Alumni Blog

Amidst the lively music of the Indiana Wesleyan University jazz band, the constant flashes of digital cameras and the dancing of his fellow students – some costumed – IWU freshman Brad Thada stood still Wednesday night on the Grant County Courthouse Square.

He was wearing a dark-colored suit, aviator sunglasses and an earpiece, and he was taking in the events of his first IWU homecoming pep rally.

Thada, 18, a resident of Bowman Hall, was one of several "Bowman Bodyguards," who were serving as "protection" for IWU President Henry Smith, who will be officially inaugurated today.

"We’re just trying to do our job," Thada said as his head continued to move on a swivel, looking for potential "security threats." "This just helps get up morale and the spirit for all the events going on."

It was hard for Smith to keep from smiling as he saw a multitude of students having a good time.

"I’m the real deal now; I’ve got my protection," Smith said pointing at the Bowman Bodyguards.

Part of the tradition was the pep rally and torch run that would follow, a run the IWU cross country team would make back from Washington Street, between Third and Fourth streets, all the way back to Henry’s residence on campus for a bonfire.

As the jazz band played and members of the university’s cheer squad performed complicated cheers, the Hodson’s Scotsmen, with painted faces, dressed in kilts and holding replica swords, stood and cheered wildly.

"It’s Hodson’s pride and joy, the Hodson Scotsmen," said Chris Reeves, an IWU sophomore who lives in Hodson Residence Hall. "We try to do as many sporting events as possible, mostly men’s soccer and women’s soccer."

Fall and spring athletes alike participated in the pep rally.

"The track team just decided we wanted to support the cross country girls," said Ashley Ruffer, a junior an Indiana Wesleyan track athlete. "(Homecoming) is just a time to remember what our school’s all about and welcome back our alumni."

After a brief introduction, Mayor Wayne Seybold addressed the throng of students in attendance.

"I want to declare Marion, Ind., from this day forward Wildcat country," Seybold shouted.

Smith then spoke to the crowd explaining how it was the goal of him and his wife, Teresa, to celebrate tradition.

"This is an absolutely fabulous sight," Smith said. "It warms my heart, although my hands are cold, to be here with you tonight. This is what it’s all about."

After Smith’s speech, the jazz band played one final number and a prayer was said. As a member of the men’s cross country team held a torch, it was lit, and he as well as the other members of the team took off running east on Fourth Street, back toward campus and the bonfire that was waiting.

Henry Smith does not intend to see Indiana Wesleyan University lose momentum during his tenure – he plans on keeping the university growing all the way to the top.

"Let me be so bold and declare that IWU seeks to become a premier international Christian university," Smith said.

Smith, IWU’s eighth president, was officially sworn in Friday, promising students, faculty, staff and alumni to continue to keep the university moving forward while remembering the school’s core values.

While encouraging that the school continue to improve its academic quality, he called for the campus community to continue to grow as an ideal work environment and to strengthen relationships with community members.

"I believe we must live with a forward lean if we are to maintain our momentum," Smith said. "I am convinced that we are on the verge of moving to a new level of influence."

He cited the school’s recent growth, including an increased budget of $140 million – up from $34 million 10 years ago. The school, which now has 14,000 students on 14 campuses in three states, also recently became the largest private university in Indiana.

The school’s current pace of growth helped bring Smith to IWU.

Smith has been with IWU since 2004, when he was named the school’s first executive vice president. Carl Sheperd, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said IWU chose Smith with the idea of finding someone capable of replacing former President Jim Barnes when he was ready to retire. Barnes was president for 19 years and led the university to its current success.

Smith was named president-elect in 2005 and has been preparing for the office since.

"The cry was, ‘We’re on the right track, let’s not slow down or hit a speed bump,’" Smith said.

In moving forward, though, IWU must remember its philosophy of being a community with strong ties to Christian values, Smith said.

"Many things have changed at IWU, but some things must never change," he said.

The university community, along with representatives from Smith’s former places of work, the city of Marion and colleges across Indiana welcomed the new president at the ceremony.

Several of the speakers commended the president’s Christian faith along with his leadership.

"In the years I have known him, Dr. Smith has proven to be a wonderful church man," said David Wilson, chairman of the board of trustees for Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where Smith was provost and vice president for academic affairs.

IWU Student Government Organization President Aaron Baker praised Smith for connecting with the students and said he trusted Smith to lead them into the future.

Smith has also been a crucial asset to Marion, Mayor Wayne Seybold told the audience. Seybold has often brought Smith in to help with recruiting efforts, the mayor said, which often brings good results.

"He has hit the ball out of the park every time," Seybold said.

The inauguration ceremony was the high point of a week of homecoming events, which conclude today. The school celebrated Smith, who has been in office for nearly 100 days, and the homecoming with festivities, including a parade Thursday night and a special chapel service Friday morning that brought alumni together with current students.

Originally published October 7, 2006

http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061007/NEWS01/610070328/1002

Indiana Wesleyan University‘s women’s tennis team completed its fall season Saturday with a win and extended a winning streak that dates back to 1995.

The Wildcats’ 5-4 win over Olivet Nazarene extended their winning streak in fall dual matches to 146. The win concluded IWU’s fall dual season at 13-0.

Sarah Bauss(No. 1 singles), Shannon Gehrke(No. 5 singles) and Melissa Masterson(No. 6 singles) collected wins for the Wildcats. Julia Hedgebethand Brittany Raymondwon at No. 2 doubles, while Laura Helmand Courtney Kooyerswon the No. 3 doubles match.

IWU returns to action Thursday through Saturday in the Mid-Central Conference Tournament, which will be played at Fort Wayne Concordia High School.

Teresa Smith, Indiana Wesleyan University‘s first lady, giggled as she spoke about the preparations going on for the homecoming and inauguration celebration beginning today on campus.

"It has been interesting," she said. "Planning for homecoming can be so time-consuming, and then we’re adding something as significant as an inauguration … It makes for a very busy weekend."

Starting today and running through Saturday evening, events for alumni and students will help make their homecoming experiences something to remember.

Teresa Smith said a decision was made to hold homecoming and the inaugural celebrations for her husband, Henry, in the same weekend to save alumni members from having to make two trips to take part in both.

"There is some alumni members that want to come back for homecoming, and they would already be making one trip," she said. "We just decided to make it one big event."

Henry Smith has been serving as president since July 1 and will be sworn in officially Friday. He was named Indiana Wesleyan’s first executive vice president in 2004.

Among the activities planned from Thursday to Saturday are alumni luncheons, concerts, a family fair, a pep rally and a torch run from downtown to campus.

Smith said the torch run, which begins at the Grant County Courthouse, is an old tradition they are attempting to rejuvenate. A bonfire will take place at the Smiths’ presidential home following the run.

"It died out over the years," she said, noting that between six and eight people participated last year. "We tried to think of some traditions that used to be around that we could bring back. We decided this was something we could do."

Rick Carder, alumni director, said they tried to select activities that would engage students while including alumni and the inauguration.

"We always have class reunion events coupled with family fairs, and this year we’ll have some special events targeted for the inauguration," he said.

Carder said planning has gone fairly well, especially with the two events being held together.

"We’re very excited," he said. "We had a good time sharing resources and putting this together."

Smith said although it is important to make it a special event for alumni, committee members have been doing their best to make it fun for current students.

"There has been an air of excitement on campus," Smith said. "We have been decorating and trying to make this an event in which students take ownership.

"I told them in chapel, ‘It is about you guys who are here, now – not just about alumni.’ We’re celebrating students that are on campus now and making it special for them."

Chronicle-Tribune – Originally published October 5, 2006

Indiana Wesleyan University finished the Mid-Central Conference tournament in fifth-place Tuesday with a two-day total of 620. Taylor finished the event, played at Blackstone Golf Course in South Bend, in sixth place with 622 strokes. Bethel won the championship with a score of 597.

The Trojans’ Ryan Johnsonand the Wildcats’ Will Boydmade the All-Conference team, which consists of the top 10 individuals plus ties. Johnson finished seventh with a score of 150, three shots behind winner Chris Tillbury of Bethel. Boyd shot a 151 to finish eighth.

Also scoring Tuesday for IWU were John Hoefer(76), Joe Madda(77) and Austin Conroy(78). Rounding out Taylor‘s second-day score were Matthew Hall(71), Ty Luther(78) and Trevor Fitch(80).