27 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. – SumAntics, Indiana University Kokomo's first-ever improvisation troupe, presents their fall show "Ugly Christmas Sweaters." They can't promise the content will be directly related because they make it up as they go.

The show is Thursday, November 29, at 7:30 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium, located in the Kelley Student Center. It's free admission and requires some audience participation and interaction to keep the show going. SumAntics highly encourages wearing an "ugly Christmas sweater" and joining in the fun. Expect adult content.

A second performance will take place on Wednesday, December 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Kelley Student Center. "All Things IUK" will kick off the Homecoming festivities. This show is appropriate for all audiences.

Emilee Benge, founder of SumAntics, is looking forward to this performance, since their spring show was such a hit.

"It's exciting to have students, faculty, and staff ask me when the next show is because they are anxious to see the performance," Benge said. "We are ready to show them what we've got and introduce the new faces we have this semester."

Benge and other students who fell in love with improvisation during their Acting I class with Joann Kaiser founded the group in January 2012 as an extension of Drama Club.

"We wanted to bring something new to campus that would draw student interest," Benge added. "You can't get this type of live, comedic entertainment in Kokomo, and it's fun."

SumAntics has increased membership this semester to nine members, but only five are returning members. This year, they have more girls than guys, which has made the chemistry of the group much different than last semester.

"There is a new energy to the group this semester, and everyone is pumped," Benge said. "We have new skits and games, and the new members have worked really hard to improve their improv skills."

SumAntics has worked hard this semester to expand their campus involvement and are trying to help promote IU Kokomo through student organizations. They have started performing during the campus Visit In Person (V.I.P.).

"We are a prime example that if you want to start a club on campus, you can. That is really important to share to incoming students," Benge said.

Story written by Mary Olk, a senior majoring in communication arts. Mary works in the Office of Media and Marketing.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

27 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. – An Indiana University Kokomo program with the goal of preparing children to succeed in school has received an extension of its Lilly Endowment Inc. grant for an additional two years.

Marilyn SkinnerMarilyn Skinner, director of the IU Kokomo Center for Early Childhood Education, said the extension allows programming to continue through the end of 2014.

"Our role is the help our community know the importance of early childhood education, provided by the parent or some other adult, so that the children of our community will be successful when they enter school," Skinner said. "This grant extension is recognition by the Lilly Endowment that we are doing important work."

The center's signature program is "Totes for Tots," which provides a bag of age-appropriate books, toys, and learning materials to Howard County children from birth to kindergarten, free each month.

The center, 2725 S. LaFountain St., also publishes a monthly informational newsletter for parents, and provides materials for Kokomo Urban Outreach's Baby University. It has an activity room open weekdays, for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to come play and learn with their children, and often gives away books. All of its programs are free.

Skinner said their goal is to support parents in their role as their child's first teacher.

"Research on parental involvement with a child, and the growth of a child's brain in the first five years of life, shows how important it is to provide educational experiences in those first five years," Skinner said. "We want to provide parents the books, toys, games, and an age-appropriate environment for the children to play."

Skinner said the extension gives the center two more years to use the $1.5 million Community Alliances to Promote Education (CAPE) grant funds originally awarded in 2005. It originally was to end in 2010, but she has been able to save money by using resources for free books, and by accepting donations of toys from families whose children have outgrown them. This is the third grant extension.

The CAPE initiative was aimed at boosting educational attainment throughout Indiana, by helping individual counties address their areas' most compelling education needs. The Community Foundation of Howard County partnered with IU Kokomo to apply for the grant.

For more information about the Early Childhood Education Center, call Skinner at 765-455-9427 or e-mail msskinne@iuk.edu.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

21 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. – After two seasons leading the Indiana University Kokomo women's volleyball team, Kristen Snoddy has announced her resignation as the first head coach of the Cougars.

Coach Snoddy talks with players between volleyball sets.

"I feel very honored to have been a part of the initial phase of the Cougar athletic program. What has been particularly special for me is that I was able to combine two of my passions – athletics and the IU Kokomo campus," Snoddy said. "Even though I have stepped down as a head coach, I will continue to follow this new aspect of student life with pride as it matures."

Snoddy guided the Cougars to a 9-25 record in her second season, including a historic first NAIA win – a tough four-set match – against Purdue University Calumet at the Illinois Institute of Technology Kickoff Tournament in August.

"Coach Snoddy was this program's foundation, and without her we wouldn't be where we are today as a team and program," said veteran player Emily West, a sophomore. "She means the world to me, specifically by being there to talk to and get advice."

The Cougars finished the 2012-2013 inaugural NAIA season with a hard-fought, five-set win over Aurora University. They recorded a total of nine wins, eight of which were on the road, as well as a home victory against IU Northwest in a three-set sweep at the end of September.

"Coach Snoddy genuinely cares for our team and wants us to succeed in the classroom and on the court," said sophomore libero Lael Burrus. "She helped establish something that is going to continue at IUK for years to come. I have a great amount of respect for her."

Off the court, Snoddy, a senior lecturer in English, played an important role in helping her team stay focused on academics. She encouraged and mentored the student athletes to concentrate on succeeding in the classroom. In addition, the team devoted time to community service projects, such as spending time with senior citizens during the Senior Olympics at the Kokomo Senior Center.

"We are very appreciative to Kristen Snoddy for launching our women's volleyball program. Having a faculty member as a coach emphasized the campus commitment to an athletic program with a foundation of academic excellence," said Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke. "Kristen is an outstanding instructor who created a quality volleyball program with solid student athletes. Her efforts provide a great vehicle for future successes."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

16 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo is partnering with area schools, business leaders, and Ivy Tech Community College to help reach the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's goal of 60 percent of state residents attaining post-secondary education.

Teresa Lubbers speaks at the town hall meeting.

Teresa Lubbers, commissioner for higher education, said she was "very excited" about the collaboration she sees happening in Howard County, during a town hall meeting hosted by the local Coalition for College Success at IU Kokomo.

"It's clear there are active partnerships in place," she said. "We need K-12 schools, colleges, and business working together for our students to succeed."

Lubbers said it used to be a student could graduate from high school or not, and with a good work ethic and effort, live a secure, middle class lifestyle. Now, some kind of post-high school education is required.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke said the Kokomo community is very interested in its students' success, and has participated actively in initiatives to prepare students for college.

"I really believe it is our mission to take a leadership role in these collaborations to help our students succeed in post-secondary education," she said.

She said IU Kokomo is already actively working to promote graduating in four years, another mission supported by the state commissioner. She cited the Complete in Four program, which kicked off this fall with a goal of helping students map out a plan to take the classes they need to graduate on time.

"We understand the importance of knowing when they're going to graduate," Sciame-Giesecke said, "How can you reach a goal if you haven't defined the goal?"

She also talked about revamping summer school, to make it more a part of the school year, and plans to offer a Maymester, a four-week immersive learning experience. The campus also has a mentoring program with juniors and faculty, promoting conversations about the students' future plans, both for their last two years and after graduation.

"We keep trying to think of innovative ways to help our students achieve success," she said.

Pennye Siefert, assistant superintendent of the Kokomo-Center Schools, said IU Kokomo partnered with Kokomo High School to prepare students for college-level math. Campus staff administered a math placement test to more than 700 seniors, and results are being used to offer remediation to those who need help.

"If they aren't ready for college math, they have to take remedial classes in college," Siefert said. "That often results in defeat, as the students drop out. We believe this is one way we can make sure our students are prepared for college. We would like to expand this program to other areas."

Steven Daily, chancellor of Ivy Tech Region 5, said the partnership between the community college and IU Kokomo is critical, making it easier for students to continue past an associate's degree.

"We are continually working together to communicate to our students not only that they can move on, but they must move on," he said.

Lubbers said financial education will be a critical part of the equation, helping parents and students understand what it will cost to go to school, that they need to start saving early, and what impact borrowing will have on their futures. They also need to be prepared for college, so they don't drop out with debt and nothing to show for it.

Lubbers said plans must be in place to address the needs of adult returning students and children who are the first in their families to attend college, including those in the 21st Century Scholars program.

The state program provides tuition at a state public university to students who sign up in middle school, graduate with a 2.0 grade point average, and meet other requirements. She said most of these are first-generation college students, and they need support all the way to college graduation.

Currently, 33 percent of Indiana residents have a post-secondary degree, ranking the state 41st of 50. Lubber said it is no coincidence that Indiana also ranks 41st in per capita income.

"There needs to be a sense of urgency if we want Indiana to be the kind of place we want it to be," she said. "We need people with more of every kind of post-secondary education."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.