TERRE HAUTE —
Many signs greet students and visitors on the Indiana State University campus this summer.
Some point the way to the new John W. Moore Welcome Center. Others guide incoming students to orientation.
But another group of signs offers guidance of a different sort.
“Without diversity, the canvas of life would be blank,” proclaims a sign bearing a statement submitted by Emily C.J. Price, a junior social work major.
“Diversity means valuing and respecting the differences in individuals who we think are not like us,” said Julia Bruce, administrative assistant in Indiana State’s Charles E. Brown African-American Cultural Center.
“Diversity is not what we learn but how we learn,” offered Richard Toomey, associate vice president for enrollment management.
The university’s Office of Diversity has produced more than 150 of the 18-inch by 24-inch yard signs featuring comments from students, faculty, staff and alumni. For now, they are concentrated outside buildings housing new student orientation sessions to encourage incoming students to consider the people from different cultures and experiences who they will encounter in a university setting.
Because Indiana State attracts students from all areas of the state — from Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana and Indianapolis to rural farming communities and everywhere in between — as well as throughout the United States and internationally, the university offers many students opportunities for their first day-to-day exposure to people from a wide variety of backgrounds, said Elonda Ervin, diversity director.
“We want to highlight ISU’s commitment to inclusion and we wanted a visual representation of that commitment,” Ervin said.
Since opening its doors, Indiana State has historically had significant diversity in its student body, faculty and staff, but the make-up of faculty and staff is not keeping pace with changes among its student population, she said.
“We have to focus more on what people think diversity is. It is not just about race and gender,” Ervin said. “We are at a precipice and could go either way, so we need to be pro-active in creating an inclusive environment that will nurture and embrace multicultural students, staff and faculty at ISU. The only way to increase and retain great students, staff and faculty from a variety of backgrounds is to have an environment that is welcoming.”
A sign bearing the thoughts of Petulia Blake-Scontrino, a doctoral student in human resources development and training, seems to underscore the importance of Indiana State’s initiative:
“Diversity is fundamental to our human experience and must be embraced if we intend to make progress.”
In addition to the yard signs, Ervin’s office has created a fact sheet on the topic that will be distributed to incoming students and is available online at www.indstate.edu/diversity/Glance%20Brochure.pdf.
Schools
‘Signs’ of diversity in ISU campus
- Schools
-
-
Bruce’s History Lessons: Morse’s telegraph and its impact as a ‘game changer’
This week (May 24) in 1844, Professor Samuel F.B. Morse sat in the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., surrounded by members of Congress, who had come to witness history.
-
High schoolers attend automotive, welding skills competitions
Area high school students put their skills to the test at the annual Automotive Skills and Welding Skills competitions on April 18 at Ivy Tech Community College—Wabash Valley.
-
Riverton Parke presents concert, music awards
The Riverton Parke Jr.-Sr. High School Music Department presented its annual Spring Concert on May 13 in the school gymnasium.
-
Turkey Run senior awards and honors
Turkey Run High School seniors were honored at an awards program May 13. Scholarships and departmental and activity awards were presented.
-
South earns national yearbook design honor
The Terre Haute South yearbook, Uaxactun, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2013 Gotcha Covered Look Book, Volume 11 celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage.
-
Vincennes University Dean’s List
The Vincennes University Dean’s List for Spring 2013 includes students from the Vincennes campus, Jasper campus, Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis, military bases, and other extended sites.
-
4 more honored as Four Star Schools
In addition to the three Vigo County schools (Terre Haute South Vigo High School, Dixie Bee Elementary and Fayette Elementary schools) that were announced earlier, four more Wabash Valley schools were recognized as Indiana Four Star Schools.
-
Bruce’s history lessons: Truman’s decision to recognize Israel
This week (May 14) in 1948, at the direction of President Harry Truman, the United States recognized the existence of the newly formed state of Israel, which had declared independence earlier that day. It was, Truman later stated, among the most important decisions of his presidency.
- Reunion listings: May 16, 2013
-
Chances and Services for Youth to participate in food program
The Chances and Services for Youth recently announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program.
-
South Latin students compete at convention
Terre Haute South Vigo High School Latin students competed with other Indiana schools at the recent state convention at ISU.
-
Southwest Parke School Corp. receives eLearning grant
Southwest Parke Community School Corp. has received an Imagining and Creating eLearning grant for the 2013-2014 school year through the Indiana Department of Education.
- Newsmakers: May 16, 2013
-
Otter Creek competes in regional Academic Super Bowl
The Otter Creek Academic Super Bowl teams competed in the regional Academic Super Bowl competition on April 27 at Sarah Scott Middle School.
-
Riverton Parke FFA teams compete at April 16 contest
Two Riverton Parke FFA Parliamentary Procedure Teams competed at the section competition for the Parliamentary Procedure Demonstration Contest on April 16 at the Indiana FFA Center in Trafalgar.
-
Parks offering summer day camp
The Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for its summer day camp.
-
State recognizes counties for improving college success
Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers recognized 26 Indiana counties for working to increase the percentage of Hoosiers with education beyond high school. The counties are members of Indiana’s College Success Coalition, a statewide network focused on improving college access and success.
-
College Challenge program earns accreditation
Indiana State University’s College Challenge program for high school students has earned initial accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.
-
ISP offers youth an up close look at law enforcement
Most television viewers have seen at least part of a CSI or Law and Order episode. These shows seem to have spurred a new interest in law enforcement and forensics. For more than 40 years the Indiana State Police have been giving young people an up close look at law enforcement through its youth camps program.
-
Goals, Pride & Achievements: May 16, 2013
Alyssa A. Barnes of Clinton graduated from Purdue University on Sunday.
She has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, with a minor in psychology. -
Woodrow Wilson students collect funds for animals
The leadership team from Woodrow Wilson Middle School sponsored a week of giving to collect funds and supplies for the Terre Haute Humane shelter.
-
Riverton Parke academic bowl team finishes strong
The Riverton Parke English academic bowl team finished as runner-up at the state finals competition on May 4 at Purdue University, and the social studies team swept through all of its last eight questions without a miss to finish third in the contest.
-
Turkey Run High School names top 2013 students
Kaleigh Basan has been named valedictorian and Jeff Woods and Kendall Davies are co-salutatorians for the Turkey Run High School Class of 2013.
Graduation ceremonies will be in the high school gymnasium at 11 a.m. May 25 with 36 students receiving their diplomas. -
Bruce’s history lessons: Spring Cleaning 2013
Time for my annual “Spring Cleaning” column, in which I address reader issues and answer “Frequently Asked Questions.”
-
Moats gets ISU Rankin Award
Indiana State University has honored Katelynn Moats of Terre Haute with the Rankin Memorial Distinguished Senior Award in recognition of her contributions to the betterment of the university.
-
Turkey Run to honor seniors
Turkey Run High School will hold its senior awards and recognition program at 7 p.m. Monday in the ELC room. A reception will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.
The program for freshmen to juniors will be held at 1:32 p.m. May 16 in the high school gymnasium. -
Honey Creek math club earns gold status
Honey Creek Middle School has received Gold Level Status as a participant of the 2013 MATHCOUNTS Club.
-
Riverton Parke students bring home art awards
Students from 15 schools in west central Indiana competed in the 34th annual d’Arlier Trust Spring Art Show on April 19-25 in Veedersburg. Four Riverton Parke High School students won a total of nine awards in six of the show’s 20 categories.
-
Parke Adult Tutoring Service awards mini-grant
The Parke Adult Tutoring Service has awarded a mini-grant of $270 to Riverton Parke English teacher Mike Lunsford to purchase reading materials for his students.
- Vigo County School Corp. Honor Roll — Middle School, Second Grading Period
- More Schools Headlines
-
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Today in History May 23
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Today in History May 22
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
