10 September 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Mickey Maurer's career has spanned numerous industries, including cable television, film production, radio broadcasting, newspaper publishing, real estate and banking.

Mickey Maurer

He is also a community leader, recognized by the IU Bloomington School of Law and being named the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, in his honor.

Maurer, who is chairman of the board of the Indiana Business Journal Foundation and the National Bank of Indianapolis, will speak about his latest book, "The 19 Stars of Indiana: Exceptional Hoosier Men," at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 13, in Kresge Auditorium.

Chancellor Michael Harris invites the community to attend Maurer's dyanmic presentation.

"We are honored to have Mickey Maurer visit our campus," Harris said. "His contributions to the economy, culture and well-being of the state of Indiana are immense and I have tremendous personal respect for him and his work."

Maurer graduated from North Central High School in Indianapolis, then earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Colorado. He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Indiana University, and also successfully completed the CPA exam.

He served as Indiana's Secretary of Commerce from 2006 to 2008, and also founded Mickey's Camp, which has raised more than $1 million for central Indiana charities since 2001. He has also successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.

Harris said Maurer's many experiences and interests should make for a lively presentation.

"I am confident it will be a very interesting experience, and his presence on campus reinforces our vital role in the prosperity of north central Indiana."

Maurer will sign copies of his book following the presentation. Copies will be available for purchase.

The public is invited to Maurer's presentation. Those planning to attend should RSVP to lcapozzo@iuk.edu or call 765-455-9221.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

10 September 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo is offering area school children and the community at large a close-up look at law enforcement at its annual Public Safety Day. The event will take place this Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the parking lot next to the basketball court on Rebecca Lane.

Everyone is invited to visit with representatives of more than a dozen public safety agencies, including the FBI, SWAT team, fire fighters, police officers and emergency management officials. Visitors also will see police cars, fire trucks, an FBI surveillance truck, and other equipment, all

IU Kokomo criminal justice students will teach safety seminars on topics including online safety and security, weather safety, and identity theft.

Steven Glass, president of the IU Kokomo Criminal Justice Association and Alpha Phi Sigma honor society, event co-sponsors, said some children may be afraid of law enforcement officials, and Public Safety Day gives them an opportunity to see first-hand what they do to protect them.

"It may even inspire some of the children to consider law enforcement careers," he said. "They will also see our quality criminal justice program, so if they choose that as their career, they will know they can earn their degree here."

Dave Selby, chief of the IU Kokomo Police Department, said Public Safety Day is an opportunity for law enforcement agencies to show the resources they have available to keep the community safe.

"This is also a great way to encourage a college-bound mentality for children," he said. "They will have fun visiting a college campus, and realize that college is something that is possible in their future."

Two-hour field trip openings are still available after 11 a.m. To reserve a space, call 765-455-9217, or e-mail tylange@iuk.edu.

Individual visitors are welcome between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free parking is available on campus.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

06 September 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Curiosity, NASA's Mars rover, has captivated the country's attention since it landed on Mars August 5.

Observatory open house for the "ring of fire"

This Sunday, area residents can learn more about Curiosity's mission at an open house hosted by the Indiana University Kokomo Observatory, from 8 to 11 p.m.

Patrick Motl, assistant professor of physics, will give a short presentation about Curiosity, also known as the Mars Science Laboratory, and its mission to investigate the Red Planet's habitability, climate, and geology, and to collect data for a manned mission to Mars.

Stargazers may also view Mars 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.

Motl said Mars and Saturn will set shortly after sunset. Viewer may also see highlights in the summer triangle, such as the ring nebula in Lyra, a small constellation.

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.

06 September 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo education students will offer free, fun activities to children and their parents Saturday, while gaining valuable hands-on lesson planning experience.

Members of Educational Student Advisory Committee (EdSAC), an organization for education majors, developed Education Express, a train-themed educational carnival geared to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Activities include story writing, modeling clay, puppet play, and worm races. Students also will talk to parents about how to replicate those activities to continue the learning process at home.

Jessica Beck, EdSAC president, said the group's goal is "to showcase a variety of interesting things parents can do to focus on literacy, and supplement what their child is learning at school."

Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight will kick off the event at 10 a.m. in Alumni Hall, with a proclamation honoring the day. Each child will receive a passport, and has until 2 p.m. to complete at least 10 stations, to earn a free book.

Refreshments, including Noble Roman's pizza and Coca-Cola products, will be available. Campus mascot Kingston Cougar will be available to meet his young fans as well.

Beck said planners wanted to give students a chance not only to develop and implement a lesson plan, but also to interact with children and their parents.

"It's one thing to be great with kids, but you have to be able to talk to parents, too, in order to be successful as a teacher," she said. "This also gives us a chance to give back to all the schools who allow us to learn in their classrooms as we develop our teaching skills."

Event sponsors include the IU Kokomo School of Education, the IU Kokomo Early Childhood Education Center, and Partners in Education.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.