IUPUI Graduate Students Survive Pentagon Attack

The September 11 terrorist attacks on American soil struck fear and anguish for those in harm's way deep into our hearts. Thus, we were much relieved to learn that the lives of 28 IUPUI students were spared - one small item of good news in an otherwise unbelievably tragic series of events.

The students, who are employees of the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, were completing a graduate certificate program in public management from IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs and were at the Pentagon for briefings by legislators and military officials on defense issues. A Pentagon security guard led them to safe passage out of the smoke-filled building after a hijacked jet struck 30 feet below the room in which they were assembled for a meeting with an undersecretary of the U.S. Navy.

IUPUI Sets Record Enrollment

The new Blackford Street Garage, with 1,100 parking spaces, opened just in time to accommodate the increase of 814 in the number of students enrolled at IUPUI this fall. Total enrollment is 28,339, up 3 percent from last year, a new all-time record for IUPUI.

At the same time, with IUPUI's deployment of higher admission standards, nearly 900 students who applied to IUPUI were referred to the new Community College of Indiana. With a grade of C or better in the college prep courses they are advised to take, plus any freshman-level courses completed, students are guaranteed admission to IUPUI and the course credits transfer into the IU or Purdue degree program of choice.

IUPUI also set a new record in the number of credit hours students are taking. This measure of enrollment is up 2.8 percent from last year.

Comprehensive Campaign for IUPUI Launched

IUPUI may also be on the way to setting another record.

On September 8, with nearly 1,000 well-wishers to celebrate, we announced a $700 million comprehensive Campaign for IUPUI, the largest fund raising campaign for a single campus in Indiana University's history and the largest fund raising goal for a public university in the state's history. Already, $510 million has been raised during the campaign's "quiet" phase.

Joining us for the kickoff event were the honorary campaign chairs, Marianne and Randy Tobias, along with the campaign cochairs: Rose and Bill Mays, Jackie and Jim Morris, Rosie and Jerry Semler, and Elaine and Steve Stitle.

IU Center on Philanthropy Students Receive American Humanics Scholarships

Three IUPUI students are among a small number of students nationwide to receive scholarships from the American Humanics program's national office for the 2001-2002 academic year. American Humanics prepares and certifies college students for careers in youth and human service organizations. IUPUI students won two of 25 Community Spirit Award scholarships, and one of 25 Nido Qubein American Humanics Scholarships. Several American Humanics Scholarships, such as the Nido Qubein, are named for donors to American Humanics.

Juniors Cathy Cline, an education major, and Jennifer Shumaker, a nonprofit management major, both from Indianapolis, received Community Spirit Award scholarships. These are given to students who demonstrate strong leadership experience and ability and active participation in volunteer service for their campuses and communities.

Senior David Fleischhacker of Indianapolis, who is majoring in communications studies, was awarded a Nido Qubein American Humanics Scholarship, based on his academic achievements and history of volunteering. Recipients must also be seeking American Humanics certification and a nonprofit sector career.

Penn State to Put Courses Online Using Software Developed at IUPUI

Penn State University will use ANGEL (A New Global Environment for Learning) software to put courses online at its 24 campuses. ANGEL was developed by IUPUI faculty and is being marketed by CyberLearning Labs, Inc., a software company established under IU's Advanced Research and Technology Institute. The easy-to-use but sophisticated software allowed Penn State faculty to put more than 100 courses online in just two weeks. Other places using ANGEL include State University of New York (Brockport), Providence College (Rhode Island), Thomas College (Maine), Wright State University (Ohio), and IU's School of Medicine.

Mini Med School Explores Hot Topics in Research and Treatment

From October 9 to November 13, IU School of Medicine physicians, faculty, and other experts will conduct weekly sessions on noteworthy news and issues in health care:

October 9 Eric M. Meslin, Ph.D., professor of medicine, on funding human stem cell research. Dr. Meslin served as executive director of the U.S. National Bioethics Advisory Commission from 1998 to 2001 before assuming leadership of the recently established IU Center of Bioethics.

October 16 Robert Levine, M.D., professor of medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, on human cloning and new standards in research ethics (cohosted by the IU School of Law - Indianapolis)

October 23 Gary D. Hutchins, Ph.D., John W. Beeler Professor of Radiology, IU School of Medicine, on how imaging technologies are used to watch the brain at work

October 30 Micheal Phillips, M.D., assistant professor of radiology, IU School of Medicine, a specialist in multiple sclerosis, on mapping brain functions with magnetic resonance imaging

November 6 Michael Groff, M.D., assistant professor of neurosurgery and codirector of the IU School of Medicine Spinal Cord Center, on treating degenerative spinal diseases and disorders

November 13 Scott A Shapiro, M.D., professor of neurosurgery, IU School of Medicine, on emerging spinal cord surgeries and treatment

Mini med schools are public education programs now offered by more than 70 medical schools, universities, research institutions, and hospitals across the nation.

IU's Mini Medical School sessions are based on actual medical school lectures, adapted for an audience of varying ages, occupations and scientific/medical backgrounds. At the completion of Mini Medical School, participants are given a certificate of achievement. Mini Med School is partly funded by an educational grant from Pfizer and is sponsored by the IU Medical Group and radio Station WIBC.

To register, contact the IUPUI Division of Continuing Studies at (317) 278-7600 and refer to course number N01A00. The cost for all six sessions is only $35.

First Annual Postsecondary Hispanic Education Seminar to be Held at IUPUI

The first annual Postsecondary Hispanic Education Seminar: Mapping Education Towards Achievement (META) will be held Friday, November 9, on the IUPUI campus. The college awareness program for area Hispanic high school students is cosponsored by the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI and the Indiana Department of Education.

Hispanic high school graduates are less likely to attend or graduate from college than their white or African American counterparts, due in part to their lack of knowledge about opportunities and financial sources for pursuing a college education. META will give Hispanic students an opportunity to consider the possibility of going to college. In addition to boosting college enrollment, META organizers are hopeful that the program will also reduce high school dropout rates among area Hispanic students.

Representatives from the IUPUI offices of admissions, enrollment services, financial aid, and international affairs will make presentations to the students. During afternoon sessions at University College, Hispanic IUPUI students, faculty, and alumni from various academic areas will talk with students about their college experiences. Spanish-language interpreters will be available.

Registration forms for the seminar, open this year to the first 100 seniors who sign up, will be mailed to area high schools by mid-September. Plans are to expand the program to juniors next year and increase the number of seats available.

Our special thanks go to State Farm Insurance, the corporate sponsor for the seminar.

Sincerely,            

Gerald L. Bepko 
Chancellor