09 April 2013
KOKOMO, Ind. — The planet Saturn will gleam at its biggest and brightest in April, and will be at its peak of visibility for the Indiana University Kokomo Observatory's open house Sunday, April 14.
Observatory open house.Patrick Motl, assistant professor of physics, will begin the open house at 8 p.m. with a presentation about the black hole in the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Visitors may then view the stars and planets until 10 p.m.; weather permitting, through the observatory's telescopes.
"In addition to Jupiter, which has been with us through the winter, we now have Saturn rising shortly after twilight ends," Motl said. "The moon will be a waning crescent, keeping the skies a little darker. The early evening will give us another chance to see the constellations and sights of the winter hexagon."
The Observatory's telescopes are a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope mounted together. The Takahashi provides exceptionally sharp images of planets, while the Meade lets stargazers see fainter objects in the sky, due to its larger light collecting area.
The open house is free and open to the public in the Observatory, 105 E. Rebecca Lane. Free parking is available on campus.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
05 April 2013
An IU Kokomo student speaks with a potential employer.
Both seniors were among the nearly 500 job seekers at the annual Kokomo Area Spring Job Fair, co-sponsored by IU Kokomo and Ivy Tech Community College.
Potential employees filled the Kokomo Event Center Thursday (April 4), dressed in business attire, résumés in hand, ready to meet the 80 employers offering jobs, as well as internships and volunteer opportunities.
A few feature at this year's fair was a workshop on using the LinkedIn business networking website, and also a chance to have a professional picture taken.
Tracy Springer, manager of the Office of Career Services/Disability Services at IU Kokomo, said the fair is an excellent opportunity for students and graduates from both institutions, as well as community members, to meet business representatives who may have opportunities available. It also gives local employers a chance to connect with potential employees all in one place.
"We want our students and alumni to use their degrees in this region after graduating," Springer said. "This fair gives them the chance to see what options are available to them here. It also helps our local business owners find the people who are the right fit for our community."
Rogers, a communication arts major, planned a day of networking, building contacts for future opportunities.
"I plan to talk to the local radio stations and build connections for post graduation work," he said. "I'm excited to see who is here and explore opportunities for summer employment before I start graduate school. My long term goal is to be involved with broadcasting or the entertainment field, so I'm looking for anything to help with that cause."
Maples, who will earn a degree in psychology, was looking for chances to work with teens.
"I would like to work as a case worker to get some experience while I'm going to graduate school," she said. "I'm here to make a good impression with some employers and hopefully use my degree to start my career path."
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
19 July 2012
Day of Change auction. View more pictures on Flickr.
These students recently put their talent to work to support the local "Day of Change", a fund raiser for community organizations that provide a variety of services including housing, domestic violence victims, and school supplies to low income children.
Five students and two faculty members created decorated boat paddles, which were among 40 auctioned to raise more than $2,000. The money will help 10 Howard County not-for-profit organizations fulfill their missions. Paddles made by the IU Kokomo artists brought in nearly $200.
Student Cortney Jo Brown spent four days creating her paddle, including carving a moon in it and painting on several layers of paint.
"I was really excited for the opportunity to let people see my work, and it is helping a good cause," she said. "This is a good way for me to give back to the community."
Susan Skoczen, lecturer in fine arts, took the paddle given to her and ripped it down the middle with a saw, then cut smaller pieces. She reassembled the paddle, making three-dimensional sculpture out of it, calling it "Deconstructed Paddle."
Minda Douglas, assistant professor of fine arts, recent graduate Tarja Harney, and students Erin Beane, Cat Bolinger, and Katy Lewis also had paddles in the auction.
Bolinger's paddle was given to the Family Service Association as the prize for winning the boat race, which was the main event at the fund raiser. Lewis' paddle was given away as a promotional prize.
Skoczen enjoyed learning about area organizations while making her paddle
"It was a nice way to take a break from my regular work," she said. "I had never heard of some of these organizations. I'm glad to be able to use my talents to help them."
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
13 July 2012
Mike Glassburn reads to children at the Carver Community Center. See Flickr slideshow.
Mike Glassburn, videographer at Indiana University Kokomo, explains why he volunteered to read to children, along with about 20 other faculty and staff, at Kokomo's Carver Community Center summer camp this month.
"They need us to show them that if they work hard for a personal goal, it can be achieved, and it really starts with reading," Glassburn said, adding that reading to the children shows that people other than their families care about them, and about their success.
Glassburn admitted he was nervous at first, but "once we got settled and we started reading and communicating with each other, I felt great. It was an incredible and eye-opening experience for me, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to volunteer."
The children, ages 5 to 12, also would read and talk about the stories they selected.
Fifth-grader Emoni Fort says having guest readers is fun.
"They bring interesting books," she said, adding she wrote down ideas for books she should ask for when the bookmobile visits. "Reading helps you make your mind up what you want to do in college. If you learn a lot, you can do good in college."
Guest readers visit the center two days per week, for an hour each time, sharing a story with the children and discussing it.
Tonia Ray, executive secretary for public affairs and advancement, shared the book Today I Feel Silly, and talked about feelings with four of the youngest girls. They also discussed the children's favorite books, and why it is important to read.
"Every time you read, you learn something," Ray told the girls.
She enjoys sharing her love of reading with children, to encourage them to become good readers.
"Anytime I can read to children, I do," Ray said. "I liked being an example of community service for others, and if I can do it through reading, all the better."
Penny Lee, vice chancellor for public affairs and advancement, appreciates the opportunity to share educational resources in partnership with an important community organization.
"When the opportunity to read to children at the Carver Center was presented, the enthusiastic response of our campus family was clear," she said. "We are privileged to reach out into our community to promote the importance of reading for academic success."
Mickey Jackson, Carver Center program director, hopes to build children's vocabularies, along with their enthusiasm for reading, through the program.
"They're connecting to the readers and responding to them," he said. "They're asking questions and making comments about the stories. They're also learning about what you can do when you are educated."
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
21 June 2012
IU Kokomo Crescendos at the Haynes Apperson Festival
Indiana University Kokomo's Crescendos show choir will perform as part of the Kokomo Symphony's Summer Fun Concert. The event begins with an arts and music festival at 4 p.m. The concert follows at 6 p.m.
Cindy Ison, senior lecturer in music, said the family-friendly event showcases the community's artists and musicians, including those at IU Kokomo.
Musical selections will range from Tchaikovsky, songs from animated children's movies, classic rock, big band and a salute to American service members.
The concert goes on rain or shine, with the performance in the Kokomo High School auditorium if it rains.
For more information, call 765-236-0251 or e-mail kokomosymphony@sbcglobal.net.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
01 June 2012
Students show the importance of studying during a New Student Orientation in the Spring of 2012.
Tyana Lange, director of enrollment management, invites interested community members to join the effort and learn more about the Coalition at a breakfast meeting on Wednesday, June 13, 8 a.m., at Inventrek, 700 E. Firmin St.
"Children in the community need to grow up with the expectation they will continue their educations after high school," Lange said. "We want to make sure families understand that the jobs their children want will require some kind of post-secondary education. It is important for families to understand college is attainable, and there are ways to pay for it."
IU Kokomo's involvement in this Coalition fits with Chancellor Michael Harris' campus themes of Academic Excellence and Student Success, Regional Transformation, and Building Relationships and Making Friends.
The Coalition seeks community support to reach families, asking schools, faith-based organizations, youth service groups, service clubs, business owners, government agencies and libraries to participate.
"We just need them to help in any way they can, to educate our community in how college is available here," she said. "In an ideal world, when a high school student goes to the grocery store, the cashier would ask him if he's filled out his financial aid form yet. That's the kind of support this community needs."
Lange said filling out the financial aid form is the first step in making college a reality for some students, but many in Howard County don't take that crucial step.
"Nearly 75 percent of IU Kokomo students receive some form of financial aid, which shows there is money out there to make post-secondary education possible," she said. "If you don't apply for it, you can't get it. We have to help people understand they need to apply, and help them through the process.
"We have opportunities other counties really want," she said. "Everybody, regardless of their background, can do some kind of post-secondary experience."
For more information or to join, go to www.learnmoreindiana.org/csc, or contact Lange at tylange@iuk.edu.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
02 March 2012
KOKOMO, Ind.— Indiana University Kokomo and Ivy Tech Community College invite employers who may be hiring soon to register for the annual Kokomo Area Spring Job Fair. The fair is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012, at the Kokomo Event and Conference Center.
The job fair is free and open to the public and is a great way for employers to connect with well-qualified IU Kokomo and Ivy Tech students who will soon graduate, as well as with prospective employees from the general public. Registration is free for all participating employers.
The job fair is free and open to the public and is a great way for employers to connect with well-qualified IU Kokomo and Ivy Tech students who will soon graduate, as well as with prospective employees from the general public. Registration is free for all participating employers.
To register for the Kokomo Area Spring Job Fair as an employer or for more information, contact Jen Nichols, director of Career Services, at 800-459-0561, ext. 222, or jnichols9@ivytech.edu. The event is co-sponsored by IU Kokomo, Ivy Tech Community College, WorkOne, Z92.5, Rock 98.5 and WIOU.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
24 June 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – The red and white sponsor tent buzzed with a flurry of activity at the Miami County 4-H Fair Thursday (June 23) as representatives from Indiana University Kokomo shared in the fair excitement.
Cougar fans pose with t-shirts they won.More photos.
During the first IU Kokomo Day, faculty, staff, and students mingled with fairgoers, offering free water, handheld fans, and information about the campus. In addition, the young and young-at-heart lined up to have their picture taken with the Cougar mascot and spin the “Wheel of Fortune” for fun IU Kokomo prizes.
“This has really been the best tent and the place to be today,” said Lisa Miller, who stopped by with her children. “The kids have been looking forward to coming to the fair and really liked spinning the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and winning free IU Kokomo stuff.”
While the Cougar mascot made his rounds on the fairgrounds and in the Exhibit Hall, members of the IU Kokomo men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams used a T-shirt launcher to shoot free Cougars T-shirts into the crowds sitting at the Grandstands.
Winning a T-shirt, James Thomas was just as pleased to collect enrollment information.
“I was really surprised when I was walking through the fairgrounds and saw the IU Kokomo tent,” said Thomas, 19. “I’ve wanted to apply to IU Kokomo, but needed more information about how to go about it. I want to major in nursing and become a registered nurse, and I know IU Kokomo has a really good nursing program.”
Tyana Lange, director of enrollment management, was pleased with the crowds despite the rainy weather.
“This has been a great day for IU Kokomo. We have met many wonderful people here in Miami County,” Lange said. “We plan to be back next year!”
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
13 June 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – Every artist’s dream is for their work to be displayed and appreciated – and now all eyes are on Wes Plantenga’s art in downtown Kokomo.
Wes Plantenge talks about the new mural in downtown Kokomo.
Plantenga, a senior majoring in fine arts, created the four-panel mural featuring a silhouette of blue shapes over a neutral background that brings color and life to the Courthouse Square.
A video of the project in progress can be viewed at http://youtu.be/kTlb3h9O-Jg.
“It’s just a good design to have downtown and help bring some more life to the city,” Plantenga said of the blue swirls and shapes. “It doesn’t have a deep meaning. Really, it’s just something to look at. I like it a lot and I hope other people will.”
A year in the making, Gregory Steel, assistant professor of fine arts and new media, was approached by the city for some public art to be displayed on the outer wall of Dabrowski law office, located at the corner of Buckeye and Sycamore streets. Steel and colleague Minda Douglas, assistant professor of fine arts, decided to make this a class assignment. Plantenga’s work was selected.
“The students were asked to create a simple kind of graphic design,” Steel said. “We wanted a very strong design and wanted to be done in a few colors. This is part of what the city is doing to revitalize the downtown area. This is a good way for public art to be displayed."
Plantenga sketched the design on the panels, and Douglas and a host of volunteers helped paint in the early mornings and in the evenings when shade was in their favor. About 30 hours was spent completing the mural.
“It’s a lot of work but it’s definitely worth it,” said Plantenga, a Kokomo resident. “This opportunity is awesome. I just got lucky. I’m surprised at how good it looks on this scale.”
Abstract art can be very appealing to the eye, and Douglas said this design works well in the downtown environment.
“I think what makes the design really strong is the use of positive and negative shapes. I think it keeps the eye moving and is a very interesting break up of space on the panels,” she said. “As you’re driving up you can see it from a block away. It is nice from a distance as well as close up.”
Both Steel and Douglas look forward to working with the city in other art projects, and providing more opportunities for students to display their work.
“This type of project allows student to see they can take their designs and turn them into some real that is appreciated,” Douglas said. “It’s good for the students, it’s good for the community, and it’s good for the city.”
17 May 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – As a leader in regional transformation, Indiana University Kokomo hosted an event Tuesday afternoon which brought more than 500 community and business leaders together to discuss continued economic growth.
The very first “Great Connect” event took place in Havens Auditorium on campus. During his welcome of the large crowd, Chancellor Michael Harris noted the university continues to focus on three main themes – one of which is transforming the region. In October 2010, IU Kokomo launched its effort for regional transformation for the 14 counties it serves.
