Thursday, June 25, 2009
Fourth of July celebration includes address by Dr. Bennett
 Dr. Linda L.M. Bennett, who will become the University of Southern Indiana's third president July 1, will give the keynote address, entitled "New Harmony, Education and the Common Good" during New Harmony's annual Fourth of July celebration at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2009.Dr. Bennett, a political science scholar, has presented conference papers on topics in political science at national and international conferences. She earned her undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Cincinnati. She taught political science at Wittenberg University, Northern Kentucky University, and was dean of the College of Arts and Science at Appalachian State University before coming to USI in 2003. She served as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at USI before assuming the presidency. She has 25 years of teaching experience and more than 11 years in higher education administration. In addition to Dr. Bennett's speech, the town of New Harmony will commemorate the event with patriotic music and a reading of the Declaration of Independence by New Harmony resident Curt Schmitt. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. at the Atheneum/Visitors Center at 401 N. Arthur St. This event is free and open to the public. The decorated golf cart parade will begin at 11 a.m. from the grounds of the Atheneum/Visitors Center, and the celebratory activities will move to Maclure Park, where the community picnic will take place. Music will be provided by Bob Minnette and the Dixieland Society. The picnic will feature a variety of food items for sale, including hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwurst, cobbler and ice cream. Games for kids of all ages will be available. Tri Kappa and the Kiwanis Club of New Harmony will jointly present an award for the "Outstanding Community Volunteer" during the July 4th festivities. This award will honor an individual in appreciation for work which has benefited others in New Harmony. In addition to the award, the Kiwanis Club of New Harmony will have a raffle, with proceeds going to Riley Children's Hospital. In the tradition of New Harmony's founding Harmonists, free (root) beer will be available for all attendees. During early celebrations of the Fourth of July, members of the Harmonie Society would invite area residents into their community offering locally brewed beer to their guests. New Harmony's Traditional Fourth of July Celebration is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of New Harmony, the Friends of the Working Men's Institute, and Historic New Harmony, an outreach program of the University of Southern Indiana. Kathy Funke News and Information Services 812/465-7050 or kfunke@usi.edu |
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