ASSOCIATE DEAN’S MESSAGE

The beginning of spring semester always is an exciting time. Some 900 SPEA undergraduate and graduate students, along with 29,000 of their peers, return to the IUPUI campus to begin another semester of study and hard work in pursuit of their dreams of college education. Their energy is infectious and exhilarating. 

We greeted new students and parents at our Induction Ceremony where we welcome newcomers to the SPEA family. During the ceremony, I encourage our students to think about the meaning and purposes of education. I repeated the well known fact that the decision to pursue higher education is a million dollar decision: studies show that college graduates are likely to earn as much as $1 million more over their lifetimes than people who complete high school but do not pursue a college degree. I confess, however, it pained me to treat education in such a utilitarian, mercantile way. And I hurriedly emphasized that increasing income is not the most important reason to pursue a college degree. The purpose of education, I argued, is to acquire knowledge that changes our understanding of the complex world around us and enables us to live honorably among our fellow humans. This statement may sound clichéd, but its fundamental truth was confirmed for me at another recent inspirational, though somber, event.  

On January 26th, members of the SPEA family were saddened to learn of the sudden death of Professor Emeritus Philip J. Rutledge. Phil, who was 81, served SPEA on three campuses – Gary, Bloomington, and IUPUI – including a stint in 2002 in the position I now occupy.  Prior to joining SPEA, Phil had a distinguished career in public service for the City of Washington, D.C. and for the federal government, including service in both the Johnson and Nixon administrations. When he left the Nixon Administration in the 1970s, he was the Commissioner of Welfare in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and he had the distinction of being the highest ranking African American civil servant in the United States.  

I attended Phil’s funeral – titled a Service of Triumph - in Washington, D.C. on February 2nd. Person after person spoke of his leadership, humanity, and faith – and his conviction that education would lead to enlightened action in the service of society. People also spoke of his love of poetry and song. Always a planner, Phil had selected both hymns and poetry for his service. I share with you here the poem chosen for back page of the order of service.

Into the Sunset
S. Hall. Young

Let me die working,
Still tackling plans unfinished, tasks undone!
Clean to its end, swift may my race be run.
No laggard steps, no faltering, no shirking;
Let me die working.

Let me die thinking,
Let me fare forth still with an open mind,
Fresh secrets to unfold, new truths to find,
My soul undimmed, alert, no question blinking;
Let me die thinking.

Let me die giving,
The substance of life, for life’s enriching;
Time, things and self on heaven converging,
No selfish thought, love redeeming, living;
Let me die giving.

Phil worked, thought, and gave until the day he died. This past fall, at an age when most people are long since retired, he hosted the Premier of the Free State of South Africa and a delegation of provincial and municipal leaders at IUPUI. Several people shared during the service that they received their last emails about projects Phil was leading late in the afternoon the day before he died. 

As I listened to the eulogies, it occurred to me that Phil’s life stands as testament to the truth of the statement that the purpose of education is to gain the knowledge and wisdom necessary to live honorably in the service of others. Consistent with this truth, Phil’s family has asked that donations in memory of Phil be given to:

The Rutledge Fellow’s Program
C/O Indiana University Foundation
P.O. Box 500
Bloomington, Indiana 47405

You may sign and view the Rutledge family guest book at http://www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com/

SPEA and Indiana University continue to be better institutions because of Phil. I feel fortunate to have known and worked with him. And when I talk and with our students about the importance of public service, I wonder who among them will follow in Phil’s footsteps. 

May you all live lives that honor the life of Philip J. Rutledge.

Greg Lindsey, Associate Dean

Undergraduates and Alumni Partner for SPEA Mentoring Class

New for spring 2007 semester, SPEA is offering a one-credit mentoring class for sophomore, junior, and senior students interested in enhancing their professional development. Eleven SPEA students and mentors were matched based on career interests, community involvement, professional aspirations, and expectations for the mentoring relationship.

SPEA-V 450 Mentoring for Professional Development is taught by Tonja Eagan, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and MPA alumna. “As a former IUPUI undergraduate and graduate student, I learned the value of mentoring from four faculty members who bolstered my self-confidence, gave me sound advice, and were successful role models for me,” reflected Eagan. “In addition to being mentored throughout my career, I have worked in mentoring programs, first at IUPUI and now as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. Mentoring is a win-win relationship that benefits both the mentor and mentee. Success seems more attainable when we have someone to look up to and look to for inspiration.”

Eagan’s class will cover topics including professional etiquette, networking, principles of success, and how to maximize the value of the mentor relationship. Throughout the course, students will also develop a professional resume, explore professional associations, and analyze their own career paths. 

SPEA thanks the following alumni who are serving as mentors for this class: Hollie J. Adams, Kevin M. Barnes, Douglas Boxler, Ryan Brady, Amy Pomeranz Essley, Grant A. Gray, Crystal G. Haney, Joe Loftus, Anne-Marie Predovich, Kathy Weaver, and Jay K. Wurz.

MPA Student Launches an Indy Nonprofit

Marty Posch likes to keep busy. In addition to working on his MPA and serving as the assistant community relations director at IUPUI, Posch has embarked on a new challenge – starting a new nonprofit in Indianapolis. This winter, he began organizing a local chapter of StandUp For Kids, a national nonprofit focused on homeless youth.

Through his job at IUPUI, Posch coordinates campus-wide activities like Backpack Attack for IPS students, Race for the Cure, and the Jam the Jaguars Bus food drive. It is through these activities that he became interested in working on homeless issues. “A lot of the work I do at IUPUI is with some of the homeless shelters and I wanted to get more involved than just through my work,” Posch said.

This local chapter of StandUp For Kids is charged with educating the Indianapolis community about available resources, what’s lacking, and why kids end up on the street. Currently, Posch is completing a survey to determine existing services for homeless youth so he and other volunteers can connect them with available resources. According to Posch, “Some places do a wonderful job with the homeless in general but don’t let children in who aren’t part of families.” This is attributed to Indiana laws requiring homeless youth to return to their families or foster care system in order to receive assistance. Posch said that for many of these kids, returning to the environment they left is not always in their best interest, which is why an organization like StandUp For Kids is important. 

Posch is currently looking for people who would like to get involved in a leadership position or serve on the board of directors. For more information about volunteering with StandUp For Kids, please contact him at mposch@iupui.edu or visit http://www.standupforkids.org/local/Indiana/Indianapolis/. 

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Hoosier native and Texas transplant Becki Shawver, MPA ’90, is the focus of this Alumni Spotlight. Becki moved to Texas from Indianapolis to become the Director of Grant Administration at Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas. During her cross-country move, Becki found herself in Louisiana as Hurricane Katrina hit and was lucky enough to get a hotel room – and eventually get to Texas.

Rebecca Vermillion Shawver
Director of Grant Administration
Brazosport College, Lake Jackson, Texas

What have you been doing since you graduated from SPEA?
After earning my MPA in 1990, I’ve held a variety of positions as I searched for my personal niche. Having served an internship at the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (while pursuing my bachelor’s degree), I found that the grant development and administration fields were attractive to me. My first professional grant-related position was with the State of Indiana, followed by many years in the social service and youth development fields. However, I have found the greatest personal satisfaction in my field since I began working in the community college field --- first at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana and now at Brazosport College on the southeast Texas Gulf Coast. I’m also an active member of the Council for Resource Development (an association for 2-year college fund development professionals) and a contributing author to Grants and Foundation Review, an online newsletter published by Charity Channel (www.charitychannel.com).

How does your SPEA education help you in your current role? 
The strong statistical analysis training and the extensive research and writing skills that I developed through my course work have proven invaluable in my chosen profession.  Without them, I would not be prepared to develop the types of competitive, research-supported grant applications that win large federal and national foundation grant awards.

Who was your favorite professor?
Without a doubt, Dr. John Ottensmann made the greatest impact upon me (and consequently was my favorite professor). Beyond his extensive knowledge was a professional educator that truly exhibited a caring concern for the success of IUPUI students. His door was always open…and he had a great sense of humor. I knew that he would always be available to encourage me when I came close to quitting…and trust me, with a husband, three young children, and a job, there were several times that I thought to dropout. I’m not even sure that Dr. Ottensmann would remember me; but I definitely remember him. 

What would we typically find you doing on a Sunday afternoon? 
Actually Sunday afternoons for me are fairly boring. It must be that I’m getting older because you would typically find me doing one of the following: (1) Quilting - I love quilting and creative needlework. (In fact, since moving to Texas, I won my first competitive ribbon in the 2005 Brazoria County Fair for one of my quilts.) (2) Renovating my home - My husband (Stephen) and I are currently remodeling our home which includes laying ceramic and marble tile floors. (3) Reading – There is never enough time to read all the books that I want; and I have a difficult time putting one down once I have begun it. So if I started a book on Saturday, there is not much chance that I’m going to do much quilting or remodeling on a Sunday afternoon.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

SPEA is proud to feature one of our newest faculty members, Adrian Sargeant. Dr. Sargeant joins SPEA as the Robert F. Hartsook Professor of Fundraising and was previously professor of nonprofit marketing and fundraising at Bristol Business School, University of the West of England. He is the managing editor of the International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing. A native of Great Britain, Dr. Sargeant’s research interests are primarily in the field of nonprofit marketing including the marketing of the arts, education, health care and philanthropy.

Favorite restaurant: Hmm – e-mail me with suggestions. I’m still discovering the delights of Bloomington (where I’m living) – so if anyone has any tips ….!!

Last book read: Consuming Passions: Leisure and Pleasure in Victorian Britain by Judith Flanders

Interesting hobbies, little-known facts, etc.: I collect and restore tube radios from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. I now have a collection of over 100 sets from the U.S, U.K., France, Germany and Russia. Most are now back in working order and pressed into service over the weekend.

What are you working on now? I’m working on a project to delineate the body of knowledge that underpins the fundraising profession. We are the only profession I know of that have never defined what knowledge every competent practitioner should possess. We’ve defined the skills, but not the knowledge. We can’t therefore answer simple questions such as ‘what are the 3-4 theories of giving behavior that every fundraiser should be familiar with?’ I’m also working on developing the www.charityfacts.org  website for audiences in other countries – and completing The Nonprofit Companion an edited compendium of scholarly resources for research and post-graduate students. It will shortly be published by Routledge.

What would we typically find you doing on a Sunday afternoon? Radio repair!!

GRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

The Graduate Student Spotlight is on second year MPA student Danielle Vance. Danielle is a dual MPA/MA student and is also completing the new graduate certificate in social entrepreneurship. She’s completed an internship with the Indiana Youth Institute’s social entrepreneurship venture, Evaluation Associates, and she designed a United Way survey project to help both SPEA and the United Way design educational programs that meet the needs of the community and are of interest to practitioners.

Danielle L. Vance
Program: MPA/MA dual degree in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropic Studies, Social Entrepreneurship Certificate    
Anticipated Graduation Date: I will be finishing my MPA requirements in May, but will officially receive be finished after I complete my MA thesis in December 
Undergraduate Major: B.S. in marketing and a minor in management, Iowa State University
Hometown: Floyd, a small town of 350 in Iowa   

What you’ve enjoyed most about SPEA, IUPUI, and your graduate program:
To me, the camaraderie of my classmates and professors has been the best part of the experience. Because of the personal connections I've made, I feel like I've had the opportunity to become immersed in the nonprofit sector in every possible way. I also feel that I've been prepared for the sort of thinking I will need to do in my career. Discussions with classmates and professors (I actually consider both groups my friends!) have really allowed me to explore all sides of issues... I feel like I have the ability to see many perspectives and sort through to find practical steps.

Favorite SPEA Class:
I would have to say a tie between Fund Development and the Capstone Class. The reasons are essentially the same: great professor, important topic, and interactive community project with an organization that I was excited to work with. 

Career Plans: 
Until I finish my thesis, I am interested in working on short term projects- especially those involving marketing, business planning, and research. Long term, I would like to move to Chicago and work in an innovative organization or a consulting firm for nonprofits. I think the process of systematic change, experimentation, growth, and learning (some call it social entrepreneurship) is vital for modern nonprofits, and I would like to be part of that kind of team.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

This issue, we highlight graduating senior Andrea (A.J.) Munn. For the past 2 ½ years, A.J. has worked as the Executive Administrative Assistant to Tonja Eagan, both at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and at Girls Inc. of Indianapolis. A.J. currently oversees human resources, office management, facilities, and special projects for BBBSCI. During her time at SPEA, A.J. has been very active in the American Humanics program and has served as president of the American Humanics Student Association at IUPUI. She is also the mother of two sons, ten year-old Damon and eight year-old Dylan.

Andrea (A.J.) Munn 
Program: B.S. in Public Affairs with a major in Civic Leadership (nonprofit concentration)    
Anticipated Graduation Date: August 2007   
Hometown: Franklin, IN     

What you’ve enjoyed most about SPEA and IUPUI:
Having the opportunity to have adjunct faculty professors who are currently working in the field they are teaching. This makes for a better academic experience and a great networking opportunity.
Favorite SPEA class:  Nonprofit Management (SPEA-V 362) and Law and Public Policy (SPEA-V 376)

Career Plans:
After graduation I will continue to work in the nonprofit arena, at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, while I pursue my Masters in Public Affairs. However my academic focus will switch to public policy and policy analysis to better equip me to pursue my overall goal which is lobbying for state legislation. My primary area of interest is in education, with a special interest in special education and the rights of the student. Working in state government and helping to create policies that can improve our overall educational attainment rate and improve the future of Indiana is very important to me.

CLASS NOTES

What have you been doing since graduation? Do you have a new job? Did you get married or have children? Let us know what you are doing! Please send your updates to Andrea Anderson at infospea@iupui.edu.

Angela D. Coe, BSCJ ’98, currently works as a defense attorney in the Marion County Public Defender's Office. She also has a 2 year old daughter.

Justin Corbett, MPA ’05, completed a Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution from the School of Law at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. While at Pepperdine, he utilized his MPA training to develop funding and volunteer strategies for a community mediation center in Reseda, CA. He also served as a volunteer mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Courts. When he returned to Indianapolis, Justin completed an internship with Conflict Resolution Services at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Currently, Justin is developing a nonprofit community mediation center to offer alternative dispute resolution services to the Indianapolis metropolitan area, Indyspute Resolution & Dialogue Center. 

According to Justin, “The mission is: To increase the public’s awareness of, accessibility to, and utilization of alternative dispute resolution services and will be accomplished by offering mediation and other services and trainings to individuals and organizations.  Indyspute is anticipating offering these services through court-, police-, and self-referrals; day-of-trail services; fee-for-service contracts; and a variety of social enterprise programming.  As Indyspute develops, it looks forward to helping individuals, institutions, and communities of central Indiana find unique, sustainable solutions during troubling times.” For more information about Indyspute, contact Justin at justincorbett@hotmail.com.

Winsome Lenfert, MPA,’00, works for the FAA as the Manager of Regional Operations for the Airports Division Southern Region in Atlanta, Georgia. She reports, “I have held many positions with the FAA including Airport Certification/Safety Specialist in Washington, D.C.; Community Planner for the O'Hare Modernization Program in Chicago, Illinois; Assistant Manager of the Detroit Airport District Office in Detroit, Michigan; and my current position …I am currently responsible for four Airport District Offices that oversee the airport planning, engineering, environmental, compliance and grant programs in the Southeast U.S., Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. I also oversee the Airports Division's administrative functions such as budget, hiring, and personnel programs. I am actively involved in my church, college and sorority alumni associations, and neighborhood association. I am married to Richard Manser, a pilot for Flight Options, and have one daughter Asella and another one on the way.”

Jennifer Ruby, MPl ’96, received the 2006 Torchbearer Award for Entrepreneurship from the Indiana Commission for Women. Ruby is the current President of the Warren Township Development Association and the owner of Ruby Law, a proactive law firm which focuses on estate planning, probate and small business advising. She developed “Finances 101”, a program designed to teach young professionals to prepare for their future now. This seminar series has become so successful among the young professional community that she is considering making it a nonprofit corporation in 2008.

Jay Sorensen, MHA ’98, began a new career this January as a State Department Foreign Service Officer working in the Public Diplomacy section. Previously, she worked for USAID in Romania. She’ll be in Washington DC, to attend training for 4-12 months. Her e-mail address is Jaycutza@yahoo.com. Jay adds, “Oddly enough, the MHA program was terrific preparation for this sort of work – because of the focus on strong writing and presentation skills, on analyzing and synthesizing large amounts of information, and on finance and management.”

IN THE KNOW

SPEA Graduate Programs
Are you interested in graduate studies at SPEA? SPEA IUPUI offers the Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Affairs and several graduate certificate programs. The priority admissions deadline for summer session is March 15, 2007. The priority admissions deadline for fall session is May 15, 2007. If you would like additional information about SPEA’s graduate programs, please contact Andrea Anderson at infospea@iupui.edu or 317-278-3651.

MHA Reception at 2007 ACHE Congress
The Indiana University Master of Health Administration Program and the Indiana Hospital & Health Association will sponsor a reception in conjunction with the American College of Healthcare Executives 2007 Congress on Healthcare Management. The reception will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the New Orleans Marriott, Mardi Gras F/G Room. Please RSVP by calling 317-278-1720 or e-mailing alum@iupui.edu by March 20th.

SPEA Capitol Hill Colloquium to Feature Lee Hamilton
The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton will be the featured speaker at SPEA’s Spring Capitol Hill Colloquium on March 13, 2007 in Washington, D.C. If you will be in the D.C. area in March and would like to attend this event, please contact Bethan Roberts at  812-856-0597 or bwr@indiana.edu.

Save the Date! Indiana Summit on Environmental Health – Children’s Environmental Health: Problems and Solutions
On April 13, 2007, Riley Hospital for Children will sponsor the first Indiana Summit on Environmental Health on the topic of Children’s Environmental Health: Problems and Solutions. This summit will bring together a diverse group of professionals and policy-makers to explore potential collaborations and solutions to three timely environmental health issues – healthy housing, fine particulate air pollution, and endocrine disruptors.

Organizers include the Indiana University School of Medicine Center for Environmental Health, the Hoosier Environmental Council, Improving Kids’ Environment, and SPEA IUPUI. Registration materials will be available in early 2007. Additional information about the Summit is, and will continue to be, available at http://www.ceh.iu.edu/events.php and http://www.ikecoalition.org/Environmental_Summit_2007.htm. For more information, contact Ingrid Ritchie at iritchie@iupui.edu or 317-274-3752.