Thank you to IU staff who are vital to our university’s success

In a few weeks, we will welcome tens of thousands of Indiana University students and faculty to our campuses for the start of the fall 2022 semester, and the work of our more than 11,000 full- and part-time staff will be instrumental to our success during this busy time and throughout the year. 

The preparation, planning and execution behind new student and faculty orientation activities, residence hall move-in, landscaping to create a welcoming atmosphere, and so much more is the result of hard work achieved by our IU staff.

Among these outstanding individuals are: 

• Martina Chomel, IU East chef, who has been a longtime fixture at The Den and Brewfus coffee shop and the architect of many high-end desserts for catering, and for ethnic and international food days.
• Mara Dahlgren, IU Bloomington’s director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, who oversees the organization of multiple Welcome Week activities for students. 
• April Evans, IU Kokomo director of human resources, who coordinates a fall convocation for nearly 200 faculty and staff for the new academic year.
• Warren Gee, IUPUI custodian with Campus Facility Services, who has served the campus with vital facility services for nine years. 
• Kyle Hawkins, IUPUC admissions counselor and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics compliance officer, who has been instrumental in student-athlete onboarding for IUPUC’s inaugural year in the NAIA. 
• Cynthia Murphy, IU South Bend recruitment retention counselor for the Titan Success Center, who is passionate about helping students thrive and connects them with academic resources that fit their individual needs.

These are just a few examples, but I am grateful for the experience, talents, and skills of every single member of our staff and their incredible contributions that make our IU campuses welcoming and supportive spaces. Please join me in acknowledging the role of our staff, who are vital to our university’s success all year long.

Pamela Whitten

President
Indiana University