Japanese American veterans of the 100th Battalion, about their U.S. military service during World War II — when Japan was the enemy.

This is critical work, as most of the veterans are in their late 80s and early 90s, and time is running out for them to tell their stories.

"We lose so many World War II veterans every day," Brown said. "These men gave us a whole different perspective on the war, one that won't be available much longer. They are full of history and information, but they are losing their ability to communicate effectively as they age. You could feel there was a sense of urgency to have their experiences documented, so they are not lost when they pass."

The trip was part of a summer class, "Asian American Literature: A World at War," focusing on the experiences of Japanese Americans during the war.

Brown was most impressed by the veterans' patriotism, despite the discrimination they faced.

"They fought for the U.S willingly, even though they were not treated the same as the other soldiers," she said. "They were bullied and mistreated because of their heritage. You have to think how hard it would be to leave behind their lives, and not be accepted among their Army peers. I was blown away by their love of their country."

Karla Stouse, lecturer in English, led the trip. She learned about the all-Japanese American 100th battalion while doing research about the internment camps the U.S. government sent many to during the war, fearing they would aid the Japanese military.

"I despise injustice, and this is a topic still relevant to us today," she said. "We researched the era, examining government propaganda about the relocation camps, and about the fear that permeated society after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. We also drew parallels to the atmosphere post 9/11, and the current situation at Guantanamo Bay."

Stouse said some of her students were shocked they didn't know about this aspect of American history, and noted they were the ones who drew the parallels to the detainment center.

Holly Manns, 22, an elementary education major from Macy, was among those who learned that lesson.

"I don't know why it took me going to Hawaii to figure it out," she said. "We really need to hear these stories. It was humbling to realize we might be among the last to interview them. Most of them are 90 and older, and a lot of them are fading."

As a future teacher, she personally feels a sense of responsibility to share those stories.

"I like history, but I never really appreciated it until this trip," she said.

After reading and studying, three of the students met and interviewed surviving members of the 100th Battalion in Hawaii, and were special guests at their 71st anniversary banquet. They also talked to people at the Japanese Cultural Center about internment.

"We are examining cultural attitudes and discrimination. We want to make people aware of how fear can turn to hate, which can then lead to the kinds of injustices experienced by innocent American citizens," Stouse said. "Also, they have interviewed veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, in addition to speaking with internment victims and others with knowledge of the topic."

They also learned that individuals can make a difference, and were amazed by the Japanese American soldiers' patriotism.

"They met genuine American heroes," Stouse said. "These are men who carry no bitterness about having to fight for the right to fight in World War II because of their ancestry, men who have led lives of distinction, and were instrumental in bringing Hawaii to statehood. Being able to talk with those men and with their children about what their experiences signify will stay with these students forever."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Maria Ahmad discovered her leadership ability, and a passion for multiculturalism, as a college student.

Maria AhmadShe now wants to help Indiana University Kokomo students find their potential, as the new coordinator of student life and campus diversity.

Ahmad, 23, said she was not involved in high school activities at all, but found her place while she was an undergraduate at Ohio State University.

"I really changed, and learned my potential, and saw what I could do, from being involved on campus," she said. "I want to help IU Kokomo students have that experience. This is a perfect job for me, because I am passionate about diversity."

Sarah Sarber, dean of students, said Ahmad brings "tremendous knowledge and experience" in student activities, leadership development, and diversity programs to the campus.

"We are very fortunate to have Maria joining us at IU Kokomo," she said. "She understands the importance of getting students engaged on campus, and in helping them have a better understanding of the diverse world in which we live."

Ahmad's interest in diversity stems from her childhood in Mansfield, Ohio. Her parents emigrated from India before she was born, and she remembers noticing how she was different from other children at her school. As a college student, though, she grew to embrace how all people have their differences and similarities.

"Everyone has a different story, and we can learn from one another," Ahmad said. "College is the perfect place to have those conversations, and to ask questions and learn from each other."

Ahmad looks forward to working with the IU Kokomo student organizations, and especially would like to grow the multicultural club.

As coordinator of student life and campus diversity, Ahmad is responsible for programming and diversity initiatives, in addition to advising the Student Union Board, Student Athletic and Wellness Board, and the multicultural student organization. She also will work with the admissions and advising offices to recruit and retain students from special populations.

She recently completed a master's degree in adult and higher education, with an emphasis in student affairs, at Northern Illinois University. She also was a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development, and advised the campus activities board.

Ahmad earned a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences from Ohio State University, where she was involved in student government and the Muslim Student Association. She is currently vice president of the National Muslim Student Association.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — College students on a budget are always looking for ways to make their dollars stretch a little further.

Hunt HallAt Indiana University Kokomo, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is making it easier for students to find free and low cost resources, by hosting its first-ever Financial Literacy Awareness Community Fair and Festival.

The free event, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, offers students — and community members — a chance to meet representatives of area non-profit agencies that offer programs and services in the Kokomo area. Students may also win one of five $100 scholarships for the fall semester.

Vinny Vincent, assistant director, organized the fair to show ways people can make the most of their money, particularly while they are in college.

"Financial aid is just one aspect of financial literacy," he said. "As we talk about student loans, we also talk about using our resources as efficiently as possible. Many people don't know about the free and low cost options available to them right here in their own back yard. This is a chance to learn about it, in a fun environment."

In addition to booths for the organizations, which include Project Access, the American Red Cross, Carver Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, and the Family Service Association, there will be free carnival games, food, and prizes

The Financial Literacy Awareness Community Fair will be in Alumni Hall and the Kelley Student Center Commons. Free parking is available on campus.

For more information, call Vincent at 765-455-9451, or e-mail jrvincen@iuk.edu.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

Joshua Holley

His outstanding work as an Indiana University Kokomo nursing student gained him admission to IU's prestigious School of Medicine, where he begins classes in August.

He said IU Kokomo has more than prepared him for medical school.

"My professors taught me how to study," he said. "That's something I didn't learn in high school. They did a great job preparing me to succeed on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), too. Knowing how to study and what to look for was hugely helpful. Each of my instructors contributed something."

Holley, from Wabash, previously earned an associate degree in nursing, and worked full time as a nurse while continuing school to earn his bachelor's. He appreciates the outstanding faculty at IU Kokomo.

"Everyone is more than willing to help you with anything, even professors you don't have in class," he said. "They actually know you and are invested in your success."

Holley is just one of IU Kokomo's recent success stories, with many graduates gaining admission to medical, dental, physical therapy, and pharmacy schools after earning their undergraduate degrees.

The campus is making it easier for these students to prepare for graduate success, offering pre-professional scholarships to top applicants, and is now expanding to offer direct-admit scholarships in nursing, education, and business. Each scholarship is worth $2,500, and includes a stipend for overseas study, a laptop computer, and research and mentoring opportunities with faculty, among other benefits.

Sarah McIlrath, from Rossville, said close interaction with faculty and small classes have been a key to her success. She graduated with a degree in biological and physical sciences in May, and earned admission to the physical therapy program at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich.

"You feel like you are part of a family, not just a student ID number," she said. "My physical therapy school application included a recommendation from Dr. Christian Chauret, dean of the School of Sciences. At a larger school, the dean would not have known me well enough to write a letter for me, and I would not have known him well enough to ask."

Like Holley, she feels ready for the rigors of a graduate program.

"My science classes have prepared me for the workload ahead of me," she said. "I studied tough subjects, and I learned to knuckle down and put forth the effort to get the grades I needed to accomplish my goals."

Allen Barton, Rochester, found IU Kokomo from the other side of the world, where he was serving as a missionary. He'd previously earned a degree in youth ministry, but decided, while working in an African orphanage, that he was being called into the medical field.

He hadn't taken science classes while earning his undergraduate degree, so he started looking for a campus near his wife's hometown of Rochester where he could take the classes he needed to get into medical school. He corresponded with Academic Advisor Cathy Barnes, who outlined how he could take the needed classes in two years.

"She made it easy to see what I needed to do," he said.

He was impressed with the individual attention students receive in the small classes at IU Kokomo. Sara Deyo, his chemistry lab supervisor, wrote him a letter of recommendation for medical school, and Marcia Gillette, senior lecturer in chemistry, helped him several times, even though he did not take her class.

"The professors are just as interested in you as a person as they are with you as a student," he said. "They are willing to take that extra step to invest in their students, and want us to succeed."

He finished the classes in May 2012. He had a 4.0 GPA and scored in the top 7 percent on the MCAT, earning admission to the IU School of Medicine in South Bend. He said that was a great accomplishment, as the medical school accepts less than 10 percent of applicants.

"It wasn't easy, but if a 33-year-old guy with three kids, coming out of a ministry background, can accomplish this, so can other IU Kokomo students, if they are willing to make the effort," he said. "The courses offered here, and the professors who invested in me, have prepared me for the rigors of medical school. I'm getting one step closer to the dream I've had for several years."

Students now in professional programs said their IU Kokomo degrees prepared them to succeed.

Christopher Hayes, Marion, is a student in the doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) program at the IU School of Dentistry, Indianapolis. He graduated from IU Kokomo in 2011with a degree in business management, while also taking pre-medical classes at IU Kokomo.

"A lot of the information I've learned in dental school I've already had a good background in, especially when we hit anatomy. There were many terms I'd already been exposed to."

The small classes at IU Kokomo meant his professors had plenty of time to be sure he understood concepts.

"If you are in an organic chemistry class with only nine students, you're not competing for information, you're not competing to learn," he said. "If there is a problem, if you don't understand a concept, you can go to a professor and get help. They aren't too busy to help you, and they care that you learn and are prepared."

Amy Wooten, Peru, gained admission to all four physical therapy programs she applied to, including her first choice, at IUPUI. She graduated from IU Kokomo in 2012, with a degree in psychology.

That major made her stand out from other physical therapy candidates, as most studied exercise science or athletic training as undergraduates.

"Psychology is also relevant to rehabilitation, because of all the mental barriers in that area," Wooten said. "I wanted to stand out among all the candidates, and I definitely did."

In addition to her academic transcript, her campus involvement at IU Kokomo helped her distinguish herself from other candidates. Wooten was in the psychology club, the pre-professional club, was a lab assistant, and participated in undergraduate research.

"Academically, you have to work really hard, but you can't just go to school and study," she said. "The PT programs like to see lots of extracurricular activities on your resume, and there were lots of options at IU Kokomo. They like to see an effort in everything you do as an undergraduate, not just in class."

She has successfully completed her first year of physical therapy school, and feels she was well prepared for the program's rigors.

"My first semester was really hard, but I was ready for it," she said. "Now I love it. It's just amazing."

For more information about pre-professional and direct admit scholarship opportunities, contact the Office of Admissions, 765-455-9217, or go to www.iuk.edu/directadmit.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Excellence in soccer is an Indiana University tradition.

Kyle GallowayIU Kokomo student Kyle Galloway is adding to that winning tradition, as part of a national championship power soccer team.

"We made it our goal to win the Champions Cup at the beginning of the season," Galloway, 25, said. "I am so happy we reached our goal. We worked hard all season, and our work paid off."

His team, RHI Sudden Impact, defeated DASA Dynamites, from Missouri, 1-0 to win the National Power Soccer Association championship in July.

Power soccer is an international team competitive sport for power wheelchair users. Any person who has a physical disability that requires them to use a power wheelchair may play. There are more than 60 teams in the United States.

Galloway, a general studies major from Kokomo, started playing a year ago, after his brother heard there was an open place on a team. He had played soccer and baseball growing up, before he suffered a spinal cord injury in a four-wheeler accident shortly after graduating from high school in 2006.

"This is something I can do independently, on my own," he said "I don't have many opportunities to do that. I was excited to get to play a sport again. It's been a while since I'd been able to play. Most wheelchair sports are played in a manual wheelchair, and I can't manipulate one."

Power soccer is played on a basketball court, with three offensive players and a goalie for each team. During the two 20-minute halves, players maneuver the 13-inch diameter soccer ball with a guard on the front of the wheelchair, attacking, defending, and spin kicking the ball in an attempt to score goals.

"The only motion skills are what you can do with the joystick on your wheelchair," Galloway said, adding that he purchased a special wheelchair built specifically for the sport.

"You can spin it really fast to kick the ball," he said. "It really makes the game move more quickly, and it's more exciting for the players and fans. It's revolutionized the game."

RHI Sudden Impact is based in central Indiana, with men and women from Carmel, Fishers, Indianapolis, Pendleton, and Kokomo on the team. Practices begin in October, and culminate in the national championships during the summer.

Teams must play at least 12 games during the year, with two in their conference, to qualify for the nationals. Galloway's team played a record-breaking 47 games during the season, to qualify for the Champions Cup, played at Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Teams play in conferences based on ability. At the end of each season, the top two teams in each conference move up, while the bottom two move down. Galloway's team will move into the top-level Premier Conference for the 2013-2014 season, after winning their championship.

He looks forward to the new challenge, and plans to play for several more years. There is no age limit in power soccer.

"This is a lifetime thing for me," he said. "I've fallen in love with this game, and I don't want to stop."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — When Joseph Logan applies to graduate programs, not only will he know what a high resolution melt analysis is, he will be among the few who have actually performed one.

Joseph Logan holds a tray of grasses.Logan, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (M.A.L.S.) student at Indiana University Kokomo, gained the experience as a research assistant to T.J. Sullivan, assistant professor of molecular ecology. Sullivan is studying certain grasses and the fungi that grow in them, potentially impacting cattle production, with a four-year National Science Foundation grant.

Hands-on research is a key element of earning a degree from the School of Sciences, both for graduate and undergraduate students. Those in the Bachelor of Science programs in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, must earn at least three credits in research.

Dean Christian Chauret said both students and faculty benefit from working together.

"This kind of out-of-classroom learning looks good on a resumé for future jobs, graduate work, and professional schools," he said, "Students gain tremendous experience through this one-on-one collaboration with a faculty member. If the data is solid, the student can present at a conference, and many of them have also published in research journals with their faculty mentors."

Chauret added that students who participate in research are better prepared and are highly likely to graduate. Faculty can expand their research potential and scope by working with students.

Logan, who earned his bachelor's degree in biology from IU Kokomo in 2012, has worked with Sullivan for more than a year. His role is genotyping the variations of fungus living in the grasses, using the high resolution melt analysis, a relatively new technology. Sullivan said it is quicker and more cost-effective than previous technology, allowing him to study more samples.

"This puts us ahead of the curve in research," he said. "As Joe continues his education, his use of a newer technology will make him stand out. This is something a lot of people don't know about yet. Not only does he know what this technology is, he has experience using it."

Logan, from Logansport, appreciates the chance to gain this experience.

"I enjoy knowing I've contributed to something," he said. "It has helped me develop my ability to analyze what is happening, and to figure out a solution."

Three undergraduate students have joined Sullivan's research team, and he anticipates more interest as students work to meet their research requirements.

"You have a better chance of having these opportunities at a smaller school like IU Kokomo, where you aren't competing with as many students for research assistantships," he said.

Sullivan is studying the relationship between particular toxic and non-toxic grasses, trying to determine why fungus that lives in some grasses can be toxic to livestock, but not in others. This is an issue that impacts cattle in the United States, and sheep in New Zealand.

"There is a lot of interest in this," Logan said. "If we can come up with a solution for this problem, people can save hundreds of millions of dollars."

The losses are incurred in treating sick animals, or when livestock eats just enough to survive, and don't gain weight as they should. They sometimes must bring in other feed to replace the grass, which also results in lost revenue.

Logan plans to either attend dental school or begin a Ph.D. program in genetics after completing his master's degree.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo's cheerleaders for the 2013-2014 athletics season will bring Cougar spirit to the new gym.

2013 IU Kokomo Cheerleaders

After last year's inaugural season cheering on the men's basketball team, the squad will add volleyball games this season, leading the Cougar Crazies and fans in supporting the women's team.

"We are excited to add volleyball to our schedule this season," Coach Chelsea McDonald said. "We want to help grow school spirit, and encourage everyone to come cheer with us for the Cougars."

Twin sisters Courtney Freeman and Kiley Freeman, from Sweetser, are the returning veterans from the first squad. They join new cheerleaders Hannah Aaron, Greentown; Maggie Goff, Converse; Brandi Martin, Peru; Bailey Oakley, Walton; and Kelsey Thieke, Galveston.

The team is participating in cheerleading camp before the season begins, and Kiley Freeman noted all the cheerleaders bring previous experience to the team.

"We had a great first season, and we're growing the program this year," she said. "With our experience and what we learn at camp, we should be more impressive this year."

In addition, Martin looks forward to expanding the cheerleading camp they sponsor for elementary and middle school girls this year, to include girls from more schools.

"Being an IU Kokomo cheerleader is an opportunity to be a role model in our community," she said. "It means a lot to me to be chosen for this team."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke stands with a group of scholarship recipients.

Eighteen students received the merit awards, as winners of the Early Scholars Program scholarships, Direct Admit Program scholarship, Pre-Professional Program scholarships, and the Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholar program.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke urged the award winners to find a way to lead on campus.

"IU Kokomo is a great place to develop your leadership skills. You are bright and talented, and when you add that leadership component to your college education, it will enhance your career opportunities. I know we will see many of you in leadership positions in the future." she said.

Todd Gambill, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management, congratulated the recipients on their academic success.

"I get excited meeting students of this caliber," he said "There could be a scientist who will find a cure for cancer, a future Nobel Prize winner, a president of the United States, or a governor of Indiana in this group. That's what happens with the cream of the crop at a top-notch university, and that is what you are."

Winners of the Direct Admit Program scholarships included Alison Ashbaugh, Elwood; Tiera Callis, Marion; Darion Daugherty, Peru; Gage Gilbert, Westfield; Liana Gurney, Kokomo; Christopher Osborne, Gas City; Tyler Powell, Rochester; and Kaylee Ridgeway, Kokomo.

Early Scholars Program recipients included Courtney Boike, Kokomo; Erin Eldridge, Forest; Breanna Kinder, Kokomo; Caroline Landis, Kokomo; Zach Meyer, Valparaiso; and Brandon Wysong, Kokomo.

Jenna Crowder, Westfield; Madison Heflin, Kokomo; and Katherine Leach, Walton; earned pre-professional scholarships. Christopher Santucci, Kokomo, is the campus's Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholar.

This was the first year for Direct Admit Program scholarships, for incoming students in business, education, and nursing. To qualify, students must graduate in the top 10 percent of their class, and earn a minimum math and critical reading SAT combined score of 1150. Qualifying students are guaranteed admission to their academic program, and also receive a $2,500 per year scholarship, laptop and software, $1,000 stipend for overseas travel, a faculty mentor, and a textbook credit.

The Early Scholars Program scholarships, which are $2,500 per year plus a laptop, are for students in the top 10 percent of their class who are admitted to IU Kokomo by November 15. They must also earn an academic honors diploma and have a combined writing and critical thinking SAT score of 1150 or higher. It is renewable for those who maintain a 3.3 GPA and earn enough credits to progress to the next class level.

The pre-professional scholarships reward excellent academic performance for students who plan to continue to a graduate or professional program, like medical or dental school. It is worth $2,500 per year, and also includes a stipend for overseas travel, and research and mentoring opportunities with faculty.

The Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholar program includes full tuition, a stipend for overseas travel, and other benefits.

For more information about scholarship opportunities, contact the Office of Admissions, 765-455-9217, or go to www.iuk.edu/admissions.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo's police cadets graduated recently from the prestigious IU Police Academy, the first from the campus to attain that honor.

Eddy V. Chapa and Andrew J. Doran during graduation. | PHOTO BY RIC CRADICKAndrew Doran, 22, and Eddy Chapa, 37, earned Indiana Law Enforcement Certification during the 12-week program, and are now qualified for employment by any department statewide. They are currently serving as officers on the Kokomo campus.

They were among 38 graduates, from six IU campuses, who completed the program, which includes classroom activities, grueling physical training, and hands-on learning. They ran more than 100 miles during the course, and swam hours of laps during the training.

"I am really proud of this accomplishment," Doran, from Kokomo, said. "There was so much to learn in such a short time. It was overwhelming at first."

Both said the most interesting part of the program was an "active shooter" exercise, preparing the officers in case of an armed shooter on campus.

"It's a weird feeling when you run at someone who is shooting, to take him down," Doran said. "Your instinct is to run away, but as an officer, it is your job to run into that situation."

Chapa added, though, it is important to practice those skills.

"Everything you do goes back to your training," he said. "You practice until it is second nature, and you just do what you're supposed to do, without having to mentally run through it."

Nancy Greenwood, chairperson of the Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, said faculty are pleased to have the partnership with the police department.

"It has been a successful experience for our students, and it demonstrates the high level of preparation that our criminal justice program provides for students seeking police academy training and jobs in law enforcement," she said.

Chapa, who moved to Kokomo from Texas to be closer to his daughter, said earning the certification puts him one step closer to his chosen career as a police officer.

He was impressed to meet former IU Police cadets who have gone on to careers in the FBI and other agencies, and have held high-level law enforcement jobs.

"It was interesting to think those people went through the same things we did, and look where they are now," he said. "It was encouraging."

Lt. Greg Butler, director of the training division for the IU Police Department, does not know of another university that offers a similar program.

"What makes it unique is that these college students can get a Police Officer Certification by a state-authorized academy, and then work as a police officer with full arrest powers, part time, while attending school full time," Butler said. "When they graduate from IU, they have a college degree, Indiana Law Enforcement Certification, and that valuable commodity called job experience."

Doran plans to complete his degree in criminal justice in December, and wants to find a law enforcement job in or near Hamilton County. Chapa plans to earn degrees in criminal justice and general studies in May 2014. He hopes his Spanish language skills, bachelor's degrees, law enforcement certification, and an associate degree he previously earned in business management will help him find a job in Indiana.

Jerry Williams, IU Kokomo interim police chief, said attending the graduation brought back memories of his own academy days.

"I have been there, and I know what a huge accomplishment this is," he said. "To simply say, 'They graduated the academy,' does not do them justice. It is a whole lot more, and I would not even know the words to describe it. I know the hard work, dedication, and loyalty it takes to realize this dream. I am very proud of them."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo hits the highest-ever student enrollment in its 68-year history, boasting a remarkable 12.3 percent increase over last year. Of the nearly 4,200 students registered, 74 percent of undergraduates are attending full time – another campus record.

Students on campus.Also at an all-time high is the incoming class of recent high school graduates, making IU Kokomo a destination of choice.

"IU Kokomo has had five consecutive years of enrollment growth, as we become an institution of choice based on new programs, outstanding faculty and staff, and enhanced collegiate experiences," said Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke. "Our international travel programs, direct admit programs, athletics, new gymnasium, and fitness center definitely have had an impact on our growth."

Other impressive growth includes:

• Minority population, up nearly 30 percent
• Credit hours are at 38,600, up 10 percent

The campus is growing to meet the needs of its larger population, with new facilities and new degree programs in areas including hospitality and tourism, as well as health sciences. Students have embraced the newly opened Milt and Jean Cole Family Fitness and Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art facility complete with a walking track, cardio training and weight lifting equipment, and group fitness classes.

The new gymnasium, home to the men's basketball and women's volleyball team, offers another crucial facet in the student life experience. The athletic program, which also includes cross country, will expand to add women's basketball next year.

Campus leaders are planning an extensive project to repurpose the Main Building to accommodate its rapid growth, thanks to $14 million in funding from the state legislature. Plans include adding new classrooms, a math lab, and a Mac lab, among other projects. The Main Building was the first campus building erected in 1965.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo will expand its student life opportunities this fall, with the colonization of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity this semester.

Phi Kappa Tau fraternityMen interested in learning more about joining the fraternity should attend a call out meeting, set for noon to 3 p.m. Friday, August 30, in the Kelley Student Center, Room 223.

Students Cody Phelps and Sam Williamson led the effort to bring the national group to campus, seeing a need for the benefits fraternity membership provides.

Phelps said the idea first came up after a cross country team practice, when they were talking about what they could do to get more people to attend games and participate in campus activities.

"We were thinking of what would make it feel more like a traditional campus, rather than a commuter college," he said. "A fraternity is a big part of the college experience for many young men."

Dean of Students Sarah Sarber encouraged them to research fraternities and choose one that best met with their goals and philosophy. They chose Oxford, Ohio-based Phi Kappa Tau, because of its emphasis on service. It also has chapters at IU Bloomington and at Purdue University.

Phelps, a nursing student from Anchorage, Alaska, serves as president, with Williamson, a communication arts major from Logansport, as vice president. Kory George, a business student from Peru, is treasurer.

They attended leadership training at fraternity headquarters, preparing for colonization, in September or October.

Michael Tulley, faculty advisor, anticipates membership of about 50 men at first, gradually expanding to 100. About 30 potential members attended a call out meeting during the spring semester, and he plans additional recruitment opportunities in the fall.

Sarber said the campus has a successful history starting strong Greek chapters, as Phi Sigma Sigma sorority recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

"The women in our sorority are excited to work with the fraternity, and make it successful," she said. "They look forward to working together on projects and events. "

Williamson has been surprised by how much interest the fraternity has drawn.

"I have people ask me about it all the time, and want to join," he said. "It will add a social dimension that didn't exist before, and gives us an opportunity to network not only with our campus fraternity brothers, but with alumni nationwide. There's no disputing the networking you do in a fraternity can help you later in life."

He added that campuses with sororities and fraternities benefit, according to his research.

"When you bring in a Greek system, enrollment skyrockets," he said. "There are also philanthropic benefits, as the members perform community and campus service projects, and contribute to the campus community. It's not just about partying."

It also gives younger students a chance for mentoring from upperclassmen, George said, and provides incentives to do well in class. Members have to maintain academic standards to remain in the group.

"We want to have a good quantity of members, but quality members," he said. "There are academic standards, and we have to maintain a GPA that is significantly higher than the student body."

Tulley said a fraternity brings another social and service opportunity to campus.

"It brings a more collegiate feel to the campus," he said. "Being in a Greek chapter is a part of college life that our students want. It's another opportunity for students to find their smaller community, and to connect to the campus and other students."

Phelps is looking for Phi Kappa Tau alumni who would like to work with the chapter, and be included in events. The group also needs community volunteers to serve on the local Board of Governors.

For more information about membership or volunteer opportunities, contact Tulley at tulley@iuk.edu.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.