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State of the University Address 2009



Vision—when matched with persistence and a determined drive to succeed—results in remarkable achievement.

Hello, I’m Dick Helton, president of Vincennes University, an institution that stands as a testament to the power of a vision.  It was more than two centuries ago that V-U was founded on what was then the American frontier.  And it was a young man’s vision that made the difference.

Before he was elected the 9th President of the United States, William Henry Harrison governed the Indiana Territory from Vincennes. And one of his first acts was to establish a college with the following charge:   “Knowledge….should be widely diffused.”

Those key words from our 1806 charter continue to guide the future for Vincennes University today.  

From a frontier college to today’s trailblazer in providing greater access to higher education, V-U is also proud to offer the lowest tuition rate among all residential universities in the state. And in today’s economy that is important to a growing number of Hoosiers.

In addition to being affordable, V-U provides access to higher education in five principle ways:  academic transfer education, career and technical education, programs to serve business and industry, early college and dual enrollment programs, and by offering baccalaureate degrees.

V-U has long been a leader in academic transfer education with hundreds of graduates transferring annually to universities throughout the state and nation.  Currently there are more than 245 two-plus-two articulation agreements between V-U and public and private universities.

V-U is also proud to offer more than 100 career and technical programs and options.  Many of these programs—such as Advanced Manufacturing—are among the leading programs of their kind in the nation.  Funding for these programs is a sound investment—with between 93 and 95 percent of V-U’s career and technical graduates accepting positions in Indiana.

Complementing our career and technical education is V-U’s Business and Industry program.  It provides more than 14,000 credit hours of training for workers throughout Indiana. Building on strong ties with business and industry, V-U also has developed a strong internship program, a win/win opportunity for both students and their future employers.

An area showing great promise is V-U’s Early College and Dual Enrollment program.  V-U currently partners with almost 100 schools in more than half of Indiana’s counties to provide dual enrollment courses.

V-U also serves as a model for the future with its Ben Davis University High School—providing an opportunity for students to achieve both a Core 40 diploma while also earning credits towards an associate degree. Today, more than 360 students are enrolled at Ben Davis University High School and next year that will grow to about 500 students.

In recent years, V-U’s mission has expanded to offer select baccalaureate degrees targeted to critical workforce needs in the state. These programs build on the strengths of flagship associate degree programs offered for many years by V-U.

Since the 2004-2005 academic year, V-U has added baccalaureate degree programs in Health Care Management, Nursing, Technology, Homeland Security and Public Safety, as well as three Education programs with    concentrations in Mathematics, Science, and Special Education. 

New associate degree programs added since the 2004-2005 academic year include Fire Science and Safety, Web Design, Pharmacy Technician, Mining Technology, Surgical Technology, and Supply Chain Management.  V-U has also added many new certificate programs as well as a popular third-year option in Advanced Manufacturing.

In addition to new programs, today’s V-U has never been better prepared to serve Hoosiers.  Thanks to new facilities such as the Indiana Center for Applied Technology, Red Skelton Performing Arts Center, Donald Bell Recreation Center, Construction Technology Building, and a new academic building at the V-U Jasper Campus, V-U’s physical plant is top-rated.  Construction will also begin this spring on the Gibson County Center for Advanced Technology and Logistics, expanding V-U’s service to the important Southwest Indiana industrial corridor. 
The V-U Foundation has also reached new heights of service to our students and community.  This year almost three-quarters of a million dollars in Foundation scholarships were awarded to students.  The Foundation and Alumni Offices also achieved a remarkable 25 percent increase in season ticket sales for the V-U Community Series, an important cultural asset for the greater Vincennes area.

One indicator of V-U’s success is that our Vincennes Campus attracts students from almost all Indiana counties, 28 states, and 32 foreign countries. I’m proud to report that Vincennes enrollment is at five-year high of more than 5,000 students.

V-U’s statewide outreach goes far beyond Vincennes though.  There is the growing VU-Jasper Campus, the Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis, and the Indiana School for the Deaf.  V-U’s Military Education programs also serve about 200 soldiers at sites such as Terre Haute, Kokomo, New Albany, Remington, Shelbyville, and Camp Atterbury. 

Beyond Indiana, V-U’s Military Education Program enrolls more than 1,200 students at 12 sites throughout the nation, and V-U ranks second in the nation among all universities offering programs to Coast Guard personnel, including on Coast Guard Cutters.  In fact, military personnel stationed in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan are currently enrolled in V-U courses via Distance Education.

It is remarkable to remember that this outreach—that touches the lives of thousands of Hoosiers—grew from the vision of a young man who saw the need to establish a frontier college.  From this room—the Treaty Room in his Vincennes home—Governor Harrison charted a bold future for the Indiana Territory. 

From my office window at Vincennes University I can look across campus and see the Harrison home. It serves as a daily reminder to me of the power of vision—and the importance to match that vision with persistence and a determined drive to succeed.

That is Vincennes University’s heritage.  More importantly, that is Vincennes University’s commitment to the future: To serve new generations of Hoosiers with the same innovation and service that has been V-U’s hallmark for more than two centuries.

Thanks to support from people like you, V-U has fulfilled the bold vision outlined in its charter.  And today, more than ever, V-U stands ready to provide wider access to higher education—the key to economic development and a bright future for Indiana. 
 

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Kotter recertified as collegiate retailer

November 20, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - Ronald L. Kotter, manager of Vincennes University’s Old Post Bookstore, recently completed the requirements to renew his Certified Collegiate Retailer (CCR) designation through the National Association of College Stores.  The CCR designation indicates skillful leadership, stewardship, and expertise in college store operations.

In addition to Kotter’s career experience in collegiate retailing, CCR designees must successfully complete a comprehensive examination that tests their fundamental knowledge of all areas of the collegiate retailing profession and their ability to apply that knowledge.  To successfully recertify for the designation, individuals complete a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education and professional development in the four years since initially earning the designation or from the date of the last renewal, as applicable.

More than 100 collegiate retailers have earned the CCR designation since its launch in fall 2004.

About NACS

Headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio, the National Association of College Stores is the professional trade association representing the $11 billion collegiate retailing industry.  NACS represents more than 3,100 collegiate retailers and approximately 1,100 associate members who supply books and other products to college stores.  NACS member stores daily serve America’s college students while supporting the academic missions of higher education institutions everywhere.  Additional information is available online at www.nacs.org.

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VU Christmas Gala Concert is Dec. 2

November 20, 2009

VINCENNES, IND. - The Vincennes University Music Department will present a Christmas Gala Concert on Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. EST, in the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center Theatre.  The concert is free and the public is invited to attend.

The concert will showcase various Christmas songs in a variety of musical styles.  Featured groups include the VU Connection, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Blues Ensemble, performances by VU faculty members, and more.

For more information, please contact Duane Chattin, Director of Public Information, at 812-888-4164 or dchattin@vinu.edu

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Lady Trailblazers 10th, Trailblazers 25th in NJCAA’s 1st hoops polls of season

November 18, 2009


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Vincennes Lady Trailblazers are No. 10 in the NJCAA's first Div. I Women's Basketball Poll of the season, which was released today.

The VU men were in a tie for 25th in the initial poll announced late Tuesday afternoon.

The 7-0 Lady Trailblazers had been ranked No. 13 in the pre-season poll. Gulf Coast - host of this weekend's Gulf Coast Classic in Panama City, Fla, in which the Lady Trailblazers will participate – tops the first regular-season poll. VU, after beating No. 14 Lincoln Trail 69-64 Tuesday, faces Gulf Coast Saturday, after taking on No. 22 Chipola on the tournament's first day.

Each of the event’s games will be carried live on the Gulf Coast Sports Network. The broadcasts can be heard by visiting the Gulf Coast Athletics Web site at www.gcathletics.com.

The Vincennes Trailblazers, 6-1 on the season, share the 25th slot in the rankings with the College of Southern Idaho. Central Florida Community College is the top-ranked team in the first poll. The Trailblazers defeated Lincoln Trail (ranked No. 23 in the first poll) 81-77 Tuesday night.

VU will host Southeastern Illinois at 7 p.m. Saturday at the P.E. Complex.

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Former VU Blazer Baseball Player Jason Clutter Making Way in Music


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jason Clutter's family moved from Elberfeld to Haubstadt when he was 10 and he discovered sports, especially baseball. He loved it so much that he worked hard enough to turn his God-given talent into a scholarship to pitch and play outfield at Vincennes University.

Clutter graduated in 2002 as one of the NJCAA's top closers and holding a degree in graphic design. He moved on to Oakland City and then spent part of summer 2003 in Italy playing baseball. Unfortunately, his shoulder gave out during his senior year with the Oaks and he would never play baseball again.

So Clutter looked to his other passion - country music, which until that time had been a way to pass time on baseball road trips. “I would sing on the bus on road trips during college and the team would join in," he said.

Music certainly became more than a hobby when Clutter started a local band and recorded seven original songs, two of which got fairly heavy play on Evansville market radio for almost two years. The band quickly grew from playing in front of about 20 people to crowds of about 200 per night.

Clutter has opened for 13 national acts and hopes to complete a new album for release in 2010.

**For more information, visit wwww.jasonclutter.com.

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WVUB radio receives state Community Involvement Award

November 19, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - Vincennes University radio station Blazer 91.1 WVUB is the recipient of the “Community Involvement” award from the Indiana Broadcasters Association.  The award was presented Nov. 14 during the annual Spectrum Awards ceremonies in Indianapolis.

“I am very honored to have received this award for two reasons,” said Phillip Smith, general manager of WVUB.  “We were very happy to have been selected as Radio Station of the Year last year.  But this award has even more meaning.  This is recognition of service to our community.  Actually being concerned and involved in local events and activities is what broadcasting is all about, and being honored for that by your peers is the highest form of recognition.  Secondly, both VU and the VU Broadcasting Department were recognized and highlighted by broadcasters from throughout the state.”

According to the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the Spectrum Award recognizes broadcast excellence for outstanding achievement in broadcasting by radio and television stations throughout Indiana.  The competition was established to encourage the highest standards of reporting, community service, and production creativity.  It is the ultimate peer recognition for members of the broadcast industry in Indiana.

“When I travel throughout the state, I frequently encounter graduates of VU’s broadcasting program and they always speak highly of their preparation at VU.  Giving students the opportunity to be involved with award-winning stations such as WVUB is an important part of why our graduates achieve great success in this field.  I commend everyone associated with WVUB on receiving this honor,” said VU President Dick Helton.

WVUB Program Director Michael Woods said the award is a motivator for the station’s staff.  “The trophy shows the dedication of our staff and the acceptance of our listeners.  We promise not to let up, but to continue to deliver quality programming for the people of the Wabash valley.”

VU BROADCASTING

The VU Broadcasting Department prepares students for successful entry into radio, television, and allied career fields while earning a college degree. The program emphasizes hands-on, real-world experience for students, including many hours in VU broadcast studios and stations perfecting both on-air and behind-the-scenes technical skills.  VU’s public broadcast stations, WVUB and WVUT-TV, are the only ones in Indiana that are part of an academic broadcast program.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport.  VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, and secondary education programs in mathematics, science, and special education.

VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 26 other states, and 37 foreign countries.  Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls.  VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States.  William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory.  More information is available at www.vinu.edu.

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H1N1 vaccination clinic for VU students is Nov. 23

November 19, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - An H1N1 vaccination clinic will be offered to Vincennes University students on Nov. 23 from 5:00-7:00 PM EST (or until all vaccine is given) in VU’s Beckes Student Union, Fort Sackville Room 1.

“We have a limited number of vaccinations and we must follow the priority guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and the Indiana State Board of Health for administration of the vaccine.  We will be offering additional H1N1 vaccination clinics as soon as we receive additional doses from the County Board of Health,” said Peggy Milligan, coordinator of the VU Student Health Center.

Recommended initial priority groups include:  pregnant women, household/caregivers of babies under 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons aged 6 months to 24 years, persons aged 25-64 who have high-risk medical conditions.

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VU Health Watch Wednesday Continues

 VU Health Watch Wednesday began with two e-text messages that provided H1N1 wellness tips and reminded subscribers to visit the VU Health Office web page. 

Updates will be posted each Wednesday (or sooner if the situation warrants).  The webpage includes links to the Center for Disease Control flu pages, preventative tips, and campus information. 

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