Alumni news

Randall Hedden had the opportunity to reconnect with many familiar faces and see how much his hometown had grown - But he had also come back to Vincennes on a mission.

Pablo R. Zelaya, a young interpreter from Nicaragua, dreamed of becoming a doctor and medical missionary. First Baptist Church and Vincennes University made his dream a reality.

Sarah Taflinger 83' shares reflections on her past experience as a VU work-study student. Her service and experiences shaped her in ways that she continues to appreciate today. She shares that as a work study you have more fun, meet more people, and are prepared to get out and jump confidently into the workforce.

We can't believe it is already July and that next month we will welcome a brand new class of Trailblazers to Vincennes University!  The 2023-2024 year offers the return of favorite activities and new opportunities to stay connected, share stories, and have fun. We hope to see you soon!

For students in the arts, a small school can offer a perfect launching pad for learning introductory skills, testing your abilities, and gaining confidence. Take advantage of all of the individual attention, the wisdom of your faculty, and take every opportunity to get involved in creative activities.

“I just had to do it… It was my gateway to a better life - It was that way every time,” Today, all of Keri’s educational and professional journeys have led her to a new role with The  Pantheon, a 1920’s theatre brought back to life as a Business Incubator and Coworking Center. WIth deep connections to the community, Keri has found a new purpose in helping business owners develop through programs and services which utilize the relatable skills she learned as a teacher’s aid, educator, and social service provider.

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Alumni Association is now accepting nominations
for the 2023 Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation.  All University alumni and friends are eligible
to make nominations at any time; however, the deadline to be considered for the 2023 award
nominations is Friday June 9, 2023 at 4:30pm (EDT). Award nominations must be received
by the Director of VU Alumni Engagement and late and/or incomplete nominations will be
considered for the 2024 award. 
 
Nomination forms may be completed online at www.vinu.edu/davis-dinner. The nomination form
should be accompanied by letters of recommendation from the nominator(s) as well as other
supporting materials such as a resume, community letters of recommendation, and news articles, etc. 

Supportin materials may be dropped off at the VU Alumni Association in the Louie O. Dayson Center, faxed to 812-888-5942 or emailed to vualumni@vinu.edu. 

The Walter A. Davis recipient should be a member of the greater VU Community. This award recognizes and promotes civic leadership, professional achievements, and above all outstanding community contributions. For more information or questions, contact Director of Alumni Engagement Aaron Selby at 812-888-5332 or cselby@vinu.edu.

"I’ve maintained contact with many friends from that era of my life. It's so funny, because I thought that if I never attended VU, I never would have met these amazing people. That was something that was special about VU—the relationships that I formed during school, and then the ones that I maintained afterwards, continue on today."

I’m really glad I ended up at Vincennes. The learning process was exactly what I needed. I liked the hands-on approach, and it’s what got me through a lot of my tests. I was on-air within a couple of weeks of starting school. There was an on-campus radio station called WROK. I worked there, and I worked at WVUT. As part of my internship program, I worked also for WZDM. I liked the mix of going to school while working at all these places. I did on-air work, and camera work outside and inside for the television station. The staff were really good about working with students. It was a tight-knit group. What was unique was working so closely with everyone. I liked that pretty much everyone had worked in the industry somewhere outside of the school. I appreciated their realistic perspectives. I lived in Morris Hall. My resident advisor stuck around for only the first semester, so they asked me to take over her spot. I became a RA my first year and was assistant dorm director over the summer session. There were a few other broadcasters in my dorm, so I got to know other people. I played card games a lot, and we were called ‘the lounge lizards.’ I got my bachelor’s, and I was able to go right into the radio station on campus without any issues whatsoever. I was able to be in television without any issues. I have worked at ad agencies as well. My first job took me to Anchorage, Alaska. I moved to Alabama after Alaska and worked at an ad agency and a radio station. I then moved back to Springfield, Illinois, and got a job doing radio traffic. I still use my education from VU. Many of the things I learned from college were from experiences beyond my degree. I’m grateful for what I was taught through other people’s lives.

Blazers Give Day is a chance for Trailblazers to make a positive difference every day at Vincennes University. VU’s second Blazers Give Day is Thursday, April 7, 2022. The 24-hour University-wide online giving campaign and celebration of Trailblazer spirit kicks off at midnight. "The One Day That Makes A Difference Every Day" unites alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends anywhere in the world to make an impact that carries forward each and every day.

VINCENNES, Ind. - The Dorothy M. Walters Memorial Scholarship Committee of the Vincennes University Foundation has announced that Elsa Telligman, of Carlisle, is the scholarship recipient for the 2021-22 academic year.

VINCENNES, Ind. - The Grabbe-Utley Scholarship Committee of the Vincennes University Foundation has announced the five recipients of its prestigious Grabbe-Utley Scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year. The recipients are Abbi Marsh of Vincennes, Lauren Haveman of Monroe City, Brittany Page of Freelandville, Mary Rent of Sandborn, and Emmanuel Smith of Vincennes.

VINCENNES, Ind. - The Vincennes University Foundation has announced the recipients of the Oscar L. Dunn Memorial Scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year. The recipients are Blaine Tabler, Olivia Kroeger, and Quentin Seger, all of Vincennes.

The Bierhaus Doorway Scholarship Committee of the Vincennes University Foundation has announced Emilee Hall, of Bicknell, as the recipient of its William M. Bierhaus Doorway Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year.

VU set him on path of academic excellence. Now he helps southern Indiana entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.

From the ground up: How VU gave agency owner the skills he needed for business success

Become a member of the VU Varsity Club today!

The Vincennes University Aviation program has announced a new award for an outstanding first-year aviation flight or maintenance student. The first Frank O'Neal Aviation Trailblazer Award  will be presented in Spring 2022 and include a scholarship award. Guest Contributor and VU alumnus David Goodnow (VU '59) shares the history of pioneer Frank O'Neal. 

Business owner Shaquille Goines:  ‘VU taught me to ask questions and to reach out for help’

The Vincennes University Foundation in conjunction with the family of Gregory McMichael has established two new scholarships.  The Gregory McMichael Aviation Memorial Scholarship and the Gregory McMichael Mechanical Engineering Memorial Scholarship will help students facing economic barriers to pursuing their degree in one of these programs.  The Aviation Memorial Scholarship will benefit students at the Aviation Technology Center (ATC) in Indianapolis.  The Mechanical Engineering Scholarship will assist students on the Vincennes Campus.

VINCENNES, Ind - The Vincennes University Foundation is delighted to announce the Gene and Patricia Bathe endowed scholarship for full-time VU students.

A new Vincennes University scholarship honoring the life and legacy of Mary Lukens Coxon, the Mary Lukens (L.) Coxon Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing a degree with the purpose of improving the welfare of children.

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of the Indiana State Poultry Association Scholarship to benefit students enrolled in Vincennes University Agriculture Studies.

Treanor Memorial Scholarship to assist future nurses VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of the Shelia J. Treanor Memorial Scholarship to benefit Vincennes University nursing students.