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Welcome to the first edition of the Warrior Family Association e-newsletter for 2022. I hope that the new year, now that we are six weeks into our spring semester, is off to a great start for you and your student. Although it is cold outside with snow continuing to fall in Fort Wayne, our students’ energy and their passion for everything Indiana Tech, warms my heart. Spring is right around the corner!
The winter weather did not slow down construction on the new 30,000-square-foot addition to the Zollner Engineering Center. The new building will have state-of-the-art practical learning spaces for students – including a robotics lab, a cybersecurity operations center, an expanded biomedical engineering lab, a thermal sciences lab and much more. The expansion will be ready for students to use at the start of our fall semester this year. We will then renovate the existing 40,000-square-foot building to create a 70,000-square-foot STEM education center that will house Indiana Tech’s growing programs in engineering, computer sciences and life sciences. President Einolf and I have been traveling around the country to raise the funds for this project and we are grateful for our many donors and alumni who contributed to make this dream a reality for our students.
I am particularly pleased to share with you that Indiana Tech named its College of Engineering and Computer Sciences in honor of the family of alumnus Ravi Talwar and his wife, Eleanor Talwar. Ravi and Eleanor have become good friends and, for many years, they have given generously of their time, talent, and treasure to help build Indiana Tech into what it is today. Ravi graduated from Indiana Tech in 1965 with a degree in mechanical engineering, and he went on to a successful career as an engineer, an entrepreneur and a business leader. I was able to be there when President Einolf presented Ravi and Eleanor with this honor. We were all moved to tears. The Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences at Indiana Tech will proudly educate your students – our nation’s future leaders in STEM.
Finally, I must share with you that it’s been another exciting winter for our athletic programs! Men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s bowling, men’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s indoor track, and men’s wrestling ALL won conference championships! Halfway through the season, men’s volleyball is undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the nation. Women’s wrestling enters their national tournament ranked No. 13 in the nation, and women’s hockey, in their inaugural season, is currently No. 1 in the their conference and No. 6 in the nation. It’s been so exciting to watch and cheer on our talented student-athletes as they achieve these successes!
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A Life of Significance and Worth
During this academic year, programming for our university’s annual Tech Talks series is examining the concept of “living a life of significance and worth.” It is a compelling and thought-provoking component of our university’s mission statement, but what does it mean? What does it look like? How does one achieve it?
The current exhibit in the D’Agostino Art Gallery (on the lower level of the Snyder Academic Center) features six individuals who are doing incredible work in the local community and living their vision of what a life of significance and worth looks like. Those who visit the gallery can read about the work these individuals are doing, reflect on those who are doing the same in their own way and examine what a life of significance and worth looks like on a personal level.
We invite you to visit the gallery, either in-person or online, and discuss with your student what a life of significance and worth means to them.
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New Mental Health Resource
Indiana Tech students now have free access to completely private online self-help for stress, anxiety, depression and much more. TAO self-help provides online and mobile tools to help conquer the day-to-day struggles around general stressors. Through engaging videos and interactive exercises, TAO teaches life skills and coping mechanisms in as little as 15 minutes a day. No need to try to schedule an appointment around busy schedules with class, practice, and meetings. This resource is available 24/7 and can be accessed through students' single sign-on page or using their Indiana Tech email at www.US.TAOconnect.org.
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Mock Interviews
Mock interviews are a great opportunity for students to spend 20 minutes interviewing one on one with an employer, followed by 10 minutes of getting valuable feedback on how to improve their interview skills! Interviews are conveniently held on campus, and can easily be scheduled in between classes or practice. Students must register in advance with the Career Center in order to participate.
The dates for upcoming mock interviews are:
- Seniors and Pre-Internship Seminar Students: March 4, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- All students: March 7-11, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Mark Your Calendar- Monday, March 7 – Friday, March 11: Midterms
- Saturday, March 12 – Sunday, March 20: Spring Break (no classes)
- Monday, March 21: Classes resume
- Wednesday, March 23: Senior Summer/Fall pre-registration begins
- Friday, March 25: Juniors and Sophomores Summer/Fall Pre-Registration Begins
- Monday, March 28: Freshman Summer/Fall Pre-Registration Begins
- Tuesday, April 5: Last day to withdraw
- Tuesday, April 26: Cap and Gown pickup
- Friday, May 6: Last day of classes
- Monday, May 9 – Thursday, May 12: Final exams
- Saturday, May 14: Commencement
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Dr. Said Abushamleh - Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering
- A fun fact about my professional experience is that a faculty position was a job I wanted as a kid.
- The most thing I am passionate about is teaching. It was my dream job.
- My favorite type of cuisine is Italian food. Fettuccine Alfredo is my favorable choice all the time.
- As an ice cream lover, butter pecan ice cream is my favorite.
- My next vacation plan is travelling to Hawaii. I cannot wait to discover the beauty, culture and adventures on the Hawaiian Islands.
Dr. Kevin Bottomley - Assistant Professor, Global Leadership; Associate Dean, College of Business Graduate and PhD Program
- I have three children—all boys (ages 18, almost 15 and 11).
- I have run four marathons, two 30ks and numerous half-marathons.
- I like to cook and my specialty is a meat lasagna (even though I’m a vegetarian).
- I like to bake, and my specialty is cheesecake. I’ll make whatever people want as long as it’s not plain (one year I actually made 27 cheesecakes, from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve).
Dr. Dawn Anderson - Director of the Exercise and Sport Performance Laboratory; Professor of Exercise Science
- I breed, raise, train and show full Argentine llamas on our farm.
- I am an avid knitter. I love using fiber from my llamas.
- I bake for stress relief.
- Quality milk chocolate is one of my favorite foods.
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Final thoughts from a fellow mom
Our son Nicholas, who has been working as a pharmacy technician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, announced that he will be leaving his job in early March. I guess this makes him part of the “Great Resignation,” as he doesn’t quite know what is next in his life. He is going to take a month off, visit some friends in Colorado and then come back to Fort Wayne to search for a job that is more in line with his interests. Although I worry about him, as a mom does, I believe this change will be good for him. He’s a great young man, and I know he’ll figure it out.
Our other son, Thomas, who graduated from college in December, started a job in January teaching middle school math at a private boarding school in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is doing well, but I laugh often listening to his stories. I taught middle school science for 28 years, so I understand what Thomas is dealing with!
Although Karl and I are “empty-nesters,” we have a full life spending time with your students at Indiana Tech. We eat many of our meals on campus, as we enjoy sitting down with students, learning about their lives and hearing their stories. We are grateful that you sent your students to Indiana Tech. I hope you have a great month and best wishes to you and your family.
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