From the desk of Dean GrahamSpring is coming (though the dreary view from my window says otherwise), and in the academic community, spring signals change: SPEA students preparing to graduate and find jobs, would-be SPEA students awaiting admission and scholarship news, faculty using spring break to put final touches on publication submissions, awards announced and much more.
This newsletter contains many of those stories. One is a profile of Lilliard Richardson, our new executive associate dean at SPEA Indianapolis. Another is about Beth Gazley and the statewide honor she is receiving from the Indiana Campus Compact.
We also just received word that Sanya Carley, a SPEA Bloomington faculty member, has earned one of the university’s top honors: the 2012-2013 Outstanding Junior Faculty Award. Sanya and the other winners were selected by a faculty committee based on evidence of “solid accomplishment and exceptional promise.” Awarded by the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the distinction carries with it a significant financial award to support Sanya’s research.
I also want to congratulate four SPEA IUPUI students, named among the 2013 Top 100 students at IUPUI by the IUPUI Alumni Council and the Student Organization for Alumni Relations. More than 22,000 undergraduate students attend IUPUI, and more than 1,000 were nominated for this year’s Top 100 list, which recognizes students who show outstanding academic achievements, participate in campus activities and perform community service. Our winners are: Theresa Benz, senior, majoring in Civic Leadership; Rachel Hathaway, senior, majoring in Civic Leadership; Sarah Smith, senior, majoring in Criminal Justice; and Joshua Van Goey, junior, majoring in Public Affairs Management.
SPEA faculty and staff are not only co-workers; we also consider each other family, and in that light I want to share a measure of the latest news on our cherished colleague, Lisa Blomgren Bingham. Lisa was involved in an accident in London that resulted in serious injuries, and she remains in a London hospital. Over the last few days, she has occasionally opened her eyes and shown other small signs of recovery. The doctors caution that it will be some time before we know the full extent of Lisa’s injuries and her prognosis—and that of her friend and travelling companion, Terry Amsler, who also suffered serious injuries in the accident. Our SPEA community has rallied to help Lisa, Terry, their families, our students and each of us cope with this emotional shock. Although we are spread among different buildings, campuses and academic pursuits, it’s heartwarming to experience this strength and unity at a difficult time. All of the work we do—conducting important research, serving students—is possible because of good people like Lisa, and good people like you who support SPEA.
I welcome your thoughts on anything you read in this newsletter or anything on your mind concerning SPEA. I can be contacted at 812-855-1432 or grahamjd@indiana.edu.
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