"It is the diversity of our knowledge, experiences, opinions, personalities and spirit that makes us strong. It is the balance that we bring to this team that frees us and enables us to be great! It is each individual's contributions regardless of size, that allows us to achieve." MIKE O'NEIL
Music professor given top honor
Professor of music and music department chair, Dr. Lucia Unrau at Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio was awarded the Ohio Music Teachers Association Collegiate Teacher of the Year award during the annual state conference in early November in Van Wert.
About . . .
The Ohio MTA is for music teachers who teach private lessons in any instrument. They promote professionalism in the field and provide resources and continuing education to all teachers. Every spring, each of the eight districts in the state of Ohio nominates a teacher for the state Teacher of the Year award. A winner is selected by outside evaluators. The application process involves collecting letters from former students and colleagues and submitting evidence of community involvement and a teaching philosophy.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Unrau. “Teaching is very important to me and it’s great to be recognized in this manner.” She was nominated by teachers in the Middle West district which ranges from the Findlay area to Bellefontaine and west to the Indiana border. Unrau is the first Bluffton music faculty member to receive the award. Dr. Lucia Unrau is shown with Dr. Michael Benson, Certification Chair of OhioMTA.
Jon Ford Carol A. Trexler Linda S. Levell
Three chosen for Arts Commission
Hoosier Governor Daniels appointed Jon Ford, Terre Haute; Carol A. Trexler, Indianapolis, and Linda S. Levell, Vincennes to the Indiana Arts Commission. “Their diverse interests and experience in the arts and education will be critical to furthering the mission of the Indiana Arts Commission,” said Lewis C. Ricci, IAC executive director.
Mr. Ford is the president of All State Manufacturing, based in Terre Haute, which specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of metal food service equipment. Mr. Ford is also a founding principal of St. Louis, Missouri based Edison Strategies, a private merger and acquisitions firm that offers listings and guidance to growing companies and the executives who currently run or will run them in the future. As a frequently published author, Mr. Ford has written about corporate strategies and small business. Mr. Ford is dedicated to making change in the world through his volunteer work in many diverse organizations, including the Board of Overseers for the Swope Art Gallery; Indiana Manufacturers Association; Indiana Vending Council; and Honey Creek Township Board, as well as others.
Ms. Trexler is Director of Organizational Effectiveness for Infinity, a Community Health Network product where she conducts corporate training using applied improvisation, role play and video production. She is currently on the boards of Girls Incorporated of Indianapolis, The Phoenix Theatre and serves on the advisory boards of The Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies at Marian University and the Indiana Fever. Born in the United States and raised in South America, Ms. Trexler is very active in local Latino affairs. She is past-president of Fiesta Indianapolis and co-chaired the merger of Fiesta Indianapolis, The Hispanic Education Center and The Hispanic Center into La Plaza, bringing together the organizations to better serve the Central Indiana Latino community. She is also an active volunteer for various organizations including Christel House International.
Mrs. Levell began her education career in media arts as an Education Advisor for The Letter Shop, a children’s television series developed at Tecumseh-Harrison School in Vincennes. As part of The Letter Shop team, she was also the co-author of a teacher’s manual for the series. Mrs. Levell is involved on the Board of Directors of the Knox County Community Foundation, the PACE Policy Council, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Vincennes Education Foundation. She is also a Beginning Teacher Mentor with the Indiana Professional Standards Board. Mrs. Levell is currently a kindergarten teacher at Vigo Elementary School in Vincennes.
