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As we step into the fall season, we celebrate the many ways God is working in and through our Wildcat family. Autumn on campus is a special time filled with energy, from the excitement of new students settling in, to athletic seasons in full swing, to the anticipation of Homecoming just around the corner. Across the globe, more than 115,000 alumni are carrying forward IWU’s mission to be World Changers for Christ, and this newsletter offers just a glimpse of that impact.
Below you’ll find stories of alumni making a difference, updates from campus, and opportunities to stay connected with one another. We’re especially looking forward to Homecoming—a time to gather with alumni, families, and friends to celebrate all that unites us as Wildcats.
As we celebrate these moments, we also pause to pray for our world—asking God to bring peace, wisdom, and hope in the midst of the challenges we face together.
Thank you for continuing to be such an important part of the IWU story.
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"Holiness — For Such a Time as This"
We are honored to host a special day of encouragement, connection, and celebration — recognizing the vital role you play in the Church and the Kingdom.
Whether you're a long-time friend of IWU or joining us for the first time, this is our heartfelt way of saying thank you for the ways you faithfully shepherd God’s people.
Featured Speakers: Dr. Kevin Mannoia, Bishop Lemuel Thuston, Rev. Dr. Andrea Summers, Rev. Greg Ford
Panel Discussion: Rev. Dr. Mike Tapper, Rev. Dr. D.J. Coleman, Rev. Dr. Yamil Acevedo, Rev. Dr. Emily Vermilya, Bishop Don Shelby
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Join us for Homecoming Weekend! We’re rolling out the red carpet for alumni, families, and friends to return to campus for a memorable weekend filled with celebration, reconnection, and fun.
Enjoy a wide range of family-friendly events including reunions, campus tours, live music, athletic events, and engaging activities for all ages. It’s the perfect time to relive your favorite IWU memories and make new ones with fellow Wildcats.
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We are pleased to announce the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. This year's honorees represent five distinct areas of the university and reflect the spirit of IWU through their service, compassionate leadership, and Christlike character. These individuals will be celebrated during the upcoming Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony at Homecoming.
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Stephanie Somerville '02 - Alumni World Changer
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Somerville graduated from IWU in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her education helped solidify her life’s purpose – to reach the lost and change the world for Christ. That calling led Stephanie and her husband, Darren, to establish Impact Battery and move to Oregon to care for foster kids at a residential boys’ ranch. There, Somerville saw firsthand the deep needs within the foster care system and became a passionate advocate for children and families, eventually opening her own home to foster children.
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Beyond his professional achievements, Ott has embodied the university’s values of humility, integrity and kindness through extensive involvement in local nonprofit boards and community projects. His leadership has benefited the Marion Public Library, Cancer Services of Grant County, College Wesleyan Church, the Marion Easter Pageant and the Marion Rotary Club, among others. In recent years, he helped lead the effort to develop a new dog park near Ballard Field, reflecting his belief that enhancing quality of life is key to long-term community renewal.
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UNIVERSITY NEWS & PARTNERSHIPS
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EdS in District Level Leadership Meets NELP Standards
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The NELP building-level standards are appropriate for advanced programs at the master, specialist, or doctoral level that prepare assistant principals, principals, curriculum directors, supervisors, and other education leaders in a school building environment.
“This recognition affirms our unwavering commitment to excellence in preparing visionary district leaders ready to transform education at the highest levels,” said Amie Anderson, Dean of the School of Integrated Learning and Development. “We are excited to explore the ways this will allow both our program and its students to extend further than ever before.”
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Wesley Seminary Announces Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership
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Do you feel called to serve others? At Wesley Seminary, you can become a servant leader through a Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership. Whether leading in your local church, community, or beyond – Wesley Seminary equips you with the skills you need to embrace your calling as a Christ-centered leader. Designed to develop skills in participants looking to advance Christ’s mission in the world, this new certificate will provide a strong foundation in leadership and management.
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Grant County Partnership with IWU
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The new academy, located on Harmon Street near IWU’s Marion campus in a fully renovated facility, represents a $1.85 million investment in the local community. Renovations were led by Indianapolis-based Halstead Architects and Weigand Construction of Fort Wayne, with funding support including a $547,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment.
Executive Director of Westminster Preschools Dani Svantner, an IWU alumna and graduate of the university’s first Early Childhood Education cohort, said the new center was built with children’s growth and wellbeing at the forefront.
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ALUMNI NEWS & LIFE UPDATES
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Scott Reese has been elected to Planet’s (NYSE: PL) board of directors by stockholder written consent, effective later this year. Mr. Reese currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Electrification Software business at GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV), a purpose-built global energy company with a market capitalization exceeding $150 billion. Planet Labs PBC is a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth.
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Michael Allison '13 & '15
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We are excited to celebrate alumnus and Alumni Board Member Michael Allison on the release of his new book, Break The Bottle®: Shatter Limitations, Master Solutions Thinking & Achieve Extraordinary Success, published through Shine-Press Publishing. This book is a transformational resource designed for leaders, veterans, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are seeking to overcome limiting beliefs and step into their full potential. Order copy here: https://a.co/d/9xVNZjb
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Ohio University Lancaster welcomes Tiffany Ealy as Assistant Professor of Instruction in the School of Nursing. With over a decade of experience and a passion for mentoring future nurses, Ealy brings both clinical and leadership expertise to the classroom. She’s currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership and sees nursing education as a calling.
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The Salvation Army in Hagerstown Corps Maryland introduced Majors Mark and Jennifer Van Meter, both Executive Directors and pastoral leaders of the Corps on July 2025. They will oversee key local programs ranging from serving meals and providing spiritual guidance to managing daily operations.
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Family nurse practitioner Debra Rorick has joined Parkview Physicians Group Family Medicine in Butler, IN bringing more than 20 years of experience within Parkview Health. A graduate of IWU with a Master of Science in Nursing, Rorick has served in critical care, vascular access, surgical trauma, and operating room settings, and is now eager to build long-term relationships with patients in a primary care environment. Passionate about preventive medicine, she values the opportunity to walk alongside families in their health journeys. Outside of work, Rorick enjoys reading, gardening, volunteering, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two children.
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The Howard County Sheriff’s Office proudly announces the addition of Deputy Austin Day to its team. A Greentown native, Deputy Day joins as the newest Merit Deputy, bringing local roots and fresh commitment to community service.
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Spooner Health in Spooner, WI is pleased to welcome Cassidy Kransberger to its growing physical therapy department. Cassidy brings a strong background in patient care and a passion for helping individuals regain mobility and improve their quality of life. Her addition strengthens the team’s commitment to providing personalized, high-quality rehabilitation services to the community.
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After an extraordinary 46-year career, Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit has retired and stepped into a new role as Fire Liaison Supervisor with Acadian Ambulance. Benoit's journey began with a childhood dream sparked by a book on firefighting and culminated in a legacy of service, mentorship, and ministry. Benoit, also an ordained minister and seminary graduate, views this transition as a divine calling, saying, “God placed me here for a reason...He let me know when it was time to go.” In his new role, Benoit will continue supporting fire departments statewide, leveraging his deep relationships and experience to strengthen emergency response collaboration.
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Mosher will serve as Associate Financial Advisor in the Fort Wayne location. He has been working in the financial services industry as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual and is a former business owner. He graduated from IWU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Business Management and Entrepreneurship.
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Robert Daughenbaugh '53 & '54
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Robert (of Flushing, MI) passed away July 2025
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Don (of Port St. Lucie, FL) passed away September 2025
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Donna (of Pleasant Plns, IL) passed away August 2025.
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Andrew (of Osgood, IN) passed away August 2025
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Steve (of Marion, IN) passed away August 2025.
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We’d love to celebrate life’s milestones with you and keep your IWU family in the loop! Whether you’ve started a new job, relocated, or added a little Wildcat to your family, be sure to update your information with us.
✨ If you’ve recently had a baby, or have a young child(ren), let us know and we’ll send you a free IWU onesie or youth shirt to help welcome them to the IWU family!
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IWU Alumni Office | 4201 S. Washington St. | Marion, IN 46983 | 765-677-2110
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