NEWS BRIEFS
Director of Indiana State Department of Agriculture Visits IWU’s Alliance Gardens
On July 25, IWU’s Alliance Gardens welcomed Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Donald Lamb. The visit, led by Dr. Jennifer Noseworthy and her students, showcased two of IWU’s Alliance Gardens. The six participating students represent colleges ranging from Western Carolina to University of Florida to Washington State.
The visit included a tour of IWU’s two Alliance Gardens, located on the North and South edges of campus, as well as the nearby Green Acres Community Garden—a local partner of the Alliance Gardens. At each garden students presented information regarding their work, with the visit concluding with a Q&A (hosted by Dr. Matt Kreitzer of the School of Physical and Applied Sciences) at the North Alliance Garden, during which Donald Lamb answered a variety of questions from students, staff, and local community members.
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales Speaks at IWU’s Launch & Learn
Launch & Learn, led by Dr. Jen Bennett and the DeVoe Division of Business, was honored to feature Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales as its speaker. With a wealth of experience in both business and politics, Morales shared insights on leadership and entrepreneurship, inspiring students from a variety of disciplines. Launch & Learn is a new initiative that began this fall, allowing students to learn important lessons in business directly from a variety of entrepreneurial leaders. Bennett shared, “My goal is to show students that entrepreneurship isn't exclusive to business majors. I want to dispel the myth that only business students can be entrepreneurs. No matter your field—whether you're studying art, nursing, or any other discipline—you can pursue entrepreneurship. I'm working to foster an entrepreneurial mindset across the entire campus.”
IWU Hosts Former Senate Representatives
IWU’s Marion campus hosted former Republican senator Dan Coats and former Democrat senator Joe Donnelly on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Both Indiana state residents, the two men met in the Globe Theater as guests for the event Virtues of Democracy: Voices from the United States Senate. Hosted by Dr. Jerry Pattengale and moderated by President Emerita of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Dr. Shirley V. Hoogstra, the event was recorded for potential future distribution. About the event, Pattengale shared, “Our nation’s storied history is built on a Constitutional Republic’s core premise of shared governance, and the reality of considering informed ideas and reflections. It’s special to have two respected US Ambassadors at the same table on a healthy and vibrant Christian university in their home state.”
IWU Enrollment Grows to Record Numbers in 2024
Indiana Wesleyan University celebrates a year of significant enrollment growth across IWU-Marion, IWU-National & Global (N&G), and Wesley Seminary, bringing total enrollment to over 15,000 students. IWU-Marion saw a 90-student increase in new enrollment, which Vice President for Enrollment Danny Solms credits to successful engagement with churches, strategic faculty partnerships, and the Center for Life Calling’s Exploratory program. IWU-N&G, meanwhile has seen two consecutive years of sizable growth in the increasingly competitive field of online education. This August saw a record-breaking high of 12,526 enrolled students, and Chancellor of IWU-N&G Dr. Eileen Hulme attributes this growth to a renewed focus on core audiences, efficient enrollment processing, digital marketing, partnerships, and key hires. Finally, Wesley Seminary experienced a 15% increase in new student enrollment and remains focused on building new ministry partnerships, launching certification programs, creating accelerated MDiv pathways, and welcoming new board members. These milestones reflect IWU’s dedication to accessible, high-quality education across diverse learning environments.
Princess Kara Earns National Championship and Record Honors
At the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships IWU’s own Princess Kara ’25 earned her third and fourth career national championship titles—in shot put and discus, respectively. Kara achieved a 54.14m discus throw to secure first place, and a 15.10m shot put, for a new personal best this season.
Kara’s accomplishments led to her recognition as the NAIA Women’s Field Athlete of the Year for the 2024 Outdoor Track & Field season, becoming the first Wildcat to achieve this award. IWU Head Track & Field Coach Caleb Snyder praised Kara, sharing, "She is one of the most disciplined and dedicated athletes our program has, and it showed this year in her performances. More importantly, she has continued to learn more of what it looks like to tie her faith in Christ into every area of life, and it was fun to see her compete with joy as she won both of her national titles."
DeVoe Entrepreneurial Experience Ignites Ideas in Kokomo
More than 40 entrepreneurs and community leaders in Kokomo, Indiana, recently gained an immersive hands-on learning experience as part of “Entrepreneurship - The Business Idea”, a new IWU National & Global program designed for prospective business owners.
Participants in the inaugural DeVoe Entrepreneurial Experience at the Kokomo Thriving Center earned a certificate from the DeVoe School of Business, Technology, and Leadership at the completion of the four-week course.
IWU's "Wildcat Business Model" framework guided attendees through creating viable business plans and delivering persuasive pitches. The program's integration of generative AI tools added a modern edge, enhancing the learning experience and allowing participants to tackle real-world business challenges with innovative solutions. One student praised the course, saying, "This course has helped me learn a whole set of new business skills, including use of AI, that I’ve been able to apply right away."
The program’s flexible scheduling made it accessible to a range of entrepreneurs, while scholarships helped offset costs, broadening participation. The inaugural events now set the stage for additional courses in 2025, with sessions on customer engagement, operational culture, and cash flow management, empowering entrepreneurs to take their ventures to new heights.
The Lumen Research Institute Biennial Symposium—Habits of Hope: Educational Practices for a Weary World
Hope in our world and in our institutions of higher education is arguably in short supply. As an investment in the Church, our communities, and generations that will follow, Christian higher education and the practices that define it are, however, exercises in hope. With that message in mind, the Lumen Research Institute convened its fourth biennial symposium in Indianapolis on Sept. 19-20, 2024. Hosted by President Jon S. Kulaga and emceed by University Professor and Lumen’s Executive Director Jerry Pattengale, keynote speakers and the conversations they inspired focused on how practices such as the integration of faith and learning, diversity, writing, reading, conversation, and teaching are inherently hopeful. With support from the Lilly Network for Church-Related Colleges and Universities, Lumen was able to make this symposium available to teams of leaders from all of Indiana’s Church-related institutions. As a result, the conversations that occurred over coffee and meals may have proven as valuable to educators from IWU and from across the state as the addresses offered by the keynotes. As with Lumen’s three previous symposia, those addresses were then published by InterVarsity Press into a book, Habits of Hope: Educational Practices for a Weary World.
IWU Wildcats to Play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
December 31 will see IWU Men’s Basketball play against the Madonna University Crusaders in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game will occur at 8:00 p.m. following the Indiana Pacer’s game at 3:00 p.m. that same afternoon. Deane Webb, IWU Director of Athletics said, “What a great experience this will be for our team and fans! We are thankful for the partnership with the Pacers, and we’re thankful for another platform from which to share the mission of IWU and IWU Athletics. I look forward to being there!” Head Coach Greg Tonagel shared similar sentiments, “We couldn’t be more excited to play a nationally ranked opponent at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in partnership with the Indiana Pacers. This opportunity is another example of our desire to give our players a world class experience while at IWU!”