Daniel J. Elsener, president of Marian University, will speak at the September Catholic Business Exchange. His topic will be: Developing Transformational Leaders at a Great Catholic University.

Since Elsener took the helm as university president in the fall of 2001, enrollment has more than doubled from 1,260 students nearly 3,000 in 2015. Previously, President Elsener served as the executive director of the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and executive director for the Office of Catholic Education.

The event is Friday morning, September 18, at the Northside Knights of Columbus. Mass starts at 7 a.m. and the program will be finished by 9 a.m. Cost for the program includes a great breakfast and is $15 in advance for members and $21 for non-members. Registration is required. To register, pay online and for more information, visit www.catholicbusinessexchange.org.

The Catholic Business Exchange is a fun way for Catholic men and women to share their common faith and interest in business. The group meets the third Friday of each month for Mass, networking, breakfast, and a featured speaker.  

Girls Exploring Medical Sciences (GEMS), a summer camp through the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, spent an action-packed summer on the campus of Marian University.  During their time on campus, the girls explored the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences, the Hill-Rom Simulation Center, and the Eli Lilly Corporate Center.

The GEMS worked with students, faculty and staff from Marian University, as well as several local physicians and medical professionals; all volunteers who offered hands-on experiences such as splinting and casting, trauma care, suturing,  and evaluating newborns.

“They were pretty apprehensive on the first day, but by the end they all seemed to think a career in health care was something they will consider,” Terrence Strader, simulation technology specialist at Marian University said.

GEMS will be coming back to Marian University next summer (2016). For more information and/or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Bruce Williams at bwilliams2@marian.edu. 

The Orr Fellowship is a competitive post-graduation opportunity for seniors who seek to become future Indiana business leaders. The two-year program sets out to provide its fellows with an unparalleled professional network and full-time salaried positions where they will continue to learn specific skills in business and leadership. Applications for the fellowship are currently open and will close on October 2, 2015.

Amber Ferrari ’15 became the first Orr Fellow from Marian University after completing the rigorous application and interview process and accepted a position as the associate marketing manager at PactSafe. Within the fellowship, Ferrari is part of the marketing team and is currently working on recruiting next year’s class of Orr Fellows from Marian University.

Ferrari visited campus to speak to several classes and gave a presentation about the fellowship in The Exchange to interested students. Ferrari explained students should apply to be a part of the fellowship because it is an extremely unique experience. “Why wouldn’t you want two years helping to build up the Indy business community, acclimate to the working world, have a full-time, salaried position while still being able to learn? It’s the community of college activities everyone loves, but the professionalism of that real-world atmosphere we have been preparing for throughout the entirety of our education thus far.”

Continuing with recruitment, Ferrari is holding a happy hour at Bud’s Tavern Wednesday, September 16 for Marian University students to hang out and ask questions about the fellowship. Ferrari also strongly encourages students to attend the Indianapolis F-Orr-um, which she describes as the most important pre-interview event to attend. The date, time, and place for the event will be announced within the coming weeks.

“Anyone leaving college and entering the real-world has something positive to offer, but I truly believe that Marian University graduates are made of good stuff. Tough stuff. All the best stuff. We have had an abundance of opportunities to reach out to Indy throughout our college experience and should be excited about getting the chance to continue that professionally. I am so pumped to have additional Knights proudly represent our alma mater in the Orr Fellowship class of 2016.”

Marian University moved to #24 in the U.S. News & World Report 2016 ranking of the top colleges in the Midwest. Since 2011, the university has gone from #41 to #24, climbing steadily to its current spot.

Earlier this year, Marian University ranked #45 in the Midwest and #8 in Indiana for “Best Bang for Your Buck” by Washington Monthly. Affordable Colleges Online ranked Marian University in the Top 10 of Indiana colleges and universities in terms of return on investment, which measure job placement and starting salary for graduates.

With nearly 3,000 students enrolled, the university continues to grow. This year, the university welcomed its third class to the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, which opened in 2013. The university received more than 4,300 applications for the 162 seats that were available for the most recent class.

In August, The Overlook at Riverdale—new graduate apartments—opened on campus. The three-wing apartment community is four stories and features scenic views of campus and the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab. 

Saturday, September 12, marked the beginning of a new Indianapolis rivalry between the Marian University Knights and the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds.  With record-setting attendance, the first-ever Monumental Matchup electrified St.Vincent Field on the campus of Marian University. Here are a few of the moments that made it monumental: 

1. When the mascots got involved.

Knightro and Ace the Greyhound took the city of Indianapolis by storm, each conniving to help his team win.

Whether you chose the pirate or the hipster, students came out looking fantastic in their bandanas. 

3. When students competed in a dance-off at the pep rally.

4. When alumni, students, friends, and even our rivals came out to tailgate.
 

We had a packed campus with people coming from near and far to prep for the big game.   

When President Elsener rolled up in this:

A parade, led by President Elsener, kicked off the game. 

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) Jonathan Lowery, Ph.D., assistant professor of physiology, has been named co-chair of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Young Investigator Subcommittee.

Dr. Lowery’s term begins October 12, 2015 and continues through the 2018 ASBMR annual meeting. ASBMR is a professional scientific organization with more than 4,000 members worldwide. Its 2015 annual meeting takes place October 9-12 in Seattle, Washington.

The Young Investigator Subcommittee’s mission is to “nurture and develop young and mid-career investigators, consider their career development needs and develop member loyalty to and participation in ASBMR.” The subcommittee falls under ASBMR’s Membership Engagement and Education Committee, co-chaired by investigators Dr. Melissa Kacena and Dr. Stavroula Kousteni at Indiana University School of Medicine and Columbia University Medical Center, respectively.

Dr. Lowery came to MU-COM in July 2014 after a post-doctoral fellowship with Dr. Vicki Rosen at Harvard University. He completed his Ph.D in cell and developmental biology at Vanderbilt University under the direction of Dr. Mark DeCaestecker. He has been active in ASBMR since 2010 and has served on the Young Investigator Subcommittee since 2014.

At MU-COM, Dr. Lowery serves as chair of the research and graduate studies committee and delivers a variety of lectures to medical students on the topics of molecular endocrinology and skeletal physiology. His active research projects focus on the molecular mechanisms controlling bone mass in the adult and aging skeleton. 

Marian University promotes traditional programs, accelerated nursing degree for motivated career-changers; seeks solutions to state’s growing health care challenges

The Marian University Leighton School of Nursing will host the Second Annual Come Explore Nursing event in the lobby of St.Vincent Indianapolis on October 28. This special event is designed for prospective nursing students to explore the multiple paths available to enter the nursing profession. Indiana faces a looming shortage of medical professionals – including skilled nurses. Marian University is finding solutions to the state’s health care challenges, preparing tomorrow’s nurses to provide superior care with several paths into the profession – including an innovative accelerated program for college-educated career changers.  

The Second Annual Come Explore Nursing event is an opportunity to mix and mingle with current students, alumni, St. Vincent nursing leadership, admissions staff, and nursing faculty and learn about options for traditional and non-traditional nursing students at Marian University:

• Traditional BSN: Campus program offered as a four-year degree;
• RN to BSN: For licensed nurses seeking to further their education via Marian Adult Programs (MAP);
• Accelerated BSN: For those with a previous bachelor’s degree, this nursing  program is offered on Marian University’s main campus in Indianapolis;
• Online Accelerated BSN: A 16-month online program for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major. Through the partnership with St.Vincent, Marian University provides a unique opportunity to make a career transition without starting over.

REGISTER AT:https://marian-explore-nursing.eventbrite.com 

WHAT: Second Annual Come Explore Nursing, Marian University School of Nursing

WHEN: Wednesday, October 28, 2015; 4-7 p.m.

WHO: The event is for anyone interested in the nursing field; attendees will hear from participants including St.Vincent nurses, Marian University Admissions representatives, Marian University School of Nursing staff & faculty, and representatives from Marian Adult Programs.

WHERE: St.Vincent Indianapolis, Main Lobby - 2001 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis

WHY: Registered nurses are Indiana’s second most in-demand occupation (behind only physicians) according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s ‘Hoosier Hot Jobs’ list. Nearly half of all recent college graduates are either unemployed or underemployed (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics); Marian’s accelerated nursing programs allow college grads to reinvent their career in just 16 months, meeting the urgent need for skilled nurses (and increasing their earning potential more than 40% higher than the average Indiana worker).

President Daniel J. Elsener is one of five partner presidents and four partner chancellors who signed a compact which is a values statement and formal commitment of Indiana colleges and universities to their communities and can be read in its entirety below. 

President Elsener says, “Marian University is dedicated to serving our community and this compact allows us to formalize the commitment and join forces with our neighboring colleges and universities. Following in the remarkable footsteps of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, we continue to serve the needs of the people of Indiana in meaningful, impactful, ways.”

Marian University students, faculty, and staff dedicate thousands of hours to service to the Indianapolis community. Programs like the San Damiano Scholars Program for Church Leadership and Students Taking Active Reflective Roles (STARR) have students performing weekly service. Special days like Indy DO Day and New Student Day of Service bring many people together for a short time to make a big impact. No matter the day, there are always Knights volunteering and serving their community.     

Thirty-four presidents and chancellors representing 42 partner campuses will sign the compact this year. Indiana Campus Compact Executive Director J.R. Jamison met with partner presidents and chancellors this summer and will meet with them into the fall to provide them an opportunity to sign the compact.

2014-2015 Indiana Campus Compact Board Chair and IU Northwest Chancellor William J. Lowe says, “The Commitment Celebration and the public signing of a compact showcased how we, as college and university presidents and chancellors, are dedicated to reciprocal partnerships in and with our communities. As we head toward Indiana Campus Compact’s 25th anniversary and prepare to unveil a new five-year Strategic Plan, we cannot think of a better time to collectively sign on to this public commitment.”

The commitment declaration reads:

As a partnership of presidents and chancellors from Indiana’s public and private colleges and universities, we agree to be an active collective that challenges all of higher education to continuously re-envision its role in and with the communities that we serve, for the public good.

We will work as agents of change to advance citizenship and service as critical components of the higher learning experience, so that our students graduate aswell-informed, engaged and productive members of society, who are fully enabled to provide leadership and service that advances the public good in their communities.

It is through our compact that we agree to promote, support and advance the work of campus and community engagement in the dynamic environment of 21st-Century society.

“Indiana Campus Compact works as an agent of change on behalf of its member campuses to advance citizenship and service as critical components of the higher learning experience: connecting their intellectual growth, knowledge of their disciplines and vocations, and their commitments to the greater good,” says Executive Director J.R. Jamison.

Formed in 1993, Indiana Campus Compact is the only organization in the state that works with public, independent, and two-year institutions of higher education. The Compact is made up of colleges and universities dedicated to engaged teaching and learning, the kind of learning that stays with students as they transition into life after college.

More than 10 years after Marian University created the Rebuild My Church (RMC) Program to prepare a new generation of leaders for the church, the university’s initiatives like the San Damiano Scholars Program for Church Leadership and the partnership with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ Bishop Simon Bruté Seminary are attracting record numbers of students who feel called to ministry, whether that be ordained or lay.

In fact, the university ranks among the top 10 in the country for theology graduates (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2013) and the Bishop Simon Bruté Seminary ranks #5 in Top Collaborative College Seminary Enrollment (Catholic Ministry Formation Directory 2015, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Georgetown University, 2014-15.)

“When we started the Rebuild My Church Program, we hoped to revitalize our Catholic and Franciscan roots. We believe that it is our responsibility to prepare students who can help rebuild the Church through ordained ministry, religious life, lay ministry, and careers pursued in response to God’s call to servant leadership,” said Mark Erdosy, director of the San Damiano Scholars Program for Church Leadership. “When the program started, the university had less than five graduates in theology. By 2013, we had 21 theology graduates,” he continued. 

When the program launched in 2003, a key component was providing scholarships for students preparing for service to the Church. Made possible by support from generous donors, scholarships awarded to San Damiano Scholars Program for Church Leadership have grown each year—along with enrollment in the program—with nearly $800,000 awarded for the 2014-15 academic year.

Beyond developing leaders for the Church, the program also aims to build a vibrant faith community on campus.  Campus liturgies have been enhanced by the development of the Marian University Sacred Choir. From the sacred choir, the university developed the pastoral music ministry major. Dynamic campus ministry programs like Students Taking Active Reflective Roles (STARR) and the Alternative Breaks allow students to actively live out Christ’s teachings and respond to the needs of the Indianapolis community. 

Homecoming Weekend kicks off tonight with Thirsty Thursday at Bud’s Tavern at 6 p.m. Here are a few more ways you can make the most of this weekend:  

Wear blue and gold.

Maybe it says, “Marian College.” Maybe it says, “Marian University.” The important thing is it says, “Marian.” If you don’t have anything to wear, this can easily be remedied by visiting the bookstore (now located in Alumni Hall). 

Invite your classmates. 



How long has it been since you spent time with your old roommates and friends? Call them up or send them a Facebook invite, letting them know that you will be there. All it takes is one person to get the ball rolling. Let’s see which class has the biggest presence. 

Bring your kids. 

On Saturday, we will have plenty of fun things for kids to do, including face painting, a balloon artist, and a caricature artist. We will also have the Health Plex Spots Club for Kids at St.Vincent Field during the game. 

Get your photo taken with Knightro.

Knightro will be around throughout the tailgate and football game. If you’re too star struck to meet him, you’ll also have a chance to have your photo taken with his cardboard cutout. 

Tailgate.

Whether you’re there for the grilling, the cold beer, or the company, tailgating has it all. If you don’t have a tailgate spot reserved, visit a friend’s spot, the alumni tent, or hang by the band. The more the merrier!

Brush up on the fight song. 

Use this Knight Daze video as your guide and start to warm up on that battle cry.

Repeat after us:We rise and cheer for you dear Marian…

Cheer on the Knights at the football game vs. Missouri Baptist University.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. And the team is dynamite. Last year, the Marian University football team went to the NAIA National Championship game in Daytona Beach, Florida, and they are working hard to compete again this year. Go Knights!  

Pray together. 

Saturday morning, all are invited to the Blessed Mother Mary Shrine and Rosary Walk to pray the rosary and remember loved ones we have lost. We will also celebrate Mass as a community at the Bishop Chartrand Memorial Chapel following the game. 

Attend the all-alumni reception.



All alumni are invited to a reception on the patio of Alumni Hall after Mass. 

Get nostalgic!  



Reminisce your time here and maybe recreate some memories. This is a photo of the 1973 and 2015 tennis teams posted to the Marian University Alumni Association Facebook page. If you want to see more, like them on Facebook!

Head women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds is a finalist for Indy’s Best and Brightest award.   

The honor, created by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana Inc., recognizes 100 professionals under the age of 40 in 10 industry categories. Coach Gearlds’ nomination falls under “Media, Entertainment, and Sports.”

“We are proud to have Coach Gearlds lead our women’s basketball program,” Athletics Director Steve Downing said “Her commitment to excellence and ability to lead has brought Marian University great success and I can’t wait to see where she takes us in the future.”

The former Indiana Miss Basketball and Purdue University standout came to Marian University in 2013 for her first head coaching position. Within two years, Gearlds led the Marian University basketball team to its first automatic bid in the NAIA Division II tournament, winning the conference tournament and setting a school record for number of wins. 

Prior to coming to Marian University, Gearlds’ played professional basketball abroad in Spain, Portugal, and Greece. She was drafted as the number seven overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm after graduating from Purdue University. At Purdue University, Gearlds finished her career as the fourth-leading scorer in Boilermaker women’s basketball history.

Winners of Indy’s Best and Brightest Award will be announced at an awards program set for October 15 at Ivy Tech Community College. It is the 12th year for the event. Finalists are selected for professional accomplishments, civic contributions, character, and leadership qualities. According to Junior Achievement, Best and Brightest recognizes “up-and-coming talent and the next generation of leaders in our community.”  

Marian University partnering with Archdiocese of Louisville to offer scholarship

INDIANAPOLIS–Marian University, Indianapolis’ only Catholic institution of higher education, is partnering with the Archdiocese of Louisville to offer one area high school senior the opportunity to attend the university tuition-free. The four-year scholarship is valued at more than $120,000.

Marian University will earmark one of the eight full-tuition academic scholarships it awards annually for a Louisville area high school senior. The scholarship will be awarded to a student that commits to the university’s San Damiano Scholars program, which prepares students for leadership positions in the Church. At a minimum, San Damiano Scholars are required to minor in pastoral studies.

To be considered for the scholarship, students must be admitted to Marian University no later than November 1, 2015, and meet the following criteria:

• Submit an application for the full-tuition scholarship by November 30, 2015 (application provided by Marian University to all admitted students who qualify);
• Hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.75;
• Earn minimum test scores of 1200 (Critical Reading and Math portions) on the SAT or 27 on the ACT;
• Demonstrate a record of leadership and community service;
• Commit to an educational experience framed within the context of Marian University’s Franciscan values of dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship, informed by prayer.

“We want to thank the Archdiocese of Louisville for its commitment to Catholic education and its partnership with us in this initiative,” Dan Conway, Marian University’s senior vice president of mission, identity and strategy, said. “As one of the outstanding Catholic universities in this region, Marian University is dedicated preparing transformational leaders for service to the Church and the world. The Archdiocese of Louisville is deeply committed to the formation of lay leaders, so its assistance in identifying students who can be educated as San Damiano Scholars is greatly appreciated.”

“We appreciate the generosity of Marian University,” Leisa Schulz, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Louisville, said. “The Archdiocese of Louisville has many talented high school graduates who aspire to use their gifts in service of the Church.  This scholarship will provide an exceptional opportunity to a deserving student.”

Marian University has achieved significant growth over the past 10 years, in terms of its facilities, endowment and enrollment. It was ranked 16^th in the nation in increased enrollment by The Chronicle of Higher Education among private baccalaureate institutions from 2002-2012. Marian University is currently ranked the 24^th best college in the Midwest Region by U.S. News & World Report, and #8 in Indiana for “Best Bang for Your Buck” according to Washington Monthly.

For more information about the Marian University scholarship opportunity, visit www.marian.edu/Louisville.

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) assistant professor of anatomy Dr. David Dufeau’s research on middle ear sinus system development in the American alligator has been published by the international peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE.                               

The paper describes the latest efforts by Dufeau, a comparative anatomist and evolutionary biologist, to better understand why alligators have extensive ear-sinus space – he describes the animals as “fantastic air-heads” – compared to humans and other animals and how all that sinus cavity space affects the alligators’ hearing.

“Like many scientists, my research ideas start with an observation of something that strikes me as unusual,” Dufeau explained. “Something along the lines of ‘Huh, that’s odd; what’s up with that?’ And alligator middle-ear sinuses are indeed odd.”

The paper’s findings are intended to contribute to laying a foundation for examining the sinus similarities among modern birds and crocodiles as well as similar extinct reptiles, such as dinosaurs, and birds, Dufeau explained.

“In Dr. Dufeau’s newly published work he has opened a window on general considerations about sound conduction [through] a study of a non-human species [in which] an important hearing-related property is exaggerated,” said Dr. Bryan Larsen, MU-COM dean of research. “[This helps] to develop more understanding of the normal and abnormal human hearing. [These are] conditions that concern medicine as well as biology.”

For his research, Dufeau utilized CT (computed tomography) scanning to allow three-dimensional visualization of the relationship among bone, soft-tissue and space in 13 alligator skulls displaying a dramatic range of head size.

Dufeau came to Marian University in 2013 from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. In addition to pursuing his research interests, he has taught anatomy at the medical school level for nearly a decade.

His research and teaching interests collide in his 3-D Visualization Lab at MU-COM where he trains medical students in the interpretation of diagnostic sectional images such as those produced through CT, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and other similar technologies.

“This experience gives the students the opportunity to practice expert level anatomy and learn how to reassemble a sequence of images representing slices through the body into three-dimensional anatomy,” Dufeau explained.

Dufeau’s lab students routinely produce models and reconstructions that he is then able to use in his lectures or print out on MU-COM’s 3-D printer for use in future lab tutorials.

“Understanding how other vertebrate animals are organized anatomically, and how these anatomical parts function in these different animals, is a great asset for explaining human anatomy and function,” Dufeau said of his research. “Humans are very specialized animals in some ways and very ordinary in others.” 

Dr. Lawrence M. Witmer at Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine collaborated on the study and co-authored the paper.

Additional information:

 Read the paper: “Ontogeny of the Middle-Ear Air-Sinus System in Alligator mississippiensis (Archosauria: Crocodylia)"

Accompanying content: 3-D labeled model of the middle-ear sinus system of an alligator hatchling skull used in the study

Data from the paper: Files, images, etc.

INDIANAPOLIS–Marian University announced today the list of speakers for its Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies Speaker Series for the 2015-16 academic year. All lectures are free and open to the public, and several present opportunities for interaction with the speakers following their presentations.

The series kicked off Sept. 17 with speaker Caroline Brennan and her speech called “At the Frontlines: Field Update from the Most Pressing Humanitarian Crises Today.” Brennan is the senior communications officer for Catholic Relief Services’ Humanitarian Response Department. She has reported from the frontlines of crises around the world, from Syrian refugee camps to Ukraine to Nepal after the recent catastrophic earthquake. The appearance was co-sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and the Center for Interfaith Cooperation.

United States Senator Dan Coats will continue the series on Oct. 23 and present “Indiana and the World.” The speech is co-sponsored by the American Council on Germany. Coats represents the State of Indiana in the United States Senate, where he serves on three Senate committees: Finance, Select Intelligence, and the Joint Economic Committee.

George Srour, founder and chief dreamer of Building Tomorrow, Inc. (BT),will give a talk called “Re-Imagining Rural Education in East Africa” on Nov. 10.BT is an Indianapolis-based social profit organization catalyzing communities and individuals in support of access to quality education for students in East Africa.

Keeping with tradition, Former SenatorRichard G. Lugar will give the Annual Global Studies Address called “America and the World” on Dec. 6. Lugar represented Indiana in the United States Senate for 36 years. The director of The Lugar Center in Washington, D.C., he is an unwavering advocate of United States leadership in the world, strong national defense, nuclear non-proliferation, free trade, alternative energy, and education.

On Jan. 28, Jeffrey H. Smulyan carries on the series into 2016 with a presentation called “The Future of Global Telecommunications.” Smulyan serves as founder and chairman of the Board of Emmis Communications Corporation, an Indianapolis-based radio and magazine publishing company with operations in nine United States markets.

Founding director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East at Indiana University Ambassador Feisal Istrabadi will talk about “The Future of Iraq” on Mar. 31. Istrabadi was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations in 2004.

Finally, Mark Miles closes the series on Apr. 6 with his speech titled “The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race:  A Century of Global Impact.” Miles is chief executive officer of Hulman & Company, whose holdings include Clabber Girl, Georgetown Realty, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR, IMS Productions, and several other business entities.

Students looking to study abroad during their time at Marian University have many options, including: Maymester, semester and summer programs, and Harlaxton College. To learn more about study abroad opportunities, attend the Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Ruth Lilly Student Center. 

In the meantime, we asked students who have studied abroad why they would recommend it and here’s what they had to say:

“It changes your whole perspective of the world.”

Anna Huntine ’17, an elementary education major and Spanish minor, wanted to travel to a Spanish-speaking country and be immersed in the culture and language. Last summer, she studied abroad in Seville, Spain, where she honed her language skills and learned about architecture, art, and traditions like bull-fighting and Flamenco dancing.

“My world broadened. Study abroad gives you the chance to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, explore famous sights, meet new people, and increase language ability. It shows you the infinite number of opportunities that there are in the world,” said Huntine.

“It is a once in a lifetime experience that can help you learn so much more than you can just in the classroom.”

Quinton Horne ’16, a business management and Spanish major with a minor in global studies, always wanted to study abroad because he loves traveling and meeting new people. Last spring, he spent a semester in India, immersing himself in the religions, economy, and politics of India.

“I learned plenty of lessons in the classroom, but what I learned about people and what I learned about a culture other than my own are things that will take me much further in life. I learned how to communicate, how to be a leader,” said Horne. “I couldn’t even quantify everything that I learned, I just know that this experience helped me grow spiritually and intellectually and has made me a better person overall.”     

“Each day abroad was something new and exciting.”

Helen Flynne ’18, a nursing major, always dreamed of going to Ireland. So, when she came to Marian University, she planned her pre-requisites for the nursing program to allow for it.

“People were surprised that with nursing, I would take a semester to go abroad, but I think that it will make me a better nurse. I learned a lot about people. Study abroad was the absolute best decision I ever made,” said Flynne.    

“When I am abroad, I feel the most alive—the mystery of discovering a new city, trying new cuisine, making a new friend, and learning from different cultures.”

Alan Guillen ’16, an English and French major, has traveled to four countries during his time at Marian University. He’s taught French in France and English in China, with plans to travel again in the current academic year. This summer, he traveled to China to teach conversational English to students at the Jilin Medical College.

“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,” said Guillen.

“It allows you to learn the ropes of traveling without being put out on your own.”

Grace Sexton ’16, an art and art therapy major, has experienced two “Maymesters” during her time at Marian University. Through these team-taught, summer courses abroad, Sexton has traveled to Spain, Italy, and Greece, exploring architecture, culture, and holy sites that connected to her minor in theology.

“I have learned a great deal about art history, architecture, the creation of art, how the humanities apply to us, and how our world has grown in reaction to some of these things as well,” said Sexton. “In addition, I’ve learned very valuable skills for future independent travels and now feel far more comfortable with exploring new places and fully immersing myself in the culture.     

To learn more about study abroad opportunities, contact Wendy Westphal, Ph.D., director of study abroad, at wwestphal@marian.edu. 

D. Anthony Watt ’69 was one of four new members inducted into The Indiana Academy at its 45th annual symposium on Monday, October 19, at the Skyline Club in Indianapolis. This award recognizes Watt’s lifetime achievements and contributions to the state of Indiana.    

“Congratulations to Tony Watt for his induction into The Indiana Academy! We are blessed and proud to have Tony as an alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees at Marian University.  His dedicated service to the university has been instrumental in the tremendous growth the university has experienced,” said President Elsener.     

Deeply committed to Marian University, Watt serves on both the local and national alumni association offices. He has also served faithfully on Marian University’s Board of Trustees for 20 years. When he joined the board in 1995, the university faced enormous challenges and Watt was asked to act as president until a permanent leader was found. He then co-chaired the search committee that elected current president, Daniel J. Elsener.

Beyond his commitment to the university, Watt has made great contributions to the entire state. A retired Chrysler Corporation plant manager, Watt began his 35-year career as an hourly employee, working his way up to plant manager, where he gained a reputation for stabilizing and improving plant operations at multiple locations.

Watt has also served as a school board president, officiated Indiana High School Basketball for fifteen years, and served as a consultant for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, resulting in the founding of the inner city Mother Theodore Catholic Academies. His service to youth and education was recognized by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis with the Community Leadership Award.  

Other honorees included Rose M. Mayes, professor emerita at Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis; Jeanne E. Mirro, president of Mirro Family Foundation; and Carmen C. Murphy, community leader and advocate.     

The Indiana Academy

The Indiana Academy was founded in 1970 by Associated of Indiana (ACI), now Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), to further the development of public service, higher education, the arts and sciences, literature, and the general culture of the state through recognition of individual leadership, achievement, and philanthropy designed to promote these ends. Continuing in this tradition, we recognize the following individuals and congratulate them on their induction into The Indiana Academy.  

Sixty-seven Marian University students traveled to Terra Haute, Indiana to visit the CANDLES Holocaust Museum on September 30.  Students heard Holocaust survivor and “Mengele Twin” Eva Kor speak about her and her twin sister’s horrific experiences in Auschwitz and learn about Eva’s path to forgiveness.

Eva Kor, an Auschwitz concentration camp survivor, founded the museum in an effort to educate people on the Holocaust, specifically on Dr. Josef Mengele’s experiments on twins. At Auschwitz, Kor and her twin sister, Miriam, were subjects in the infamous doctor’s experiments. CANDLES holds photos, posters, documents, and artifacts from Kor’s personal story.

The visit—which has been a part of the German program curriculum for several years—expanded to include two First-Year Seminar courses:  Dr. Jodie Freeland’s course, “The Undiscovered Self” and Dr. Wendy Westphal’s course on collective memory, “Remember when? Memory, Monuments and Museums.”

The First-Year Seminar is a new addition to Marian University’s curriculum and is designed to give first-year students the chance to experience a small, discussion-based (seminar) classe that focuses on a specific area of inquiry during the student’s first semester on campus. Students in First-Year Seminar classes have the chance to engage in in-depth discussions surrounding an academic theme from their professor’s area of expertise and also have the chance to be involved in experiential learning events off-campus. 

The students in Dr. Westphal’s collective memory course read Eva Kor’s memoire, Surviving the Angel of Death, but agreed unanimously that hearing Eva speak in person had a much greater impact on them.

“Our class has been learning about how societies remember. We have been focusing on memories of large events like World War II, The Holocaust, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, and 9/11 and examining the intersection of the personal and the collective memories,” Dr. Westphal said. “It was very important to me that students have the chance to hear Eva Kor speak in person about her experiences in the Holocaust.  We are very fortunate to have her here in Indiana and willing to share her story with us.”

Whether you’re a newbie freshman, a seasoned senior, or in the neighborhood, take advantage of the activities and the splendor of fall at Marian University.

Instagram fall on campus.

The trees are changing colors and fall is upon us. Take a photo that shows fall on campus, use the hashtag #FallforMarian, and tell us what made you #FallforMarian in the caption. While you're at it, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.   

Explore the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab.

Nothing says fall like a 55-acre nature preserve going from green to red, yellow, and orange. You can head out any day for a peaceful walk or attend an event like the bird walks that happen every Wednesday.  

Get lectured.

Marian University offers a variety of lecture and learning opportunities, including: The Richard G. Lugar Global Studies Speaker Series, The Department of Theology Annual Lecture Series: Nostra Aetate, the Showcasing Psychological Science and Pedagogy (SPSP) Conference, and the Pathways to Teaching Panel Discussion.  Whether you want to learn more about education in East Africa or how you can become a teacher in Indiana, we have something to offer. We literally could not fit all of our options here! Visit our calendar for a complete list.        

Experience a home football game.

With winter just around the corner there are only a few home games left. Don’t miss out on watching our Knights trounce the competition on Saturday, November 7 and November 14. Experience the tailgating, the football, and the victory.

Attend an art show.

Did you know we have two art shows on display right now? Backpack Art is featured in the Marian Hall Gallery and “We were Created to Look at One Another, Weren’t We?” is on display in the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences Gallery (second floor). The shows are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.   

Do yoga.

 It’s free on Wednesdays and it’s good for your mind, body and spirit.

(Disclaimer: The above photo is not of the actual yoga class; it is a group of medical students in the shape of "MU" celebrating the end of the academic year. But, this is the closest we have to a photo of students doing yoga.) 

Trick-or-Treat.

Well, let the kids trick-or-treat. This annual event (happening October 29) brings the kids of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to campus to explore our residence halls and collect candy from students. Alumni: this might be your only chance to show your kids the old dorm room.  

Forget Netflix and head to the Marian University Theatre.

Netflix might be the status quo for entertainment, but the theatre is a pastime that will never die. Upcoming performances include Christian Youth Theatre Indy: Legally Blonde, the musical Jr. and Little Shop of Horrors. Earlier this month, Knight Fusion Singers brought down the house with their fall show.  

Gain experience that matters with The Exchange.

In case you haven’t heard, The Exchange is an amazing source for students and alumni. This month’s events include employer recruiting, an etiquette dinner, and guidance in finding a fulfilling career. Their bi-weekly newsletter, Experience that Matters, gives you all the details on these incredible opportunities. It’s a must read.

Marian University hosted Anneliese Krauter on October 14 to speak to a group of forty First-Year Seminar (FYS) and German students and faculty in the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences. Mrs. Krauter spoke about the change in how she (a young girl of seven) was treated by her classmates and teacher, how her family was the target of insults by the neighbors after and during the war, and the family’s time in the internment camp. 

Prior to Anneliese Krauter’s lecture, the First-Year Seminar students had read an excerpt from her memoire, From the Heart’s Closet and watched the documentary Children of Internment, a documentary by Indianapolis resident Joe Crump and his sister, Kristina Wagner. The documentary highlights the stories of Germans and German-Americans who—like Anneliese Krauter—were interned in American camps and held without charge during World War II. 

“What makes Mrs. Krauter’s story even more unusual is that her family was chosen to be ‘repatriated’ back to Germany in February 1944, during the height of the air raids. So, she experienced not only ostracism and internment in America, but also the bombing raids in Germany,” said Wendy Westphal, Ph.D., assistant professor of German, chair of the Department of Languages and Cultures, and the director of Study Abroad at Marian University.   

Dr. Wendy Westphal organized the lecture as part of her FYS course on collective memory (“Remember when?  Memory, Monuments and Museums”). Students in the course on memory have been learning about the selection process in both individual and collective memories—that the keeping of and the discarding of memories are both integral parts of the memory process. 

Dr. Westphal explains, “Some collective memories are given prominence, others are discarded.  I invited Mrs. Krauter to speak because, while many know that there were internment camps for Japanese in America, Mrs. Krauter’s story, as a German-American child interned in the Crystal City internment camp in Texas during World War II, is one of the stories that has not been given much public attention.”

Two Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty members were invited speakers at the 2015 Annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Surgeons, a national program that ran from October 4-7, 2015 in Chicago Illinois. The audience was made up of surgeons from the several sub-specialty divisions of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS). The two Marian representatives, Drs. Kuchera and Williams, each provided lectures to several hundred surgeons in Chicago during the course of their meeting.

MU-COM professor, Michael L. Kuchera, DO, FAAO, FNAOME, addressed a joint session of the ACOS General Surgery division and the American Osteopathic College of Proctology division on October 5^th with a program entitled, “Ameliorating peri-operative complications: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) considerations.” The program chairperson for this program was Shiva Golian, DO, a specialist in Colorectal Surgery (proctology) here in Indianapolis. Dr. Kuchera encouraged the application of osteopathic hands-on approaches to limit pre- and post-operative problems and speed healing.  During his lecture, he shared very recent research demonstrating the efficacy of such osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

Daniel G. Williams, DO, an assistant professor in the MU-COM Department of OMM, presented to the ACOS general session on October 7 discussing pain management.  His topic, “ER/LA opiod REMS – Achieving safe use while improving patient care” discussed strategies for better prescribing extended-release, long-acting (ER/LA) pain medication.

Both Drs. Kuchera and Williams are certified in the specialty of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine / Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (NMM/OMM).  The NMM/OMM specialty college is the American Academy of Osteopathy which maintains its headquarters in the Pyramids in Indianapolis.