Indiana State University Board of Trustees approves conferral of 684 degrees

Indiana State University’s Board of Trustees voted to confer 684 degrees to students at Winter Commencement ceremonies tonight and Saturday.

ISU will confer degrees on 177 graduate students at 6 p.m. today and 507 degrees for undergraduates at noon Saturday.

Both ceremonies are at the Hulman Center.

“Commencement is our favorite time of the year and is the best way to demonstrate how we fulfill our mission by forever transforming these students’ lives through the benefits earning a college degree will bring,” ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said. “Thank you to our faculty and staff for all of their efforts in helping these students reach this milestone achievement.”

At the meeting, the trustees also:

---Heard a report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence initiatives as part of a requirement of Indiana law. Dr. Rana Johnson, Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives, gave the update on numerous university initiatives.

---Received an update on key performance indicators related to the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, “There’s More to Blue,” and the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, “Focusing on Our Future Together.”

Highlights included an increase in distance degrees awarded from 468 in 2016 to 669 in 2021; excellent placement rates for the Classes of 2019 and 2020 into jobs, graduate studies or the military; and significant success in increasing private financial support for the university and growing the endowment.

---Received an update on the two candidates for Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Marie T. Mora is currently Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Dr. Christopher Olsen is ISU’s current Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Mora completed her interviews this week. Olsen will go through the same process next week.

Media contacts: 

Mark Alesia, Director of University Communication 

(O) 812-237-3837 

(C) 812-229-8020 

mark.alesia@indstate.edu

Dianne Powell, Associate Director of University Communication

(O) 812-237-8764

(C) 812-878-2131

DianneFrances.Powell@indstate.edu