17 May 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — A partial solar eclipse will entertain the sky this Sunday (May 20) evening, and the Observatory at Indiana University Kokomo will provide a bird's eye view to the public.

The Observatory

Patrick Motl, assistant professor of physics, said the eclipse should begin shortly before sunset, around 8:20 p.m. The Observatory, 105 E. Rebecca Lane, will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Motl said stargazers should be able to view Saturn when the sky is darker. There is no admission fee.

"People in the western two-thirds of North America will see the moon pass in front of the sun, creating a partial solar eclipse low in the western sky," Motl said.

Those watching from the southwest will see a rare annular eclipse, in which the moon appears entirely within the sun's disk, also describe as a "ring of fire."

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets directly between Earth and the sun. Sunday's event will be a partial solar eclipse across most of the United States and Canada, and a more compelling annular solar eclipse for a narrow swath of residents in the West and Southwest. The sun sets before any of it will be visible from the East Coast, however.

The Observatory features two telescopes mounted together – a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope. 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.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

09 May 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. – Stargazers can get a closer look at three planets on Sunday, May 13, when the Indiana University Kokomo Observatory hosts its monthly open house, from 8 to 11 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Patrick Motl peers into the telescope in the IU Kokomo Observatory

Patrick Motl, assistant professor of physics, said with the moon rising later in the evening, there should be good views of Venus, Mars, and Saturn during the open house.

"We will be losing Jupiter as a nighttime object, but gaining Saturn," he said, adding that Venus is heading for its transit in June. During this rare alignment, Venus passes directly between the earth and the sun, and can be seen as a small dot gliding slowly across the face of the sun.

Motl will begin the evening at 8 p.m. with a brief talk on the transit of Venus, which explorers in the past used in an attempt to measure the size of the solar system and objects beyond.

He plans to have the observatory open afternoon hours on Tuesday, June 5, for people to see the transit, which is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"The next one is in 2117, so I'm not so optimistic to plan on seeing that one," Motl said.

For more information about the transit of Venus, go to www.transitofvenus.org.

The Observatory at IU Kokomo features two telescopes mounted together – a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope. 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 Kokomo Astronomy Club will also be present on Sunday to set up their own personal telescopes, which will allow for a variety of views.

The Observatory, 105 E. Rebecca Lane, opens its doors to the Kokomo community on the second Sunday of each month during the spring and fall semesters. Free parking is available.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

08 May 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — The Class of 2012 began a new Indiana University Kokomo tradition Tuesday (May 8), celebrating Commencement in the campus’ new pavilion.

Commencement 2012 View Flickr gallery.

Sunny skies and 70-degree weather prevailed for the outdoor ceremony, and many graduates wore sunglasses along with their caps and gowns. Family members cheered and took pictures as the graduates processed to the pavilion, smiling and ready to celebrate.

IU President Michael A. McRobbie called the day a celebration of accomplishment, and congratulated the class on reaching the important milestone of graduation.

“All of your accomplishments are a measure of the spirit of achievement and opportunity that pervades this growing campus,” he said.

He urged the graduates to embrace change.

“Your accomplishments reflect the world of the 21^st Century, a world vastly different from the one in which your parents grew up, and one that your great-grandparents likely would not even recognize,” McRobbie said. “It is a world where you should expect to change careers multiple times, and, with the increasing globalization of our economic system, you should also be ready to work overseas for a period of your career.”

Chancellor Michael Harris said the pavilion is just one of the many changes the 493-member graduating class has embraced during their academic careers at IU Kokomo.

“We are an engaged campus, on the move, and the Class of 2012 actively participated in our ongoing transformation toward being a world class regional campus, part of a world-class university,” Harris said.

That change has included the addition of teams sports and joining the NAIA, 15 new degree programs, offering of classes online and on Fridays, opening a nursing simulation center, a next generation classroom and a digital media center.

“We appreciate that you took ownership of your education, and worked with faculty and staff toward these successes, “he said. “Change is not easy, yet you embraced it. You have earned my immense respect.”

Student speaker Geny Studebaker, from Rossville, also talked of the change the class has seen, and wished them “the courage to pursue change” in the future.

“With an open mind, accepting change will become easier,” she said. “Our generation is in a unique position to start a new path for those behind us to follow. This is our world. We should be the ones to decide which path it should follow.”

Each of the graduates crossed the stage to accept his or her diploma and a handshake or hug from Harris. Whole classes cheered as Harris presented them to McRobbie for conferral of degrees. Applause broke out in sections of the audience as Registrar Stacey Thomas read individual names.

Student vocalist Courtney Shively ended the ceremony by leading singing of Hail to Old IU. Some of the graduates began blowing bubbles, then burst into cheers as it concluded.

Harris encouraged the graduates to be forward thinking, intentional, and optimistic in planning their lives beyond IU Kokomo, “despite what may look like challenging economic times.

“With an IU degree in hand, you have a world of opportunities.”

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

08 May 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — When one family member is in college, it can feel like the whole family is enrolled.

Commencement 2012 View Flickr gallery.

Commencement ceremony on Tuesday (May 8) at Indiana University Kokomo was a family event – with parents, husbands, wives, children, other relatives and friends coming to cheer for and celebrate with their graduates.

After the ceremony, family groups clustered on campus, offering flowers to the graduates and posing for pictures in front of IU flags and the newly planted flowerbeds.

Meghan Webb of Peru continued a family tradition by earning her degree at IU Kokomo, just one year after her mother graduated here.

“It’s crazy that I’ve graduated,” Meghan Webb said. “I can’t believe four years went by so quickly.”

She earned a degree in education, and is now looking for a job teaching secondary social studies. She said the School of Education has more than prepared her for the classroom.

“They do a great job getting you ready to be a teacher,” Webb said.

Stephen Diamond said he will be back in classes Monday, starting his Master of Business Administration, after receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology Tuesday.

“I’ll just have a little break, and then start again,” he said. Diamond, who lives in Burlington, said he’s built a community during his years at IU Kokomo.

“I feel like I’ve made real connections here. I have a lot of people in my corner.”

Sheri Adams, who earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies, watched as her children, Sophi, 7, and Sam, 5, climbed a rock in one of the flower beds, taking turns wearing her mortarboard.

“It’s about time I graduated,” Adams said, adding that she started her degree 15 years ago, long before either child was born.

“They’ve never known a time when I wasn’t in school. They’re looking forward to me having some free time this summer,” she said.

Adams, from Tipton, added that they should not get used to her not being in school, because she starts classes in the School of Nursing in August.

She said the campus has changed dramatically since she started her degree.

“I barely recognize it since then,” she said. “I bet it will be even more different when my kids go here.”

Commencement 2012 View Flickr gallery.

Thembie Nkomo and Fidelity Akonji posed for family pictures in the shade of the trees outside Hunt Hall. Both earned nursing degrees.

Akonji, from Indianapolis, brought a large family group, including her three small children. Her boys wore matching suits, and smiled up proudly at their mother the graduate.

She said she’s happy to graduate, but will miss the people she’s met at IU Kokomo.

“I’ve had a great experience here. I’ve made so many friends.”

In the Kelley Student Center, Clifton Crider, from Frankfort, walked arm-in-arm with his wife, Kristine, happy to have completed his nursing degree.

“This has been a long time coming, and a lot of hard work,” he said. “Now I’m just enjoying time with my family, relishing the moment.”

Kristine Crider says it is her turn to go to IU Kokomo next. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.

“I hope to be here soon,” she said.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.