There is a new face on campus this semester. Mark Zimmerman stepped into the role of Dean of Students at Vincennes University on Jan. 3, 2023. Zimmerman has experience in higher education through various roles with several institutions.

Vincennes University has created a new online licensure program to prepare current and future educators to teach students with exceptional needs. VU was approved by the Indiana State Board of Education in December 2022 for a license addition, Exceptional Needs – Intense Intervention. # # #

Having lived, studied, and taught abroad, Heidi Tasa is a global-minded leader. Vincennes University has announced Tasa is its first Dean of Global Diversity and Inclusion. She began her new post on Jan. 3, 2023.

Vincennes University has named Matt Groneman as its new Director of Assessment. Before joining the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Groneman served as an associate professor in the University’s English Department within the College of Humanities. Since he began teaching at VU in 2010, Groneman has edited the Tecumseh Review, organized Poetry on the Green, and served for many years on both the Assessment Committee and General Education Committee.

Vincennes University continues to make its mark statewide in bringing the future of automation to Indiana by conducting the first collaborative robot training course at the Gene Haas Training and Education Center in Lebanon. The client was Polygon Composites Technology, located in Walkerton, Indiana. Polygon Composites Technology develops composite products for different industries such as medical, construction, and agricultural. The training was conducted as part of the Fast Track program, sponsored by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and in partnership with Carmel-based Telamon Robotics and Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP) to introduce cobots to Hoosier companies.

The Vincennes University Board of Trustees voted to extend President Dr. Chuck Johnson’s contract an additional year during its regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Updike Hall Center for Science, Engineering and Mathematics. The Board extended Johnson’s contract through Dec. 31, 2025. Before he was appointed president in 2015, Johnson served as interim president for four months and provost for three years.

Education major Gayle Baugh ’24 loves to showcase what makes Vincennes University special and enjoys guiding visitors around campus. Baugh, who is from Greencastle, Indiana, helps the Office of Admissions introduce prospective students to college life. She is part of a dedicated team of student tour guides who show off the Vincennes Campus to future Trailblazers and their families. Her outgoing personality and ability to connect with them make her perfect for the job. This week, Baugh stepped into a new role at VU. Baugh has been appointed Student Trustee to the VU Board of Trustees by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. She took the oath of office at the meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Vincennes University celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2022 at its Mid-Year Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 3. The University awarded 625 bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates to graduating students. Mid-Year graduates from all VU campuses and sites, including the Vincennes Campus, American Sign Language and Deaf Studies Campus, Aviation Technology Center, Extended Studies, Early College Program, Indiana Military Program, and Military Education were honored at Red Skelton Performing Arts Center.

Audrey Hislip ’22 started her college path with an eye on education, but deep down she has always loved agriculture and animals. "Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had a love for animals and agriculture,” the Vincennes native says. "Even though I didn’t grow up on a farm, I still participated in 4H, was always learning something new about agriculture, and of course, had lots of animals." However, when it came time to choose a college degree, agriculture wasn’t exactly at the top of her list. Hislip began as an Education major at VU but realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. She found a mentor in VU College of Business and Public Service Dean Susan Brocksmith, who previously served as Agribusiness Program Chair and encouraged Hislip to explore agriculture as a future career.

Kara Nicholson ’22 is determined to help others, and she uses her strong work ethic to be of service to people outside of the United States. The connected community of a Caribbean nation near and dear to her heart draws the Vincennes University Education Major to serve those who are in need and individuals affected by poverty. Nicholson of Odon, Indiana, graduated from VU with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Mild Intervention K-12 at Mid-Year Commencement on Dec. 3, 2022.

Vincennes University and the UBMK School have signed a memorandum of understanding that will create new educational and transformative opportunities for UBMK students in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. UBMK was established in 1998 by the Korean missionary association in Mongolia. It is the only K-12 Korean International school approved by the Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia. After graduating from UBMK, students can continue their education at an American university or Korean university.

Vincennes University will celebrate its graduates at the Mid-Year Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. (ET) at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center.

Vincennes University students and K-12 students from throughout the state of Indiana participated in a first-of-its-kind cyber competition hosted by VU’s College of Business and Public Service.  The “Don’t Feed the Phish” Challenge raised cyber security awareness. Nearly 160 students from VU, North Knox Jr/Sr High School, Central Nine Career Center, J Evert Light Career Center, Indiana Digital Learning School, Carmel High School, Westville High School, Tell City High School, and Elkhart Area Career Center competed in classrooms and computer labs across the state.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Updike Center for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics – Room #142 1251 N. Chestnut Street Vincennes, IN  47591

High school students put their skills to the test and demonstrated their knowledge of technology, innovation, and manufacturing to earn prizes in the Vincennes University Jasper CTIM Challenge. The event provides a fun, engaging, and interactive competition focused on cooperation. Approximately 144 high school students from 10 schools and one university partnership participated in the challenge at the Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing on the VU Jasper Campus.

Alexandria “Alex” Kraftor ‘23 loves picturesque underwater ecosystems and wants to share them with anyone willing to soak in the beauty through the lens of her camera. The vivid colors and diverse organisms living in the water call the Vincennes University Photography major to connect the world with all there is to discover under the water. Kraftor, who is from Knox, Indiana, is building her portfolio and perfecting her photography to achieve her goal of a career in underwater photography.

Vincennes University and AmeriCrew have formed a new partnership that values the unique skills of those who have served in the military plus develops in-demand and innovative career pathways for veterans. AmeriCrew is one of the first national Veteran Workforce Development companies focused on 5G wireless, Fiber and Clean Energy infrastructure projects. AmeriCrew will host the National Infrastructure Technician Academy (NITA) at VU’s Vincennes Campus and additional VU sites statewide and military education facilities throughout the country. AmeriCrew will collaborate with VU to integrate training, certification, and apprenticeship into the work schedule as it develops careers and field leadership from our nation’s transitioning warriors.

Through the imaginations of Vincennes University Education majors and Education Professor Lisa Miller, a beautifully illustrated and touching children’s book will come to life next spring along the banks of the Wabash River. Miller and the future teachers are creating a "story walk" for elementary school students in Knox County and their families to enjoy. The impactful and unique project is supported by a grant from the Knox County Community Foundation.

WHAT: CTIM Challenge WHEN: 8:30 a.m. (ET), Wednesday, November 9, 2022 DETAILS: Students from 10 schools will put their skills to the test in the CTIM Challenge, competing in hands-on activities showcasing manufacturing skills and learning about the manufacturing industry. Students will compete in eight challenges sponsored by local companies. Monetary prizes will be awarded.

Adrianne Nyberg, ‘23, a business management major at VU Jasper, had a wild dream of creating a place that offers her community a way to make memories and develop close bonds with lively activities that allow families to experience fun through actions and movement. Her extraordinary idea gained momentum through a business course taught by VU faculty member Thomas King. The course gave her the knowledge and tools to open Jumping Jasper LLC, a children’s entertainment center in Jasper, Indiana, where kids and kids at heart frolic in bounce houses and enjoy the arcade while making memories that last a lifetime.

Vincennes University’s distinguished faculty and staff were in the spotlight at the recent Council on Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges (CATYC) Fall 2022 Conference. They highlighted the University’s efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion, drive student success, meet Indiana’s workforce needs, and engage students after COVID distancing at the three-day conference in downtown Indianapolis.

The Vincennes University Alumni Association will host an event on Saturday, Nov. 12, to honor Gazella Summitt and present her with the 2022 Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation for Service.

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can seem complicated and time-consuming, but Vincennes University and Vincennes University Jasper will provide prospective students and their families on Sunday, Nov. 6, free assistance in filling out the application in one afternoon. College Goal Sunday is a free event that provides hands-on help for students of all ages and families to complete and file the FAFSA form. The FAFSA is one of the most important steps in opening the door to financial aid. The Vincennes Campus College Goal Sunday starts at 2 p.m. (ET) in Room 132 of Updike Hall Center for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics in the SEM Learning Lab. The VUJ College Goal Sunday begins at 2 p.m. (ET) in the Jasper Campus Classroom Building computer labs.

Vincennes University will honor veterans in recognition of their service to our nation with a program at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. (ET).

A new Center for Applied Robotics and Automation, Additive Manufacturing and Reverse Engineering Center, and HURCO Advanced CNC Machining Technology Center embody Vincennes University’s commitment to innovation, state-of-the-art technologies, extraordinary educational experiences, and powerful industry partnerships. The first-class centers were unveiled during an open house in the College of Technology Center on the Vincennes Campus this month.