Monday, April 19, 2010
Graduation Celebration honors four
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Contact for more information:
Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 The 2010 Alumni Association Award recipients are Michael W. Whipple '75, Special Recognition Award, Dr. David M. Glassman, Faculty Recognition Award, Connie S. Wellmeyer '84, Alumni Service Award, and Tracy Zeller '89, Distinguished Alumni Award. Class of 2010 graduates, families and guests, and alumni are invited to attend the Graduation Celebration, held the night before Commencement. Dinner is complimentary for 2010 graduates. For others, the cost is $12.50 per person. For more information or to make reservations, contact Nancy Johnson, director of Alumni & Volunteer Services, at 812/464-1928 or njohnson@usi.edu. Reservations are due by Friday, April 30. Special Recognition Award Michael W. Whipple '75 Michael Whipple, assistant treasurer of the University of Southern Indiana and a 1975 USI accounting graduate, has advanced the University through his careful and resourceful management of the University's investment portfolio and several hundred million dollars in bond issues. Joining USI in 1976, Whipple has held several financial positions in the Business Office including business officer director, controller, manager of accounting services, and staff accountant. Charged with the management of the USI business functions, he oversees the offices of Accounting Services, Bookstore Operations, Procurement Services, Risk Management, Travel Services, and Distribution Services. Under his leadership many new processes and systems have been implemented that continue to be used today. Among them are the first financial system, purchasing system, university purchasing card program, and the conversion to a computer-based student information system. Whipple is recognized by the banking community and state financial leaders as a financial manager who is extremely knowledgeable in university investment and debt management. He has led the University credit rating process and is a key reason for the strong rating the University holds today. Whipple earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Indiana State University in 1979 and received Certified Governmental Financial Manager status in 1996. He will retire in December 2010 with 35 years of service to USI. His contribution in process development and financial investment leadership to the University will be continued for years to come. Faculty Recognition Award Dr. David M. Glassman Since joining USI in 2004, Dr. David Glassman has gained the enduring respect of his students and colleagues. Glassman, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of anthropology, leads a college that now offers 30 major areas of study within 10 academic departments. Managing an operating budget over $11 million, he oversees a staff of 113 full-time faculty, 121 part-time faculty, and 13 full-time administrative staff. He is active on campus serving on the Academic Planning Council, Academic Affairs Council, Administrative Appeals Committee, Records and Registration Advisory Committee, Development Council, USI Foundation Board of Directors, the Development Office Assessment Committee, and from 2004 to 2007 on the President's Task Force on Student Enrollment and Retention. Glassman holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from University of Tennessee. His academic areas of interest include forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, primate studies, and human growth. A dedicated educator and administrator, he has written numerous journal articles and book chapters. Glassman is an engaging professor who integrates the results of his research into the classroom creating enhanced learning and enthusiasm among USI students. Before coming to USI, he taught anthropology courses and classes in human variation and primate behavior at Texas State University. A forensic anthropologist, or expert in helping identify people by their remains, he has worked more than 300 cases for federal and state agencies, including the famous case of atheist Madelyn Murray O'Hair. He has appeared on television in "Skeleton Stories," "New Detectives," "Forensic Files," and "America's Most Wanted." He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the American Board of Forensic Anthropologists, Inc. since 2003, serving as vice president from 2004 to 2008, and on the Board of Editors for the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology since 2005. Alumni Service Award Connie S. Wellmeyer '84 Volunteering at USI has been a longtime priority for Connie Wellmeyer, a 1984 USI accounting graduate. An active member of the College of Business Accounting Circle since 2003 and past president, she is a member of the group's academic relations committee, providing counsel to the Department of Accounting regarding strategic planning and curriculum development. Wellmeyer also serves on the Regional Advisory Committee for the USI Center for Applied Research, sharing guidance and opportunities for USI and its students to be engaged within southwestern Indiana. She served as treasurer of the Alumni Association from 1993 to 1994 and as an Alumni Council member for two years beginning in 1992. A member of the Varsity Club Board of Directors from 1992 to 1995, and past treasurer, she provided leadership to obtain funds for athletic scholarships. She continues to assist USI students as a career counselor and shares her career insights with students in business classes. She also was a volunteer in Campaign USI, the University's first capital campaign. She was named the 2008 USI Distinguished Accountant by the College of Business accounting program and the Accounting Circle. Wellmeyer also serves on the board of the Gibson County Economic Development Corporation, the steering committee of the Indiana Business Diversity Council, and the advisory council of the Women's Hospital. Wellmeyer is the assistant general manager of Corporate Planning for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) in Princeton, Indiana. She began her career in accounting at BKD, LLP in Evansville and later was associated with American General Finance and Tri-state Medical Management. Distinguished Alumni Award Tracy Zeller '89 Tracy Zeller, accountant, entrepreneur, and marketer, has achieved great success in business and maintains a commitment to USI and the Evansville community. Following her graduation from USI in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in accounting, Zeller worked as an accountant for a local jewelry store. Eventually she realized that her true passion was the jewelry business itself. She successfully completed the Gemological Institute of America's Diamond Graduate Course and absorbed as much knowledge as she could about the business world. In 2004, Zeller opened the innovative Tracy Zeller Jewelry in Evansville, offering the Tri-state a unique jewelry shopping experience built upon the principles of trust, quality, value, and integrity. In 2005, the Tracy Zeller home division was introduced. In 2006 the business evolved into Tracy Zeller Enterprises, incorporating four divisions: jewelry, home, marketing, and shoes. In 2009, following the addition of apparel, accessories, and the Tri-state exclusive Miss Priss Purses line of handbags, the shoes division was renamed Tracy Zeller style. In 2010 due to the overwhelming demand to hear from the accountant turned entrepreneur turned branding expert, and the only female CEO in the Tri-State jewelry industry, the Tracy Zeller speaks division officially launched with a number of local speaking engagements. Throughout the growth of the business, Zeller and her husband Jim have remained dedicated to a personal calling of "live to give" by giving back to the community and various charitable organizations. These efforts earned two consecutive nominations for the Give Back Award from the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana. In addition to numerous committee memberships, she serves on the Board of Directors of Community Marriage Builders and A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW). She is a regular guest on WFIE TV's "Ask the Expert" segment and also is a featured spokesperson on Fox 7's "Tri-State Professional." Evansville Living magazine readers voted her the Best of Evansville in 2008 and 2009. ANEW presented her with the Woman of Action award in 2009. And the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana named her 2009's Entrepreneur of the Year. In February 2010 Zeller was the Alumni-in-Residence for the USI College of Business sharing her valuable insights with students. |
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