May 30, 2009 09:13 pm
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Yesterday, May 30, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology celebrated its 131st Commencement and it marked my last major event as president.
Lynn and I will be moving to California, where I will become provost at California Maritime Academy. My duties there begin July 1.
Before we leave Terre Haute, we want to say how happy we have been living here. We were welcomed into the community in the best tradition of Hoosier Hospitality. We enjoyed getting involved in various community organizations, activities and events and we have made lifelong friends in the process.
I enjoyed working with President Dan Bradley of Indiana State University, President David Behrs of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and Chancellor Jeff Pittman from Ivy Tech Community College and I thank them for the cooperative spirit that exists among our institutions. Our four schools provide the Wabash Valley with wondrous diversity, plus intellectual and human capital that very few regions can claim. These four institutions make Terre Haute the Crossroads of Higher Education. I am sure this partnership will continue to prosper in the coming years.
Rose-Hulman is a very special place. The students are among the best in the nation. Their capacity for learning is amazing, and their zest for life a tonic for everyone who is around them. The faculty and staff create a sense of family for the campus that builds a strong bond among everyone involved.
The same can be said for the Wabash Valley. Its people offer many opportunities for newcomers to get involved, share their strengths and make an impact. Lynn and I have felt a part of this community from the beginning, and leave with nothing but fond memories.
Thank you for the support you have given to us and Rose-Hulman. Given our experience I know you will extend the same warm welcome to the interim president and next president and will continue to support the institution.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone for making our time here so comfortable and happy.
— Lynn and Jerry Jakubowski
Terre Haute
Let all evidence be heard on creation
To not believe in Intelligent Design requires more Kool-Aid than I am willing to drink, especially since there is so much evidence to support this view.
In the book “The Privileged Planet” authors Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards point out the improbability of our planet being where it is by accident. The Synopsis of their work is summarized in the last sentence: “On the contrary, the evidence we can uncover from our Earthly home points to a universe that is designed for life and designed for discovery.” This to me is evidence beyond doubt but not accepted in the classroom.
The biggest travesty letter writer Christopher Gagnon promotes is the idea that we are behind in math and science because of AiG and similar organizations.
Could it be, and I feel that it is, that the passion for science has left the students because they are denied the different views and their supporting evidences? You can make a student put down the answer that the professor or teacher demands him to recite to pass, but fear this — no one can keep a young mind from thinking just by hiding other views and their evidences. The young mind listens with joy to the heavens:
PS 19:1 — The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
PS 19:2 — Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
PS 19:3 — There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
PS 19:4 — Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
So wither it is (Bara) to shape or create (ex nihilo), or (Asah) to do or make (the words are often used interchangeably), our God is an awesome God, the beauty of His creation is before us.
Perhaps with other views and the honest evidence of those views, passion for science can once again bring us where we ought to be. I really wonder who it is that should be ashamed.
— Stephen W. Stipp
Terre Haute
Marijuana is a plant, not a drug
Shirley A. Thomas’ letter (“Marijuana is a dangerous drug”, May 27, 2009) wants people to believe cannabis (marijuana) is a dangerous drug, but relatively speaking it is neither.
Cannabis is less addictive than coffee, safer than beer, wine or whiskey and hasn’t killed a person in over 5,000 years of documented use, while cigarettes kill over 1,000 Americans daily. Is it 100 percent safe? No. Should underage youth use the relatively safe, God-given plant? No. Should responsible adult humans be caged for using the plant cannabis? No, absolutely not. Should citizens lose their jobs for using cannabis after work instead of drinking a glass of wine? No, that’s discrimination.
Further, cannabis isn’t a drug, it’s a plant. Plant: as in Christ God Our Father, The Ecologician created all the seed bearing plants indicating they’re all good on literally the very first page of the Bible.
It’s time to stop prohibiting, persecuting and exterminating what God says is good.
— Stan White
Dillon, Colo.
Thanks for Career Day participation
It’s never too early for students to start planning for their futures. By introducing them to some of the possibilities, they might be encouraged to gain the education they need to pursue their dreams.
Thank you to the many community business people who gave of their time to talk with fourth- and fifth-graders at Farrington Grove Elementary during Career Awareness Day. Presenters shared a description of various jobs connected with their businesses including information about the specific training, knowledge, personality and aptitude required. They explained general habits and skills necessary for a person to succeed in the world of work, including special mention of how writing is important.
The program was sponsored by PALS, Partners Advancing Literacy Skills. This group includes representatives from Vigo County School Corp., Hamilton Center Inc., Vigo County Public Library, Indiana State University and Wabash Valley Community Foundation.
Our mission is to promote the improvement of literacy, and our current focus is the improvement of writing skills. The success of this goal requires the support of the entire community and Career Awareness Day is an example of a valuable community partnership.
A special thanks goes to the presenters: Doug Dillion, opening speaker, Vigo County School Corp.; Louise Anderson, WCI Area Health Education Center; Bob Baesler, Baesler’s Market; Dan Browne, Rick Jenkins Construction; Guille Cox, attorney; Tom Cummins, Apple House; Melissa Davis, Nails by Nikki; Vance Edmondson, Vigo County School Corp.; Michele Glotzbach, U.S. Postal Carrier; Cpl. Phil Haley, Terre Haute Police Department; Ryan Klopfenstein, Hulman Links Golf Course; Melissa McCullough, Terre Haute Savings Bank; Beth McDaniel, VIP Decorating; Mike Saylor, Vigo County School Corp.; Tammy Schaffer, A+ All Star Productions; Jeri Taylor, Ivy Tech Community College; Terry Telschow, personal trainer; Peggy Tierney, Tanglewood Press; Jesse Walker, WTWO-TV; Lisa Webster, Terre Haute Savings Bank; Rick Willey, Ivy Tech Community College; and Marty Woods, Terre Haute Savings Bank. Jenny Thomas of the Vigo County Education Foundation also supported the event.
The students and staff of Farrington Grove along with PALS appreciate your willingness to encourage and inspire our youth as you support educators.
— Judy Lowe
PALS Program Coordinator
Terre Haute
Simply a transfer of knowledge?
After reading Doug Sloan’s May 21 letter to the editor regarding education, I told my wife that the gauntlet had been thrown down and honor demanded a response in the pages of the newspaper. She rolled her eyes and wondered what had been slipped into my coffee.
In seriousness though, perhaps this is a chicken and the egg or cart and horse question. Perhaps it goes deeper than that. In the interest of brevity, my letter on the subject of education was rather short. Because of this, perhaps my point was not well made.
To summarize Mr. Sloan, the purpose of education is to, borrowing the army recruiting slogan, “be all that you can be.” Certainly this is a worthy ambition. No doubt a good education can set an individual on the path to achieving this. Still though, the purpose of education is not self-actualization, but rather knowledge.
Life is about learning and school teaches us how to learn more effectively. Children are taught how to read and write in order to communicate effectively. They are taught math, social studies and science to understand how the world works. The arts give them an appreciation of the creative nature of mankind.
Through all of this we start with the transfer of knowledge. As students become older, the focus shifts more to learning how to learn through study, organization and time management skills.
Much to the chagrin of some parents, some students never leave school. Others eventually go out into the real world to make their place in it. This may be in any number of professions with contributions to society on many various levels including the occasional letter to the editor.
— Dwayne Owens
Terre Haute
Special thanks to TH South students
I would like to publicly thank the South Vigo High School Indiana Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Alliance Super Mileage Challenge team members. IMSTEA is an educational training program that provides resources and support for the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Super Mileage Challenge is a curriculum project incorporating these areas in high mileage cars built by Indiana high school students. These students then compete against each other annually to see which car gets the best gas mileage.
I had the privilege of being involved with this program, as well as being a SkillsUSA advisor, for several years at South Vigo. Last year the students surprised me by naming their car in my honor. Due to a recent change in administration a different direction was being taken in my department, which I felt uncomfortable with, so I felt it best to resign. Though I am no longer with these students on a daily basis, the IMSTEA members once again dedicated the name of their car in my honor this year. I cannot begin to put into words how much this tribute means to me.
In the world today, where the media thrives on anything bad, it is refreshing to know that there are still so many good young people in the world. These students have consistently represented our community with professionalism and dignity. They are our future and I believe our future is in good hands.
Thank you, Careers and Technical Education students, for allowing me to be a part of your lives. You are, and always will be, a part of mine. I hope I made a positive influence in your lives; I know you have in mine. I wish you all the best of luck in the future.
— Marlene Turner
Terre Haute
Special event for PSI-Cinergy retirees
Almost 140 PSI-Cinergy retirees and their guests celebrated the 20th anniversary of their bi-monthly get together at the MCL Banquet Center on Wednesday May 20, 2009.
There are approximately 300 retirees in the west-central area on Indiana.
The Terre Haute North Choral Group, The Counterpoints, provided the after-lunch musical entertainment. These 47 member talents are directed by Steve McDaniel.
After-meal speakers included Rick Burger, district manager of Terre Haute, Larry Thomas, retired executive vice president of Cinergy, now residing in Avon, Al Barker, retired president and chief executive officer of Public Service Indiana who now resides in Indianapolis and Jim Stanley, current President of Duke Energy-Indiana who resides in Carmel. Retired Vice President Charles Uhl of Terre Haute presided.
Ninety-year-old Hugh Galloway, a 27-year retiree from Wabash River Generating Station, was given special recognition as the senior in attendance. Morris Garrigus of Rosedale and Betty Tucker of Terre Haute were also recognized for having reached the 26th year of retirement milestone.
The retirees group in smaller numbers gathers for lunch, generally with a program, and socializing every other month at MCL.
— Charles Uhl
Terre Haute
Thanks for help with contest
I and a friend from West Terre Haute put on a karaoke contest on May 15. I just wanted to thank all of the sponsors that helped us out. We had an outstanding turnout.
The sponsors were Pizza Hut, Baesler’s, Texas Roadhouse, Red Lobster, Bob Evans Restaurant, Fazoli’s, Applebee’s at Plaza North, Long John Silver’s on Wabash Avenue, Taco Bell north end, Pat’s Cafe on U.S. 41 South, New Goshen Mini Mart in West Terre Haute on U.S. 150 North, Valley Grill at Third and Maple, IGA Store in West Terre Haute, Joy’s Restaurant in West Terre Haute, MCL Cafeteria at 25th and Ohio, Donut Connection south on U.S. 41, Meadows Theatre at 25th and Ohio, Baskin Robbins on Wabash Avenue, Ritters Frozen Custard on the north end, Lonestar Steakhouse, Garfield’s Restaurant in the mall, and the Spaghetti and Sub House at 25th and Wabash.
Thank you all very much for all of your help. I hope I can count on you again sometime.
— Roger Wycoff
Terre Haute
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