Photo courtesy of the Watkins family IUS student Sarah Watkins, a philosophy and history major, accepted her second- prize honor in the international Elie Wiesel Ethics Essay Contest in New York City last spring, where she met Wiesel. Currently, she is studying in Ghana. Photo by Katherine Sears Sometimes a close head shave will amuse friends and colleagues into contributing to a good cause. (Seated, left to right) Brandon Alexander, James Vest and Jammie Mathes were among those from campus who helped raise funds for the Kentucky Cancer Research Foundation. Photo by Randy West. Used with permission by the Corydon Democrat, © 2003. IU Southeast staff members Deb Bulleit and Tom Klein (center, foreground) are pictured with Harrison County inmates and others who participated in “Freedom 101,” a motivational course the two have developed and help facilitate.

With the support and encouragement of her professors, Watkins submitted an essay that won second prize in the prestigious Elie Wiesel Ethics Essay Contest. The contest is sponsored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, named and established by the Holocaust survivor, author and 1986 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Watkins, who is now studying in Ghana, traveled to New York City to meet Wiesel, whom she calls “one of the most amazing people living.”

Social causes and community outreach are an important aspect of campus life. Last year, IU Southeast students volunteered close to 6,000 hours for community service, reported the Volunteer Center on campus. Students, faculty and staff get involved in a wide spectrum of causes.

For student Jammie Mathes, the cause is cancer. Last spring, Mathes and 11 other students and staff members had their heads shaved in front of 300 people to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Their efforts generated more than $4,000 for the Kentucky Cancer Research Foundation.

For student Therese Clark, the cause is mission work. Last spring, Clark traveled to Turkey to work with children. One week after her Turkey trip, she traveled to New Orleans with fellow members of IU Southeast’s Christian Student Fellowship to tutor children and to help clean a 150-year-old church for a restoration project. Clark and other students also handed out hygiene packets to the homeless.

For Thomas Klein, director of computer services, and Deborah Bulleit, coordinator of institutional research, the cause is social rehabilitation for prisoners. The two professional staff members have established “Freedom 101: Dealing with Confinement,” a program to help Harrison County Jail inmates find ways to improve their lives. Klein and Bulleit share their own experiences to motivate inmates toward seeking a more constructive path. Klein and Bulleit oversee a team of four leaders to conduct the 28-hour exercise.

Klein and Bulleit visit the jail every six to eight weeks and conduct a follow-up “reunion” class to see how the inmates are doing. “We’ve actually had some complete the program and later enroll in classes at IUS,” Klein said.

Several faculty members make service learning a standard part of their curriculum.  Last year, more than 400 IUS students were enrolled in classes that required service-learning projects.

John Findling, professor of history, worked with the Carnegie Center for Art and History by assigning his students to select an artifact or historical document to research. The students donated their research to the Carnegie Center.

John Newman, professor of sociology, directs the campus’ Applied Research and Education Center (AREC), a non-profit organization of faculty and students that provides a host of services—from needs assessment to research for social service agencies and neighborhood-based organizations. Last year, AREC assisted 15 social service agencies. 

”Our shtick,” Newman said, “is sustainable, healthy communities.”