07 May 2013

Kokomo, Ind. - Indiana University Kokomo has been accepted to the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year. All Cougar athletic teams immediately will be eligible for conference championships, as well as automatic bids to the NAIA Championships.

"The campus is honored to join the KIAC," said Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke. "It complements our entry into the NAIA and it was the next step in our campus plan to create a competitive athletic program. I know our athletes will excel and compete in this new arena."

The KIAC is an NAIA conference, founded in 1916. With the addition of IU Kokomo, the league's membership increases to 12 institutions this fall. The Cougars will be joining Alice Lloyd College (Pippa Passes, Ky.), Ashbury University (Wilmore, Ky.), Berea College (Berea, Ky.), Brescia University (Owensboro, Ky.), Carlow University (Pittsburg, Pa.), Cincinnati Christian University (Cincinnati, Ohio), IU East (Richmond, Ind.), IU Southeast (New Albany, Ind.), Midway College (Midway, Ky.), Point Park University (Pittsburg, Pa.), and St. Louis College of Pharmacy (St. Louis, Mo.).

"The KIAC is a great fit for us considering the quality of the member schools and the stability of the conference," said Todd Gambill, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management. "We are excited about the platform that the NAIA and the KIAC provides for us to showcase our institution and our students. We look forward to developing partnerships and rivalries with our member schools."

The KIAC sponsors championships in 14 sports, including, baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field and volleyball.

In addition, the KIAC sponsors competition in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. IU Kokomo competes in men's and women's cross country, women's volleyball, and men's basketball.

"By joining the KIAC, now we will have an opportunity to compare ourselves to conference competition at the end of the season when we are in peak shape," said Jason VanAlstine, head men's and women's cross country coach. "It will be very exciting next year with many new faces, new facilities, and a new conference."

IU Kokomo makes the move to the KIAC after having been a member of the Association of Independent Institutions for the 2012-2013 season. Visit www.kiacsports.com for more information.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

03 May 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Charles Whaley returned to college to gain career opportunities.

Nursing Recognition Ceremony Spring 2013

Along the way, he also gained confidence in his own abilities.

"I wasn't sure I could do everything I needed to do to be a nurse," he said. "Now that I've accomplished it, I feel like I can do anything."

Whaley, from Alexandria, was among the 39 Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 59 R.N. to B.S.N. graduates honored at the Indiana University Kokomo School of Nursing's annual recognition and pinning ceremony, celebrating entrance into their professional field.

The Division of Allied Health Sciences recognized 15 Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology and nine Associate of Science in Radiography graduates at its recognition and pinning ceremony.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke congratulated the graduates in both programs, and wished them the best in their careers.

"We couldn't be more proud of you. We know you will carry our name and exemplify what you have learned at IU Kokomo," she said.

At the nursing recognition the graduates, all color coordinated in black and white, celebrated the end of long days and nights of studying, participating in clinicals, and preparing for exams.

Addessa Baity, Marion, was thrilled to finally graduate, but is already planning ahead for more education.

"You don't know how much relief I feel right now," she said with a laugh. "Now I plan to work a year or two before I go back to become a nurse practitioner."

Radiography Pinning Ceremony Spring 2013

Guest speaker Mary Zody, clinical associate professor, urged the nursing graduates to take risks in their careers.

"Always be willing to take a chance," she said. "Keep one eye on the floor, to keep you grounded, but keep one eye looking ahead. With your degree, you can take any road you want."

Hollie Boyles, Galveston, who earned an Associate of Science in Radiography degree, said it feels "amazing" to complete her degree.

"I've been working towards this for a long time, and it is great to be done," she said, adding that she will start working on her bachelor's degree in medical imaging technology in July.

Her classmate Kenzie Daniel, from Yorktown, also plans to continue in the bachelor's degree program.

Daniel, who won the Mallinckrodt outstanding student award, praised the faculty and staff for their excellence and dedication to students.

"This has been such a positive experience for me," she said. "I've realized this is what I was meant to do."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

03 May 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo students in the Schools of Nursing and Business were recently inducted into honor societies, rewarding academic excellence.

School of Business Beta Gamma Sigma inductees.

The School of Nursing inducted 25 students, its largest class ever, into Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Chapter. Six IU students founded the honorary in 1922, "so our new members are carrying on a very proud tradition," Dean Linda Wallace said.

"Those chosen are graduates who have demonstrated superior scholastic achievement and leadership potential," Wallace said. "This is a wonderful accomplishment."

Alpha Chapter has a long and distinguished history of providing leadership to the profession of nursing, including supporting nursing education, nursing scholarship, and nursing service.

IU Kokomo's new members include undergraduates Daniele Hoffman and Jacqueline Vaughn, Carmel; Cristy Mullinix, Converse; Alicia Dellen and Michelle Harrison, Fishers; Mary Shelby, Gas City; Mary Peterson, Greentown; Tricia Hatfield, Victoria Johnson, Ashley Lay, Shawn Owings, Kristen Radford, Lauren Thurston and Kristin Tucker, Kokomo; Eric Emery, Marion; Tammy Staley, Markleville; Tracy Burdine, Peru; Lynsie Carter, Russiaville; Guillermo Trejo, Sweetser; Kara Moulder, Tipton; Alexis Martin and Karyn Wilcox, Wabash; and Laurie Walsh, Westfield.

Graduate students inducted were Leigh Swartzendruber and Beth Robbins, Greentown.

The School of Business inducted nine new members into Beta Gamma Sigma honorary. Undergraduates must be in the top 10 percent of their class to be inducted, while graduate students must be in the top 20 percent.

David Rink, professor of marketing, noted that Master of Business Administration student Megan Mathews received the honor for the second time. She was previously inducted as an undergraduate.

He said the organization's mission is to encourage and reward academic achievement, and to promote high standards for business leaders.

"These students are the best and brightest future business leaders," he said.

IU Kokomo's new members include undergraduates Cynthia Ballard and Emily Barnard, Flora; Derek Lawhead, Boyd Marler, Lisa Ortega, and Anthony Wood, Kokomo; and Debra Smith, Kempton Graduate students selected were Jordan Lee and Michael Vas, Kokomo, and Megan Mathews, Converse.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

02 May 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Megan Mathews has a passion for being a role model.

Megan MathewsFor the last three years, she has served as a mentor for a Madison-Grant High School student, while also balancing a busy work schedule and classes to earn her Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Indiana University Kokomo.

"Our world needs a lot more mentors," Mathews said. "This is life-changing work for both of us. I'm keeping my student on track to go to college for free, through the 21st Century Scholars Program, which is a huge benefit to her. Working with her also is good for me, because it gives me a break from work and school."

Mathews, 29, from Converse, is also demonstrating the value of a job completed well, as she will be among the 547 students earning degrees at IU Kokomo's Commencement on Tuesday, May 7.

Gloria Preece, M.B.A. program director, said Mathews has been "an exceptional student," and received the 2013 School of Business Outstanding Student Award.

"Megan demonstrated superior leadership skills as our M.B.A. association president, giving both her time and dedication," Preece said. "She is highly regarded as an exceptional student by all of the business faculty, and her academic performance has been stellar."

When Mathews decided to earn her master's degree, IU Kokomo was her only choice because she already knew from her undergraduate experience she would learn from excellent faculty.

"The professors get to know you on a first-name basis," she said. "I had such a positive experience, and I knew that would continue in graduate school. You can't beat the value of an IU M.B.A. close to home, and I can't say enough about the quality of the faculty and instruction."

Mathews earned her bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from IU Kokomo in 2007.

"I knew I wanted to come back at some point," Mathews said. "Sometimes it's hard to balance everything, but it is doable. The satisfaction you have after going through the program can really make a person proud. It's a great investment in yourself and your career."

Her hard work has already paid off in a promotion with McClure Oil Corp. in Marion, where she has worked five years.

"I am already starting to see the benefits of higher education, even before I complete my degree," she said.

Going to school while working made the learning experience more enriching, she said.

"I found my classmates had some interesting insights, based on their work experience, and I could apply my work experience to what I was learning as well," she said. "Those factors, along with the outstanding faculty, brought everything together. It's hard to put a value on the relationships I've built."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.