• Miss VU Scholarship Pageant is Saturday
• Civil War Era Newspaper Collection Now Available
• Student Government Association Receives U.S. Flag and certificates of appreciation from Operation Care at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan
• VU Alumni Mixer is March 15
• Drum Enchanted Evening is March 25 at VU
• VU Blazer Bowlers’ 3-peat earns 17th NJCAA National Title
• VU Health Watch Wednesday Continues

Miss VU Scholarship Pageant is Saturday

 March 16, 2010

VINCENNES, IND. - The public is invited to the 2010 Miss Vincennes University Scholarship Pageant on March 20 at 8 p.m. EDT at VU’s Red Skelton Performing Arts Center. It will also be broadcast live on WVUT Channel 22.  The Skelton Center is located on the VU campus at 20 Red Skelton Blvd.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. VU students with ID are admitted free.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.vinu.edu/redskelton, or through the Skelton Center box office, 812-888-4039.  The box office is open from 12:00-7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 12:00-4:00 p.m. on Fridays.  Proceeds will be used to benefit the local pageant as well as the Children’s Miracle Network, the official national platform of the Miss America Organization.

The broadcast will also be simultaneously aired live on the VU website, www.vinu.edu.  Local viewers may tune in to WVUT Channel 22 (cable subscribers should check their local listings).  Viewers worldwide may log on to the VU homepage, www.vinu.edu, then click on the link and follow the directions. 

The Miss VU Pageant will feature eleven Miss VU semi-finalists in competition, along with Miss VU 2009 Lara Murray, Wheatland, and Master of Ceremonies James Simmons, Vincennes. Special entertainment will be provided by the VU Connection.

The Miss VU Scholarship Pageant is a preliminary step toward the Miss Indiana title.  The young woman named Miss Indiana is eligible to participate in the national Miss America Scholarship Pageant.

Each of the VU semi-finalists will participate in five areas of competition:  private interview, which is conducted prior to the evening pageant, on-stage question, lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, evening wear, and talent.  In addition, each semi-finalist will present information about her platform—a socially significant issue or cause on which she works to raise public awareness.

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women.  Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.  This assistance is not just for the handful of young women who become Miss America, but is available to the over 12,000 young women who compete in the state and local competitions, as well.

Participating in the Miss America system not only helps young women pay for college and prepare for a career, it also provides an opportunity to gain additional life experience, working on issues of importance to society, enhancing their personal and professional skills, and developing their performance-related and other talents.  Scholarships have been the cornerstone of the Miss America program since 1945.


MISS VU SEMI-FINALISTS

Ashley Michelle Wood, Vincennes, is a General Studies major. Her platform is “Arts in Education” and she will perform “Almost Like Being in Love” for her talent presentation. Ashley is a graduate of Lincoln High School.  She has appeared in numerous stage productions and taken voice and dance lessons for several years.  She works part-time at the Red Skelton Center Ticket Office and Lydia’s.  She is the daughter of Dan and Lisa Miller of Vincennes.

Ashley Sharee Davis, Anderson, is Radiography major.  Her platform is “Child Abuse” and she will sing “Am I Am Telling You” for her talent selection. Ashley is a graduate of Anderson High School where she was captain of the varsity volley team and a member of the show choir and softball team.  Ashley works at Tecumseh Dining Center on campus and loves to model and act.  She is the daughter of Bryant and Sharrell Davis of Anderson.

Amanda Jane Robison, Wabash, is a Graphic Design major. Her platform is “Going Green, All About Recycling” and she will perform an original composition “On My Own” for her talent presentation. She is the recipient of the Meredith Reed Scholarship and serves as vice president of the VU Dodgeball Club.  Amanda works for the VU Marketing Department and at Buffalo Wild Wings.  She is the daughter of Gary and Diana Robison of Wabash.

Rochelle Chantae Mitchem, South Bend, is a Law Enforcement major.  Her platform is “Make a Difference, Be a Role Model” and she will sing “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” for her talent selection. A graduate of South Bend Washington High School, Rochelle is a 21st Century Scholar and a member of the VU Gospel Choir, Law Enforcement Association, and a Campus Police Cadet.  She is the daughter of Donald and Rhonda Mitchem of South Bend.

Chelsea Brooke Thompson, Vincennes, is a BS Nursing major.  Her platform is “Breast Cancer and Early Detection are for Everyone” and she will sing “This Is My Now” for her talent presentation. Chelsea graduated with an Honors Diploma from Lincoln High School.  She has served as an evaluator for the VU Marketing Team and appeared in several VU television commercials.  A cashier at Jay-C’s Food Store, Chelsea is the daughter of Mike and Sandy Thompson of Vincennes.

Tara Jo Woodrum, Vincennes, is a Special Education major.  Her platform is “Missionary Work” and she will sing “Never Alone” for her talent presentation. A graduate of Tri-West High School,  Tara is enjoying VU with her twin sister Cassy.   She enjoys spending time with family and friends and especially shopping.  A cashier at Jay C Food Store, she is the daughter of Terry and Tina Woodrum of North Salem.

Tanessa M. Dumes, Indianapolis, is a Fashion Merchandising major. Her platform is “Self-Awareness and Self Respect in Young Ladies” and she will sing “Who Will Love Me As I Am” for her talent presentation. A graduate of Warren Central High School, she is a member of the Executive Council of the Black Student Association, president of RUNWAY, and a member of LOVE International Fashion Team. She is the daughter of Lauresa Garnett of Indianapolis.

Bethany Jade Pinkstaff, Paragon, is an Agriculture major.  Her platform is “Home Front to Iraq” and she will sing “Come Home Soon” for her talent presentation. A graduate of Eminence High School in Paragon, Bethany is a member of VU Women of Essence and enjoys doing community service and charity work.  An employee of Grandview Geriatric Health Care, she is the daughter of Kelly Kistler and Harmon Pinkstaff of Paragon.

Ashley Dawn Polen, Petersburg, is a Radiology major. Her platform is “We Build, Serving the Children of the World” and she will perform a contemporary lyrical dance for her talent presentation. A graduate of Pike Central High School, she is a member of the VU Student Government Association and is involved in make-up design for all the musical and drama productions at VU.  Ashley is the dance coach for the South Knox Starz and an instructor at Xtreme Dance in Vincennes.  She is the daughter of Sam and Donna Polen of Petersburg.

Amber Marie Allen, Indianapolis, is a Music Theater major.  Her platform is “Going Green!” and she will sing “It’s No Secret Anymore” for her talent presentation. A graduate of Ben Davis High School, Amber has had special training in all areas of dance and theater, has sang in 11 different languages, and been involved in several musical productions.  She is the daughter of Kris Allen and Amanda Ruschmeier of Indianapolis.

Katie Donnar, Bruceville, is Liberal Arts major.  Her platform is “Education and Prevention of Skin Cancer” and she will since “Art is Calling For Me” for her talent presentation. An Academic honors graduate of North Knox High School, she has been involved in Show Choir, cheerleading and Student Council.  Katie is the Samonial National Anthem Scholarship recipient at VU and sings the National Anthem at basketball games.  Katie is the daughter of Terry and Kelly Donnar of Bruceville.

For more information, please contact Duane Chattin, Director of Public Information, at 812-888-4164 (office), 812-887-6397 (cell) or dchattin@vinu.edu

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Civil War Era Newspaper Collection Now Available

March 9, 2010

VINCENNES, IND. - The Vincennes Civil War newspaper digitization project at VU's Lewis Historical Library is now available on the VU campus system, the Knox County Public Library, and area schools, according to an announcement from VU’s Lewis Historical Library.  The database holds thousands of pages of newspapers from the Lewis Library newspaper collection.

It is available on the VU Libraries Find Articles page along with other library electronic resources and is titled:  Vincennes Civil War Era Newspaper Collection, Accessible Archives (full text).

Lewis Library digitized newspapers include News of the Day (1855-56), Old Post Union (1862), Stars and Stripes and Old Post Union (1862), Vincennes Courant (1855-56), Vincennes Weekly Courant and Patriot (1855-56), Vincennes Gazette (1855-69), Weekly Vincennes Gazette (1857-59), The Vincennes Times (1865-66), and Vincennes Western Sun (1856-69).

The collection is an excellent source for student writing assignments about the period, genealogy research, and anyone interested in primary sources about the history of the area and the Civil War period.

Both text files and the original newspaper pages may be displayed.  For more information or assistance, contact reference librarian Richard King, rking@vinu.edu.

For more information, please contact Duane Chattin, Director of Public Information, 812-888-4164 (office), 812-887-6397 (cell) or dchattin@vinu.edu

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Student Government Association Receives U.S. Flag and certificates of appreciation from Operation Care at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan

The Vincennes University Student Government Association (SGA) is the recipient a U.S. Flag and certificates of appreciation from Operation Care at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.  They were sent by U.S. Air Force Maj. Langdon Root, a Knox County native who until recently was a volunteer with Operation Care while he was stationed in Afghanistan.  Langdon's sister, Precious Rhea (3rd from right in the first row) delivered the flag and certificates to the SGA.  With the support of the community, the SGA donated 60 boxes that included 4,277 items ranging from clothing, toiletries, and school supplies.  Quoting from the certificate, "Your humanitarian efforts have greatly improved the quality of the life for the people of Afghanistan and the future of their nation."  Operation Care has distributed more than 60 tons of humanitarian supplies to thousands of needy Afghans.  The U.S. Flag that the SGA received flew in combat over Afghanistan on Dec. 22, 2009, aboard a U.S. Air Force F-16C Viper 14 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

From left, Vincennes University Student Government Association President Lindy Martin receives a U.S. Flag from Precious Rhea in appreciation for the SGA's efforts to support Operation Care in Afghanistan, a voluntary humanitarian effort that Rhea's brother, U.S. Air Force Major Langdon Root, helped organize.  VU was one of the leading U.S. campuses in sending humanitarian supplies to Operation Care.

The certificates, pictures and the flag from Operation Care will be on display in the Beckes Student Union Grand Hall.

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VU Alumni Mixer is March 15

March 8, 2010

VINCENNES, IND. - Vincennes University alumni are invited to a mixer on March 15, 6:30 p.m. (EST), at the Vincennes Golf Club, 1364 N. Hillcrest Rd., Vincennes.  Alumni are invited to enjoy good music, fellowship, and meet members of the Alpha Chapter of the VU Alumni Association, sponsor of the mixer.

The Alpha Chapter also reminds the public that members are accepting donations for a spring Trash and Treasure Sale.  Donations are accepted every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at 18 N. 2nd Street in Vincennes.  Proceeds from the spring sale will support scholarships to VU.  For more information call 812-888-4354.

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Drum Enchanted Evening is March 25 at VU

March 5, 2010


VINCENNES, IND. - The Vincennes University Department of Music will present “Drum Enchanted Evening” on March 25, 7:30 p.m. (EST), at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center.  The event is free and the public is invited to attend.  The Skelton Center is located on the VU campus at 20 Red Skelton Blvd.

Under the direction of Professor Susie Jackson, the VU Percussion Ensemble featuring 14 percussionists will play a variety of traditional and innovative percussion instruments.  The group will perform various musical styles including jazz/fusion, classical, and the more contemporary novelty tunes performed in the “stomp” style which involves the use of unique or unusual objects as percussion instruments combined with visual performance.

On March 27, the Department will host a Day of Percussion at the Skelton Center.  The event will include clinics as well as performances by various percussion ensembles.  Participating collegiate ensembles include Ball State University, Indiana State University, Purdue University, and Vincennes University.  Dr. Marc Wooldridge, Indiana Wesleyan University, will be doing a clinic performance of four of his multimedia compositions that incorporate film, visual art, and aerial photography with live and recorded percussion.  Dr. Erwin Mueller, Ball State University, will have a session on making and repairing mallets.

The featured clinician will be Dr. Elliot “Ellie” Mannette, recipient of the 1999 National Endowment for the Arts and a 2003 Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Hall of Fame inductee.  Recognized by many as the “father of the modern steel drum,” Dr. Mannette has devoted his life to the development of the steel drum art form.  He is also the founder of Mannette Steel Drums, Ltd., an instrument manufacturing company located in Morgantown, West Virginia.  Steel drums, also known as “pans,” came into existence on the island of Trinidad around the time of World War II, and are considered to be the only truly new acoustic instrument created in the 20th century.  In 1946, Dr. Mannette was the first person to fashion his “pan” from the now-standard 55 gallon steel drum.

Dr. Mannette will present two sessions on the steel drum, one on the history of the instrument and the other on the construction and tuning.

The Day of Percussion is free, and the public is invited to attend.  Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. with ongoing performances and clinics beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending around 6:00 p.m.  For information about the Day of Percussion, Prof. Jackson may be reached at 812-888-4435.

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VU Blazer Bowlers’ 3-peat earns 17th NJCAA National Title

March 6, 2010  

 
The Vincennes Blazer Bowlers came from behind Saturday to claim the 2010 NJCAA Bowling National Championships at AMF Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga , NY .
 
The title was VU’s 17th and third in a row.
 
VU won the event with a big second day. After the second five-man game on Friday, the Blazer Bowlers trailed Erie Community College by more than 100 pins. But a huge third game vaulted by VU and Hudson Valley past Erie to take over the top spots going into Saturday’s action.
 
VU turned in the best five-man total of 6,778 pins to win the crown, pulling away. The Blazer Bowlers’ total of 693 in the first set of Baker competition pushed them 700 pins ahead with six games remaining. VU finished with a total of 15,088 to edge runner-up Hudson Valley ’s 14,343 pins.  Erie was third with 14,161.
 
Sophomore Gerod Qualls set an NJCAA record with an 826 set Saturday morning. The All-American had games of 269, 279 and 278. He earned the Helmer Award as the all-events champion for the second consecutive year.
 
Qualls edged teammate Jack Sullivan by 56 pins.

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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. 

Vincennes University students and employees seeking an H1N1 vaccination should go to the Knox County Immunization Clinic at 701 Dubois Street in Vincennes.   Visit their website for more information.

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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