Author: Indy Rotary

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest and most affordable college, with 32 degree granting locations and nearly 200,000 students attending each year. The Central Indiana region is the College’s largest region, and serves students in Marion and the surrounding counties.

Dr. Lee will highlight Ivy Tech’s new division structure, special program offerings for students and the College’s impact on the state. Ivy Tech is Indiana’s highest return on its investment in higher education, offering the most affordable tuition, the lowest percentage of students graduating with loan debt, and high earnings of graduates in the first year after graduation.

July 28, Rick Hite, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

Public Safety in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Rick Hite will share his thoughts and reflections on crime and public safety in Indianapolis. This will include a discussion of what each citizen can do to make things better. Chief Hite recently attended the State of the Union to represent law enforcement leaders who are forging new relationships with the community.

July 21, Indy Rotary: Allison Barber, WGU Indiana, Chancellor
Dr. Allison Barber is the chancellor of WGU Indiana, the state’s online, competency-based university. She champions college attainment for working Hoosiers who have some college but have not yet earned a degree. WGU Indiana also offers advanced degrees in business, education, health profession and technology.

An Indiana native, Allison’s portfolio includes more than 25 years of experience in education and public service. Prior to her position at WGU Indiana, Allison was the president of her own strategic communications firm in the Washington, D.C. area. She was also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, teaching in the master’s program for Public Relations and Corporate Communications.

Allison spent more than seven years at the Department of Defense. She was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Internal Communications and Public Liaison. In this position, she was responsible for the Department’s worldwide communications to the men and women of the military, and for community relations programs that linked citizens to members of the Armed Forces at home and abroad. Allison worked to establish the Pentagon Channel, created the New Media division for the Pentagon, and provided oversight to the Defense Media Center, Armed Forces Radio and Television, and Stars and Stripes newspaper. She was also responsible for national programs that protect and enhance the morale of the military members and their families.

John joined Rotary in 1976 and has served R.I. as district governor, committee member, delegate to and Chairman of the Council on Legislation, task force zone and area coordinator,  Aide to 2007-08 RI President, Chairman of the nominating committee 2011-12 , 2012-13 & 2014-15, International Assembly Training Leader (two years), Vice Chair of TRF  Stewardship Committee, Chairman of TRF Investment Committee and TRF Finance Committee, Vice Chairman of the Bangkok Convention Committee, Chairman of  Rotary’s  U.S.$200 Million Challenge Committee from 1 December 2007 thru 30 June 2012, as well as 2014 Chairman for IPPC and an advisor to the RI Communications Committee.

He has received RI.’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Judy, are Benefactors and members of the Arch Klumph Society of the Rotary Foundation. They have four children and six grandchildren.

July 7, Indy Rotary: Mark Blade, Rotary District Governor 6560 Induction Ceremony
Indianapolis Rotarian Mark Blade became 6560 District Governor on July 1, 2015 and will be “officially” installed on July 7, 2015. Mark has been an Indianapolis Rotarian since 2003.  He served as President of the Indianapolis Club from 2010-2011, He is a is a James Whitcomb Riley Fellow and Paul Harris Fellow. He has been or currently is a member of the  following committees: ZONE 30, Rotary District 6560, Alumni/Alumni Development, Council of Past District Governors, District Conference Planning Committee, District Conference  Planning Committee Chair, District Grants, District Support Team, Executive Leadership Team, Finance Committee, Rotary District 6560 Foundation, indianapolis District Liason,  Indianapolis Programs Committee.