The need for NETWORKING professionals is huge.

In a recent survey of 1400 CIO's (chief information officers) by Robert Half Technology, 76% reported a need for network administrators. This incredible demand is for those who have the credentials to design, implement, and manage reliable networks. Indiana Tech has the expertise, the hardware and software to make it happen. The Networking B.S. degree program integrates Cisco coursework that can lead to certification along with the degree. Computer networking has become such a pervasive part of our society that a degree in this area will be the door to a secure and well paid career. For more information on this degree, including the curriculum, go to http://www.indianatech.edu/Engineering/ComputerStudies/BS-Networking.aspx


Indiana Tech Awarded Grant for Nearly $2 Million
July 14, 2008

Sen. Richard Lugar’s office has notified Indiana Tech that the university’s Strengthening Institutions proposal to the U.S. Department of Education has been approved. Indiana Tech will receive $398,395 for the first year of the grant, which is then renewable for four years, for an expected total of nearly $2 million. The university will use the funds to develop a specialized program, known as Freshman College, for first-year students.

“Freshman College will make a big difference in the way first-year students approach higher education,” said President Arthur E. Snyder. “It is geared to provide extra guidance, mentoring and social involvement to help students improve academic skills and adaptation to university life, so they can increase their success.”

The university’s Freshman College will include highly structured and supportive student services such as intensive advising; a core group of faculty; specialized developmental courses in English and math; block scheduling for students in cohort groups; tutorial services; and social interaction through shared campus activities.

“The federal government has a vital role to play in promoting higher education, and Indiana Tech will greatly benefit from the funding through this Strengthening Institutions Grant,” Lugar said. He also added that the grant is noncompetitive for the following four years.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Elaine Pontillo said the university will be carefully planning details of the program and conducting in-service training for involved faculty during the first year of the grant, beginning this fall. The program will start serving the freshman class of 2009, with enrollment of students who will benefit from such a learning environment.

"Research has shown that students who register for this type of specialized programming are more likely to remain in college and earn their degrees while achieving higher grades than they would have achieved without the program,” Pontillo stated.
Mishawaka Grand Opening Aug. 1
July 22, 2008

Indiana Tech will celebrate the opening of its new location in Mishawaka with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on August 1, 2008.

President Arthur E. Snyder and other university officials will join with Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea to formally open the new site with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be available at an open house from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Mishawaka site replaces Indiana Tech’s College of Professional Studies location in South Bend. The new 4,700-square-foot facility on Edison Lakes Parkway has four classrooms, including a computer lab, as well as university staff offices.

"We are excited to provide professional higher education in the hub of the Michiana professional community,” said Dr. James Fischer, campus director. “Our new facility will enable us to serve more students more effectively. We look forward to a long and healthy partnership with Mishawaka and the surrounding community.”

The College of Professional Studies offers undergraduate and graduate programs in an accelerated format. The program is designed to accommodate nontraditional students who also have to balance work, family, and community responsibilities. Each course meets once a week for five-week or six-week sessions, allowing students to attend full-time without sacrificing other commitments. Students can register online or by phone, fax, or mail, and textbooks will be shipped to them.

The career-oriented programs in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, organizational leadership, and engineering cater to working adults by focusing on contemporary topics in the corporate world. Faculty members have real world experience in addition to academic credentials, allowing them to blend textbook theory with workplace reality. Students attend class with other working adults, setting the scene for stimulating discussions of common challenges.

In addition to Mishawaka and the main campus in Fort Wayne, the College of Professional Studies also has campuses in Elkhart, Warsaw, Hammond, Indianapolis, Greenwood, Plainfield, and Huntington.

For more information on the College of Professional Studies, visit www.IndianaTech.edu/CPS.


Scholarship, Court Will Honor Klines
June 30, 2008

Dan Kline, vice president of student life and athletic director, announced his retirement in April, and the university has ensured that his legacy will be remembered for decades to come through a scholarship and dedication of the basketball court.

The Dan and Nancy Kline Leadership Scholarship has been established in appreciation of the 28 years Dan and his wife have spent guiding Indiana Tech students. The scholarship will benefit a student-athlete who shows skills in leadership and potential as a role model as well as academic achievement. Those interested in donating to the scholarship endowment should contact Eve Colchin, director of institutional advancement, at 800.937.2448, ext. 2335.

The university also will rename the basketball court in the Schaefer Center gym as Kline Court. The name will be painted on the floor during the summer, and the dedication ceremony will take place during this year’s Homecoming celebration, Sept. 19 to 21. For more information or to register for Homecoming activities, visit www.IndianaTech.edu/Homecoming or call 800.937.2448 ext. 2219.

The scholarship and court name were revealed Saturday evening at a party honoring Dan and his wife, Nancy. More than 350 friends, students, faculty, and staff attended the event. The program included tributes from Charlie Koch, Kline’s high school basketball coach; John Shaffer, a player coached by Kline at Stryker High School; Jason Kline, Dan’s son as well as a former Indiana Tech basketball player and coach; Dr. Robert Savage, longtime Indiana Tech professor of English; Chris Dickson, Indiana Tech alum and current associate vice president for student services; Joe Jordan, former Indiana Tech basketball player and current Trustee; Steve Brody, chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Dr. Arthur Snyder, Indiana Tech president.


Two New Trustees Join University Board
July 9, 2008

Indiana Tech is proud to welcome two new members to the Board of Trustees. The appointments were effective July 1.

  • Janet C. Chrzan, CPA: Janet C. Chrzan is a principal of Vision Management Consulting and an independent contractor for Accenture Consulting. She retired from Lincoln National Corp. in 2006 with 22 years of service in a variety of roles including senior vice president and chief financial officer of Lincoln National Life Insurance Co.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Nebraska and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1981. Chrzan also serves on the Parkview Health System Board of Directors, the Wilson Foundation Board of Directors, the Nature Conservancy of Indiana Board of Trustees, the Foellinger Foundation Investment/Finance Committee, the St. Elizabeth Church Finance Committee, the Leadership Fort Wayne Alumni Board of Directors, and the United Way of Allen County Audit Committee.
  • Eric J. Jenkinson, M.D.: Eric J. Jenkinson is a non-operative musculoskeletal physician with Orthopedics Northeast specializing in sports medicine. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine after earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Taylor University-Upland. He is the head team physician for Indiana Tech as well as Taylor University, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, and Elmhurst High School.

The Indiana Tech Board of Trustees now has 18 members plus the president of the university, Dr. Arthur E. Snyder, and two trustees emeriti. Each trustee serves a three-year term and can be re-elected based on committee recommendations.


Luers Grad Hired to Coach New Lacrosse Team
June 30, 2008

Indiana Tech has hired Terry Nichter to coach its new men’s lacrosse team. Nichter will join the university on July 1 to begin recruiting athletes, and the team will begin competing in the 2009-10 academic year.

Nichter has coached the Ball State University men’s lacrosse team since 2006. His playing experience includes four years as a starting attackman at Ball State and four years as a starting attackman at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne. He was in the top two in scoring throughout his eight years as a player. Nichter also has been a U.S. lacrosse certified official since 2003.

Nichter earned a bachelor’s degree in operations management from Ball State in 2007, and he is a 2002 graduate of Bishop Luers High School.

Indiana Tech will be one of five universities in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference fielding lacrosse teams in 2009-10. The others are Davenport University, Siena Heights University, Aquinas College, and University of Michigan-Dearborn. The Warriors also expect to compete against Ball State, Taylor University, Holy Cross College, and Lindenwood University among others.

While lacrosse is a club sport at many area colleges, it will be a varsity sport at Indiana Tech with scholarships available for qualified student-athletes. Students who are interested in enrolling at Indiana Tech can contact the admissions office at (260) 422-5561 ext. 2205 or (800) 937-2448.

Indiana Tech also plans to launch a women’s lacrosse team and is still seeking a coach. Those interested in applying for the position may e-mail onboard@indianatech.edu or send a resume to Indiana Tech, Attn: HR-Women’s Lacrosse, 1600 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46803.