TSU Grieves Virginia Tech Tragedy
I understand the anxiety you must be experiencing in the aftermath of the tragic April 16 shooting incident at Virginia Tech. Such senseless acts of violence can cause us to doubt the very securities upon which our society and country are based. However, we take a very personal interest in the safety of our students and employees at TSU, and have a security plan in place to help minimize the chance of an unthinkable like situation ever developing here. We will never finish refining that plan, and are in the process now of analyzing our safety procedures to discover and close any gaps or weaknesses. We join you in grieving for those who lost family members and friends in this terrible incident. Know that while this tragedy is unspeakable, its horror may serve as a catalyst to better protect others. Please join us in directing your thoughts and prayers toward those marked by this, that their healing process may soon begin.

ICI Spring Meeting
April 10, 2007
I attended the Independent Colleges of Indiana spring meeting and board of directors meeting at Huntington University, where I was elected to serve as president of the ICI Executive Committee. I served the committee as vice chair for 2006-2007, and as treasurer for 2005-2006. ICI develops and enhances the competitive standing of its 31 member independent, nonprofit, regionally-accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and strives to assure opportunity and choice in higher education for all. My duties will be to preside over the committee and full meetings of the ICI and work closely with its staff on issues important to all independent colleges in Indiana. Efforts will include legislative lobbying on concerns relevant to private higher education.

Economic Summit Conference
April 11, 2007
Angola Mayor Richard Hickman hosted an Angola Economic Summit meeting to discuss economic development in the county. TSU Vice President for University and Student Operations Mike Bock and I attended and joined those invited in discussing ways in which new businesses may be attracted to our area and how those businesses could benefit through partnerships with TSU.

Meeting With Trustee
April 16, 2007
TSU Vice President for Student and University Operations Mike Bock accompanied me to Sturgis, Mich., for a meeting with TSU Trustee Larry Franks, who co-chairs the board’s planning committee with Trustee Richard Oeder. We delivered updates on the progress of campus construction projects as part of an ongoing process to keep the board current on upgrades related to our master plan.

High School Counselors Visit
April 18, 2007
Thirteen high school guidance counselors from across the state made TSU a stop during a tour of different Indiana public and private schools. The visits were an information gathering process to help them educate their high school seniors on their education choices across the state. Saint Mary’s College, the University of Notre Dame, Grace College, and Valparaiso University were some other campuses which received visits. I welcomed the guidance counselors to campus in Forman Hall, and gave them an update on the construction they would see and its part in our master plan.

Alumni Supporters Visit
April 19, 2007
TSU alumnus Bill Schantz, his wife, Patricia, and their daughters, Laura Baird and Joanne Leach, both TSU alumni, visited the TSU campus for lunch and a tour of the Allen School of Engineering & Technology in Fawick Hall. Final details on the couple’s endowment for the school of engineering and its impact are in discussion. They were thrilled to see the campus and tour the engineering school, where they meet Dr. Roger Hawks, Dean of the Allen School of Engineering & Technology, and Dr. David Finley, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Business After Hours
April 19, 2007
TSU hosted a monthly Business After Hours event sponsored by the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce. Many community business partners gathered in Witmer Clubhouse to network, swap business cards, share news, and enjoy appetizers at stations staffed by Bon Appétit, our gourmet food service. Angola Chamber of Commerce executive director Patti Anderson selected names for a raffle of items for the garden—a birdbath, flowering pots, and an ornamental tree were among gifts carried to cars by winners after the event. Over 100 chamber members enjoyed the casual get-together in our spacious clubhouse.

Seattle Regional Alumni Reunion
April 21, 2007
I enjoyed meeting with 20 Seattle-area alumni for this latest in a series of alumni luncheons organized by the Office of Alumni and Advancement. These reunions allow me to touch base with TSU alumni across the country to update them on university news, changes, and progress. College friends enjoy catching up on personal stories, and sometimes establish new friendships with other TSU alumni living in their cities.

Meeting With Friends
April 22 2007
While in Seattle for the regional luncheon, I made a trip to see former Trustee Dr. Cliff Sponsel and his wife, Juliette, in Santa Barbara, Calif. I updated them on the construction of the University Center and Center for Online Technology, new student apartments, and the renovation of the C.W. Sponsel Administration Center, named in Cliff’s honor for his long-term friendship and financial support. Both Cliff and Juliette have received honorary doctorates from TSU for their contributions to the university, and look forward to returning to campus for Homecoming 2007.