Evan Wible

By: Dezaray Barr

Evan Wible

Evan Wible graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2011 with two degrees in Marketing and Political Science. “My parents pushed me to look at Christian universities within 5 hours of Indianapolis, where we lived,” Wible said. “Ultimately the decision came down to IWU and Taylor and, after a few campus visits, I felt like I clicked with the students and faculty more at IWU and that sealed the decision.”

Wible said his time at IWU was great! “My time at college was stretching and challenging, but also one of the most fun times of my life. I met great friends, participated in just about every intramural sport offered and enjoyed the opportunity to engage in discussions about philosophy, politics and religion in a way that I have found to be significantly more difficult in the post-college world. But, as much as I enjoyed the academics, the sports and other extracurricular activities, the relationships I built at IWU have proved to be the most important and long-lasting. Two of the three jobs I’ve had since graduation have resulted directly from relationships that I built during my time at school and two IWU grads were groomsmen in my wedding,” Wible shared.

Although Wible had grown up in a Christian home, he felt as if IWU was a place for him to pursue Christ on his own and personalize his faith.

After graduation, Wible accepted a job at Angie’s List in Indianapolis as a customer care supervisor. He eventually took a management role and worked there for about three and a half years. After leaving, he joined a software start-up called Lessonly, alongside fellow IWU alumni Mitch Causey and Corey Kime.

“I stepped into a sales role at Lessonly and then watched as the company grew from 5 to 85 people during my three year tenure. Most recently, I’ve accepted a role with another small company, Amerisales, as an Operations Manager. Amerisales provides marketing and SEO services, and I manage service delivery and the day-to-day elements of the business.”

Evan and his wife, Ashley

Although Wible’s career may not be inherently spiritual, his beliefs are used to measure the decisions that he makes at work. “Faith dictates right and wrong, how I respond to any situation and how I relate to the people I come across on a daily basis,” he said.

Some fun facts about Wible include that he won the slip-and-slide and limbo contests at IWU and the watermelon seed spitting contest at the Indiana State Fair! Unlike many Hoosiers, Wible likes to brag on Indiana. “While a lot of people rag on Indiana as a comparatively boring state, it has the huge benefit of having a low cost of living and it’s that characteristic that has freed up funds and allowed me to indulge in a lot of travel since graduation. England/Scotland three times, Ireland, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and a dozen other places within the US,” he said.

Wible’s wife, Ashley, is a nurse, and they are expecting their first baby in May.

 

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication, Journalism and Honors Humanities triple major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

The Refinery: Innovative Business Comes to Marion

Our own town of Marion, Indiana has brought a new and innovative business to the community to support independent professionals.

Indiana Wesleyan University partnered with Launch Fishers to open The Refinery Business Center on Thursday, September 24. The Refinery is a dynamic, affordable work environment for entrepreneurs, non-profits, remote workers, small businesses, contractors, start-ups, students and more.

The Refinery will be a great addition to the thriving entrepreneurial culture in central Indiana. It will offer co-working desks, conference rooms, private offices, Wi-Fi, a café area, patio seating and other professional office amenities for members and guests. The business is called The Refinery because is a place where people can develop and refine their ideas.

Alexis Dierker
Alexis Dierker

Alexis Dierker, a 2015 alum, is the Director of Community Relations. She cannot wait to support and encourage the creative and empowering environment of The Refinery and the brilliant minds there. “It’s important to me because, as a very recent graduate, I have heard a lot of people who like the idea of staying around Marion but they feel like they don’t have any opportunities, so they go other places,” she said.

Dierker has a passion for the business because she herself is an entrepreneur. She graduated with a photography degree and has been developing her own brand. “I identify a lot with what The Refinery is doing. I see the vision,” she said. “There were probably so many people who were more qualified for this position than me, but my boss could tell we wanted to pursue the same needs in the community.”

IMG_8540The Refinery has already given people so many opportunities to meet new faces and connect with those around the area. “One reason I felt driven to stay around Marion was because I wanted to get to know more of the community that I didn’t have the opportunity to meet before… Through this, I have gotten to know so many incredible people,” Dierker said.

Dierker is not the only young professional excited to be making connections through The Refinery. Lauran Burchell, a senior at IWU, is currently working as one of two interns. She serves as the Marketing and Member Services Coordinator. Burchell is studying Business Administration and Management, and she is excited to be a part of the growth of The Refinery and to use the skills she has learned in her experiences to encourage innovative development right in her hometown.

“I have already networked and met so many people that I never thought I would meet while in college,” Burchell said. “Many professionals from Indianapolis have already discussed my future with me and connected with me.”

The Refinery ribbon cutting on September, 24, 2015.
The Refinery ribbon cutting on September, 24, 2015.

Like Dierker, Burchell knows that this experience is shaping a way for her future. She chose to work at The Refinery instead of Launch Fishers because she desired to be a part of something new. “Not very many people can say they were actually part of a start up. I’m getting so much experience, and even though I’m not an entrepreneur starting my own business, I was part of one and I learned from it,” she said.

The Refinery welcomes visitors and is located at 2301 S. Western Ave. You can learn more about The Refinery at www.therefinerycenter.com.

 

Written by Kelly Reed. Kelly is a senior Strategic Communications major with a focus in Public Relations. She is the President of IWU PRSSA and hopes to work as a communications director of a nonprofit organization after graduation.