07 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — In an ideal world, every Howard County student would be expected to go to college, or to earn some kind of post-high school certification or degree.

A local organization hopes to change the county's culture, to make post-secondary education part of the community expectation. The Howard County College Success Coalition is hosting a town hall meeting from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 14, at Indiana University Kokomo, to begin creating that change.

Teresa Lubbers, Indiana's commissioner for higher education, will introduce the documentary "First Generation," during the meeting, which shows the difficulties first-generation college students face in earning their degrees.

Tyana Lange, director of enrollment management, said Howard County students face many of those same challenges, so she expects the film to generate interesting discussion of how those problems can be overcome, and what can be done to encourage more students to continue education beyond high school.

"Our goal is to change the culture of Howard County, to a college-bound mindset," she said. "Our students don't grow up expecting to go to college, and in today's economy, they must have education beyond high school to have the quality of life they want to achieve."

Lange said the Howard County coalition's first goal is to increase the number of students who complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because those who do not fill out the application by the deadline do not qualify for the assistance, or for many other scholarships available.

"The barrier to college for many of our student is not money, but access to money," Lange said. "Only 38 percent of Howard County high school students completed the form last year. We want to double that."

The group also wants to create an educational resource guide for the county, and to mobilize churches to participate in activities promoting post-high school educational attainment."

Amy Parraga, north central Indiana regional coordinator for Twenty-First Century Scholars, said 32 Howard County organizations and businesses are already onboard to help in the effort.

"We want to promote anything post-high school that leads a student to success," she said. "For some that is a four-year degree, for others it might be a two-year degree or certification. It's pretty exciting to have so many community partners who want to be part of achieving this goal. I think it also sends a message to students of how important post-secondary education is, when so many of our community's leaders get involved."

The town hall meeting begins with a reception from 5 to 6 p.m. in Alumni Hall, followed by the movie and discussion in Kresge Auditorium. Free parking is available on campus. For more information contact Lange at 765-455-9469 or tylange@iuk.edu.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

05 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. – A change of season means new stars will be visible at the Indiana University Kokomo Observatory Open House from 7 to 10 p.m. this Sunday, November 11.

Peering through the telescope from the Observatory.

Patrick Motl, assistant professor of physics, said Jupiter is expected to rise in the sky around 7 p.m., "which means the constellations of the winter hexagon, including Orion with its beautiful nebula, are joining the evening sky as fall heads into winter."

The moon also will be in a new phase, meaning the skies will be darker, and a thinning crescent of the moon will be visible before dawn towards the southeast on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Motl will start the open house with a short presentation on updates in the search for extrasolar planets, including the recent discovery from the HARPS survey of a planet orbiting alpha Centauri B, and challenges with the Kepler mission's search for Earth-like planets.

Those attending may also view the stars and planets through the Observatory's telescopes, which 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.

02 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo's School of Business is ranked among the best colleges and universities in the recently released 2013 Princeton Review's "The Best 296 Business Schools."

Interim Dean Erv Boschmann said this is the seventh year IU Kokomo has been included in the guide. Accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is required in order to be included in the Princeton Review.

"The accreditation, and then inclusion in the review, shows we have a high-quality academic program, with faculty who research and publish in our field," Boschmann said. "Our faculty also have practical experience in their areas of expertise, which makes us stand out as well.

"This is something we are very proud of," he added. "This puts our name in front of people who might not otherwise know about us."

The Princeton Review based inclusion of its guide on surveys from 19,000 students attending the business schools. The 80-question survey asked students to rate multiple attributes of their schools, including the professors and fellow classmates.

Those campuses included are listed in alphabetical order, and does not select one as the best overall. Its goal is to give potential business students broader information to decide which one best fits them. The books' school profiles report on admission, academics, financial aid, campus life, and career and employment information

Robert Franek, Princeton Review senior vice president-publisher, said the schools included are considered to be the best institutions a student could attend to earn an M.B.A. It includes 280 schools in the United States and 16 international schools.

"We selected the schools we profiled based on our high regard for their academic programs and our reviews of institutional data we collect from the schools. We also solicit and greatly respect the opinions of students attending these schools."

For a complete list of business school rankings, go to www.princetonreview.com/business-school-rankings.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

02 November 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo is home to a national champion.

Amanda Smith stands with Marni.

Amanda Smith, a senior psychology major, recently showed the champion yearling light wool female llama, Marni, at the 2012 Alpaca Llama Show Association Grand National Show in Lincoln, Neb.

"Competing at nationals is a wonderful experience," she said. "People from all over the country come to Nebraska for a weekend of friendly competition. Over the years, we build relationships with other competitors, and sometimes nationals is the only time we are able to see one another."

Smith, 21, has shown llamas since she was in middle school, and believes what she has learned in her psychology class, including about positive reinforcement and operant conditioning, has contributed to her success.

"It's amazing how I can relate what I'm using in my classes to train my llamas," she said.

Smith grew up in Fort Wayne, and became interested in llamas because a friend showed them. Her mother wasn't thrilled about her new interest, fearing she would get dirty, but Smith signed up for the 4-H llama program.

The project does not require members to own an animal, so she leased one from Schlemmer Critter Haven Farm in Huntertown. The owners also were project leaders for llamas.

After two years of leasing, Smith's grandfather decided she was serious about llamas, and bought her Quartz, her first llama. She continued in 4-H until she graduated from high school, and then continued into open class shows.

Llamas are divided into classes by wool type, gender, and experience, and can compete in several categories. Showmanship demonstrates the handler's ability to show the llama; while performance shows how the animal maneuvers through a series of obstacle courses.

Smith said performance also showcases the relationship between llama and handler.

"It shows the bond you have built, and the trust the llama has in you to lead them through the course," she said.

Pack competition shows how the llama can perform as a pack animal, which is its primary function in its native South America. Public relations shows how the llama behaves in situations it may encounter on an outing in the community, like balloons, narrow walkways, steps, being petted by a stranger, and encountering strange animals.

Smith and Quartz compete at the master level, which is earned by winning at lower levels. She said it is an honor to compete at that level.

"Getting to masters was my ultimate goal," she said. "Many of the other competitors are the legends in llama competition. I'm now competing with the people who taught me everything I know."

She prepares for competition at the farm, in Huntertown, while also taking a full course load at IU Kokomo, working as a peer advisor in the Center for Student Success and Advising. She is also an orientation leader, and in the honors program. Smith also was an IU-SEEK peer mentor.

Smith credits the llama project for helping her get involved.

"I had never been in an extracurricular activity before I joined 4-H to show llamas," she said. "It gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and try other new things."

Last year, she bought Marni, her second llama. Both board at the farm, and she goes there as often as she can to prepare for shows. She's had a successful year, winning overall grand champion master performance at the Indiana State Fair with Quartz, and novice performance grand champion at Lamafest and Alpaca Showcase at Michigan State University with Marni.

At nationals, Marni also won reserve champion novice professional relations, and sixth-place novice pack. Quartz placed in the top 10 in master obstacle, master pack, and master public relations.

Smith graduates in May, then hopes to find an online graduate program she can complete while working. Eventually, she hopes to have her own farm, and to sponsor a 4-H llama club, where she can teach future llama handlers the benefits of showing llamas.

"Working with my llamas gave me goals to work towards," she said. "Before I started showing llamas, I wasn't focused, and I was hanging out with the wrong people. It kept me out of trouble, and showed me what happens when you set goals and work hard to achieve them."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.