Statistics show that today's graduates will change entire careers more than their ..... âAnimal Houseâ was the theme
F O R A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S O F I N D I A N A U N I V E R S I T Y- P U R D U E U N I V E R S I T Y F O R T WAY N E
WHAT A CHARACTER An IPFW alumna reflects on her celluloid (im)mortality in Animal House.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: • Chancellor’s letter to alumni • Lecture and theatre schedules
FA L L 2 0 0 3 • V O L U M E 7 • I S S U E 1
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D I R E C T O R ’ S
L E T T E R
IOU $11,809.56 Dear Fellow Alumni: Yes, I owe you $11,809.56. Here’s the way I figured that: Approximately 714 volunteer hours were donated (conservative estimate) on alumni events and services for the 2002-03 school year. Independent Sector, a survey firm that watches volunteering patterns in America, says the 2002 value of a volunteer was $16.54 per hour. So, $16.54 x 714 = $11,809.56.
Contents 1 Alumni update 7 Class notes 8 Omnibus schedule
Of course, don’t be looking for your share of the check anytime soon. What’s really in it for you when you get involved in alumni matters? Plenty! • Networking with fellow alumni inside and outside your career field • Reconnecting with your favorite faculty members • Getting to know students who make great company interns and future employees • Providing your thoughts and opinions for the strategic plan and future growth of your alma mater • Building the “miscellaneous” section of your resumé • Making new friends
9 Theatre schedule 10 Fawn, we hardly knew ye Alumna Mary Ellen (Brown) Marnholtz had her 15 minutes of fame as a movie character that never appeared on film.
16 Athletics 18 Retrospective Inside back cover: The stuff of leadership Chancellor Michael Wartell reflects on a model of leadership exemplified by aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright.
Our alumni office, events, and services are successful only because of alumni like you who step forward to lend a hand. Here are some of the events and services IPFW alumni worked on last year: 4th of July parking-lot scholarship fundraiser Homecoming Alumni & Friends Golf Outing Alumni Awards Celebration Soccer Tailgate Statehouse Day Mastodon Roast Post-Commencement Party Legislative Issues Luncheon Mentoring IPFW students Alumni Association membership School alumni councils Class gift Annual Fund Interested? Just drop us a note at
[email protected] or call us at 260-481-6807. We’re so thankful for you! Sincerely,
Jennifer R. Bosk, ’87, ’01 © 2003 IPFW Alumni Association Published by IPFW University Relations and Communications Irene Walters Executive Director of University Relations and Communications
Jennifer Bosk Director of Alumni Relations
Produced by Nichols & Company Cover image courtesy of Universal Studios licensing L.L.P.
Some images in this magazine have been supplied through a generous donation by
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A L U M N I
U P D A T E
Upcoming events 5th Annual Mastodon Roast Oct. 14 • 5 to 7 p.m. Under the tent near the Alumni Millennium Brick Walk FREE for all IPFW alumni, their spouses or guests, and all IPFW faculty. FREE roasted hog, a ticket for beer/wine/soda, food, great camaraderie! Gather with alumni from the nine IPFW schools and network! For food and drink ordering purposes, R.S.V.P. to Nancy at 260-481-6807 or at
[email protected]. See page 14 for faculty who plan to attend.
Annual Legislative Issues Lunch Oct. 29 • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walb Ballroom Come thank our northeastern Indiana legislators for their diligent work in obtaining funding for IPFW’s future. We’ve seen the pedestrian bridge become a reality, and plans for the new music building and medical building will soon take shape as well. $10 per person For reservations, call Nancy at 260-481-6807 or e-mail us at
[email protected].
Groundbreaking for student housing on the IPFW campus was held in May. Chancellor Michael Wartell (second from right)—along with state, county, and city officials—performed the ceremonial dirt toss. The 568-bed student facilities are due to open in August 2004. The pedestrian bridge spanning Crescent Avenue will connect the student housing area with the main campus. Student apartments will consist of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom units, each with its own kitchen and with laundry facilities down the hall.
Homecoming Week with Dick Vitale, alumni awards, and great Mastodon basketball Nov. 16 – 22 Huge alumni pregame party on Nov. 21 at Memorial Coliseum with Dick Vitale. Open only to IPFW/IU and IPFW/Purdue alumni dues-payers or IPFW season-ticket holders. See page 15 for details.
Dues-payer specials Have you paid your alumni dues for IPFW/IU or IPFW/Purdue? Then get ready for extras coming your way this year! • Free admittance to the Dick Vitale pregame party at Homecoming • Free 4th of July parking in the front river lot on campus • Discount coupon to attend Tapestry: A Day for Women 2004 • All six issues of the alumni magazine/newsletter • Other surprises, gifts, and perks throughout the year To sign up to be a dues-payer, just go to www.ipfw.edu/alumni. Rob Palevich (left), B.S. ‘70, M.S.B.A. ‘75, M.B.A. ‘89, receives the School of Business and Management Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award for 2003. Presenting the award is the SBMS representative to the alumni board of directors, Janet Iden Kamdar, B.A. ‘76, B.S. ‘78, M.B.A. ‘84. The award was presented at the SBMS pre-Commencement reception for graduating seniors and alumni.
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News
More than 1,000 people visited booth after booth at the second annual PineSAP Art Fair, organized by alumni of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. Artisans sold their wares throughout the day, while musicians entertained among the pines at IPFW. Proceeds from the event went to scholarships for children/spouses of alumni entering visual or performing arts programs.
E-mentor a student Share your expertise in your career field with an IPFW student via e-mail. You determine how much and how often! Sign up at www2.monstertrak.com/students/unreg/contact.html and follow the easy steps to register. Then sit back and wait for an IPFW student to contact you. Thanks for helping students get a jump on their careers!
RAD Self-Defense Classes for graduates and their female friends Free self-defense classes for women at IPFW are set for the year. You may register by calling 260-481-6619. Dates for the threeto four-class series include Sept. 4, 11, and 18, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Nov. 4, 6, 11, and 13,
Library computers for alumni IPFW alumni can surf the Internet via the library computers during regular Helmke Library hours (sorry, no word processing available). The computers for alumni are located on the second floor of the library.
Karen Clelland (left), A.G.S. ‘94, B.G.S. ‘01, hands new alumnus Andre Patterson, B.G.S. ‘03, his alumni membership card after the May 2003 Commencement. Graduating seniors also received a free alumni membership directory courtesy of the IPFW Alumni Association.
IPFW ALUMNI
6 to 9 p.m.; Jan. 26, 28, and Feb. 2 and 4, 6 to 9 p.m.; March 29 and April 5, 12, and 19, 6 to 9 p.m.; or June 21, 23, 28, and 30, 6 to 9 p.m. All classes are held at IPFW.
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Enjoying the School of Education new-graduates dinner in May were (clockwise from front left) Amy Whitehouse, B.S. ’01, M.S. ’03; Brian Conner, B.S. ’01; Jessica Hale, B.S. ’03; Doug Koerner, B.S. ’02; and Scott Lazoff, B.S. ’02. Senior and faculty awards were presented throughout the evening while families and guests looked on.
Join the Gates Fitness Center Yes, IPFW alumni receive a substantial discount when using the Gates Fitness Center. Alumni rates are $100 for the entire year or $50 for the semester. The fee entitles you to locker/shower use, Nautilus equipment, free weights, racquetball courts, and more. Interested? Contact the fitness center at 260-481-6655. Ask for a one-day free pass and try the place out.
Soaking up the fun and sun at the 2002 IPFW Alumni & Friends Golf Outing were (left to right) Sergio Trevino, Lani Connelly, and Al Perez, A.S. ’77, B.S.Ed. ’81, M.S.Ed. ’84, who is also the clinical assistant professor in IPFW’s dental education department. Nearly 70 golfers enjoyed the day while raising money for the IPFW alumni and athletic scholarship funds.
IPFW’S STOMP Band Have any band instruments around the house you’d like to get rid of for a good cause? Donate them to IPFW’s STOMP Band, our own pep band that plays for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball games. Just call Anne at 260-481-6166, and she’ll make sure your donations are put to good use. Check out the band at www.ipfw.edu/athletics/pepband, and see what all the excitement is about!
Congratulations to alumni scholarship winners IPFW Alumni Association scholarships were awarded for 2002-03 to the following: Jasmin Rahman, studying computer information systems and prepharmacy. She is the wife of IPFW alumnus Mahmudur R. Bhuiya, B.S. ’02. Gregory Eichman, majoring in business. He is the son of alumnus Brian Eichman, B.S. ’81. continued on next page
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The math department, within the School of Arts and Sciences, hosted its alumni for dinner and fun in April. Alumni reminisced with faculty while renewing friendships with fellow grads. continued from previous page
Kim DeLeon, working on a bachelor’s in general studies. She earned an associate degree in general studies in 2001. Nicole Edsall, planning to graduate in 2004 with a B.S. in finance. She earned a B.A. in political science in 2002. Chad Eckland, a junior working toward a degree at IPFW (scholarship from the IU Alumni Association). He is the son of Kathryn Eckland, B.G.S. ’86.
Sponsors for the 2003 golf outing Hats off to the following companies and individuals who chose to sponsor holes at the 28th annual IPFW Alumni & Friends Golf Outing in July. They include:
Baker & Daniels/H. John Okeson Ron & Linda Buskirk Deer Track Golf Course DeKalb Federal Credit Union Don R. Fruchey Inc. Dulin, Ward & DeWald Grabill Bank HP Products Hoosiers for Higher Education IU Alumni Association IU Credit Union IUAA Club of Northeast Indiana Midwest America Federal Credit Union Nichols & Company NIPSCO Office Concepts Purdue Alumni Association
The second annual Tapestry: A Day for Women presented Marlo Thomas, actress and author of The Right Words at the Right Time, as keynote speaker. The event provided a day of renewal and growth for the nearly 500 women in attendance. The proceeds from the day added to the endowed Tapestry/Parkview Health scholarship for women.
IPFW ALUMNI
Schenkel Shultz Three Rivers Preferred Vera Bradley Verizon WBYR-FM Waterfield Mortgage Company Wells Fargo Bank
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In 2004, IPFW will celebrate its 40th anniversary. Send us your ideas for IPFW’s 40th anniversary: 1) What traditions would you like to see resurrected? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2) What favorite professor would you like to see return to campus? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3) What is your favorite memory from your time on campus? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4) What could we offer during this celebration that would bring you back to campus? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5) Would you be interested in being part of the 40th Anniversary Planning Committee? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Name Address
Phone E-mail Use the enclosed envelope and mail this to: IPFW Alumni Relations, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805-1499 IPFW plans to unveil a life-sized bronze mastodon statue, similar to the one at right, during the 40th anniversary celebration.
Singing the IU Alma Mater at IPFW’s 2003 Commencement are (left to right) IU Trustee Cora Breckenridge; IPFW Student Government President and new alumnus Justin Busch; Alumni President-Elect Mike Engels, M.B.A ‘95; IU InterimPresident Gerald Bepko; IU Trustee Sue Talbot; and Chancellor Michael A. Wartell.
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CEO Pacesetters
Thank you to our 2002-03 Alumni Business Leader and CEO Advisory Council members who are pacesetters for the Annual Fund. Annual Fund monies are used for scholarships, technology, and programs. For a $250 gift, you can be a pacesetter. Contact the Development Office at 260-481-4151. John Bellio, ’86 President Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber Realtors Ralph D. Crowe, ’68, ’70 Vice President, Investments UBS Paine Webber, Inc. Joe Doust, Jr., ’79 President Lebamoff’s Cap n’ Cork Michael R. Fritsch, ’79, ’80, ’82 Vice President, Business Development Logikos, Inc. Karen Haiflich, ’86 President Creative Benefit Concepts, Inc. Michael S. Lamborne, ’73, ’86 Operations Manager United States Postal Service Jeanne Longsworth, ’84 Partner Baker & Daniels Suzon Motz, ’91, ’95 Past President Alumni Association Board Darrell Post, ’70, ’73, ’74 Vice President Bonar Group Michael Ottenweller, ’75 President Ottenweller Company, Inc. Denise J. Simon, ’85 Vice President Elekta Limited Jeff A. Taner, ’82 Director Dulin, Ward & DeWald, Inc. Terry Ternet, ’70, ’73 CEO Masterpiece Homes, Inc. Patty Weddle, ’81 President/CEO Northeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board Lena Yarian, ’86 President Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
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A letter from the alumni association board president
Dear Alumni and Friends:
R
emember the old movies in which college students and alumni wore big fur coats and waived pompoms and pennants at football games—and then went to big after-game parties? It seemed as though alumni back then were trying to hold on to their fun college times for as long as they could. So what’s different today? Well, they still do the fun stuff (minus the fur coats), but there’s a much more serious side to alumni lately. Today, universities and their alumni need each other more than ever before. Gone are the days when universities could count on the government to satisfy all their financial needs. Also gone are the days when college graduates could count on jobs from which they would eventually retire. Fortunately, each group can help the other overcome these problems and flourish. Statistics show that today’s graduates will change entire careers more than their predecessors changed jobs. Lifelong learning
and continued connection to a university is essential to continued success and survival. An alumni association can help keep that connection going as well as make valuable industry contacts. In return, alumni can support the university in many ways by providing their time or financial support from their company or personal resources. Get involved with your IPFW alumni organization by becoming a member. It’s not just for the fun times—it’s also for survival.
Michael R. Fritsch
Have you seen the IPFW Alumni Millennium Walk? It leads from South Campus Drive out to the IPFW marker on Coliseum Boulevard. Alumni have created a walkway and plaza filled with personalized brick pavers, grouped by decade. You can still have your brick engraved. For just $50, you’ll receive two lines of engraving on your paver. Interested? Contact Christina Fischetti at 260-481-4151 or
[email protected] to order yours. Bricks ordered earlier can be seen at the Mastodon Roast on Oct. 14.
A message from Linda Ruffolo, Executive Director of Development On May 30, IPFW launched its “Discover IPFW” campaign with a goal of $20 million in conjunction with a seven-year $1.3 billion campaign at Purdue. Nearly half the goal has already been achieved. The campaign covers five areas: facilities, programs, faculty, scholarships, and unrestricted. The campaign was launched at a dinner in the Walb Ballroom with videos, speeches, and decorations depicting the “roots,” “branches,” and “fruit” of IPFW. The next large, public celebratory event in the campaign will be IPFW’s 40th anniversary in 2004. The student housing facilities will open in the fall of 2004. The executive director of development is working with the alumni director and her committee to place a full-sized, bronze mastodon statue on campus as IPFW’s focal point. The campus will also grow with the addition of a music building and the move of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center to a new facility on IPFW property across St. Joe Road. In the near future, alumni will be asked to pledge a multiple of $40 as a gift to the “Discover IPFW” campaign. Please save, and plan now to make a four-year pledge/gift during 2004. It can be $40 or $40,000 or any multiple in between, depending on your means!
Receiving more than one copy of this magazine? The IU alumni and Purdue alumni databases cannot yet be merged. We are working on it. In the meantime, pass along a copy to a friend. With 80 percent of our graduates staying in Indiana, chances are your friend is an IPFW alumnus, too!
IPFW ALUMNI
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Class Notes 1984
1998
2002
Lee Ann Berning, M.S., education, co-owner of Wildwood Racquet Club in Fort Wayne, was named the U.S. Professional Tennis Association’s 2002 Midwest Professional of the Year.
Mary Ann Ziembo, B.G.S., has been named market executive for the Northern Indiana Private Client Group, National City Bank of Indiana. A resident of Fort Wayne, she’s been in the banking industry for more than 25 years.
Carolyn Davis Cockey, M.L.S., has just been named associate director of publications for the National Nursing Organization. Carolyn will direct and supervise the development of the organization’s periodical, book, and monograph publishing. She and her family live in Glenwood Springs, Colo.
1990 Joyce Carroll, B.G.S., has received the Stretch Award from Geiger Bros. Northcentral in Mansfield, Mass. The award is given to the sales partner who most exceeds his or her goal. Joyce is a resident of Fort Wayne.
1993 Jean Short Frantz, B.A., communication, is a student services representative for the IUPUI School of Education. Jean and Eric Frantz were married last year, and they live in Indianapolis.
1994 Donald J. Kreitzer, B.G.S., received the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University School of Continuing Studies Alumni Association in Bloomington.
1995 Tonya Hoffman, B.S., organizational leadership and supervision, has been promoted to vice president/human resources manager at Waterfield Mortgage in Fort Wayne.
Leigh Ann Fuller, B.S., music therapy, is a music therapist for Behavior Consultation & Therapy Services in Noblesville, where she’s expanded music therapy from a part-time program to a full-time program with three music therapists. Leigh Ann lives in Carmel.
1999 Andrew Wolf, B.A., political science, earned a law degree from Ohio Northern University in 2001 and is a litigation attorney in Munster. He and his wife, Karen, live in Schererville.
2000 Ryan Meyer, B.S., criminal justice, has been promoted by Superior Essex in Fort Wayne. He’s now financial planning manager, responsible for financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and analysis for the Essex OEM Financial Planning and Analysis group.
2001 Kimberly Grannan, B.A., communication, is the education/technical assistance coordinator for the Allen County Solid Waste Management District in Fort Wayne.
Do you know the IPFW fight song? Then come out for the games and belt it out! Here are the words. You can also hear the music when you access it at www.ipfw.edu/athletics/IPFWFIGHTSONG.htm. Come on and sing along! IPFW, let’s cheer for our own blue and white, IPFW, full of spirit, full of fight. Go, Dons! Winning hearts so brave and true, Standing strong in all we do, IPFW, bringing victory home to you. Go, Dons! FALL 2003
Jennifer Miller, B.A., fine arts, lives in Indianapolis, where she’s the graphic designer and production assistant for ESC Promotions. Carrie Lane, B.S., business management, is a sales assistant with Smith Barney in Fort Wayne. Congratulations to the following educators—and IPFW alumni—who in June received The Dekko Award for Teaching Excellence from the Dekko Foundation in Indiana: Susan Becker, B.S. ‘80, West Noble School Corporation Anita McAfee, B.S. ‘91, Smith Green Community Schools Mark Rickerd, M.S. ‘98, Whitko Community School Corporation Dave Schlemmer, M.S. ‘88, DeKalb County Central United School District Tom Terrell, M.S. ‘94, Whitley County Consolidated Schools Kem Zolman, B.S. ‘88 and M.S. ‘96, Wawasee Community School Corporation
Contact your alumni office at
[email protected]
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Omnibus Lecture Series 2003–04 (All lectures are at 7:30 p.m. in the Walb Union Ballroom.)
The Omnibus Lecture Series is dedicated to presenting diverse ideas to the university community and to residents of northeastern Indiana. The series, entering its ninth year, has featured such notable speakers as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., John Updike, Wendy Wasserstein, and Cornel West. Sponsored by the English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation, the series presents six speakers each academic year. For more information on the scheduled speakers, visit www.omnibuslectures.org.
P.J. O’Rourke
Winona LaDuke
Richard Rodriguez
“The Politics of Worry” Sept. 8 With more than a million words of trenchant journalism under his byline and more citations in The Penguin Dictionary of Humorous Quotations than any other living writer, O’Rourke has established himself as one of America’s favorite political satirists.
“Politics, Motherhood, and Environmental Justice from a Native Perspective” Nov. 18 An internationally respected Native American environmental activist and author, LaDuke fights for environmentaljustice issues. She focuses on energy policy, including nuclear waste, dam projects, coal strip-mining, and alternative energy.
“The Brown Round World: Beyond Multiculturalism and Diversity” March 31 One of America’s most respected essayists and a master of the “personal essay,” Rodriguez writes about the intersection of his personal life with some of the great vexing issues of America, including bilingual education, affirmative action, and understanding the role of race in America’s past and future.
B.D. Wong
Joyce Carol Oates
“All the World’s a Stage: Supporting the Transformation from Exclusion to Inclusion” Feb. 9 Known across generations as the compassionate and tireless Father Ray Mukada in the controversial HBO series OZ, as forensic psychiatrist Dr. Huang on NBC’s Law and Order: SVU, and as the voice of Captain Li Shang in Disney’s Mulan, Wong tells how his career choice has forced him not only to accept, but to embrace, his racial identity.
“Readings and Commentary with Joyce Carol Oates” April 12 Oates is one of America's most versatile, serious writers and the author of a number of distinguished books in several genres. Her vision is often that of a highly complex America, populated with presumably ordinary families who experience common yet intense emotions and relationships and who frequently encounter violence.
Ben Vereen “An Evening with Ben Vereen” Oct. 2 A consummate entertainer who has left his mark on the Broadway stage and concert circuit, in film, and on television, Vereen’s enduring success results from his unique ability to blend rare talent, artistic mastery, and discipline with a strong sense of social consciousness.
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IPFW Department of Theatre 2003–04 Season JUDY & ME — A JUDY GARLAND TRIBUTE
ARMS & THE MAN
An evening of cabaret featuring Rhonda Woods, one of the country’s leading Judy Garland tribute artists. Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. in Williams Theatre.
Directed by Jane Purse-Wiedenhoeft
ALL IN THE TIMING
By George Bernard Shaw
Shaw’s timeless comedy exploring the absurdity of war and the ideal of romanticized love. Feb. 27 and 28 and March 4, 5, and 6 at 8 p.m. and March 7 at 2 p.m. in Williams Theatre. High school matinee March 4 at 10:30 a.m.
By David Ives Directed by Jane Purse-Wiedenhoeft
A lively and clever evening of one-act “playlets” full of wit, hilarity, and just plain fun! Oct. 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 at 8 p.m. in Williams Theatre.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Music by Mary Rodgers Lyrics by Marshall Barer Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer
six fully realized productions ranging from original scripts to dance ensembles to monologues and one-acts centered on popular themes. Throughout the season, Studio Showcase enables student and faculty theatre artists to realize minimalist productions of theatrical works in the Studio Theatre in Kettler Hall. Six weekends have been set aside for performance pieces in the Studio Theatre during the 2003–04 season, ranging in genre from dance to drama. IPFW students with IDs, along with theatre-season Flex-Pass holders, will be admitted free of charge to any of the Studio Showcase presentations. All other tickets are $3.
Directed by Larry L. Life
LOVE, PASSION, AND REDEMPTION — A DANCE SHOWCASE Conceived and directed by Larry L. Life Choreographed by Life, Gary Lanier,
This musical retelling of The Princess and the Pea is filled with nonstop, sidesplitting shenanigans. April 23, 24, 29, and 30 and May 1 at 8 p.m. and April 25 and May 2 at 2 p.m. in Williams Theatre.
Brittney Coughlin, and Theresa Hornbacher
Theatre majors and dance minors take the stage with song, dance, and drama. Oct. 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. in Williams Theatre.
For patrons with disabilities: AMERICAN CLASSIC SUMMER THEATRE XI THE AMERICAN CLASSICS REVUE Conceived and directed by Larry L. Life
SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER By Tennessee Williams Directed by Larry L. Life
A psychoanalyst helps a young woman remember the shockingly violent murder she witnessed. Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. in Williams Theatre.
For tickets and further information, call the IPFW Department of Theatre box office at 260-481-6555.
Celebrating a decade of the greatest summer musicals in Williams Theatre. July 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17 at 8 p.m. and July 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. in Williams Theatre.
STUDIO SHOWCASE 2003–04 Studio Theatre in Kettler Hall has undergone an exciting transformation that allows IPFW theatre students and faculty to put a fresh face on the local theatre scene. In its first season, Studio Showcase featured
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Sign-language interpreter services will be offered during all Thursday-night performances of all productions in Williams Theatre. Braille program books are available for all productions, as are TDD services (in the box office). The SoundMate® Personal Listening System is available to all patrons with any type of hearing loss.
Photographs donated by Corbis - Bettmann
C O V E R S T O R Y 10
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FAWN,
we hardly knew ye An IPFW alumna is dead sure she was the inspiration for an unforgettable movie non-character.
It wasn’t just the popcorn and Ju Ju Fruits talking — Mary Ellen Brown knew she was the coed in question. Sitting there in that dark movie theatre in 1978, Mary Ellen learned that she had gained silver-screen immortality. Although posthumously. Sort of. Mary Ellen, an IPFW senior then, had gone to see the newly released National Lampoon’s Animal House, the definitive cinematic paean to college skullduggery and tomfoolery—and peeping-tomery, if you recall Bluto’s sorority-house ladder to heaven. With their fraternity all but thrown off the Faber College campus, Delta Tau Chi brothers Otter and Boon and pledges Pinto and Flounder embark upon a road trip to Emily Dickinson College. Poring over the obituaries, the guys discover that a Dickinson student, Fawn Liebowitz of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been killed in a kiln explosion.
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Seeking sympathy and carnal kindness from Fawn’s friends for himself and his brethren, Otter (Tim Matheson) poses as Fawn’s bereaved fiancé. Well, they were “engaged to be engaged,” anyway. “I didn’t have a clue until I saw the movie,” Mary Ellen says. “But then, I knew right away that I was Fawn.” That may seem presumptuous, but Mary Ellen has a solid claim to her film fame. During the 1973-74 school year, she served as chair of the Student Convocations Committee, which was tasked with booking speakers and performers. Chris Miller, National Lampoon writer and all-around wise-acerbity, was signed to do a stand-up comedy act. As chair, Mary Ellen’s duties included serving as Miller’s driver and gofer during his brief stay in town. “I wasn’t extremely familiar with National Lampoon, but everyone had heard of it,” Mary Ellen says. “Chris Miller was a bit intimidating. I think it was the deer-in-the-headlights syndrome—he was a lot more ‘big-city’ than I was. Whether it was that or my large brown eyes—they seemed a lot bigger when I was younger—he kept calling me ‘Fawn.’” After her first encounter with Miller, Mary Ellen made sure she had an entourage of friends with her to act as a buffer during subsequent interactions with the writer. Miller did his show and left town. Mary Ellen never gave Miller a second thought. En route to earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature in 1978, she served on several other student-government committees and was a frequent contributor to The Communicator. Little did Mary Ellen know that Miller, Harold Ramis, and Doug Kenney had teamed up to pen Animal House. In fact, Miller and Kenney had small parts in the movie. So although no one in Hollywood has called her about committing impressions of her hands and feet to concrete, Mary Ellen has cemented her place in the library of
college-caper cinema. However, she has yet to see one penny in residuals. It’s Mary Ellen Marnholtz now; she married Allen Marnholtz in 1980. She’s community relations coordinator for the Wausau (Wis.) School District; he’s a business consultant. They have a son, William, a senior at Wausau East High School. Mary Ellen is a past president of the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association, youth director at her church, and a Big Sister. On a recent road trip of her own, Mary Ellen checked out her alma mater. “I drove through campus, and it’s changed dramatically since I went there,” she says. “I remember carrying books from Kettler Hall into the then-new library. We all volunteered to help between classes.” “Animal House” was the theme for last fall’s homecoming festivities at IPFW. The week-long celebration included a screening of the movie, a Fawn Liebowitz look-alike contest, and concerts by Otis Day and the Knights and local band Fawn Liebowitz. Togas were fashionable. The only thing missing was D-Day at the wheel of Delta House’s Deathmobile float. Mary Ellen wasn’t able to make it to Homecoming, but she was in town soon afterward for the North Side High School Class of 1972’s 30-year reunion. Mary Ellen graduated from Northrop High School, but she was in the North Side system through her freshman year and still has many friends among North Side grads. So, Mary Ellen, what was the late Fawn Liebowitz really like? “Fawn had long, dark, straight hair and big brown eyes,” Mary Ellen says. “She wore sweaters and tartan skirts. Her last name suggests that she might have been Jewish, and although she might have been from a conservative background, she was a bit of a beatnik in college. And, she was involved in the arts.” If you’ve never seen Animal House—and experienced Mary Ellen’s finest film performance—you are hereby on “double secret probation.” To get back into Dean Wormer’s good graces, rent a copy. And always remember: “Knowledge is good.”
IPFW ALUMNI
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FIFTH ANNUAL
MASTODON
ROAST Tuesday, Oct. 16, 5 –7 p.m.
Only for alumni, faculty, and their guests. Under the tent near the Alumni Millennium Brick Walk at Coliseum Blvd. on the IPFW campus.
FREE food including roasted hog and trimmings FREE ticket for a drink: beer, wine, or soft drink FREE fun and camaraderie
Come see your favorite professors and network with your fellow alumni! For food ordering purposes, please let us know if you will attend by calling Nancy at 260-481-6807 or e-mailing us at
[email protected]. Faculty and athletic coaches who plan to attend include: Fred Andrews Pat Ashton Arnie Ball Sarah Beckman Lowell Beineke Prasad Bingi Elliott Blumenthal Bill Bruening Alan Buck Ben Christy Ann Colbert William Cooper Rachelle Darabi Stan Davis Carl Drummond
James Farlow Bruce Franke Art Friedel Billy Gernon James Haddock Stephen Haroff Mike Harper Tim Heffron Solomon Isiorho James Jones Mike Kaufmann Carl Keller Joseph Khamalah Bruce Kingsbury John Knight
David Legg Ed Leonard Bangalore Lingaraj Marc Lipman Dave Maloney Mark Masters Linda Meyer Geralyn Miller Ed Mortiz George Mourad Joe Nichols Doug Noll David Oberstar Tom Overton Richard Papazian
Jan Papiernik Bruce Patterson Al Perez Ryan Perrotte Kathy Pollock Mark Pope Jane Purse-Wiedenhoeft Richard Ramsey Yvonne Ramsey Alan Sandstrom Robert Seddlemeyer Zoher Shipchandler Anson Shupe Terry Stefankiewicz Jeff Strayer
Richard Sutter Sarah Tsai Wen-Hui Tsai Sushil Usman Bill Utesch Lesa Vartanian Chancellor Mike Wartell John Wellington Mike Wolf David Wood David Young Many more people you’d like to see will be there as well!
In accordance with university policy, when alcohol is served, guests must be on the reservation list and over the age of 21 to attend. Please call Nancy at 260-481-6807 to place your name on the list. IPFW ALUMNI
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Don the Mastodon greeted Homecoming 2002 attendees including (left to right) Maria Rosell Perez from Venezuela, Daniela Salazar from Ecuador, and Pat Harrold, B.A. ’00.
AWESOME, BABY! Nov. 21, 2003 Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
The new IPFW pep band, STOMP, adds to the Homecoming festivities, especially when band members rally the crowd for the “Hey-Hey” song. IPFW’s school fight song is a must for all alumni to know! See page 7 for the lyrics.
5 p.m. Meet and greet Dick Vitale. Pregame reception for IPFW alumni dues-payers with membership cards, IPFW students with university ID, and/or IPFW season-ticket holders only.
ARE YOU SERIOUS, BABY? 6:30 p.m. Dick Vitale warms up the crowd from center court.
7:05 p.m. Tip-off IPFW Mastodons vs. Toledo Rockets
Postgame Alumni parties by schools. Watch your mail for a special invitation to meet with alumni from your particular division/school for more Homecoming fun!
DIPSY-DOO DUNK-A-ROO! Lovin’ the spirit! IPFW cheerleaders get ready to flip to the floor during half-time of Homecoming 2002 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
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Here’s “The Tar Pit” in action with these spirited students!
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Homecoming 2003
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A T H L E T I C S
More on athletics What’s new for IPFW Division I Men’s Basketball? New place. Harlem Globetrotters. Dick Vitale. Season-ticket packages. IPFW Men’s Basketball 2003-04 Schedule* Nov.
13 17 21
Thurs. Mon. Fri.
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
25 29
Tue. Sat.
8 p.m. 5 p.m.
1 5 6
Mon. Fri. Sat.
10 p.m. 9 p.m. TBA
10 13 20 21
Wed. Sat. Sat. Sun.
8 p.m. 7 p.m. TBA TBA
28 30
Sun. Tue.
Jan.
3 6 9 14 17 19 28 31
Feb.
Mar.
Dec.
Harlem Globetrotters Marathon Oil All-Stars University of Toledo (IPFW Homecoming) Kent State @ Oregon State University
Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Corvallis, OR
3 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
@ Washington State University @ Iowa State University Tournament @ Iowa State University Tournament (Iowa State, IPFW, Liberty, Idaho) Bowling Green State University Morehead State University @ Purdue University Tournament @ Purdue University Tournament (Purdue, IPFW, Miami University, SMU) @ West Virginia University @ Miami
Morgantown, WV Miami, FL
Sat. Tue. Fri. Wed. Sat. Mon. Wed. Sat.
1 p.m. 7 p.m. 9 p.m. 9 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 2 p.m.
Southeast Missouri State @ Middle Tennessee State University @ U.S. Air Force Academy @ Western Michigan University Texas A&M Corpus Christi Tri-State University @ UT-Pan American University @ Youngstown State University
Fort Wayne Murfreesboro, TN Colorado Springs, CO Kalamazoo, MI Fort Wayne Fort Wayne McCallen, TX Youngstown, OH
4 7 11 14 17 25 28
Wed. Sat. Wed. Sat. Tue. Wed. Sat.
7:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 8 p.m.
@ Butler University UT-Pan American University @ IUPUI @ Wright State University Florida Gulf Coast University @ Oakland University @ Valparaiso University
Indianapolis, IN Fort Wayne Indianapolis, IN Dayton, OH Fort Wayne Rochester, MI Valparaiso, IN
1
Mon.
7 p.m.
IUPUI (Senior Night)
Fort Wayne
* Times are local.
IPFW ALUMNI
Pullman, WA Ames, IA Ames, IA Fort Wayne Fort Wayne West Lafayette, IN West Lafayette, IN
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Your season ticket includes: All 12 home games played at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Nov. 13 Exhibition vs. the Harlem Globetrotters Nov. 17 Exhibition vs. Marathon Oil All-Stars Nov. 21 Meet and greet ESPN’s Dick Vitale at a special Homecoming pregame party Nov. 25 Doubleheader action with IPFW’s Women’s Basketball team Dec. 10 Doubleheader action with IPFW’s Women’s Basketball team
Your IPFW Athletics season ticket includes the Harlem Globetrotters exhibition game.
Plus a great seat, special events, giveaways, and promotions all season long!
2003-04 IPFW Basketball Season Ticket Order Form Don’t miss any of Fort Wayne’s Division I basketball action. Please send this form to reserve your season tickets for the upcoming season. Or if you prefer, call the IPFW ticket office at 260-481-6000.
Individual Season Ticket prices
Name
price
Address City/State/Zip
Reserved Seat
Phone
Reserved Seat
Alumnus/na
Faculty/Staff
Student
Donor
Fan
Payment options Return this form with your check payable to: IPFW Athletics 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499 If paying by credit card, you may fax this form to 260-481-6002 or call 260-481-6000. Visa MasterCard Discover
General Admission
$45
Royal Dons Member/IPFW Faculty/Staff
General Admission
$50
All others
IPFW Students (general admission)
$0
Royal Dons Membership (optional) $100 Minimum contribution
Total $
Credit card number
Signature
$70
All others
E-mail
Name on card
$60
Royal Dons Member/IPFW Faculty/Staff
Fax
Expiration date
quantity
Seat Location Preference
Bench Side Opposite bench Season ticket holders in subsequent years will have right-of-firstrefusal on seat locations with their annual renewal.
For further information, please contact the IPFW Athletics ticket office at 260-481-6000 or e-mail
[email protected].
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R E T R O S P E C T I V E
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Looking back by Larry W. Griffin, Archives and Special Collections, Helmke Library History majors would acknowledge that it’s often impossible to determine the date when some important development began. This is certainly true with respect to IPFW history. One might say that IPFW history began as early as 1917, when the first IU classes were held in Fort Wayne, or in 1941, when Purdue joined IU in offering courses in the Summit City. It could also be contended that IPFW history officially began with administrative unification in 1974. Since the faculty senates didn’t merge until 1981, this year could also be considered the beginning.
theatre as opposed to the organization) and is now a studio theatre. In 1965, Circle K Club was organized, and it became the most active service club on campus. (No one seems to remember when it was dissolved; if you do, contact us.)
Winter Carnival sculptors at work.
It’s generally agreed, however, that IPFW—as a joint presence in a single location (believed to be the first in the nation)—had its beginnings in August 1964, when the two universities occupied a single building on a single campus at the junction of Coliseum Boulevard and Crescent Avenue. For this issue’s “Looking Back,” it seems appropriate to note some of the highlights of four decades of IPFW history. Two former students, Scott Gillie and James Hansen, were helpful in identifying some of what they regarded as highlights of their student years.
1960s The ’60s heralded a great future for IPFW. In 1964, the first PIT production, The Imaginary Invalid, starring Mike Schaub and Lyn Sickmiller, was performed in the small facility in Kettler Hall that later became known as PIT (the
The first-prize sculpture at Winter Carnival 1969.
The Winter Carnival was staged annually from 1969 to 1972. In 1969, a swan and sleigh designed and built by Richard Leitz and Ken Bojrab took first prize in the snowsculpting competition. Sled races, snowshoe races, and snowball fights were also among the festivities, as was the crowning of a queen. Conie Salud was the first carnival queen in 1969. In 1972, the Ugliest Person on Campus replaced the queen and her court. The carnivals were discontinued due to lack of interest and the difficulty of predicting when there would be enough snow for the sculptures and other events.
IPFW ALUMNI
A major event of the late ’60s was Project Abelard, the first effort by students to lobby the State Legislature for funding, a practice that continues today. Initially, it was an entirely student-led operation, and rallies were held in the Kettler cafeteria. Some of the leaders of Project Abelard were Steven Pettyjohn, Ronald Rice, and Joseph Tonsing. 1968 was a landmark year in that it featured the first Commencement for the joint campus and the only Commencement held in the Scottish Rite Auditorium. On Sept. 25, 1969, Steven Huddleston and Jennifer Bosk launched the student newspaper, The Indiana-Purdue Communicator, which is now The Communicator. Jennifer took over the operation soon after it began
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Don’t remember what a TROM was? Here’s one.
and continued as editor for two years. It was the same month and year that the first TROM (Temporary Removable Office Module) was used on campus. We have yet to get a definitive date for when the last TROM was removed; if anyone knows, please contact us.
1970s Administrative unification of the two universities officially took place in 1974. Chancellor Donald Schwartz became the chief administrative officer and, as noted previously, some might claim that this was the official beginning of IPFW as a historical entity. The ’70s was an era of social consciousness. After the Kent State affair May 4, 1970, an antiwar contingent on the IPFW campus grew significantly, with polarization on all sides of the Vietnam War issue. Scott Gillie was elected student-body president in 1970 on a platform of addressing local issues. Reminiscing in 2003, Scott says, “Suddenly, local issues didn’t seem very important.” Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, and the Child Care Consortium became a reality in 1971. The first official logo for IPFW was established in July 1976. One of the most-often-recalled events of the ’70s was the library book walk. On Sept. 20, 1972, volunteers walked a total of 5,500 miles, making 11,000 trips to move 85,000 books from the old Kettler Hall library to the new Helmke Library. The Fort Wayne Art Institute merged with IPFW in 1976. In the spring of 1971, the student athletic board voted to commit all funds to intramural athletics. In the following year, however, funding was restored to varsity athletics. It was during this era that the mastodon became the campus mascot. Several stories about how the decision came
about are on file. One version maintains that the student newspaper ran a ballot to determine the university’s team name, and Mastodons beat out Mustangs. Another holds that there was some confusion about the balloting, and a student-government committee made the decision. Yet another version has it that the ballot box was stuffed by geology students working on the mastodon-bones project. If you have an interpretation of the mascot decision to share, send it to the archivist.
1980s
Compared with the ’70s, the ’80s might be thought of as halcyon years. Nevertheless, the campus was changing and growing. During the two previous decades, the majority of students were single, college-age kids, but in the ’80s, the campus saw a significant increase in what has been called the nontraditional student. The average age of students increased, as did the number of working parents. Student-related events
Three Rivers Festival 1981. There has to be an IPFW student on one of these rafts. appeared less in the news, and the focus was on expansion of campus facilities and programs. In 1981, the faculty senates merged. The Friends Carillon was dedicated that same year. In 1983, a major endowment for FALL 2003
the library was established, and it has since become one of the largest among the IU and Purdue regional campuses. The McKay Farm was purchased that same year and became IPFW’s west campus. The Army ROTC program begun in 1976 was phased out in 1983. The Center for Women and Returning Adults was formed in 1986. Perhaps the most colorful event was the controversy surrounding school colors in 1987–88. For a while, it seemed the colors might be black and blue, instead of white and blue!
1990s
In the ’90s, Supervision, one of the oldest departments on campus, was renamed the Department of Organizational Leadership and Supervision. Other campus reorganization and growth led to name changes and new programs. New organizations were chartered or formed, such as Phi Kappa Phi in 1993 and Psi Chi in 1996. New buildings popped up all over campus: the fine arts building and Friends Pavilion in 1992 and the science building in 1998. Dedications for Williams Theatre and the engineering technology building took place in 1993. Perhaps the greatest change on campus came in the library. The card catalog was eliminated, and the move toward becoming a “virtual library” was initiated. The library now provides computer resources available both on and off campus to meet the needs of the nontraditional, heavily programmed IPFW student of the 21st century. Thanks for the memories to all the alumni who have sent in articles, factual information, and notes of appreciation for this column. Keep the e-mail and phone calls coming, and check out the Archives Information Center at www.ipfw.edu/archive. Your comments are welcome.
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Do it all ...
with this one little form!
Yes! I want to become a dues-paying member of the IPFW Alumni Association and of my main campus. IPFW/IU dues are $40 per year ($20 if your first IU degree was awarded within the past five years). IPFW/Purdue dues are $40 per year ($20 if your first Purdue degree was awarded within the past five years). Yes! I want to volunteer to help with the following upcoming alumni events and services: Fifth Annual Alumni Mastodon Roast Statehouse Day Legislative Issues Luncheon Senior Salute Homecoming E-mentoring a student PineSAP Art Fair Service on the IPFW Alumni Association Board of Directors Service on a school alumni council Yes! I’d like to attend the following events. I’ve enclosed payment as appropriate: Fifth Annual Alumni Mastodon Roast, Oct. 14 (free) Legislative Issues Luncheon, Oct. 29 ($10 per person) I would like to be seated with a legislator if possible. Dick Vitale Meet & Greet Homecoming pregame reception, Nov. 21 (must show current dues-paying membership card) Statehouse Day lobbying our legislators, February T.B.A. (free) And I’d like to attend my school/department alumni events, including: April T.B.A., Dental Hygiene alumni luncheon April T.B.A., SPEA new grad and alumni gathering April T.B.A., Math alumni dinner
All-area-universities-alumni Meet Me At Five at Columbia Street West, March T.B.A. (pay at the door) Tapestry: A Day for Women, May T.B.A. (discount coupon for dues-payers coming in April newsletter) 29th Annual IPFW Alumni & Friends Golf Outing ($69 for dues-payers; $75 all others)
April T.B.A., VPA new grad and alumni gathering May T.B.A., School of Education new grad and alumni dinner
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Use enclosed envelope and mail this page to IPFW Alumni Relations, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
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W A R T E L L
Summer thoughts inspired by Orville and Wilbur Wright during the hundredth anniversary of their greatest triumph. Dear IPFW Graduate: A cult of celebrity dominates much of our society. One of the most unfortunate aspects of this is the confusion of celebrity with leadership. Too often these days, celebrities — some of whom are known simply for being known — come to be seen as leaders of one stripe or another. We find ourselves listening to their opinions on a wide variety of topics and not questioning nearly as often as we should whether their thoughts are wellinformed and thus worthy of our attention. So extreme has this become that, in some cases, we’ve lost perspective on what constitutes real leadership. For many, it Images donated by Corbis - Bettmann
seems to be about charisma, false perfection, and outmaneuvering and one-upping the next guy. I believe we need a better model, and I have an unlikely suggestion. I think we would all be wellserved if we chose to emulate individuals like the Wright brothers. You may wonder why I’m invoking two turn-of-the-20th-century brothers from Dayton, Ohio. But I’ve been thinking about them a lot in recent weeks, and I believe they are excellent examples of true leaders — solid, determined, imaginative, true to their principles, willing to risk failure to learn lessons that could pave the way for success.
Pointing the way This year is the 100th anniversary of the Wrights’ history-making flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and publications, documentaries, and regional celebrations around the country are recalling their lives and achievements. In recent months, I’ve read several articles about Wilbur and Orville. In particular, a Smithsonian magazine piece containing excerpts from a new book about their lives had me marveling at the low-key but single-minded way these sturdy entrepreneurs and gentlemen scientists left their mark on the world. The Kitty Hawk flights for which they are so famous were the culmination of exhaustive research over several years in their Dayton bicycle shop and trial-and-error experiments in a Dayton field and on the sand dunes at Kitty Hawk. Looking at old photos of Wilbur and Orville, restrained and proper in their bowler hats and starched suits—who runs around on sand dunes in a tie, anyway?—it’s clear the Wrights were products of their times. On the other hand, they pushed limits like few of their contemporaries. They were seemingly ordinary men who achieved extraordinary things through the force of their convictions, their willingness to take risks, and their ability to focus on goals. High-caliber leadership that has long-term impact often comes in such unassuming packages. These brilliant men would not have caught your attention in a restaurant or on the street, yet they changed the world in their time and forever more. They succeeded in realizing an elusive dream that had tantalized humans for centuries—controlled flight. These restless minds studied the aerial performance of buzzards and transformed their observations into a means of liberating humankind from its earthbound existence. Their ingenuity, adaptability, determination, tenacity, and ability to envision the possibilities prompted others to experiment, challenge the limits of conventional wisdom, and catapult human beings through the sound barrier and all the way to the moon.
As a scientist and as chancellor of this university, I’m fascinated by the strengths the Wrights represent and the leadership lessons we as individuals, and IPFW as an institution, can learn from them. But how, you might ask, can I compare leadership as exemplified by these two individuals with leadership exerted by an institution such as IPFW?
A few comparisons It’s a fair question, but the parallels are stronger than you might think. The university shares noteworthy traits with Orville and Wilbur: willingness to try new approaches and incorporate differing perspectives, mindfulness of tradition with an orientation toward the future, creating results that elevate the lives of others. In their experiments, the Wrights went about the business of incremental progress through a continual process of trial, outcome measurement, adjustment, more trial. Unanticipated results became teachable moments, and any “failure” was merely another step along the way to a useful solution—not something to be avoided, but something to be worked through. IPFW has endeavored to launch programs and partnerships that serve community needs we’ve come to recognize. From courses taught in neighboring cities and at local workplaces, to custom instruction from our Company Training Center, to our involvement in the annual Latinos Count summit on Hispanic participation in politics and business, these efforts have flourished and expanded. With each new venture and community connection, we’ve further developed our ability to discern ways the university can contribute to the larger community. True leaders model effective approaches with their own practices. As a public university, we take this very seriously by setting high academic standards and paying close attention to student needs. We measure how well we’re doing with various benchmarks, such as the high numbers of grads we send to medical and law schools, the strong satisfaction businesses have expressed with their IPFW alumni employees, and achievements such as our math team’s supremacy in a 39-member field in this year’s state math competition sponsored by the Indiana Section of the Math Association of America. We’ve instituted new courses increasing the depth of academic preparation in numerous areas of study, added well-qualified
faculty with experience from recognized institutions, and taken the runaround out of administrative procedures to spare students’ time. The Wrights faced criticism and derision from many. IPFW also has had its share of scoffers and critics but, like the bachelor brothers, we stay focused on the big-picture potential of our new offerings and forge ahead undeterred. We haven’t balked at taking risks, particularly when it meant being able to offer the community new athletic fields; online registration for students; an unprecedented single, comprehensive fee for all students; and a small-business incubator (the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center) to foster entrepreneurial creativity through a partnership with the City of Fort Wayne, Allen County, and the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. In their work, the Wrights couldn’t have succeeded without an abundant flow of information. They looked to all kinds of sources for inspiration and built on the work of thinkers long dead as well as that of their contemporaries. They tested, retested, rejected, and refined commonly accepted theories on the physics of flight, as well as their own ideas. They sought the opinions of others. IPFW recognizes its duty as a center of learning to offer an objective forum in which various perspectives can be explored and community members may examine and expand their own views. I’m very proud of the growth of our Omnibus Lecture Series, which, in past years, has brought to Fort Wayne influential cultural figures from political commentator Molly Ivins to environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. Community members have responded to these opportunities by packing the house for each lecture. We have also sponsored debates and cultural activities appealing to a wide range of tastes, including the PineSAP Art Fair and first-rate theatre productions. With an eye to helping shape the future, IPFW is host to Leadership Fort Wayne, the organization training community members for thoughtful, proactive service in the businesses and organizations that are mainstays of community life. IPFW staff also serve on the boards of nonprofit organizations throughout Greater Fort Wayne and volunteer as Junior Achievement instructors.
We move this community forward by empowering those around us, generating the kind of energy that will spark the “next big idea”—and the next and the next.
A resource for the bold Some moments seem graced with special significance, a confluence of the resources, circumstances, and minds necessary to create momentous change. At the turn of the 20th century, as the Wright brothers were conquering the problems of flight, other Midwesterners were achieving milestones of their own: Henry Ford was automating production
Image donated by Corbis - Bettmann
As a member of Invent Tomorrow—an alliance of organizations working to improve the local infrastructure and quality of life— IPFW is assisting with the establishment of broadband technology that will enrich the learning experience for students at all educational institutions in Allen County by enabling them to take advantage of interactive learning options. Our Community Research Institute provides data to widely differing organizations and plays a pivotal role in economic forecasting for northeastern Indiana. We’ve created avenues for students to get a jump on their careers by making available useful, real-world experience in their fields while providing additional staffing for local enterprises. IPFW students prepare business plans for new ventures. Engineering majors lend support to existing businesses in search of a fresh perspective. Communication students learn about emerging technology and programming in television through a cooperative work agreement with WFWA PBS-39, whose new state-of-the-art facility is located on the IPFW campus. Eighty percent of IPFW alumni remain in Indiana after graduation, with the vast majority choosing to reside in the northeastern quadrant of the state. Because workforce issues are so key to the prosperity of our region, IPFW has especially concentrated on establishing programs that attract and retain professionals and on stimulating discussion of other ways to add vibrance to life in our community. For instance, the university is working with Parkview Hospital to enhance preparation for nurses, who continue to bear heavy responsibility in today’s increasingly complex—and much regulated—healthcare system. This winter, we invited the community to envision a vastly different future Fort Wayne as noted economist and author Richard Florida gave a presentation on the importance of attracting “the creative class”— young, culturally involved citizens who appreciate the unconventional and tend to spur entrepreneurial activity wherever they settle. With all of these measures and more, we give wings to economic development in this region. We educate, proactively extend resources, and equip others to be risk-takers.
of the automobile, and Thomas Edison’s work was illuminating the homes of wealthy trendsetters. It is no accident that these men came from this part of the country. As Midwesterners, they grew up in a tradition that grounded them in practicality, expected persistence, and rewarded adaptability. Think of it: as Midwesterners, invention and innovation are our inheritance. And as a public university, IPFW is a leader in continuing that trend. It’s entirely appropriate for this university to take risks, to test the wind, to be a clearinghouse for the possible and a resource for the bold. I think Wilbur and Orville Wright would have appreciated that. New additions to our campus offer concrete evidence (literally) of our role in embracing change, meeting new challenges, and anticipating what’s over the horizon. The student housing now under construction is a good example. With these facilities, we add a new residential aspect to our community’s university. Such a move has not been tried before in the state system, but that doesn’t faze us. And now the shape of things to come is reflected in the steel triangle that soars above Crescent
Avenue on the east side of our campus, symbolic gateway to all of the culture changes occurring within this institution. Many people found it hard to imagine the utility of that bridge. Now it is not only an architecturally compelling structure, but also a potent symbol of IPFW’s influence in this community as citizen, partner, innovator, and catalyst. Consider this: as businessmen, the Wrights made their living in an “old” economy employing “old” technology, while, as inventors and innovators, they strove to create new technology that would foster a “new” economy. Their work would transform “modern” life from quiet and small-scale to a faster, worldly aware, more mechanically sophisticated existence. As a former industrial stronghold seeking its place in the postdot-com era, our community now faces a similar shift that requires all manner of new thinking. And the virtues that underlie that thinking link our time with that of the Wrights. IPFW is a leading institution in this community, and the fine qualities embodied in these amazing brothers are also evident in IPFW’s students and graduates, staff and faculty. One might say we’re made of the Wright stuff—the stuff of leadership. Sincerely,
Michael A. Wartell Chancellor P.S. Our new annual report will be published soon. It will center on a selection of IPFW grads who are leaders in their chosen areas of endeavor. I’d be happy to send you a copy. Please drop me a note at
[email protected].
Image donated by Corbis - Bettmann
Alumni Relations 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
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