In recent years the university’s name has been greatly associated with the natatorium project that grew out as the civil rights center. South Bend’s long-abandoned natatorium symbolized the challenge endured by many African Americans who were excluded and segregated for almost thirty years from the only indoor swimming facility in the area.
The parallel between segregation, right here at home, in Northern Indiana and not in some southern state became a clear distinction of how easily it is to undermine our own ideals of freedom and democracy.
The lasting importance of the Natatorium’s history couldn’t be lost. The Vice- Chancellor of Academic Affairs became very much involved in the fight to bring the university into partnership with the city. Between IUSB, the South Bend Heritage Foundation, and the City of South Bend, a partnership was created to use this project as a reminder of the challenges faced right here in our community.
Dr. Lester Lamon, a retired faculty member at IUSB, has been an active supporter of this project.
“The interaction between the community and the university is extremely important,” he said. “The university has shown commitment to the community in a very concrete way, by not only educating leaders in our community but by expanding projects that will enrich our area for generations.”
He also mentioned the great response the university has gotten from its collaboration with the community given the university’s increasing growth in the past few years.
Nonetheless, it’s important to keep in mind that IUSB’s highly prioritized vision still lies in the education of our community.
Dr. Michael Horvath, Dean of the School of Education, is one of the lead people working on developing a new technology high school in the area.
The new tech high school is a unique learning environment driven by project-based learning.
“The new tech high school project will provide a large group of students who might now have the opportunity for post-secondary education, who are underrepresented or who are not successful in the current school array an opportunity to learn in a different way,” Horvath said.
He also added that students will face real problems and will have the opportunity to find real solutions. Students will also learn to work in teams. The school will also allow students to get hands-on experience. Students may also get an opportunity to own their own computers.
While this offers those who can get into college an excellent option to gain the necessary skills to become successful in an ever changing environment, the program isn’t without its critics.
Some in the community believe that this method of instruction isn’t functional, and the cost is another deterrent to getting behind the new tech school. However, the supporters of the school continue to fight for it and there is hope that the school will open in the fall 2011.
IUSB’s reputation strongly remains in their commitment and dedication to excel as the area’s most prestigious institution of higher education.
For the third consecutive year, the School of Business and Economics at IU South Bend was ranked as an outstanding business school according to The Princeton Review. And its business students rank in top 5% nationally, which is why many local businesses are turning to university’s expertise for input in the economic field.
Dr. Grant Black, professor in the school of business, has participated in a variety of projects that have impacted greatly our economy on a regional and national basis.
He’s represented the university having participated in over 200 interviews for the past five years, discussing various economic issues on major television networks (MSNBC), newspapers (USA Today) and radio.
“The university is very exposed in the media world and our campus is really the go to institution for any economic issues local businesses face,” Grant said. He recently performed an environmental scan for the Chamber of Commerce in St. Joseph County.
“We collaborated with them by encompassing a report of the economy in the area and providing them an analysis of the economic landscape,” he said.
The significance of this project meant the participation of student body as well. Whenever there is budget available, students are hired and their collaboration reflects positively within the various businesses in the community.
United with the community for a better tomorrow
Published: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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