Senior Academy Newsletter - Message #43

Scholarship Winner –  Senior Academy Scholarship Chairman Steve Kirchhoff congratulates our 2023 General Scholarship winner, Kirubel Alayew.  Kirubel is a senior from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who is completing his studies for a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy.  During his years at IUPUI, Kirubel and his friends founded the Eritrean and Ethiopian Student Association.  He has also volunteered as a peer mentor and at Riley Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.

Josie Salinas, a 2023 Shortridge High School grad, is our Freshman IPS Scholarship winner. Josie is interested in Art Education.   

Corey Johnson, our Returning Student Scholarship winner, is a senior majoring in Psychology, who returned to college after a ten-year break.

Congratulations to these three winners! Don’t forget that you can support the Senior Academy Scholarship funds by donations. There are handy links on our website.

WE WANT YOU!

30^th Anniversary Video Tribute – All Senior Academy members are invited to participate in a video tribute marking the 30^th anniversary of the organization. Please add your voice! Record a short message by July 10th, and we will compile the messages into one longer video to be shown at the 30^th Anniversary Celebration in October. Easy instructions and two example videos are on the website.

If you find the technology intimidating, please contact Francia Kissel (ude[dot]iupui[at]lessikf) or Sarah Baker (ude[dot]iupui[at]2rekabss) and we will record you.

SUMMER INTEREST GROUP EVENTS:

Walking Group – Join the Walking Group, led by Gabrielle Bovenzi, on an outside / inside walking tour through the Indianapolis Art Center grounds and exhibition area. The walk will be followed with an optional additional mile on the Monon Trail (and perhaps a stop for ice cream). Register for the walk.

String Theory – String Theory meets July 11^th and August 8th from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Click on the date to register for each individual session. You must register to get location details. String Theory members will be happy to give you knitting or crocheting lessons.

FALL EVENTS:

30^th Anniversary Celebration – Mark your calendars! The gala 30^th Anniversary Celebration will be Thursday, October 5^th, from 2 to 4 pm in the Campus Center, CE 450. Parking will be provided in the Campus Center Garage. The 2023 Bepko Medallion will be awarded at the October 5^th Celebration, and all former Medallion Winners will be recognized.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED

Senior Academy committees perform some of the most important work of the organization. We are looking for volunteers who can devote a few hours of their time each month. Please email SA President Becky Porter (ude[dot]iupui[at]retropr) to volunteer. Members serve a one-year term, with activities starting in the fall. Here are some committees that could use your time and skills:

• Scholarship Committee – Volunteers on the Scholarship Committee have what might be the most rewarding task of any SA volunteers – choosing the winners of our three scholarships each year.
• Last Lecture Committee – Responsible for one event in the fall, this committee helps stage one of SA’s highlights, the Last Lecture. Committee members solicit nominations, screen the pool of candidates, and assist in making arrangements for the presentation. Selection of the finalist is by a campus-wide committee.

• Philanthropic Outreach Committee – Senior Academy members count among the most generous donors to the IUPUI Campus Campaign and the United Way campaign. This committee helps to streamline communications and procedures between our members and the two campaigns. The committee also organizes other charitable events, like collecting canned goods for Paws Pantry.

Annual Meeting and Picnic – Executive Vice Chancellor Emeritus William Plater was interviewed by Senior Academy President Becky Porter at the SA annual meeting on June 15^th at Eagle Creek Park. Plater recalled highlights of his years at IUPUI, his post-retirement endeavors, and the genesis of Senior Academy 30 years ago. Plater paid tribute to EVC Kathy Johnson, calling her the “finest Dean of the Faculties” to serve at IUPUI.

Executive Vice Chancellor Kathy Johnson Annual Meeting fun

For questions and comments, contact us at ude[dot]iupui[at]ymedacas.