06 June 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke announces the appointment of Brandon R. Podgorski as the athletic and fitness center director. He began his position Monday, June 3.

Brandon Podgorski"This is another important step in our journey to build a quality athletic program on campus," stated Sciame-Giesecke.

Podgorski, 33, was fitness center director and assistant women's basketball coach at Darton State College, Albany, Ga.

Todd Gambill, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management, said the campus is "fortunate to land someone of Brandon's talent and background.

"He brings us a wealth of experience in both intercollegiate athletics and fitness center management," he said. "I am excited about working with him to develop the first-class programs that are the hallmark of Indiana University."

He will manage the new Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center, slated to open in late summer, as well as overseeing the athletics programs. This is the third year for team sports on campus, and the second year in the NAIA. IU Kokomo joined the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in May.

Podgorski is excited for the opportunity to open a brand-new fitness center, and to develop the athletic programs.

"We're establishing a culture of excellence with our athletic programs," he said. "We are going to expand them and build them to succeed at the conference and national levels. I am happy to open the fitness center, and to see all the excitement about having this facility available for our campus community."

Podgorski has a bachelor's degree in general studies, with a minor in sports marketing and management, from Indiana University; and a master's degree in recreation and sports sciences, with an emphasis on coaching education, from Ohio University.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

06 June 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Whether in a hospital room or courtroom, Marlene Greskamp's students will be prepared.

Students discuss ways to handle potential situations.This summer, nursing students at Indiana University Kokomo are not learning about taking vitals, but rather how to collect and preserve body fluid samples as evidence in a crime, testify in court on a victim's behalf, and assist a coroner in looking for signs of foul play during an autopsy.

Assistant Professor Greskamp developed the only nursing forensics class offered through IU, based on her own background caring for child abuse victims.

Her goal? For nurses to be ready and able to help victims when they are needed.

"I want them to leave knowing a crime can occur anywhere, even in a hospital," she said. "I want them to know what to do, and to know the provisions to collect evidence to get the perpetrator arrested and convicted. I also want them to care for the victims with empathy."

Joshua Holley, from Wabash, was intrigued by how nurses can use their knowledge and skills to assist crime victims.

"As medical professionals, we think past the physical, we also think about the psychological impact on our patient," he said. "It is critical that we are prepared to care for crime victims in an empathetic way. We are the first people they talk to, and we can help make the best of a bad situation, or we can make it even worse, depending on the care we provide."

This is the third year Greskamp has offered the elective, which includes viewing an autopsy, and visits with prosecutors, coroners, and domestic abuse experts. Each class also includes discussion of a cold case, and a role-playing scenario, allowing the students to put themselves in a situation that might require forensics skills.

"I've always liked trying to look at a situation, and thinking outside the box about what might have happened," she said. "Nurses have to have that sixth sense to know when things aren't quite right, so they can follow up and check until they get the answers."

Greskamp said they learn about proper collection of evidence, so it will be admissible in court, and how to testify in court as an expert.

Barb Hedrick, Kokomo, chose the class because she enjoys watching true crime shows on television.

"This class has given me a lot of insight into the role I can play as a nurse," she said.

Kimberly Byrum, Peru, said the class opened up career possibilities for her. One of the guest speakers was a sexual assault nursing examiner, a job Byrum did not know existed.

"When you first choose nursing, you know there are opportunities out there, but there are a lot more than you realize," she said. "This gave me another idea of what I could do as a nurse."

IU Kokomo's new Maymester program offers students a chance to earn three credits in a short time period, in an immersive class. A few other offerings include a creative nonfiction writing class in Foster Park, a summer blockbuster class, in which students study cinematography and editing through viewing and discussing current movies; and a public relations class that includes developing campaigns for local nonprofit organizations. Maymester continues through Thursday, June 6.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

31 May 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Not all of life's lessons are learned in a classroom.

Physical Plant staff member, Dave Hawkins.

At Indiana University Kokomo, David Hawkins teaches perseverance, work ethic, community service, and determination to overcome obstacles by example, as he goes about his work as coordinator of special projects for physical plant.

For many years, he was the singing voice of IU Kokomo, performing at Commencement and other campus events. But in 2010, he lost his singing voice during cancer treatment, and did not know if it would return, even after he was cancer free.

"I couldn't sing through my radiation, and then after treatment, I didn't have my singing voice, which worried me," he said. "It took a while, but it finally came back, just a little lower than it used to be. It was definitely something I was glad to get back. Singing is my comfort zone. I could never imagine my life without it."

Hawkins continued to work during treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, demonstrating courage and perseverance to those around him. He was grateful for understanding supervisors and colleagues, who let him rest when he needed to, and supported him through treatment. He plans to give back by starting an IU Kokomo Relay for Life team for the 2014 event.

"Sometimes things are hard, and you don't like what's ahead of you, but you do what you have to do, and do it the best you can," he said. "With the student workers, I try to teach them to take responsibility for their jobs, do them to the best of their ability, and take initiative to solve problems."

Jacob Faust, a student employee who graduated in May, appreciates the opportunity to have worked with Hawkins.

"Dave may not be a professor who taught me important concepts in accounting, but he showed me a work ethic I plan to take with me to future jobs," he said.

John Sarber, director of physical facilities, said Hawkins is a hard worker with a long history on campus.

"Dave is very conscientious about his work," he said. "He communicates with the departments he is working with well, and helps find solutions to any issues and problems. He knows and remembers so much about the campus, the people, and its history. He has also been a great inspiration to our student workers and athletes."

Hawkins began his career at IU Kokomo in August 1989, when the Kelley Student Center was built.

"If you like a job, you end up sticking with it," he said. "This has been a good fit for me and for my skills. My supervisors know they can depend on me, and they trust me to do my job right. I appreciate that trust."

He continues to improve his vocal abilities by singing at church and training with the Kokomo Men of Note barbershop harmony organization. One of his favorite activities is performing singing Valentines each year with his quartet.

"When you get to share that with someone, it's almost like you got the gift too," he said. "It's rewarding to do that kind of singing and touch people in that way."

Family also keeps him busy, with four children at home. He coaches softball, provides care for his mother, and volunteers to help others in his community with home repairs.

"I enjoy home maintenance and fixing things, and I'm glad to give a hand to someone else," he said. "It's one way I can return the gifts God gave me."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

30 May 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Not every college class lets you get your hands dirty – literally.

Students participating in geology fieldwork.

Indiana University Kokomo students are playing urban geologists, digging soil sample pits, testing water quality, and participating in ecosystem restoration. They're also learning how people have impacted the environment, and what they can do to help.

Ashley Douglass, Kokomo, admits she was hesitant to take a class with required fieldwork. As it turns out, she likes it.

"I'm not an outdoors person, so it kind of freaks me out to play in the soil," she said. "I have been surprised by how much I enjoy this class, and how much I've learned. I didn't realized how much of an impact people have had on the world, and on our environment."

She also appreciates this class is part of IU Kokomo's new Maymester program, allowing her to earn the last three credits she needed to earn her sociology degree in only four weeks.

Leda Casey, lecturer in geology, said it is the same kind of work she did as a geologist for the Indiana Department of Enviromental Managment.

"They are seeing a real-world application for what they are learning," she said. "I think the students like getting out of the classroom and getting their hands dirty. Kokomo has a perfect environment to study urbanization and geology."

The class studied local geology and the value of green space in an urban environment by visiting Foster Park. By the end of the class, each student will participate in an individual project at a local ecosystem restoration site. They will also complete a mock groundwater contamination investigation and assess the quality of one of the campus streams.

On this particular day, the 10 students are studying the soil in the southeastern part of the campus, between the creek and the parking garage.

Casey instructs each group of five as they dig pits, one in the tall grass a few feet from the creek, the other about 130 feet further west, to examine the differences between the two areas.

"As urban geologists, we're looking for good places to see the variation in soil types," Casey said. "We have lots of great places for fieldwork on our campus."

Each group marks off a two-foot square in their zone with stakes, before using shovels to cut around the square, going deep enough to remove whole sections of sod with the root base intact. This allows them to put it back in place when they are done, as good stewards of the environment. Then, they shovel out a pit deep enough to see layering in the soil.

Near the creek, Kyle Galloway, Kokomo, says the fieldwork is his favorite part of the class.

"I like to learn hands on, rather than sitting in a classroom," he said. "I've been interested in learning about the effects of run off on the floodplains near streams."

Kelly McKinney, Kokomo, said he could apply what he is learning to his current job working on a farm, and can teach it when he is a high school science teacher. It also helps him with his gardening.

"This class fills a natural interest of mine," he said. "This is all stuff I put into practice in everyday life."

He appreciates the Maymester program, which made it possible for him to earn three credits in only four weeks.

"It's nice to get it done, and then have the rest of the summer for farming," he said.

Once they've finished digging, the students lean into the pit, examining the exposed dirt to complete a soil profile, examine layers, and mark any organisms they find. The group near the creek finds river deposits in their soil.

The second group dug their pit closer to the parking garage, and had a tough time shoveling through a layer of gravel and clay tile. Casey said that layer was likely fill material placed there when the parking garage was built. They dig down about 90 centimeters to find clean soil to examine.

"It's amazing how much you can learn about our campus' natural history, all from a pile of dirt," Casey said.

IU Kokomo's new Maymester program offers students a chance to earn three credits in a short time period, in an immersive class. A few other offerings include a summer blockbuster class, in which students study cinematography and editing through viewing and discussing current movies; an art class that will culminate in building a class sculpture, and a creative performance class that includes creating and producing a play. Maymester continues through Thursday, June 6.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.