24 June 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – The Indiana University Board of Trustees today (June 24) approved the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree for the Kokomo campus. This degree will enhance opportunities for students to be recognized in the fine arts.
With the B.F.A., students can focus specifically on fine arts as a career and will be on track to pursue professional opportunities and a master’s in the field. This degree path concentrates on a variety of art, including digital media, painting, sculpting, new media, jewelry, and photography. Career possibilities can range from gallery work, to museum studies, to independent fine artists.
“IU Kokomo continues to expand its degree offerings to meet the needs of north central Indiana,” said Chancellor Michael Harris. “Through academic excellence, we will contribute to the economic well-being of the region. We at IU Kokomo are very intentional in being current and relevant in our academic offerings.”
The unique focus of this program is the interdisciplinary nature and multiple media choices. Students will have a real opportunity to learn multiple skills, with time to experiment with the mixing of these skills into cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary works.
The campus will continue to offer the Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, which is a program aimed at students interested in becoming art teachers in K-12, or who prefer a more broad-based liberal arts degree.
This degree will require a final stamp of approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
“This is a unique opportunity for faculty from different departments to work with students to prepare them for a variety of career opportunities,” said Executive Vice Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
18 June 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – How many kids can say they launched a rocket, built a mock of the solar system, or created their own computer games during summer vacation? Thanks to Indiana University Kokomo’s annual Science Rocks! summer camp, more than a dozen local youth can say they did.
Science Summer Camp launch some rockets to learn about physics.More photos.
For two weeks, campers received hands-on learning with state-of-the-art laboratory and computer equipment at IU Kokomo, taught by Science, Mathematics, and Informatics faculty. The camp combined fun with lessons in mathematics, energy, computer science, geology, chemistry, biology, ecology, and physics.
“I came to camp because I really love science,” said 12-year-old Aditi Sood, a Central Middle School student. “Every day these past two weeks, I’d wake up and think, ‘Yes, I’m going to Science Rocks! today!’ Biology is my favorite. The whole unit we’d covered both days was so interesting - from observing tiny cells under a microscope, which was mind boggling, to working with the EKG machine. I want to be a pediatrician, and Science Rocks! has helped make science even more interesting to me.”
One highlight Science Rocks! was the excitement of launching rockets built by the campers.
Although his rocket was caught in a tree when floating back to the ground, Malachi Peters, 13, a student at Taylor Middle School, enjoyed helping fellow students retrieve their launched rockets.
“This is my second year at science camp. I came back this year because I like making and launching the rockets and running after them,” said Peters. “Physics is my favorite part because it’s been so much fun to do. I’m looking forward to making telescopes, too, and going to the Observatory tonight to look at the planets.”
In addition to having fun at camp, some of the students found inspiration in what career path they want to pursue.
“I’ve been looking forward to coming to camp every morning just because it’s been so much fun,” said Sharon Ling, 11, who also attends Central Middle School. “My favorite part has been either biology or physics. I heard about all of the events they were going to do here at camp. A sixth-grade teacher inspired me to learn more about science, and after coming to the Science Rocks! Camp, I enjoy science even more.”
Another popular project was the opportunity to build computer games using the “Scratch” program
“Camp has just been super interesting,” said Will Huffer, 12, who attends Taylor Middle School. “Making my own computer game was so cool. I made a walking guy whose stomach kept swirling up. I took the program home and loaded it onto my computer. I’m really interested in science and wanted to learn more about science. I either want to be a scientist or maybe a computer game designer. If I become a scientist, I want to find a cure for cancer because my grandma has breast cancer.”
An interest in ecology drew Western Middle School student Rajiyah Townsend, 12, to attend the camp, where she has been able to learn more about the environment.
“I’ve really enjoyed learning about geology and keeping water clean,” said Townsend. “Attending camp has given me a better understanding of the different things we need to do to keep our environment clean and help support living things. I’m definitely going to come back next year so I can do this again.”
The campers didn’t seem to be the only ones enjoying Science Rocks! though. Christian Chauret, director of the Summer Diversity Program Science Camp for Middle School Students, noted instructors were enjoying working with the youth as well.
“We’ve had a great group of kids who have worked well with each other and seem to be having fun while learning,” said Chauret.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
13 May 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) today (May 13) unanimously approved 10 new academic degree programs for Indiana University Kokomo at its monthly meeting, which took place on the IU Kokomo campus.
Brand new to this campus are two degree programs: biochemistry and health sciences. The additional eight programs, currently offered as Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), give students the option of pursing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) as well. They include biological and physical sciences, chemistry, biology, psychology, mathematics, sociology, new media, and communication.
06 May 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – The stage at Havens Auditorium was a sea of red, black and white as more than 100 students of the School of Nursing at Indiana University Kokomo were recognized for completing the bachelor’s program Thursday night.
Chancellor Michael Harris welcomed families, friends and faculty, who nearly filled the auditorium during the 90-minute ceremony. School of Nursing Dean Linda Wallace recognized students for their achievements.
04 May 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – For the first time, Indiana University Kokomo’s Commencement on Tuesday, May 10, will include the conferring of degrees to ROTC Cadets.
Corey Stinson and Jonna Rosh will be receiving their bachelor’s degrees in nursing, as well as earning their commissions as second lieutenants in the United States Army Nurse Corps. They will be commissioned at a special ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis on Friday, May 13.
15 April 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved 11 new degree programs for the Kokomo campus, which will provide more majors and educational options for students in the region.
Brand new to this campus are three degree programs, which are chemical biology, biochemistry, and health sciences. The additional eight programs, currently offered as Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), give students the option of pursing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) as well. They include biological and physical sciences, chemistry, biology, psychology, mathematics, sociology, new media, and communication.
05 April 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – Three Indiana University Kokomo education majors were among the select few recognized by the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IACTE) as “Outstanding Future Educators” during a recent statewide ceremony.
08 March 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – Students at Indiana University Kokomo will have more flexibility in scheduling classes this fall as the campus moves to offer 10 percent of its courses on Fridays. This adjustment will contribute to student retention and graduation rates. It is one of the innovative approaches being implemented to ensure academic excellence and student success.
Chancellor Michael Harris challenged faculty to create a Friday schedule that is beneficial to students and their educational goals. Faculty embraced the idea and designed the courses in such a way that a student can take a one-day a week course that only meets on Friday, or a couple of courses back-to-back that only meet on Friday.
“I am very pleased with the wonderful response our faculty had to the challenge I presented to them to offer 10 percent of our classes on Friday. The response was exceptional.” Harris said. “The plan we developed is innovative and could lead to wonderful outcomes. We at IU Kokomo are on the move and this new schedule is a clear indication that we are moving as a united community in a very intentional manner.”
Harris added that IU Kokomo is committed to utilizing its resources in the most efficient and effective way, and adding classes to the Friday schedule is one way to realize that goal.
“This initiative is one of the many innovative ways we are developing to enhance academic excellence and student success,” Harris said. “We continue to work strategically toward fulfilling the vision of IU President Michael McRobbie for regional campuses. We are very much focused on degree completion and affordability.”
Last fall, more than 3,100 students enrolled, representing an all-time record of 70 percent of the student body attending full time. In addition, students registered for more than 30,000 credit hours, a first-ever milestone for the Kokomo campus.
Meeting this changing need of students is another factor in this decision, said Susan Sciame-Giesecke, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.
“We are very excited about the new option of Friday classes for our students,” Sciame-Giesecke said. “At IU Kokomo, we are always trying to find ways to provide students with more options for course delivery that increases convenience but not commuting time. I think we have found a new option that will be very popular with our students and faculty.”
The Office of Admissions currently is accepting applications for fall semester. For more information, visit www.iuk.edu/admissions, call (765) 455-9217 or toll-free (888) 875-4IUK, or e-mail to iuadmis@iuk.edu.
A complete list of course offerings for fall semester can be found at http://www.iuk.edu/student_services/registrar/assets/html/Schedule_Classes_Fall2010.htm.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.
03 March 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. – Indiana University Kokomo faculty member and alumna Debbie Bennett has been named “Nurse Educator of the Year” by the Indianapolis Star after being selected from more than 600 nominations for the annual Salute to Nurses award. She is now one of five finalists for the prestigious honor of “Nurse of the Year,” to be announced at a luncheon in Indianapolis in April.
“I am honored and overwhelmed. Any person wants to make a difference in the world,” said Bennett, after a surprise announcement while at work at IU Health Tipton Hospital on Tuesday, March 2. “I have a personal role in teaching impressionable nurses to be able to carry on the profession. God has given me a talent to be able to teach. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
21 February 2011
KOKOMO, Ind. –Indiana University Kokomo honors part-time students who have earned a place on the Dean’s List for 2010. To qualify for the Dean’s List, each student must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
