Description of the video:

Introduction and welcome: EVC Kelly Ryan

Hello, New Grenadiers!

I am Dr. Kelly Ryan, Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at IU Southeast, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2021 New Student Induction Ceremony.

I think I can speak for all faculty and staff at IU Southeast when I say we are so happy to be returning to a mostly normal fall semester, we are so happy that you are here, we are so happy that you have chosen to make this the next step in your journey. And so happy that we get to help you learn and grow.

During this ceremony, you will also hear from our Acting Chancellor Dr. Kathryn Girten and our student speaker Allie Crulo-Rood.

I would now like to introduce you to Chancellor Girten.

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME: Chancellor Girten

Hello, Grenadiers.

I am Dr. Kathryn Girten, Acting Chancellor of IU Southeast, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to our New Student Induction Ceremony. Just as you are beginning your academic journey here at IU Southeast, please remember that you are not alone in this endeavor; I too am beginning my IU Southeast journey as the new Chancellor. I am honored to have been asked to serve as acting chancellor at IU Southeast, and I looking forward to seeing all of you on campus.

The start of the academic year is always such an exciting time, and I am delighted to welcome you to Indiana University Southeast! Induction is always a special day. It is your official welcome into IU Southeast’s academic community, and in a few years, commencement will be the culmination of your time, hard work, and dedication.

I want to congratulate you on three things: 

First- your decision to attend college: 

By deciding to continue your education, you are setting yourself up for success in your life—for you and your families; 

Second—your decision to attend Indiana University:

By choosing IU, your degree will be from a renowned university with an outstanding global reputation.  IU recently celebrated its bicentennial and is now in its third century of operation—an impressive record of both tradition and innovation.  

Third—I want to congratulate you on your decision to attend IU Southeast specifically:

By choosing IU Southeast, you are joining our family. As I’m sure you have heard many times, and will continue to hear, we are like a family at IU Southeast, and we will do everything we can to support you on your academic journey.

I’m a mother of two daughters, so I can’t help but give you some advice as you start on this journey.  What I would like to say to you is to follow your passion, and be open to new ideas and points of view.  Like many students starting college, you may not have yet found your passion, but you can find it here.  

You’ll take classes from wonderful faculty—get to know them and dig into your studies. It’s almost a cliché, but it’s true—what you get out of college depends on what you put into it—so make the most of your time here! You’ll probably experience classes that are in-person, and online, or a combination of both. But no matter what the format, our faculty and staff are here for you.

Thank you for joining us today, and I wish you the very best for a rewarding first semester at IU Southeast. I would now like to hand it back over to Dr. Kelly Ryan.

Introductory Remarks: EVC Dr. Kelly Ryan

Thank you, Chancellor Girten.

I again want to express our delight that you have selected IU Southeast as your new academic home. 

We are committed to your academic success. Over the past year and a half, your professors have worked to redesign their courses to adapt to the new reality of COVID-19. While we are excited to return to in-person teaching and learning in the fall, we are still practicing health and safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of our campus community. The Student Success Center, with its free tutoring and supplemental instruction programs, are up and running, ready to help you keep pace and do your best. The same goes for the Writing Center and the many services of the Library. Learning also happens outside of the classroom, and you’ll be happy to know that the Career Center and Campus Life are also eager to help you connect with your peers and pursue your interests. One of the things that makes learning here so unique is the personal attention that students receive from their instructors. That is as true today as it ever was.

Our campus is small, and our community is very close-knit. It’s a first-name-basis kind of place as you’ll quickly find out.

With these connections in mind, I’d like to introduce our academic deans:

The Dean of the School of Arts and Letters is James Hesselman.

The Dean of the School of Business is David Eplion.

The Dean of the School of Education is Faye Camahalan.

The Dean of the School of Natural Sciences is Elaine Haub.

The Dean of the School of Nursing is Donna Bowles.

The Dean of the School of Social Sciences is Gregory Kordsmeier.

The Dean of Student Life is Seuth Chaleunphonh.

We are looking forward to meeting each and every one of you, and you should make time to introduce yourself to your instructors. Office hours exist for you – whether you are online or in person. Check your Canvas site and make that connection.

We already know from looking at the enrollment numbers that you are a unique group of individuals. Many of you are just starting your college education, while many others are joining us from another institution. Your class ranges in age from 18 to 43. About 29 percent of your class is made up of first-generation college students, like so many of our faculty. You are a group of extraordinary people in an extraordinary time.

Among other things, colleges and universities are places where people put their heads together and end up finding solutions to the biggest challenges facing humanity. Your work here, whether it’s in science or art or psychology or business, is going to contribute to that collective effort. Now more than ever we are grateful for the energy, enthusiasm and creativity that you are bringing to campus. Together, we will accomplish great things.

It is now my pleasure to welcome Allie Crulo-Rood, our Student Representative. Allie is a senior studying elementary education with a concentration in math. Please welcome Allie Crulo-Rood.

Student Speaker: Allie Crulo-Rood

Introduction

Hello fellow Grenadiers, good morning (night/afternoon). My name is Allie Crulo-Rood and I am a senior here at IU Southeast. After three incredible years at Indiana University Southeast, I am honored to be here speaking on behalf of the student body. Staff, faculty and students I would like to welcome you back to our beautiful campus. New students, I would like to give you a warm welcome to a place you can call home for the next four years. My experience at IU Southeast has been nothing short of great and I believe that you too can have a similar experience by taking my tips that helped make me successful. 

Tip #1 Ask for Help

The first piece of advice I have to offer is to not be afraid to ask for help. Although our campus is not huge, it can still be hard to navigate until you get the hang of it. On your first day of classes, do not be afraid to ask for directions or a further explanations. 

I can think back to my very first day of college walking back and forth past the clock tower embarrassed to ask for directions. As it got closer to my class time, I worked up the courage to ask the next person I saw for help. This girl did not look at me funny or completely ignore me, instead she smiled and told me were going to the same place and for me to walk with her. By swallowing my pride and asking for help I found my class and somebody to sit by. At this moment in time my nerves were calmed, and I was ready to experience the next four years at a place I could call home.

So today, I encourage you all to be prepared to ask for help. Weather that is for directions to your class, help with an assignment, or wanting to learn more about getting involved.

This campus is a place where people want to see you succeed and are willing to help out in any way they can. Seek out your peers, visit your professor’s office hours, find a mentor, and take advantage of all the resource available on campus. We are in this together and here to help create a nurturing environment for all.

Tip #2 Prioritize Your Time

While IU Southeast has a ton of great resources to offer you, it is your responsibility to prioritize your time. For many of you, college will be the first time that you have not had a very structured lifestyle or the first time you have been given the opportunity to make your own schedule.

Coming straight from high school I was one of those individuals. My parents made the rules, my mom cooked dinner, sports took the majority of my time, and for the most part my time was managed by a huge calendar in the kitchen. My mom had very set times on where I needed to be and for how long, what we were going to eat for dinner, and when I needed to be in bed to not be completely exhausted the next day. 

To say that prioritizing my time was something I struggled with as a freshman in college would be an understatement. And today as a very involved senior in college, I am still trying to master prioritizing my time. I say this not to scare you but to prepare you for what is coming. The first step to prioritizing your time is acknowledging that class is not optional in order to pass, saying no is very acceptable and procrastination is not the best idea.

Start the school year off right, buy a planner and use a pencil to write down class times and major assignments. Then go through add when you plan to work, want go to the gym, or attend club meetings. Whatever is important to you, add it into the planner and use it to help manage your time wisely. Your planner is also gonna be a great tool when deciding if you have time for the “extras.”

For me, I love being involved on campus, spending time with friends, going on weekend road trips, visiting my family, or attending concerts, however obtaining my degree is my number one priority. As it will be for many of you.

Just last year, I remember being absolutely exhausted and extremely overwhelmed with life. I had stretched myself so thin between being a full-time students, campus involvement, my RA duties, coaching, and trying to hang out with friends. At this point in time, I got really sick and had no choice but to say no and take a step back from life. You are your number one priority, and it is important you put yourself first.

 And In ten years from now you won’t look back and remember the things you said no to but instead be thankful that you kept yourself healthy and ended your four years with a degree.

Tip # 3 Making Meaningful Connections

I would not have made it through that period of time without the support system I have at IU Southeast.  Over my time here I have made many meaningful connections while being an orientation leader, a resident assistant, the 21st century scholar coordinator, and peer mentor.

For example, the housing staff has been a huge part of my life the past couple of years. They encouraged me to be the best version of myself, check-in regularly, and made me realize the importance of meaningful connections. Before I know that I am struggling or need help they are there for me asking what they can do to support me. The connections that I have made with this office are unlike any other.

My connections with my mentors are also amazing. They have been huge role models in my life both personally and professional.  They help me push myself daily and work to make my goals obtainable. Without these connections, I would not be where I am at today. I would not be involved on campus, applying for graduate school or speaking on behalf of the student body.

Not only do I think that meaningful connections are important but so does the research. Research shows that students who are involved and create connections with members of their community are more likely to graduate on time. You will not regret the connection that you make.

Tip #4 Getting Involved

I am sure you have already gathered how much I enjoy being involved on campus thus far. But I am not just saying that I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and being a representative of IU Southeast. Being involved helps you create those meaningful connections and a support system that will back you 100% percent.

Getting involved does not mean you have to start an organization or even join an organization but to make yourself a part of the community. Eat lunch in the cafeteria, talk to the person sitting next to you in class, reach out for help, attend an event, or even simply say hi to a new person each day. Engage and support the community you are in, add to the strength and potential of IU Southeast.

Don’t be the students who goes from their car to class and back to their car. Take advantage of what the IU Southeast community has to offer and embrace the diversity of our campus. By getting involved on campus, you will have the opportunity to call IU Southeast your home away from home.

Tip #5 Make this your Home

The last piece of advice I have for you is to make IU Southeast more than just your school but instead make it your home for the next four years.

Now, I know this might sound cliche but truly make IU Southeast your Home. That does not mean you have to live in the lodges (even though I highly recommend) or live near campus. That means taking advantage of nurturing environment.

By attending Indiana University Southeast, you just started a journey to better your education and the holistic learning environment we have here. Over the course of the next couple of years you will face difficulties and hardships but at IU Southeast by believing in yourself and the individuals around you, you will succeed.

Having a hard time writing a paper and do not know where to go, visit your IU Southeast writing center.

Failed a math test and want to do better on the next exam, visit the IU Southeast math lab.

Want someone to talk to about what is going on in your life, visit IU Southeast’s Counselling and Psychological Services.

Feel scared walking to your car in the dark after class, stop by the IU Southeast police station.

Whatever season of life you are in, your family at IU Southeast is ready to help. Make this your home away from home and find the support you need. Grenadier nation has your back!

Conclusion

With all of that being said, I hope you find these 5 tips useful. I am so happy you are here, and I wish you the best of luck. Remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help, prioritize your time, make meaningful connections, get involved and make IU Southeast your home.

I hope your time here is nothing short of awesome and just as rewarding as mine.

On behalf of the student body, class of 2025, I would like to welcome you home to Indiana University Southeast. Good luck Grenadiers, you can do this!

Now I would like to hand it back over to Dr. Kelly Ryan.

Affirmation & Closing Remarks: Dr. Kelly Ryan

At this time, I will recite the IU Southeast Affirmation, which is on the back of the New Student Induction Day postcard you received in the mail, feel free to read along with me.  

As a member of Indiana University Southeast…

I will support a caring community that honors diversity, innovation, loyalty, teamwork, mutual respect, and fair play. I will strive for academic excellence and help support all students to reach our full potential. I will be ethical and responsible in my decision making and behavior. I will engage, support, and serve wherever possible within the community to which I belong through my knowledge, talents, and resources. In association, we are IU Southeast. In my actions, I am IU Southeast.

As your Executive Vice Chancellor, I am very pleased to officially welcome you to the IU Southeast campus community. Please note the IU lapel pin that you received in the mail, which is a token of your acceptance into this community. The IU lapel pin symbolizes your commitment to this institution and to the success you will achieve here when you dedicate yourself to life-long learning and maximizing your own potential. This symbol marks your entrance into our IU family and into the IU Southeast community of scholars.

We are committed to helping you achieve your academic dreams. We all wish you every success as you venture into this new stage in your lives.