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The first time retired Army Col. Fred Johnson performed Shakespeare, he thought, “Getting shot was easier than this.”

At first glance, it’s an odd combination: veterans using Shakespeare to cope with PTSD and suicidal thoughts. But to Johnson and the veterans who make up Kentucky Shakespeare’s Shakespeare With Veterans, acting out emotional scenes from Shakespeare presents a balance of art and healing.

In recognition of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Suicide Prevention Week, Shakespeare With Veterans hosted an interactive session with students on campus.

The veterans performed scenes from Shakespearean plays that link to a relevant issue veterans grapple with, such as PTSD’s origin in war and the cycle of revenge in The Merchant of Venice, the contemplation of suicide in Hamlet and how the military brotherhood and sisterhood helps in the recovery from PTSD and the avoidance of suicide in Henry V.

Johnson co-founded the program in February 2016 alongside Matt Wallace, the producing and artistic director of Kentucky Shakespeare. One member of the group, a Vietnam veteran, told Johnson that Shakespeare With Veterans has been the best therapy he’s received in 40 years since returning from Vietnam.

“Our program is effective because we bring veterans together in an environment that reflects the very best components of military service: a brother and sisterhood joined in a higher purpose and the sharing of hardship,” Johnson said. “That higher purpose is telling our stories, through Shakespeare, to better connect the American people with the American military.”

Following the performance, veterans engaged the audience in a discussion of contemporary issues relevant to war, the experience of combat and national security issues. Johnson’s hope is that the experience resonates with students and helps them understand veterans and the effects of war.

“An estimated 23 U.S. veterans die every day by suicide, which is a national tragedy,” said Michael Day, director of IU Southeast’s Personal Counseling Services. “Having veterans themselves share their experiences through such a creative medium will help non-veterans to understand on a whole new level and, we hope, stimulate dialogue and support.”

Further reading: Sharing through Shakespeare: Group finds new ways to reach veterans (News and Tribune, Sept. 22, 2016)

Members of Kentucky Shakespeare's "Shakespeare With Veterans" group perform at IU Southeast on Sept. 22. 

Not only are Grenadier athletes among Indiana University Southeast’s top students, they’re also being recognized for their conduct in and commitment to their sports.

IU Southeast athletics has been named a Champions of Character Gold-Level Institution by the NAIA.

Every year, each NAIA institution and conference demonstrates their progress in pursuing character-driven athletics. The Champions of Character Scorecard measures growth in training, promotion, conduct in competition and commitment in five key areas.

IU Southeast was the only member of the River States Conference to earn a gold-level distinction.For Director of Athletics Joe Glover, achieving that top honor has been an intentional mission for his coaches and student-athletes.

“I am very proud of our student-athletes and coaches for working hard to reach this top level of NAIA Character recognition,” Glover said. “Almost two years ago, I challenged our department to set a goal of obtaining Champions of Character Gold status. We talked about it in every staff and team meeting. It is rewarding to see that our efforts and focus paid off and that our coaches and students continue to set a great example for those in our community. We will continue to make sure that strong character and values are at the center of everything we do.”

To read more about this accolade, visit IU Southeast Athletics.

Five new deans have begun their 3-year terms at IU Southeast.

The new deans have deep roots in the curriculum, culture and community of IU Southeast. In a time of rededication to supporting student persistence and broadening community outreach, their extensive and diverse records of service to the university have prepared them well to guide their schools in alignment with campus strategic planning.

Dr. Donna Bowles has assumed the role of dean of the School of Nursing. Bowles has been serving as interim dean since August 2015.

She received her B.S.N. from Bellarmine University, her M.S.N. from the University of Louisville and her Ed.D. from Spalding University.

Bowles’ nursing practice has been primarily hospital-based with providing care for the acutely ill adult. Areas of interest in academia include teaching strategies, testing and online program development. She is a recipient of four Trustees Teaching Awards and two Grawemeyer Awards for Outstanding Instructional Development among other recognitions. Both on and off campus, Bowles has served the cause of professional development in a wide variety of contexts.

"Many opportunities are forthcoming for the School of Nursing," Bowles said. “Along with the faculty, I look forward to making these happen at IU Southeast. Having worked with most of my colleagues for 15 years, I expect this to be a smooth transition and I think we’ll get a lot accomplished together, which will directly influence the success of our students.

David Eplion has assumed the role of dean of the School of Business.

Eplion previously served as coordinator of management, marketing and supply chain and information management, most recently as the school’s AACSB coordinator.

He has served as co-coordinator of the Management Development Program and coordinator of the CEO Roundtable. He earned his undergraduate degree from IU Bloomington, his M.B.A. from IU Southeast and his Ph.D. in organizational behavior from the University of Pittsburgh.

Eplion is the recipient of a Trustees Teaching Award and an inductee into the Faculty Colloquium on Excellence in Teaching (FACET). He is a native of Jeffersonville and attended Jeffersonville High School.

"As a native of Southern Indiana and an IU Southeast alum, I was very honored to be named Dean of the School of Business and am incredibly excited about the opportunity to work closely with the members of my hometown community,” Eplion said. “Our school’s vision is to be a premiere regional School of Business. Thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff, our highly motivated students, and our loyal community business partners, we are already well on our way to achieving our vision.  As Dean, my focus will be on helping us move further down that path.”

Jim Hesselman has assumed the role of dean of the School of Arts and Letters. He has served as associate professor of theatre.

Hesselman earned his B.A. in speech, communication and theatre from Carthage College and his M.F.A. in theatre performance from the University of Louisville. He has had a significant impact on the theatre program, helping to grow the department and teaching all levels of stage acting while also nurturing students into mature professionals.

Hesselman received an Excellence in Teaching award from the IU Southeast chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success and was twice nominated for the IU Southeast Distinguished Teaching Award.

“The School of Arts & Letters is arguably the most skill-set and ideologically diverse School on campus,” Hesselman said. “I want to help students — and the campus as a whole — become more aware of just what it is we offer over on the ‘other end of campus’ and why we as the Humanities are integral to the central notion of a Liberal Arts education. Not a day goes by in all of our lives when we do not come into contact with something that has its roots in the School of Arts & Letters.”

Kelly Ryan has assumed the role of dean of the School of Social Sciences. She has served as coordinator and associate professor in the department of history at IU Southeast, teaching classes in early American history and as gender and sexuality.

She also served as coordinator and chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies program. Ryan received her B.A. from George Mason University, her M.A. from Boston College and her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.

She is a four-time recipient of the Trustees Teaching Award and a New Frontiers in Arts and Humanities grant among other accolades. Ryan has served on Faculty Senate and the Student Welfare and Research Committee. She is the first female dean of the School of Social Sciences.

“As dean, my role will be to promote faculty and student success within our school, ensuring that both groups have access to the resources they need to achieve their goals in the classroom and in their research,” Ryan said. “I am also eager to expand relationships with our school’s alumni and partners in the community, and plan new activities to promote the benefits of the education our school provides. Offering an education for the ‘whole’ person, our disciplines teach students important skills that lead to a lifetime of curiosity and success: a respect for diversity and an appreciation for multiple perspectives, an ability to analyze social systems, institutions and behaviors, as well as project building and communication skills.”

Donna Dahlgren has assumed the role of dean of Student Success and Persistence. She has been serving as director of the First Year Seminar (FYS).

Dahlgren received her B.S. in psychology and political science from Northern Michigan University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Kent State University. Through her work, Dahlgren has collaborated across campus with administrators, faculty, advisors and staff to enhance student success and persistence through the First Year Seminar, and is the recipient of a Trustees Teaching Award.

Using her leadership and research skills, she has designed and implemented data-driven student success initiatives that have helped IU Southeast retain more students.

“I am looking forward to working with faculty and staff on new and ongoing projects that help to enhance the success and persistence of our first year and ongoing students,” Dahlgren said. “Already we have several new initiatives that are giving students the type of support they need to ensure they reach their academic goals. During my time at IU Southeast, I have always been inspired by the dedicated staff and faculty who are as excited to work on these issues as I am.”

The son of the mastermind behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing came to IU Southeast in October with a message of peace.

“We must embrace tolerance and nonviolence,” Zak Ebrahim said. “Who knows this better than the son of a terrorist?”

Ebrahim, author of “The Terrorist’s Son: A Story of Choice,” spoke to a crowd of more than 500 at the Richard K. Stem Concert Hall in the Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center at IU Southeast on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

He gave a lecture on speaking out against terrorism and spreading his message of peace and nonviolence. Immediately following his presentation, Ebrahim signed copies of his book.

Ebrahim’s father, El Sayyid Nosair (convicted of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing), had hoped Zak would follow in his footsteps and become a jihadist. Instead, Ebrahim was at the beginning of a long process of understanding his past and “choosing” a future.

Ebrahim kept his family history a secret as they moved from place to place. In 2010, he realized his experience as a terrorist’s son not only gave him a unique perspective, but also a unique chance to show that if he could escape a violent heritage, anyone could.

In 2013, Ebrahim was selected to speak at the TED2014 conference in Vancouver, BC. The following year, he published “The Terrorist’s Son: A Story of Choice,” a memoir written with Jeff Giles about the path he took to turn away from hate.

“The Terrorist’s Son” was selected as the Common Experience’s common reading for 2016-17. Ebrahim describes his book as a “portrait of a young man who was raised in the fires of fanaticism and embraced nonviolence instead.”

“With terrorism in the news during an election year, Zak Ebrahim’s message ‘I am the son of a terrorist, and here’s how I chose peace’ is timely, important, and instructive for all to hear,” said Cliff Staten, director of the Common Experience at IU Southeast.

To order Zak Ebrahim’s book on Amazon.com, click here.

Zak Ebrahim speaking to a packed house in Stem Concert Hall at the Ogle Center.

From the desk of the Chancellor & Editor