Monday, March 26, 2007
USI Higher Education Day at the State House most successful yet
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USI students, alumni, and staff enjoyed a luncheon with Indiana legislators, a tour of the Governor’s office, and an exciting surprise during USI Higher Education Day at the State House in Indianapolis on March 20. This year’s luncheon, held later in the legislative session than in the past, and in a new location, the Skyline Club on the 36th floor of the OneAmerica Building in downtown Indianapolis, attracted an unprecedented number of legislative officials and alumni to the event. Senators in attendance were Vaneta Becker ’94, Robert Deig, Lindel Hume, Luke Kenley, Jim Lewis, Brent Steele, and Richard Young. Representatives were Dennis Avery, Kreg Battles, Robert Behning, Robert Bischoff, James Buck, Suzanne Crouch, Ralph Foley, Phillip Hinkle, Phil Hoy and his wife, Sandra, Sheila Klinker, Dan Leonard, Dennie Oxley, Phyllis Pond, Russ Stilwell ’77, John Ulmer, Jeffrey Thompson, and Trent Van Haaften. Student Government Association President Jeff Clark attended along with his mother, Sheri Clark, sister, Katie Clark, and grandparents, Frank and Karma Breedlove of Washington Court House, Ohio. Other students traveling to Indianapolis were Kelli Becher, Sam Bowles, Laura Buck, Erin Ennes, Cynthia Jones, Rajeev Singh, and Ashley Whalen. USI students serving as legislative interns, Scott Carr, Shane Dearing, and Aaron Ridlen were in attendance, as were intern coordinators Jordan Forgey, Morgan Hodge, Kathy Hursh, and Jason Tomcsi. Alumni attending the event were Alvin Basham ’00, Geoff Gentil ’92, Mark Hollis ’99, Karla Horrell ’77, Alan Jones ’95, Tina Kern Railbey ’86, Bob Roeder ’71, Mike Roeder ’89 (along with his son John Roeder, a page for Becker), and Brian Zirkelbach ’99. Susan Loftus ’93, executive director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority, and Zachary Jackson ’01, budget analyst with the Office of Management and Budget, were among the officials in attendance. Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, Chief of Staff Anne Hazlett, Senior Policy Director Neil Pickett, and Chief Justice Randall Shepard, along with his wife Amy MacDonell, a USI Trustee, attended, as did USI Student Trustee Lauren Fultz ’07. In addition to President H. Ray Hoops and his wife Linda Hoops, USI staff included David Bower, director of Development, Wendy Knipe Bredhold, writer in News and Information Services, Cindy Brinker, vice president for Governmental Relations, Pam Doerter, coordinator of internships and co-op education in Career Services, Bonnie Gwaltney, senior administrative assistant for Governmental Relations, Nancy Johnson, director of Alumni and Volunteer Services, Annie Krug, vice president for Advancement, Lisa Schaefer, assistant director of Alumni and Volunteer Services, Sherrianne Standley, senior vice president for Advancement, Rob Parrent, vice president for Student Affairs, and Mark Rozewski, vice president for Business Affairs. Clark and Hoops addressed guests during the luncheon. Clark discussed how his experience at USI has encouraged him to become involved in student activities and take on a leadership role. Hoops reminded legislators that USI’s funding per full-time enrolled Hoosier student lags behind other state universities and asked them to address that disparity. After the luncheon, Brinker led the USI contingent to the State House, where the group toured Governor Mitch Daniels’ office and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman’s office. The USI group watched the General Assembly at work, including the resolution passed by the House and Senate congratulating the Indianapolis Colts on their Super Bowl win. Through the glass windows of the Senate chamber, students and staff watched as coach Tony Dungy, team owner Jim Irsay (with the Lombardi trophy), team president Bill Polian, and players Hunter Smith, Gary Brackett, and Billy Brooks were honored. Later, Whalen procured Dungy’s autograph. |
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