Find more Liberal Arts highlights in our other issues.
Dean's Remarks
On behalf of the College of Liberal Arts, I would like to personally welcome you to the latest edition of Focus. We live in unprecedented times and the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us. USI made the difficult but correct decision to move all classes to a remote learning environment for the rest of the spring semester and for the summer. Although this was a major challenge for students and for faculty and staff, I knew that we would rise to the challenge. And we did. As did our students.... It has not been easy but I can assure you that every decision we have made has been student-centered and focused on maintaining the academic integrity and transformative excellence that are the hallmarks of our College.
Many of our seniors are disappointed to miss out on their final few months of college life but many remarked that their college education has helped them navigate these uncertain times and to remain resilient in the face of challenges. Dozens of students have spoken with me and every single student has had nothing but praise for their professors and for the University of Southern Indiana. We cannot do what we do without effective teamwork. So, every day I am thankful for the dedication, professionalism, flexibility, and creative ingenuity of our colleagues and the wonderful group in the Dean’s Office. We are truly a student-centered college. We miss our students and we miss one another.
For our friends and Alums, if you are wondering what you can do to help us, please know that anything you can do, will be most appreciated. We are always glad to hear from you. Please contact me directly if you have questions or comments. If you would like to contribute to scholarships that will help our students or advance our mission, please do so with a donation to the College of Liberal Arts. Please stay connected. But most importantly, stay safe and keep well.
In this issue, we will continue to showcase the wonderful work and creativity of our talented students, our excellent faculty, and our wonderful alumni. Liberal Arts remains the heart and soul of the university, transforming lives and our community. Please take a moment to peruse our e-newsletter and read about the transformative stories of academic excellence and dedicated service. Take good care.
We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Dr. James M. Beeby, Ph.D., F.R.Hist.S. Dean of the College
Chuck Armstrong, assistant professor of graphic design (pictured above), is recognized by the news for his care packages for students and others affected by COVID-19. If you would like to donate to help his cause, visit coronacarepackage.org
The College of Liberal Arts hosted their annual Spring Meeting in January 2020, continuing our new tradition of presenting awards of recognition to our incredible faculty and staff.
Dr. Tamara Hunt, professor of history | Outstanding Service to the College of Liberal Arts Award
Ms. Christy Baker, associate professor of social work | Distinguished Faculty Award
Dr. Stephanie Young, associate professor of communication studies | Outstanding Teaching Award
Mr. Rob Millard-Mendez, professor of art | Outstanding Research and Creativity Award
We are also happy to announce that the USI Board of Trustees approved the tenure and promotion of the following faculty members:
Promoted to Full Professor
Dr. Dan Bauer, Department of World Languages and Cultures
Dr. David Hitchcock, Department of World Languages and Cultures
Dr. Melinda Roberts, Department of Criminal Justice
Dr. Wendy Turner, Department of Social Work
Tenured and Promoted to Associate Professor
Dr. Chad Gonnerman, Department of Political Science, Public Administration, and Philosophy
The USI Global Studies program has re-established their student-based organization, Global Awareness Project (GAP). This group is dedicated to promoting awareness of international issues, cultural diversity and involvement in international philanthropic activities. Find out more on their website.
Student-run art and literary journal, FishHook, received Second Place for Best Hand-Drawn Illustration to “Portrait of a Gene” by Donald MacLean-Kennedy and Second Place for Best Overall Design to Editor-in-Chief, Samuel Herdegen, and the FishHook staff
USI's student newspaper, The Shield, took home over 40 awards including First Place in Division 2, Newspaper of the Year.
Professor emeritus of sociology, Anne Statham, and her late mother, Bettye Statham, generously donated to the university to endow the Anne and Bettye Statham Student Community Engagement Award for USI students.
Students, faculty and members of the community join us for the Social Justice Activism Fair as a part of the Mandela Social Justice Day programming.
Iconic activist, author and professor, Dr. Angela Davis, delivered the keynote address at USI's annual Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day. Read the Courier & Press interview with Dr. Davis.
Craig Fehrman '07, USI English alumnus, published his book Author in Chief: The Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote to critical acclaim. Fehrman has done interviews with NPR and the New York Times and his book has been positively reviewed by the National Book Review and the Wall Street Journal, among others.
USI students were honored with five national awards for their radio work through the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts competition. Who won?
The third annual Graduate Student Colloquium, featuring students from each of our Liberal Arts graduate programs, has posted all of the colloquium presentations online. This year’s theme is “Accessibility.”
Criminal justice students were visited by many local professionals in the classroom this semester, including Judge Leslie Shively of the Vanderburgh County Court system.
Spring 2020 Commencement has been tentatively rescheduled for Friday, August 14 for master and doctoral degree candidates and Saturday, August 15 for undergraduate students. Find up-to-date information on the University's COVID-19 Updates and Information page.
The USI Gender Studies program plans to host a student conference in October 2020 commemorating the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffrage amendment.
Students, faculty and members of the community join us for the Social Justice Activism Fair as a part of the Mandela Social Justice Day programming.
In early March, guests enjoyed the 1920s-themed Toast to the Arts, an annual event hosted by the USI Society for Arts and Humanities
