IU gift aims to help rural students

An Indiana University Kelley School of Business alumnus from the Atlanta area and his wife are giving $1 million to his alma mater to help it better retain students — particularly those from rural Indiana communities — who face financial need.

William C. Bogner and his wife, Pamela Barr, both retired professors and administrators at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, said they are establishing the scholarship at the Kelley School in Bloomington to help students who struggle with completing their education due to finances, particularly after their freshman year.

Preference for the scholarship Bogner and Barr are establishing will be first-generation students who have graduated from high schools in nearly 30 counties in Indiana with small populations, or from Lawrence County in Illinois. Barr noted that a disproportionately large percentage of students coming to college from rural areas are first-generation students.

Bogner, who grew up in Bloomington and graduated from Bloomington High School South, is the founder and principal of Nancy Creek Consulting and works as an actor. He was the inaugural assistant dean for undergraduate programs at the Robinson College of Business, where he envisioned and implemented Project Catalyst, a program redesign for more than 6,300 students. He also was an associate professor of management, and he continues to teach in the Robinson College's executive MBA program. He has taught there for nearly 30 years. He also earned a law degree and a doctorate in strategic management from the University of Illinois.

Barr is retired from Georgia State, where she is now professor emerita. She served as chair of the Department of Managerial Sciences at the Robinson College for six years. She has been active in the Strategic Management Society, serving as a representative-at-large on the board of the 3,000-member academic group from 2012 to 2017. Among her other responsibilities for the international organization, she served as co-chair of its 2013 annual meeting in Atlanta. She and Bogner live in Chamblee, Georgia.



Site reopens

The Limberlost State Historic Site in Geneva has reopened as the state makes its way back to normal.

The site had been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular Bluegrass Jamborees at the site will not be held this year due to COVID-19.



Deadline nears

Hoosier students completing eighth grade must sign up for the 21st Century Scholarship program by June 30.

The scholarship provides eligible students up to four years of undergraduate tuition at public colleges or universities in Indiana. As college tuition rises, this program is an opportunity for many young Hoosiers to afford a college education and achieve their career goals.

Families must meet certain income eligibility guidelines and requirements to qualify for the scholarship. Academically, scholars must also earn an overall high school grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and graduate with at least a Core 40 diploma.

Those heading into seventh and eighth grade can apply now, but once in high school, students are no longer eligible to apply. Certain exceptions are made for students in foster care.



Play Sunday

The Bulldogs will return to Hein Amphitheatre at VanTrees Park in Fort Recovery for a performance at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 28.

They’ll be performing music by Buddy Holly, the Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers and more.

The summer series concert is free to the public.



Make a crane

There’s still time to take part in a participatory art project at Arts Place.

Entitled “Flying in Place, An Artist's Response to COVID-19,” it’s being launched by Mississinawa  Valley art teacher Ashley Austerman in conjunction with visiting artist Kate Gorman.

“The idea is to promote unity and hope in our communities with a testament of our perseverance during this difficult time,” an Arts Place spokesman said.

On square sheets of paper, participants are asked to create a drawing on one side, then use the other side to express thoughts about the pandemic experience.

Those thoughts might be in the form of a story or a poem or a list.

Then, following origami instructions provided by Arts Place, participants will fold the sheet into a paper crane.

Free kits for the project will be available at Arts Place beginning Monday.

The completed cranes should be dropped off at Arts Place by Aug. 15.

Then all of the cranes will be part of an exhibit on display from Sept. 4 to Oct. 4.

For more information, visit artist Kate Gorman’s YouTube channel or contact Arts Place at (260) 726-4809.



Submit your pix

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is now accepting submissions for the 13th annual Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest.

Open to Indiana residents, the contest was created to recognize the hard work and contributions of Hoosier farmers, as well as the beauty of the state’s agricultural landscape.

Participants are encouraged to submit photos that reflect the wide array of agriculture. The categories photos can be entered under are:

•Conservation: Highlighting Indiana’s natural beauty with photos of landscapes, water and wildlife.

•Agritourism: This category includes seasonal and agricultural destinations, orchards, wineries, farmers’ markets and produce.

•Faces of Agriculture: Featuring those who grow and produce food, fuel and fiber engaged in farming/agricultural activities.

•On the Farm: Every building, piece of equipment or activity that is a part of life on an Indiana farm can be included.

In total, ten winners will be selected: two from each category and two overall.

Winners will be invited to attend a special ceremony where they will be recognized and receive certificates from Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler.

Contestants can submit up to five photos in digital format.

Photos will be evaluated based on creativity, composition and category representation. Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 30.