Jeffery Kaufman, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Marian University Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership and has been with Marian University since 2013. With a master of science degree in conflict management from Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, Georgia) and his doctorate degree in education with a focus on human resource development from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, Illinois), Dr. Kaufman says he has a passion for conflict management and conflict education.

Dr. Kaufman teaches and prepares future educators for the master of arts degree in educational leadership.  Other than teaching, Dr. Kaufman and the rest of the Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership work with organizations such as Duke Energy, The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, and Indianapolis Public Schools on a wide range of education-related programs.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Kaufman is working on various projects which include bringing a 3D printing lab to campus and writing a paper on levels of conflict experiences by Marian University’s nursing and medical students who took part in a recent interprofessional education intervention. Also, Dr. Kaufman serves as the faculty athletics representative (FAR). As the FAR, Dr. Kaufman says he reviews student-athlete eligibility and is the liaison between the academic and athletic departments. 

Q and A with Dr. Kaufman

What courses do you teach at Marian University?

•  EDUC 480/580 – HIRE Tech and Engineering Programming
• TLL 640 – Research Methods
• TLL 643 – Program Evaluation
• TLL 695 – Thesis
• TLL 610 – Systems Thinking 

 What is your favorite location on campus and why?

Sr. Jeanne Hagelskamp’s office. We came to Marian University at the same time and we have spent a lot of hours deliberating, thinking, dreaming, and working in her office. We both arrive early in the morning (usually around 7:15 a.m. or so) and have been starting our days together for two years. Sitting in her office, engaged in conversation is my favorite place to be.

What advice would you give to your undergraduate self?

 Don’t be passive and don’t sell yourself short. Life is truly a blessing and it should be enjoyed, but life is also more than just today. Choose a course, focus on it, and believe in yourself because you are capable of more than you think.

 What is your favorite part of teaching at Marian University?

 I am blessed with the flexibility to build and change my classes to best meet the needs of my students, and for anyone who has held a job, you know that that type of autonomy is not always common. It’s a wonderful perk. I also love the entrepreneurial mindset within my department and the university overall. I am entrepreneurial by nature, so that dovetails nicely with my own values. But above all, it is the students. I have great students to work with and as an educator, few moments are more satisfying than walking into a room full of intelligent, energetic, and engaged students, giving them a concept, and watching them dig into it.

 What is your favorite book?

 I have several, but I would probably say Getting to Yes by Ury, Fisher, and Patton. While the book has a white-collar negotiations focus, there are concepts within it that align with our Franciscan sponsorship values and apply to how we should approach one another on a daily basis.

Max Schaefer, third-year medical student in the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM), received the Welch Scholars Grant from the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF).

The $2,000 grant is given to students across the country based on their outstanding academic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities, strong commitment toward osteopathic medicine, and financial need.

Schaefer earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Notre Dame and is a member of MU-COM’s inaugural class. During his time at Marian University, Schaefer has excelled in and out of the classroom.

“Max Schaefer is a wonderful example of the quality of MU-COM students we have here,” said Paul Evans, DO, senior vice president and dean of MU-COM. “He teaches human anatomy as a student prosector, is a yoga instructor, has done scientific research in nanotechnology, and has completed extensive community volunteer work.  Max is a deserving recipient of this national award.”

The Welch Scholars Grant is named in honor of Sterling Welch, DO, for his outstanding generosity to the AOF and his desire to support osteopathic medical students.

Marian University is seeking continuation of its accreditation status from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). As part of the review of Marian University’s accreditation status, HLC representatives will visit the campus this fall, November 2-3. The university has been accredited since 1956.

Founded in 1895, the Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States and accredits degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region of the country. The commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students, parents, alumni, donors, local businesses, and the general public are invited to send written, signed comments directly to the commission as part of the accreditation process.

All comments must be submitted to HLC by October 5, 2015 (four weeks prior to the start of the visit).

Teachers from state’s largest school system to receive grants toward certification

Representatives from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and Marian University announced today at a press conference that the state’s largest K-12 school district is partnering with the university on Indianapolis’ west side to train current teachers to become successful principals and school administrators. IPS superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee and Marian University president Daniel J. Elsener were joined by Ken Zagzebski, president, AES U.S., parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), in making the announcement.

According to Dr. Ferebee, IPS is committing $50,000 per year for the next five years to enroll as many as 30 current teachers per year in Marian University’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership, a graduate degree program that prepares its students to become licensed administrators in K-12 schools. The partnership is effective with the Fall 2015 semester, with 16 IPS teachers already enrolled in the program. Under the terms of the agreement, each student will pay one-third of the tuition costs, with the balance covered by the IPS grant and Marian University.

“Indianapolis Public Schools and Marian University’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership partnership is a great example of how public school districts and higher education institutions can collaborate to advance K-12 education,” said Dr. Ferebee. “School leaders play a critical role in school and district performance, culture, and student academic outcomes. This is an exciting opportunity to grow our own school leaders with an IPS footprint, bolstering district capacity and student achievement.”

Several current and former IPS teachers have earned their Master of Arts Degree (M.A.T.) in Educational Leadership and Building Level Administrator (B.L.A.) certification through Marian University in recent years. Currently, there are nine graduates of Marian University’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership employed as administrators in the IPS district.

“Marian University is committed to ensuring that every individual in our community has the opportunity to grow to his or her fullest potential, regardless of their circumstances,” Elsener said. "To accomplish that lofty goal, we need strong schools with transformational leaders who empower teachers to do their jobs. Dr. Ferebee shares that vision, which we believe will ensure the success of this very unique partnership.”

The Marian University Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership was founded in 2010 on the belief that transforming schools requires fundamentally rethinking school leadership. Their goal is to train innovators and provide leaders with the tools required to implement the reforms necessary for children to achieve at high levels. In its first five years, the program has produced 104 graduates, many of whom are already serving as transformative leaders in schools across Indiana.

A study completed by the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University in 2013 found that graduates of Marian University’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership overwhelmingly believed that the program emphasized leadership skills for building a strong school climate and improving school achievement. An internal program evaluation completed in Spring 2015 that expanded on the Johns Hopkins report confirmed these findings. After graduates assumed leadership roles at their schools, algebra ECA scores increased from 53.2% to 67.4%, and math/reading combined ISTEP scores increased from 57.9% to 65.2%.

Zagzebski pledged the business community’s support for Marian University, IPS and Dr. Ferebee. To date, IPL has committed $250,000 to Marian University’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership, and secured significant additional funding for the program from several leaders of Indianapolis’ business community, including BKD and Eli Lilly and Company.

“IPL is committed to this partnership because quality education in Central Indiana will strengthen our communities and make it a more desirable place for people to live, work and visit,” stated Ken Zagzebski, President of AES U.S.  “The key to maintaining a successful school system is providing a pipeline of exceptional leaders that will attract talented teachers and inspire students to excel.”

The Marian University Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership has received several $250,000 donations, including the commitment from IPL. Additionally, a prominent Indianapolis family which wishes to remain anonymous donated $1 million to the institution, stating that they, “passionately care about improving the educational opportunities of our youth.”

About Marian University Indianapolis

Marian University, founded in Indianapolis in 1937, is the only Catholic liberal arts university in central Indiana. It serves a student body of nearly 3,000 through dedication to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. Marian University is one of Indiana’s 31 independent colleges and one of 244 Catholic colleges and universities nationwide.

Since 2001, Marian University has been led by President Daniel J. Elsener, whose vision and leadership are transforming the university. In 2013, Marian University opened the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences, home to its College of Osteopathic Medicine. Marian University has amassed 30 national championships in cycling, in 2012 won the NAIA national championship in football, and was a national finalist in football in 2014.

About Indianapolis Public Schools

Indianapolis Public Schools strives to be the flagship in innovative urban education, preparing all students to be successful in the global economy. IPS is committed to creating individualized, relationship-based learning opportunities for more than 30,000 students. As the educational landscape evolves to include more school choice, IPS continues to expand the scope of options available to families. From community schools to magnets including International Baccalaureate, performing arts, STEM, Montessori, career prep and more, there’s a school to fit every family at IPS. In addition to the broadest range of magnet programs in the state, IPS is the pilot district for Indiana’s Innovation Network Schools. These autonomous programs operate in partnership with the district to provide a variety of unique educational opportunities for IPS students and families. IPS is proud to provide personalized opportunities for students, and proud to be public! Learn more about IPS by visiting www.myips.org.

About Indianapolis Power & Light Company and AES

Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), an AES Company, provides retail electric service to more than 480,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, IPL has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country. For more information about the company, please visit www.IPLpower.com or connect with us at www.twitter.com/IPLpower, www.facebook.com/IPLpower or www.linkedin.com/company/IPLpower.

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 200 global power company. We provide affordable, sustainable energy to 18 countries through a diverse portfolio of distribution businesses as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities. Our workforce of 18,500 people is committed to operational excellence and meeting the world’s changing power needs. AES’ 2014 revenues were $17 billion, and we own and manage $39 billion in total assets. To learn more, please visit www.aes.com. Follow AES on Twitter @TheAESCorp.

Marian University’s chapter of Best Buddies recently earned the Best Buddies Indiana College of the Year Award at the organization’s annual international leadership conference at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.   

The chapter earned the award for their strong leadership, execution of fun monthly events, and dedication to Buddy Pairs. President Allyson Milby ’16 and Vice President Caitlin Hensley ’16 of Marian University’s chapter accepted the award with Patrick Knollman, who is a one-on-one buddy with a Marian University student.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

“The organization turned out to be a lot more than I expected. The individuals within our chapter have become family to me and they support my passion and commitment to continue to lead and expand our chapter to others on campus and in the overall community,” said Milby. “The friendships created within our chapter are truly unique bonds that will last a lifetime.”

Milby, a junior majoring in elementary education, began volunteering with Marian University’s chapter her freshman year as a peer buddy. Peer buddies are paired with individuals with IDD and form one-on-one friendships. Since, Milby has continued to serve as a peer buddy and as chapter president.

With approximately 20 Marian University students and 10 adults with IDD, the university’s chapter hosts monthly events on and off campus, including: bonfires, bowling, dances, Thanksgiving dinner, white elephant holiday parties, and partnerships with athletic teams on campus.

Throughout the year, they also fundraise for the Best Buddies Indiana Friendship Walk, which provides funding for the state office to open new chapters at middle schools, high schools, and universities.

Students interested in becoming members of the organization may contact Allyson Milby at amilby559@marian.edu or fill out the membership application on Best Buddies Indiana’s website.  

To attain the bachelor of science degree in clinical laboratory science and become a registered CLS, Harlemert completed three years of rigorous coursework, a one-year internship with Indiana University Health, and passed an examination given by the Registry of Medical Technologists of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Harlemert’s application process for the one-year internship was highly competitive, and obtaining the position was not guaranteed, even after completing three years of required courses. “Acceptance to the one-year internship is based on GPA, performance in the prerequisite courses, an interview, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement,” said Steve Dougherty, M.S., assistant professor of biology and the director of the CLS program.

Dougherty explained he sees more students completing the program in the future. “The demand and marketability of the CLS degree is fantastic.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for the CLS will increase by 15-20 percent over the next five years. Approximately 98 percent of those graduating with this degree are employed within six months of graduation, and many of them have jobs lined up prior to graduation.”

Harlemert not only excelled in completing the program, but was also a member of the Sigma Zeta Honor Society, a Sister Mary Rose Stockton Excellence in Chemistry Award winner, and graduated summa cum laude.

For more information about the 3+1 CLS Program, contact Steve Dougherty at gdougher@marian.edu.

While undergraduate students won’t be back on campus for another few weeks, the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) welcomed new students on Monday, August 3 for first-year orientation. The students comprise MU-COM’s third class.  

Paul Evans, D.O., dean of MU-COM, said more than 4,300 people applied for the 162 seats that were available to be filled. The result is a class that surpasses national averages of other osteopathic medical schools in nearly every measurable category:

• Average undergraduate GPA of 3.62, compared to national average of 3.53;
• Average MCAT (med school entrance exam) score of 27.53, compared to national average of 27.21;
• Average Science GPA of 3.56, compared to 3.46 national average.

There are 88 Indiana residents in MU-COM’s newest class, comprising 54% of the class. Those students can receive $10,000 annual scholarships from the State of Indiana ($40,000 total) if they remain in Indiana after graduation and practice in a primary care field in rural or underserved areas of the state.

“There is a significant shortage of doctors in Indiana,” Dr. Evans said. “It’s important that the state do all it can to retain the students graduating from its medical schools to become Indiana physicians. The Indiana General Assembly deserves to be commended for its innovative approach to incentivizing Marian University students to practice in our state.”

Of the 84 undergraduate colleges and universities represented in this year’s MU-COM class, 23 are Indiana institutions. That includes Marian University, which places five graduates in the class.

“We’ve made strategic investments in recent years in our School of Mathematics and Sciences, with the expectation that it would become a feeder for our College of Osteopathic Medicine,” Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener said. “It’s extremely rewarding to see that investment come to fruition. And I’m sure it’s motivating for our undergraduate students to know that they too will have opportunities to get accepted into some of the best graduate and professional schools in the nation if they apply themselves during their four years at Marian University.”

In total, there are students from 23 states in the class. There are also 12 non-U.S. citizens from six countries – Cameroon, Canada, India, South Korea, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

Students will be officially welcomed during a “White Coat Ceremony” on Sunday, August 9 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. The White Coat Ceremony is a celebration held by more than 100 medical schools nationally, marking the beginning of a student’s journey to becoming a doctor. During the ceremony, students receive a white coat, the uniform traditionally worn by physicians across the U.S.

The Overlook at Riverdale—Marian University’s new graduate apartments—opened this week at 90 percent occupancy, with the majority of residents coming from this new class. 

“Many teams are looking to make ‘marginal gains’ for their equipment to become more competitive, we are also looking at ways to minimize risk and keep our student-athletes safe,” said Head Coach Dean Peterson. “We are glad to be leading the culture towards safer cycling, thanks in part to our continued partnership with St. Vincent Sports Performance.

A crucial element of the team’s helmet initiative is the MIPS®  (multi-directional impact protection system) technology, a system used to reduce the rotational force to the brain in case of oblique impacts. In a helmet equipped with MIPS® technology, such as the team’s new Smith Overtake, a low friction layer separates the shell and the inside of the helmet. This layer dramatically reduces rotational forces transmitted to the brain under angled impacts, which significantly improves head protection in the event of a crash. Combined with the Overtake’s AEROCORE™ construction featuring Koroyd®, the helmets protecting the Knights' heads will be a significant step towards reducing the effects of accidents and the long-term effects of head injuries.

“We are expanding the traditional view of the team uniform to include a vital piece of every cyclist’s equipment, the helmet. Thanks to help from The Bike Line and other partners, we are able to make the helmet an integrated piece of our team kit and hope to set the example for other teams to do the same,” said Peterson.

Beginning this fall with the track, mountain bike (MTB), and cyclocross seasons, all Marian University's endurance cyclists will be in the Smith Overtake MIPS® helmet for training and racing. BMX and gravity MTB riders will train in the Smith Maze helmet. The Knights return to school this fall to launch their studies and begin defense of their three-straight Division 1 Team Omnium title. The team is the defending team National Champions in the track, cyclocross, BMX, and road disciplines.

Kathleen Doyle receives full scholarship for Marian University graduate program

Kathleen Doyle, a fourth grade teacher at Saint Agnes Parish School in Louisville, will receive a full tuition scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Catholic Education through Marian University in Indianapolis. The specialty degree is designed to prepare currently licensed teachers to become principals in Catholic schools.

Marian University, a private Catholic institution serving nearly 3,000 students, partnered with the Archdiocese of Louisville in announcing the scholarship and choosing the recipient. Doyle was selected from among six finalists for the award.

“I am delighted that Kathleen Doyle has received a full tuition scholarship to Marian University, and I thank Marian for its generous support of Catholic school teachers,” Leisa Schulz, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Louisville, said. “Kathleen is a dedicated teacher leader at St. Agnes School, and she exemplifies the qualities of a faith-filled leader. I know Kathleen will be enriched by this program, and I look forward to Kathleen sharing her gifts with St. Agnes and the Archdiocese of Louisville as she continues in the leadership preparation program.”

Doyle began her teaching career as a Religion, Technology and Language Arts educator at a faith-based school in Davenport, Iowa. She has taught at the Saint Agnes Parish School in Louisville for the past four years, and has served a leader among the faculty during her brief tenure. Doyle served on an archdiocesan taskforce charged with digesting the Next Generation Science Standards for upcoming adoption, and also chaired a committee to evaluate Saint Agnes School on its compliance with AdvancED Catholic Identity benchmarks.

“Marian University prides itself on developing leaders, and Kathleen is already displaying leadership skills in her school,” Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, director of Marian University’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership, said. “We think she would make a great principal or administrator in a K-12 school, if that’s what she ultimately decides to do. This master’s degree from Marian University will put her on that path.”

Last year, Marian University received a grant from Duke Energy that allowed the university to partner with Greater Clark County Schools to offer a Building Level Administrator and master’s degree to teachers in that district, onsite in Jeffersonville, which is where Doyle will take classes. The university decided to expand the program to teachers in the Louisville Archdiocese earlier this year. Doyle is the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, and university officials are seeking funding to continue the scholarship for at least two more years.

“Honoring God in this moment means embracing the chance to have a larger impact on my fellow teachers, my students, and their parents,” Doyle wrote in her scholarship application. “This scholarship will challenge me to grow in the faith-based career to which I have been called.”

Marian University announced that Anthony Shull has been hired to serve as the Robert H. McKinney Chair of International programs, with responsibility for building collaborative agreements with foreign universities, increasing study abroad opportunities, and attracting more international students to study at Marian University.

Shull joins Marian University from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, where he served as the Executive Director for International Affairs. He has held a variety of positions in higher education dating back to 1999, including stops in Mexico City, Cambridge, England, and the University of Central Missouri.

“Anthony brings a wealth of valuable experience to Marian University,” Paul Woolston, Marian University vice president of enrollment management, said. “Over the years, he has developed international relationships with universities, government officials, and business leaders that will allow him to immediately impact the globalization of the Marian University campus. We had a number of qualified applicants, but Anthony’s credentials clearly stood out above the rest.” Marian University officials announced in May that they were conducting a national search to identify candidates for the position.

The Robert H. McKinney Chair of International Programs is a newly created position funded by a $1 million donation from local philanthropist Robert H. McKinney, who said, “The heart of Marian University’s strategic plan is focusing on transformational leadership. In today’s world, it is essential that leaders have a view of cultures outside of the United States. Students need study abroad experiences to fully appreciate a view of the world. And these experiences can be life transforming. With the great work that Marian University has done within Central Indiana, I know that students who graduate from Marian University with more study abroad experiences and an increased number of international students on campus will be the ones who actually change the world."

Many universities across the nation point to the rapidly changing global economy as a reason for growing their international programs. A recent report from The McKinsey Global Institute found that worldwide, approximately 40 percent of job growth in advanced markets like the United States is going to foreign nationals because of their language skills and cross-cultural competency. Universities believe that study abroad experiences, combined with campus globalization efforts, will help their graduates compete in the global marketplace. Research supports that, by engaging in international exchanges, students will learn how to interact with their peers, have better grades, experience less attrition and graduate from college at a higher rate than their peers.

Marian University has established aggressive goals for growing its international base. By the 2017-18 academic year, Marian University expects to double its number of collaborative agreements with foreign universities. In the same time frame, it is expected that 25 percent of Marian University undergraduate students will study abroad, and the number of international students attending classes in Indianapolis will more than double. Marian University has a total enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, including students in its graduate programs its College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Papel Picado with a Modern Twist features the art of Beatriz Vasquez and will be on display in the Marian University Art Gallery in Marian Hall from August 21-October 1.  Vasquez will host a workshop on papel picado on September 17, 12:30-3 p.m. (register by emailing jambroise@marian.edu), and a reception of the exhibit will be held September 13, 12-2 p.m. The workshop and the reception are free and open to the public.

Vasquez studied the indigenous crafts of Mexico, and focused her research on papel picado, the Mexican art of paper cutting.  She learned the importance of connecting each cut, which she improvises without drawing onto the paper.  Vasquez describes her imagery as deriving “from my childhood memories growing up Mexican American, with a constant awareness of keeping my culture in the forefront of my work.  I began creating Papel Picado for myself as a self-renewal and preservation, however, my work is not my own any longer. I believe it speaks to a much bigger audience.”

Recently, Vasquez was awarded a Creative Renewal fellowship Grant by the Indianapolis Arts Council to continue pursuing this work. She has exhibited at the Indiana State Museum, The Indianapolis Columbia Club, Indianapolis Public Libraries, and The Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis Art Center, the Eiteljorg Museum, where she participated as Artist in Residence, and in several galleries in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio. She has taken part in performing Papel Picado workshops through The Garfield Art Center and The Irvington Public Library, IndyParks and Indianapolis Public Schools.  She had her first solo exhibition at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. 

The Marian University Art Gallery is located on the west end of the second floor of Marian Hall.  Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, although appointments at later times are welcome.  Please contact Gallery Director Jenny Ambroise at jambroise@marian.edu with any inquiries. 

Governor Mike Pence conferred a Sagamore of the Wabash award to Marian University president, Daniel J. Elsener on August 10, 2015. The award is bestowed upon citizens who contribute greatly to the state of Indiana.

“Dan Elsener is a man of character and integrity, and his career demonstrates his longstanding commitment to and vision for improved education in Indiana,” said Governor Pence. “I am proud to recognize Dan with a Sagamore of the Wabash to thank him for his continued hard work, dedication, and extensive service to our state.”

Beyond his service as Marian University president, Elsener has served on Indiana’s Education Round Table for ten years and also served on the State Board of Education for ten years, working to improve education for the entire state.

As one of Indiana’s longest-serving college presidents, Elsener has led Marian University through a stunning transformation that began in 2001. Under his leadership, Marian University has gone from a college on the brink of closing, to a thriving university with an ever-increasing number of students and new programs ranging from a national championship-level football team to Indiana’s first new medical school in more than 100 years—the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

This is President Elsener’s second Sagamore of the Wabash award. Former Governor Mitch Daniels presented Elsener with his first on October 13, 2012, saying, “Marian University has been a stabilizing force on Indianapolis’ west side for more than 70 years. I am very pleased to witness its dramatic growth into a powerhouse for Indiana.”  

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) welcomed medical students and their physician mentors to the inaugural Meaningful Medicine Mentoring Symposium on Saturday, August 15.  Focusing on humanistic patient care, the keynote address—Compassion in Healing: A Perspective on Humanism in Medicine from Burundi—was given by Deogratias Niyizonkiza, founder and CEO of Village Health Works and the protagonist of Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Kidder’s New York Times Bestseller Strength in What Remains.

The keynote address was followed by an interactive presentation, Values in Humanistic Medical Practice given by MU-COM’s Semler Endowed Chair of Medical Ethics, Dr. Jason Eberl.  Dr. Jill Helphinstine, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine delivered a working session for attendees that focused on physician burn-out.

The symposium concluded by recognizing four outstanding mentors in the community identified by a medical student nomination process.   The following physicians were recognized for roles models of humanism in medicine:

• Mentor of the Year – Dr. James Lemons
• Distinguished Mentor – Dr. Marin Behrad
• Distinguished Mentor – Dr. Craig Nadleson
• Distinguished Mentor – Dr. Ayaz Shaikh

Dr. James Lemons was awarded Mentor of the Year and nominated by Saajidha Rizvydeen, OMS II (Class of 2018). She described him this way in her narrative, “Whether he was taking extra time to walk a patient to their appointment or to ask the family of a premature baby if they needed a place to sleep for the weekend, Dr. Lemons embodies all the traits that I consider primal in a physician. He is empathetic, knowledgeable, hard-working, and passionate.”

In remarks he provided in the video of finalists Dr. Lemons said, “This is the first time I think that I have formally received recognition as a mentor and I had no idea Marian was looking at this perspective. I applaud the leadership at Marian for doing this.”  Dr. Lemons is a renowned neonatologist, researcher and professor who advocates worldwide to help vulnerable women and children. He is responsible for raising more than $3 million to build the Riley Mother Baby Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.

The Meaningful Medicine Mentoring Program at MU-COM began in September 2014 and is made possible by a grant from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The program team consists of co-directors Dr. Sherry Jimenez, Assistant Dean for Educational Development and Dr. Emily Young, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Board Certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine and Mrs. Erika Sauer, Clinical Affairs Administrative Assistant.

More than 130 people from a variety of professional backgrounds gathered at the Marian University Theatre to learn about bullying prevention and awareness on Wednesday, August 12.

The night—emceed by Andrea Morehead—included a keynote address from Chris “Lights Out” Lytle, retired Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter and a panel discussion including Marian University professor and director of the Center for Organizational Ethics, Karen Spear and other community members. 

A special moment came when Lesley Neff, director of educational services at Marian University, received the first-ever empowerment award from The Chris Lytle Foundation for her dedication to bullying prevention.   

This “Work Shouldn’t Hurt” seminar was the result of a collaborative effort between The Chris Lytle Foundation and the students and faculty of Marian’s Adult Programs’ (MAP) current Meeting and Event Planning concentration. Classes within this concentration, as well as 31 other courses in MAP, are partnered with local businesses or non-profits to provide creative solutions for actual business challenges. MAP students have worked with organizations like Indy Parks, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Indy Eleven, and Broad Ripple Village Association.

“The workplace bullying event brought education to a whole new level. In my opinion, the integration of education and community outreach was phenomenal,” said Rita McCluskey, a MAP student in the class. “Marian University’s partnership with the Chris Lytle Foundation to host this program benefited students, attendees, and panel members. Everyone was moved by the experience.”



This event is just one example of the many organizations partnering with Marian University to grow and improve their businesses. This list of projects and partnerships continues to grow. 

Summer opens the door for once in a lifetime opportunities for some students and faculty. From internships to mission work abroad, these Marian University Knights took advantage of their time off from the classroom.

Marketing Internship in Indianapolis, Indiana

Through networking, Max Jackson ’17 heard about marketing internship opportunities at Delta Faucet Company and decided to apply for a position.  Jackson mainly worked on market research and financial analysis for the company’s luxury line of faucets called Brizo.



“Summer internships are extremely important.  Future employers only look at hiring students who have past experience in the workforce.  It also provides you with a two to three month job practice, so you can really see what it’s like to work in that field full-time.  If you end up not liking it, it’s better to find out while you are still in school.  With that being said, the best thing I got out of this is experience is the opportunity to meet and network with other business professionals.  I have multiple co-workers that can help provide me with the resources I need to find a career.”

Mission Trip to Las Canas, Dominican Republic

Majoring in nursing with a concentration in theology and pastoral leadership, Elizabeth Witchger ’16 traveled to Las Canas, Dominican Republic for a mission trip put together by the Marian University Timmy Global Health chapter and the Timmy Global Health headquarters. Witchger worked with other volunteers and local doctors to assist with medical care for the community.



“I was amazed at how much organization and teamwork it takes to complete the healing process. Our team was only there for a week, but Timmy ensures that once we leave, the community workers and doctors from this area will make weekly rounds to check up on the patients. It was amazing to see Dr. Chuck Dietzen’s (founder of Timmy Global Health) vision—"We are not all born to be doctors or nurses, but we were all born to be healers"—take shape before my eyes. From the staff at Timmy, to our translators, to our recruited team of physicians and students, it's a continual process that works to give people the care they deserve despite social, economic and political status.”

Teaching Position in Jilin City, Jilin, China

Alan Guillen ’16 spent his summer abroad teaching conversational English to students at Jilin Medical College, a college  working to build careers in China’s health field. At Marian University, Guillen has had the opportunity to travel to four different countries and hopes to visit another this fall through the English department.



“It might sound cliché but when I am abroad, I feel the most alive. I guess the mystery of discovering a new city, trying a new cuisine, making a new friend, or learning the most from different cultures are the reasons why traveling is so attractive to me. Probably the most important benefit I have gained while being abroad is getting to know who I am. By placing myself in cultures different than my own, I not only questioned the actions or beliefs of the people who surrounded me, but I also began to question my own culture and beliefs. I have found that I have grown through this comparing and contrasting process by embracing the qualities of my culture that I find positive and trying to change or understand the negative aspects.”

Research Internship in Indianapolis, Indiana

Through Marian University’s partnership with Eli Lilly & Co., second-year Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine student Chelsea Ullmann was able to apply and participate in the Lilly Medical Student Summer Internship Program.

 

“At Eli Lilly, I worked alongside my preceptor in the Global Patient Safety department in the oncology division. Specifically, I researched and learned more about early phase clinical development using an Eli Lilly investigational new drug as an example. In addition to my specific project in the Global Patient Safety department, all of the medical student interns met with various medical leaders at Eli Lilly to discuss different topics and learn about their experiences as physicians in the pharmaceutical industry. We also had the opportunity to travel off-site to the Indiana State House to meet with representatives involved in developing health policy and to learn more about the Family and Social Services Administration. We traveled to Anthem to learn more in-depth about the insurance industry as well.  This experience at Eli Lilly was an incredible opportunity, and I learned so much.”

Medical Mission Trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Ben Huang, MPH, DO, FACOEP, associate professor of clinical affairs and director of ICM, traveled for the second time to San Pedro Sula, Honduras where he treated hundreds of patients in the Merendón Mountains with the help of other volunteers. The mission trip was started by third-year Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine student Brian Kaltenecker.



“I rather the students organize it themselves and raise funds and figure things out because I think they learn so much more from doing it rather than us saying ‘okay, this is how you do it.’ When you do it yourself it’s just so much more fun. That’s the part that I am really excited about. I think all the students that went last year and this year, the thing that they got out of it is the fact that they can put some of their training into use by seeing patients first hand. There were some exotic diseases that they will never ever see in this country, but just the fact that they can help people in a very real way, and the people are so appreciative, I think it was worth their sacrifice.”

On Tuesday, August 18 and Saturday, August 22, new students participated in the First Day of Service and Leadership focused on serving the Indianapolis community.

First-year football and cycling team members gathered for the first day of service at Cold Spring Environmental Studies Magnet and St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church where they facilitated a field day experience at each site.

Keeping with tradition, the second day of service was open to all first-year students. The new students completed their service at locations including Alpha Home, Indianapolis Public Schools, FACE Spay/Neuter Clinic, SENSE Charter School, Flanner House, and Udell Street Fire House.

Unlike previous years, a leadership aspect was added to the day. After completing their service in the morning, students came together at White River State Park to partake in various leadership retreats including how culture impacts leadership, the importance of people and how to make leadership personal, and ethical leadership.

Director of academic engagement Jennifer Plumlee explained that scheduling the service days before classes begin starts the students’ journey of learning and understanding how the university lives by the Franciscan Sponsorship Values. “The day is truly a foundational experience that will be built upon during the students’ next four years at Marian University.“

Overall, both service days brought 181 first-year students together to kick-off the new school year.

A new grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) has allowed the Office of Campus Ministry to develop the Women and Men of Faith Program. This new program, which supports the existing Rebuild My Church initiative, aims at developing a vibrant campus faith life for students of all faiths through curricular integration, formation of Christian community, and formation of future ministers.

“This is an important opportunity to support a greater and more diverse portion of our students through new approaches and fuller curricular and co-curricular implementation aimed at ecumenical initiatives,” said Adam Setmeyer, director of campus ministry.

The new program involves three key initiatives: Covenant Ministers, Sacred Hour, and the Faith and Ideas Series. Covenant ministers—invited local ministers from different denominations—will be on campus for approximately five hours per week, providing support to students of all Christian traditions with pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and programmatic support. Every Wednesday, students are invited to participate in Sacred Hour, an ecumenical hour of prayer that will feature covenant ministers and a variety of worship styles.  The program will also feature a Faith and Ideas Series, an initiative aimed at providing unique and creative opportunities for Marian University students, faculty, staff, and alumni to promote intellectually informed and robust experiences regarding important issues of faith and culture.   

While Marian University has experience in preparing persons of other Christian backgrounds in undergraduate preparation for ministry in their church or denomination, this new program will allow the university to become more systematic and comprehensive in the way it supports the faith lives and vocational development of these students.

“As a non-denominational Protestant who had only really had conversations with other Protestants, Agnostic, or Atheist people before coming here, I was quickly challenged and fascinated by my Catholic brothers and sisters,” said Michael Botta, a junior majoring in communication and philosophy. “I've met such enormously loving, pious, and Christ-like people that my experience here has been indescribably wonderful. There's definitely a community here that embraces the search for truth and I've been surrounded by remarkable and caring people regardless of age, religion, or ideology.”

In Vision 2025—a white paper articulating the depth and reach of Marian University’s vision—President Elsener said, “Because we are a Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition, we celebrate the rich Catholic intellectual and social teaching. We are beneficiaries of a vibrant Franciscan spirituality that we are called to share, engage, and live in the world. In the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, we refuse to retreat into a reclusive community set apart from believers of differing traditions or no faith tradition. On the contrary, we openly share our faith and proclaim the joy of the Gospel through a vibrant and inclusive commitment to: prayer and worship; academic and theological studies; service; campus ministry; community life; and witness.”      

Marian University welcomed 27 high school German teachers and eight German professors from across the state to Indiana’s chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) Annual Fall Immersion on Saturday, August 29.  The educators took part in an all-day language and teaching workshop in Allison Mansion. 

“We were really honored to have Dr. Mohamed Esa lead the workshop this year because he is such a dynamic teacher,” said Wendy Westphal, Ph.D., professor of German at Marian University. “He is known by German educators across the country for his creative and engaging approach to teaching the language.”

Dr. Mohamed Esa, German professor at McDaniel College in Maryland and president of the national AATG organization, has won numerous state and national awards for his innovative teaching which draws on German music, film, and fairy tales to teach the German language at all levels.  Dr. Esa was also awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz), the highest recognition the German government may bestow.  Using examples from his book Kurzfilm:  German Short Films and Activities Manual, Dr. Esa introduced the participants to new and engaging ways to integrate short films in German courses.

“Everyone left with ideas for the classroom.  It was an excellent event and I am proud that Marian University could host it”, Dr. Westphal said.