State recognizes Vincennes University program and students for excellence

120315 Award for Excellence 1 — Accepting an Award for Excellence on behalf of Vincennes University's Associate of Science Nursing Program are, from left, Dr. Alan Johnson, dean of the VU Jasper Campus; Jana Vieck, dean of the Health Science/Human Performance Division; Alice Hildenbrand, chair of VUJC Nursing; and Sister Kate Willegal, assistant professor of Nursing at VUJC. The Indiana Department of Education presented the award on March 13 at a state ceremony in Indianapolis.

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University’s Associate of Science Nursing Program is the recipient of an Award for Excellence from the Indiana Department of Education. Six VU students also received the award at state ceremonies in Indianapolis on March 13.

The Indiana Career and Technical Education Awards for Excellence Program was initiated in 1984 to recognize exemplary programs, students, and partnerships that benefit the state. The program is supported by a grant through the Indiana Department of Education and by contributions from the Indiana Dept. of workforce Development, Vincennes University, Ivy Tech Community College, and Indiana Association of Career and Technical Education Districts.

Speaking at the award luncheon, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett congratulated the recipients for pursuing career and technical education. “The greatest driver of future economic development will be highly skilled certificate and associate degree holders,” Bennett said.

VU’s Associate of Science Nursing (ASN) program was cited for outstanding instruction, clinical experience, facilities, and the success of its graduates. Collectively, the VU nursing faculty has more than 324 years of nursing experience and 166 years of nursing education experience. Advisory Committee members include physicians, hospital nursing administrators, four-year college nursing faculty, and those active in the nursing profession. The program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Graduates may transfer into VU’s Bachelor of Science Nursing program. The ASN program was nominated for the award by Freda Neal, assistant professor of Practical Nursing.

VU student award recipients include Ethan Hopf, Jasper; Scott Martin, Ft. Branch; Corey Scheiber, Huntington; Jacob Schutte, Batesville; Kyle Wilson, Indianapolis; and Michael Wise, Princeton.

120315 Award for Excellence 2 — Vincennes University student recipients of state Awards for Excellence are, from left, Corey Scheiber, Scott Martin, Ethan Hopf, Jacob Schutte, and Kyle Wilson. Not pictured is award recipient Michael Wise. The Indiana Department of Education presented the awards on March 13 at Indianapolis to recognize outstanding scholarship and service.

ETHAN HOPF

Hopf is a Surveying Technology major who serves as secretary/treasurer of the VU Surveying Club. A recipient of a scholarship from the Southwest Chapter of the Indiana Society of Public Land Surveyors, Hopf is currently employed by Brosmer Surveying as a surveyor’s assistant. Hopf is a 2009 graduate of Jasper High School. He was nominated for the award by Bill Clark, coordinator of the Surveying Program.

SCOTT MARTIN

Martin is a Surveying Technology major who serves as vice president of the VU Surveying Club. A recipient of the George Ridgway Scholarship and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Martin has worked with the Gibson County Surveyor’s Office and as a team leader at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he operated and maintained Abrams tanks while serving in Serbia. Martin is a 1991 graduate of North Posey High School. He was nominated for the award by Bill Clark, coordinator of the Surveying Program.

COREY SCHEIBER

Scheiber is a Surveying Technology major who serves as president of the VU Surveying Club and is a member of the VU Campus Activities Board and Christian Campus Fellowship. He is also an outreach minister with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A recipient of a VU Blue Cord Award for scholarship and leadership, Scheiber was elected VU Homecoming King. Scheiber is a 2009 graduate of Huntington North High School. He was nominated for the award by Bill Clark, coordinator of the Surveying Program.

JACOB SCHUTTE

Schutte is an Aviation Flight major who serves as a volunteer aviation tutor. He is the recipient multiple scholarships including the James L. Jernigan and Matthew Gutzwiller memorial scholarships. During the summer, Schutte is employed by the city of Batesville and is a member of the Batesville Volunteer Fire Department. Schutte is a 2010 graduate of Batesville High School. He was nominated for the award by David Cook, associate professor of Aviation Flight Technology.

KYLE WILSON

Wilson is an Aviation Maintenance major who spends more than six hours a day in class, works part-time for FedEx at Aircraft Services International, and has a wife and two-year-old daughter. Despite a challenging schedule, Wilson volunteers to assist the Experimental Aircraft Association, American Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Down Syndrome of Indiana, and the Association of Airport Executives. Wilson is a 2003 graduate of Southport High School. He was nominated for the award by Daniel Gunder, instructor of Aviation Maintenance Technology.

MICHAEL WISE

Wise is an Electronics Technology Networking Specialist major who serves as a volunteer mentor and tutor. Wise earned an associate degree in Electronics in 1982; he worked as a master electronics technician until his plant closed and he is now retraining. He volunteers for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, and the MDA. Wise is a 1979 graduate of Wood Memorial High School. He was nominated for the award by Dean Ackerman, professor of Electronics Technology.

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