Category Archives: People of Influence

Andrew Hendricks ’13 – Head Coach of the Year

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FRANKLIN COLLEGE’S HENDRICKS NAMED 2013 LIBERAL ARTS SWIMMING COACH OF THE YEAR

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FRANKLIN, Ind.- Though the Franklin College men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs have a short history, each resembled a veteran program as both made a big splash at the 2013 Liberal Arts Swimming and Diving Championships this past week. Over the three-day competition, Franklin swimmers and divers brought home 29 medals and had 45 record swims in route to its fourth place overall finish out of 12 teams. Two years ago, Franklin finished 12th out of a 13 team field in its first year and followed that up in 2012 with a sixth place finish.
In a nearly unanimous vote, head coach Andrew Hendricks was named 2013 Swimming Coach of the Year. Hendricks has coached the Grizzlies since 2009. Within three years Hendricks has been able to build the program and finish the season with a winning record.
After the announcement Hendricks commented, “There are a lot of good teams represented by some great coaches here. We admire many of these programs. These athletes do all the hard work and simply make us (coaches) look good. I am so proud of our efforts. I revel in this moment simply because I care so much about this team. They have worked so hard this year. They are part of my family.”
Hendricks’ excitement was evident as the meet concluded with Franklin’s first gold medal in school history with the Franklin men winning the most contested and most prestigious event in college swimming, the 400 freestyle relay; a fitting ending to a great season.
Hendricks holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Indiana University, graduating as an Academic All-American Scholar. He recently completed his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, earning a 4.0 GPA. In addition to coaching at Franklin, Hendricks serves as an adjunct instructor of mathematics and as the coordinator of student employment. He resides in Franklin with his wife and three daughters, who are all involved in swimming.
Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential four-year undergraduate liberal arts institution with a scenic, wooded campus located 20 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis. The college prepares men and women for challenging careers and fulfilling lives through the liberal arts, offering its approximately 1,000 students 28 majors, 36 minors and eight pre-professional programs. In 1842, the college began admitting women, becoming the first coeducational institution in Indiana and the seventh in the nation. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA. For more information, visit www.franklincollege.edu.

Dean of Honors College – IWU Alumni

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Dean of Honors College Announced at Azusa Pacific University

Provided by Azusa Pacific Press Release

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It is my distinct pleasure to announce the appointment of IWU alum Dr. David Weeks, Ph.D., (1980) as dean of new Honors College. “I can think of no one more inherently qualified and committed to the vision and potential for this undertaking” says Mark Stanton, APU Provost. He begins his new role on July 1.

An advocate of “the arts of freedom,” David’s leadership, scholarship, and engagement challenge us to consider life’s greatest questions, exercise our full intellectual potential, and live a rich, faith-filled life. An APU professor for 30 years and a seasoned administrator for more than 20, he remains a student and a teacher at heart. As dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), he has fostered an environment in which others can do what he prizes, namely teaching and learning. This passion fuels a gem of our academy—the summer program he’s led for 17 years that brings together faculty colleagues as students to read and discuss great books by Plato, Confucius, Augustine, Dante, Milton, and Shakespeare, among others, as well as study the Qur’ān, St. Matthew Passion, and Sistine Chapel. He has served previously as the director of the Azusa Oxford Semester, chair of the Department of History and Political Science, and director of the General Studies program.

As the Honors College dean, he will draw upon the breadth of his experience leading CLAS to enrich the life of our academy. His passions and experience uniquely qualify David to develop the humanities-based curriculum recommended by the faculty Honors Program Task Force and endorsed by the Board of Trustees, President Wallace, and me.

The new college will attract the most academically gifted students to APU who seek greater rigor, intensity, and depth in their course work, and even closer faculty/student collaboration, while benefitting from the APU hallmarks of faith integration, service, and community. As Honors dean, David will champion opportunities that stretch them, from conference presentations and research to mentoring alongside noted experts. These emerging scholars complement the aptitude, skill, and character of the broader undergraduate population.

David’s academic interests include Christian liberal education, political philosophy, and American law and politics, especially the intersection of religion and politics. He has served as a scholar-in-residence at the Centre for Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford, England, and as a Salvatori fellow in Washington, DC, and has studied at the Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership in Higher Education. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, Koch Charitable Foundation, Louisville Institute, and the Earhart Foundation.

David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Religion/Philosophy from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Master of Arts in Political Science from Indiana State University, and a Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from Loyola University of Chicago.

Dean Announced

Student Alumni Leadership Banquet 2013

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Outstanding Leadership Award by Dana Inman, Student Alumni Association

About:
• This award was created to honor a student at Indiana Wesleyan University who has shown the character and qualities of a leader on campus. Our goal was to select the most effective and active leader at our University.

Criteria:
• Junior or Senior full-time student at Indiana Wesleyan University
• G.P.A. of at least a 3.0
• Holds a leadership position within Indiana Wesleyan University
• Character and leadership reflects that of Indiana Wesleyan University mission statement
• Has clearly demonstrated Christian leadership in their particular field that has lead to both a measurable and spiritual growth in their organization
• Known for going out of the way to equip, develop, and help the people around them
• Desire to continue Christian leadership after graduation
• Involved in at least one extracurricular activity

Top 5:
• Tracy Helmus
• Jessica Vandewarker
• Bethany Bell
• Marissa Witchger
• Tom Vankley

Winner:

Bethany Bell
• Community Coordinator in Residence Life, currently in the South (female) Townhouses
• She has also received the ROLLO award from Residence Life two times for her work with desk workers and with helping to plan events. This award stands for outstanding work fulfilling the programming objectives of Residence Life.
• After she graduates in April, she is going to India for 8.5 weeks (June and July and into August) to work with an organization that ministers to Devadasis (Hindu temple prostitutes) and their children! After that, she will be looking for job opportunities with a social justice organization.

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PRSSA Chapter Wins National Award

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IWU PRSSA Chapter Wins National Award

The IWU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) came home from this year’s PRSSA National Conference in San Francisco with the Chapter Development award from the Dr. F.H. Teahan Chapter Awards Program.

The award goes to smaller PRSSA chapters who have in the past year gone to “exceptional effort and creativity” to grow their membership and increase member involvement and opportunities.

“In 2010-2011 we had approximately 10 paid members,” said Jenn Goethel, IWU PRSSA president. “At the end of the 2011-2012 year we had 35…we also had more members attend regional conferences and had them network with professionals in Indianapolis. We were able to send a member to run for the national committee back in March.”

The IWU PRSSA won the Student Organization of the Year award among IWU organizations last year. This year, they have a full slate of events planned, including off-campus events for their own members focusing on professional development and networking, and public events on the IWU campus.

They also want to reach out to the local community with events like a social media conference for business leaders in the Marion/Grant County area, which is scheduled for January 19. The conference will take place in the Bedford, Jones and Leedy banquet rooms in the IWU Barnes Student Center.

“Now that we’re recognized nationally, hopefully our students will have more opportunities,” Goethel said.

A life well-lived.

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We offer condolences to the family of Jaman Alan Iseminger, alumni of IWU.

In the words from an obituary:

“Jaman Alan Iseminger 29, departed the gravity of Earth and soared into the arms of Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 19, 2012. God called him into service early and called him into glory young. He leaves behind ‘the most important sermon we will ever hear” – his life. His passion was Christ, his heart loving, and his spirit joy.’”

Full Article

What a legacy we give tribute to! Jaman was tragically killed while serving in the ministry he lived. Tributes offered during the funeral today reflected a legacy of a Christ-centered life.

It was an honor today to attend the service and see how Jamen impacted his community.

We offer our deepest respect and prayers.

Sign Guest Book

Partnered to reach the needy in NY City

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“Preparation and expectation are key words for Charlotte and me and the community we lead in Washington Heights, Manhattan. In a few short weeks we will launch Trinity Grace Church – Washington Heights”, says Gary.

Washington Heights is the sixth TGC neighborhood parish planted in NYC in the past six years. The multi-ethnic neighborhood of 228,000 people is largely Latino and is the poorest neighborhood in Manhattan.

Charlotte ’80 and Gary ’78 came to Washington Heights nearly ten years ago after 15 years with Global Partners in Lima, Peru. “It is exciting to see God’s original call coming to fulfillment: to see a multi-cultural community established that begins to reflect the scene around the throne of God in Revelation 7:9″, Wiley says.

From a recent newsletter the Wiley’s stated that;

“Ten years is a long time to wait, but it has been a period of learning, growing, and maturing in our own lives. Five years ago the Father led us to Trinity Grace Church where we have served in the areas of justice, pastoral care, and discipleship. And all the while God was renewing our call to see a church planted in Washington Heights. Now it is much more than our story: there is a growing community of God’s choice saints at TGC who have embraced the vision as their own.”

On Palm Sunday weekend TGC Washington Heights will launch its first public gathering.

“This is a time of great excitement as we secure a venue, prepare a worship team, initiate a children’s ministry, and set everything into place. They also recognize the great challenge of sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God and our Lord Jesus Christ in a tangible way with our very needy neighborhood.”

Please check out their Washington Heights video:
Trinity Grace Church Washington Heights

Making a difference in Ecuador!

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Jana Mervine graduated in 2003 from Indiana Wesleyan University and begin to fulfill her dreams.

According to Jana’s Website she is finding fulfillment in realizing her dream.

“I am fulfilling my life dream here in Ecuador! Since I went on my first mission trip when I was only 14 I knew that this is what I wanted to do in the future. I have truly been blessed in my life to see the world and be given so many amazing opportunities. I have worked in the states as a travel nurse for the past 5 years, this giving me the opportunity to work in some of the best places in the country and giving me the experience that I needed to work in a third world country. I love the children and believe that if I help them to obtain knowledge they will in turn better their own lives and the lives of the people around them.”

Jana’s blog

IWU Alumni involved in Uniting for more jobs in Morgan County

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Morgan County, Indiana united for jobs, Alumni involved:

Jared Stark has been Executive Director, Franciscan St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville since July 2008. Stark previously served as St. Francis’ Resource Manager from December 2000 to April 2003. He most recently worked as Vice President of Professional Services for Riverview Hospital in Noblesville. Stark received his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College and his MBA degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a Certified Health Care Executive and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a member of several professional and civic organizations.

Hector Flores is President of H. A. Flores & Associates, Inc., a training and development organization, and Vice President of Flores Services, LLC, a staffing and administrative services firm. He earned a B.A. degree from New Mexico Highlands University in business and sociology and received a Master of Science in management through Indiana Wesleyan University. He has served on the Morgan County Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Morgan County Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity. Flores is a past member of the Human Resource Association of Central Indiana, the American Society for Training and Development and the Indiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

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Alumni Authors Autobiography

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Yussef Norman Johnson, ’88 shares his testimony of grace through his new book, Gang Banger in a Pinstriped Suit. Johnson’s book takes its readers on a journey through major life events that helped shape the person that Johnson is today. Johnson has an Associate degree in Criminal Justice, A Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology, and a Master’s degree in Management from IWU. Since graduating from IWU Johnson has been employed as a Police Officer which he then advanced to the rank Lieutenant of Detectives Division. In addition to this he also was Senior Manager of a fortune 500 Company.

To obtain more information about his book – Gang Banger in a Pinstriped Suit