Lauren Carpenter: HVAF of Indiana

By: Dezaray Barr

Lauren Carpenter

Lauren Carpenter graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2017 with a bachelors degree in Convergent Journalism. Carpenter always wanted to attend a Christian college. Her brother, Travis, was two years older than her. “When I was a freshman in high school and he was a junior, he was looking into going to Indiana Wesleyan,” Carpenter said. “I looked on the website and loved everything I saw. The first time I stepped on campus was the end of my sophomore year of high school for a visit, and instantly I knew this was the college I was supposed to attend.”

As a journalism student in the Division of Communication & Theatre, Carpenter spent most of her time in Elder Hall. “I was super involved with The Sojourn and 94.3 The Fortress,” Carpenter shared. “I was even on-the-air my first month of college! Many hours were spent on the air, out on campus or in the community interviewing people, leading story idea meetings and writing articles.”

“Whenever I look back on my time at IWU, I always think about all of the amazing opportunities I had with the journalism department,” Carpenter said. “I feel so blessed I was able to be the Editor of The Sojourn, travel to different states with my fellow classmates to attend journalism conferences, make lasting friendships with my fellow communication majors and write some incredible stories.”

Attending IWU was the beginning of Carpenter making her faith her own. She had grown up in a Christian home, so she said this journey was easier for her. “I remember my junior year, in one of Dr. Greg Fiebig’s classes, we were talking about beliefs. I remember after hearing people speak, that the reasons I had my certain beliefs were because of what I learned growing up. I realized they weren’t my own, so I spent time figuring out what exactly I believed in. IWU definitely taught me to think more about my faith and take it seriously,” she shared.

Carpenter and her TV News class in the Division of Communication & Theatre

After graduating in April of 2017, Carpenter spent five months as a reporter for a newspaper in  Martinsville, Indiana. Last summer, she realized that she wasn’t loving what she was doing. “I started a social media page for my reporting and thought about how much I loved doing that and wished I could more. Also, I wanted to feel like I was making a difference, and I didn’t feel that way with this job. About one week later, I went to dinner with my parents’ small group and I met Brian Copes, who was in my parent’s small group. He found out more about me and asked if I was looking for a job, and proceeded to hand me his business card,” Carpenter explained.

Copes is the President and CEO of HVAF, an organization that assists homeless at-risk veterans and their families, and they were looking to hire someone who would handle their social media and PR. “I thought it sounded like the perfect job for me,” Carpenter said with enthusiasm. “The next month, I had my interview and started in October!”

As the Advancement Coordinator for HVAF, Carpenter runs all of HVAF’s social media accounts, sends out press releases, make contacts with local media, attends networking events, creates a monthly newsletter, assists with fundraising and more. She said, “I make sure people know HVAF’s story and what all we are doing to serve our veterans.”

 

 

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.

Brian Copes: HVAF of Indiana

By: Dezaray Barr

Brian Copes

Brian Copes is the President & CEO of Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF), which helps homeless veterans return to self-sufficiency and engages at risk veterans to prevent them from becoming homeless by providing supportive housing, case management, food, hygiene and clothing, as well as other essential services.

Copes graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in management and in 1997 with a master’s degree in management. “I received the peer-selected Outstanding Professional Award from both my cohort groups and was recognized by the IWU Alumni Association with Outstanding Achievement Awards in 2003 and 2010,” he shared. At the time, Copes didn’t select IWU for it’s faith-based aspect, but because it met his needs as a busy adult who was working and raising a family.

As a commuter, Copes had no traditional campus-life experience. “My student experience in the LEAP program(s) was rewarding, enjoyable and very satisfying. The course work was relevant to my life and work goals, the facilitators were experienced professionals and my fellow students were all people of accomplishment and ambition,” Copes said.

Although he didn’t come to IWU for it’s religious affiliation, it made an impact on Copes that forever changed his life. He said, “My two degree programs with IWU, particularly my Master’s program, were critical and integral parts of my journey to salvation. I did not profess a saving relationship with Jesus the Christ until November 1997 at age 38 following my IWU Master’s graduation in August 1997.” After completing his master’s degree, he surprised his family and asked for a study Bible. “Since then (November 1997), I have stayed in the Word daily using a variety of devotionals and studies,” Copes said. “My original Bible has been my constant companion, prayer journal and travelogue as I traveled in the United States and overseas while serving in the military. It weathered a long hard year in Afghanistan as well as duty in Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Egypt, Bosnia, Kosovo, Germany and the Slovak Republic.”

Copes retired in August 2015 after 38 years of service in the Indiana Army National Guard. In April 2016, he began serving as the President and Chief Executive Office of HVAF. HVAF of Indiana is the largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive veterans’ services in the state of Indiana.

Brian Copes and his wife

In June, Copes and his wife, high school sweethearts, will celebrate 41 years of marriage. They’re blessed with a son and a daughter, both whom are married, and they have six grandchildren.

Copes wanted to thank those at IWU who helped him get to where he is today. “Thank you to the leadership of Indiana Wesleyan University for providing me with a quality education and for shaping an institution which I am proud to associate myself with. IWU made my professional life possible and helped direct my eternal life toward a saving relationship with Jesus the Christ, Lord of my Life,” he said.

“I first met Brian when he was a Brigadier General with the Indiana National Guard, Army. He is a dedicated Christian who has a servants heart, yet can lead people effectively. Our Alumni Association through Indiana Wesleyan awarded him the distinction of a Distinguished Alumni Award a few years ago. It was my honor to know him, and even today I have a lot of respect and appreciation for his ministry to veterans. He represents well the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University,” Rick Carder, IWU’s Director of Alumni and Church Engagement, said.

 

 

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.