Future Farmers of America Association

Posted on November 3, 2013 by IWUAlumni

This week marks the National FFA Convention.

https://www.ffa.org/PressRoom/PressReleases/Pages/U.S.-Department-of-Education-appoints-new-National-FFA-executive-secretary.aspx

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013/National FFA Organization) – The U.S. Department of Education has appointed a highly experienced and accomplished education professional to help develop, implement and manage policy for the National FFA Organization.

Sherene R. Donaldson of Alexandria, Va., has been appointed National FFA executive secretary. In her leadership role, she will be primarily responsible for issuing charters to state FFA associations as directed by the organization’s national board of directors, keep official membership records, track progress of the organization and oversee state FFA association reporting to the board.

We commend Sherene R. Donaldson in her role and for representing IWU in Washington D.C.

From IWU News release – http://www.iwuspectrum.com/achieving-dreams-remembering-roots/

Donaldson credits her education at IWU with giving her a lot of the tools she needs to be successful in her current position. “I would say that what I’ve learned at Indiana Wesleyan has guided me into where I am now. It has provided me with tools that I needed to be successful, and to see the bigger picture, and to be a true agent of change, and to be able to serve as a servant-leader.”

Verse of the Year and Homecoming 2013 Theme

Image

Story of Redemption – Keith Blackburn Shares His Story in Upcoming Chapel

Posted on September 12, 2013 by IWUAlumni

Keith Blackburn is a 2013 graduate of the Masters of Divinity whose story is that of a redeemed life that now reconciles others to the Lord, Jesus Christ. Serving as a chaplain with the Indiana Department of Correction he now uses his story of redemption to help others. His story begins before his degree from IWU but his degree through IWU helps him to be a more effective communicator and chaplain especially since his story has become popular.

Having been featured on TV shows like Oprah to tell his story has been an opportunity to be a World Changer through a national audience.

In a recent conversation I held with Keith he said;

“I am blessed to be an alum of an institution that is truly a World Changer. Indiana Wesleyan University demonstrated the grace of God in a real and tangible way in my life. My experience with IWU goes beyond the Seminary, I was welcomed on campus with open arms and my past did not hinder my educational pursuits.”

To view his story: http://www.iwuspectrum.com/former-prisoner-now-seminary-student-to-speak-at-iwu/.

When asked about the impact of IWU helping him develop his ministry he replied,

“The community of Faith on campus walked along side of me as the Lord was continuing to unfold my testimony of his love and grace. My experience with IWU goes way beyond just a degree and the class room. God has blessed me with relationships that have transformed me in ways that I do not fully understand at this time.”

Keith will be speaking during Chapel on November 6th, 10 am & 11 am on the Campus of Indiana Wesleyan University.

New Service Center in Naperville

Posted on September 6, 2013 by IWUAlumni

A new service center is now open in Naperville, Illinois. Indiana Wesleyan University now has its first center for the purpose of providing service and promotion for its educational degree programs.

The Naperville Service Center will be staffed by Enrollment Specialists, and Conference Service staff as well as an Evening Manager. With a desire to serve the community, these employees will work with prospective students to assist them in their educational goals as well as provide conferencing for businesses in the region.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Dr. David Wright shared his vision for servicing the region in providing educational alternatives in cooperation with the community needs. He spoke of the importance of having a Christian worldview when providing educational curriculum. Others who participated include regional Dean’s, community leaders, and the Naperville chamber of commerce. Rev. Josh Howard is a graduate of IWU who gave a prayer of invocation and blessing.

“This is a great opportunity not only for prospective students but for our local alumni as well,” says Rick Carder, Director of Alumni. Carder plans to host alumni events at the center in the coming year. He hopes to establish a local chapter of alumni and parents will help serve the needs of the center as well as the community.

Regional Alumni Networks Underway

Posted on August 13, 2013 by IWUAlumni

Alumni from across the region and nationally are beginning to organize locally. They are working together through diverse strengths and networking strategically to reach out and serve alumni.

Last year we added three groups. They include Indy North, Fort Wayne, Cincinnati, OH yet many other alumni have hosted events in places like, Southern, CA; Atlanta, GA; Roanoke, VA; and throughout Florida. Alumni are finding these networks beneficial in helping to better serve the needs of local alumni.

We invite alumni to join or help start a regional network. “Alumni are a vital resource for students and fellow alumni,” says Rick Carder, IWU Alumni Director. The value of local alumni contributing to the growth of these chapters are the goals of organizers.

“Local volunteer leadership is an effective way to further the reach if the Alumni Association,” says Greg Smith, Alumni Board President. Alumni are encouraged to take charge of their networks and give leadership to others networks by sending a request to increase local opportunities beyond the classroom. Contact alumni@indwes.edu to lead these efforts.

Graduation – Alumni pinning

Posted on August 11, 2013 by IWUAlumni

All over the IWU Marion campus there are Hooding Ceremonies, Dedication and Consecration Services, and Nursing Pinnings. It is exciting to participate in these special recognition events.

A small band of Alumni volunteers have the incredible opportunity to hand out the Alumni Pin and hear the alumni stories that demonstrate the Mission of IWU. During this special time the Alumni Association gathers unique stories of life-change, challenges, triumphs, and the impact from faculty, staff, and their Education Programs.

It is a wonderfully exciting time to spend with our newest graduates. This past weekend, our team met with hundreds of graduates with very uniques stories. One alum was near homelessness and graduated with an Associate Degree. Others with their Bachelors degrees spoke of the positive examples and influence from faculty in the classroom. They spoke of the challenges they faced balancing family commitments, work, life circumstances.

I met a few internationals that finished degrees that will enable them to accomplish more in their circle of influence.

One alum stated;

I hope to use my degree as I become a citizen of the United States so that I can make a difference in my place of work and community.

Celebration of a final class

Posted on July 20, 2013 by IWUAlumni

Often I will have the opportunity to visit the final class of a cohort group that meets at one of our education centers who are finishing the adult degree program. We have many who have graduated through education centers and online degrees as well as through the traditional education at the Marriott campus.

There’s nothing more exciting than to witness students of all ages as they complete their last class presentation. I’ve attended many of these throughout the years. The enthusiasm and joy filled the room as smiling faces and high-fives are seen in each classroom.

One student described this experience by saying,

Finishing this degree has made me a better person than when I began this journey. It has strengthened my faith, my family, and my profession.

Recently a student who graduated from her Associates Degree Who went on to finish a batch this degree set me a message saying,

I’m excited about finishing my second degree from IWU. I still have your business card and Alumni pin that I received when the alumni Association visited my class.

There are many stories and expressions of pride among our alumni from both the traditional and nontraditional programs.

Dr. David Wright becomes President of IWU

Posted on July 14, 2013 by IWUAlumni

IWU is called to make the world a better place by preparing students, faculty, and staff to live out the truths and the example of Jesus Christ in this world. – Dr. David Wright

Dr. David and Helen Wright become the President and First Lady of IWU effective July 1st. They bring a passion for people and Christian Higher Education.

The President’s Vision

Follow Dr. Wright through social media options.

Instagram – Twitter @IWUPresident

Mrs. Rita McCormack, who is Reading’s Teacher of the Year

Posted on June 21, 2013 by IWUAlumni

Congratulations to Reading 8th grade Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Rita McCormack, who is Reading’s Teacher of the Year and received the Celebrate Excellence Educator Award from the Hamilton County Education Service Center. The 26-year veteran teacher was honored on May 24, at Sharonville Convention Center with a breakfast and awards ceremony. She received her award from former Bengal and Hall of Famer, Anthony Munoz, who was the Master of Ceremonies.

“Rita McCormack is passionate about education and loves teaching. She sets high expectations for her students and challenges students to reach levels they never thought were possible,” said RMS Principal, Bob Longworth.

Mrs. McCormack is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and earned her Masters Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. While at Reading, she served as Student Senate Adviser for 18 years. Mrs. McCormack retired from teaching at the end of this school year. Students, parents, and her peers will miss her energy and enthusiasm.

“Mrs. McCormack is one of the finest teachers I have ever worked with in my career. She loves her students and they succeed because they know how much she cares and that she will never give up on them,” said Reading Superintendent, Scott Inskeep.

Article adapted from:

http://www.readingschools.org/docs/BlueDevileNewsMay2013.pdf

Friends Are Friends Forever

Posted on June 3, 2013 by IWUAlumni

“FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER”

College friendships last forever. The song written by Michael W. Smith “Friends are friends forever” was the popular song the year we graduated and it truly spoke truth of our friendship.

“Friends Are Friends Forever, if the Lords the Lord of them. And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end. Though it’s hard to let you go, in the Father’s hand we know, that a lifetime’s not too long. To live as friends.”

It all began during the years of 1983-1987 at Marion College then (now IWU). Six girls from different cities, different states with different majors. Deena Graf-Evans from Tipton, IN (nursing), Melodie Allison-Heer from Avis, PA, (Business), Colette Graber-Sylvester from Nappanee, IN (Med.Tech), Kathy Cady-Moorlach from McCordsville, IN (elementary education), Julie Green-Mowery from Flint, MI (Music/Business) and Dawn Woodard-Hobson from Indpls, IN (Social Work). At different times in our years together, we became roommates and suite-mates.

It has been 25 years since we have graduated and our friendship continues to grow in the Lord. We have shared in each other’s weddings, the births of our children, the trials and joys of raising our children, and now entering a stage of watching our kids graduate from high school and go to college.

Through the years we have taken several trips together besides the Spring Florida trips in college. Following graduation, we took a trip to Florida before starting our new jobs and some of us getting married that summer. We have met in Ft. Wayne, IN for weekends away of shopping and dinner and many laughs. Other trips include women’s retreats, a trip to Colorado when Melodie and her family moved away for a year. We frequent Applebee’s and BW’s in Marion for dinner during the week nights for those of us who live closer. We often close the place down with long conversations and many laughs. There have been times that we even included our husbands and children and have gone camping in Northern, IN and had parties at each others homes during the holidays. On one of our trips we decided to name our girls gatherings by using the first initial of our last names – thus originating the name “MESH.” Most recently this past February, we visited Julie & Erick Mowery in Cancun to see their ministry with Back2Back and were able to serve with them for a few days and get in some beach time.

Besides trips, email and Facebook have helped us tremendously in keeping in touch with each other’s lives. We are able to pray for each other and our husbands and children as we all go through different stages and different trials in our lives.

Deena (‘87), a nurse, and her husband Scott Evans (IWU alumni) moved a few years ago to Colorado Springs, CO, and have two boys -one working full-time and one graduating from H.S. Melodie (’85), a resource aide, and her husband Phil Heer (IWU alumni) moved back from Colorado and live in Fishers, IN. They have a boy and a girl in high-school and their oldest son, Matt graduated from IWU this past December. Julie (’87), a professional harpist, and her husband Erick Mowery (IWU alumni) lived in Caledonia, MI and have a girl who is a sophomore at IWU and a boy in H.S. However, Erick and Julie left the states to be missionaries with Back2Back Ministries serving in Mexico beginning when they dropped off their daughter, Eliza, to IWU on September 2, 2011. Colette (’85), a Med. Tech. and her husband Rob Sylvester live in Syracuse, IN and have a boy at IUPUI and a girl in H.S. Kathy (7), a homemaker, and her husband Rich Moorlach live in Fishers, IN and have a two girls in H.S. and a boy in middle school. Dawn (’87), a social worker, and her husband Jeff Hobson live in Wabash, IN and have a girl who is a sophomore at IWU and a boy in H.S. who is taking a class at IWU. Dawn’s daughter and her former roommate, Julie’s daughter were roommates their Freshman year at IWU.
Though distance divides us, our friendship that was started in 1983 at Marion College/IWU continues to be strong. We attribute this to our beginnings at Marion College/IWU and the strong bond we share in our Lord Jesus Christ and a vow to stay close. The tradition now continues with future alumni attending IWU currently.

Friends ARE Friends Forever when the Lord’s the Lord of them.

Written by IWU Alumnus, Dawn Hobson ’87