Whether it’s a published article or book, a prestigious award, or speaking engagement, members of Indiana University Northwest’s community of faculty, staff and alumni continue to share their wealth of expertise. Here are the most recent top achievers that have made a name for themselves and IU Northwest.

Six faculty members promoted or tenured

Congratulations to the following faculty members who were promoted or appointed academic tenure in 2019. Pictured with Chancellor William J. Lowe, from left to right, are:

- Tia Walker, associate professor of chemistry
- Micah Pollak, associate professor of economics
- Christopher Young, professor of history
- Douglas Swartz, clinical associate professor of English
- Jonathyne Briggs, professor of history
- William Allegrezza, professor of English

Outstanding staff presented with service awards

Congratulations to the staff members recently honored with service awards in 2019:

• Velate Sullivan and Natalie Vega-Finn, awarded the Outstanding Staff Customer Service Award
• Patty Woosley, awarded the Outstanding Staff Pride Excellence Award
• Dorothy Frink and Sherri Sosh, awarded the Distinguished Employee of the Year Excellence Award

Awards bestowed for exemplifying diversity

Congratulations to members of the IU Northwest campus community who were recently honored by the Diversity Advisory Council (DAC). The DAC celebrates diversity in its many forms and highlights individuals, organizations, and groups, which exemplify the IU Northwest diversity mission.

The honorees, pictured with Chancellor William J. Lowe, left, and Director of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs James Wallace, right, are:

- Toni Dickerson, Black Student Union, Diversity Friend Award
- F C Richardson, who received an award from the Black Student Union and Black Studies Program. Richardson was the first faculty advisor to the Black Caucus student group.
- State Representative Ragen Hatcher (accepting on behalf of Former Gary Mayor Richard G. Hatcher), Diversity Champion Award
- Lauren Pacheco, Director of Arts Programming and Engagement, Diversity Advocate Award
- Crystal Shannon, Associate Professor of Nursing, Diversity Advocate Award

IUSM-NW-G adjunct faculty member honored for service to students

Congratulations to Cynthia Galvan, adjunct faculty member at the IU School of Medicine – Northwest – Gary (IUSM-NW-G) for being recognized with an award by The Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, which serves to recognize community physicians who contribute to the education and training of clinical students.

Galvan was nominated for the award by Ryan DesCamp (pictured at left), a member of the IU School of Medicine Class of 2019, as well as an master's in public health candidate in the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

Galvan, a member of the Methodist Hospitals Emergency Department and a managing partner of Northwest Emergency Associates, serves as IUSM-NW-G’s site clerkship director at Methodist.

Fine Arts professor is accomplished, sought-after sculptor

Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford, assistant professor of sculpture in the School of the Arts, has received four grants in the past year to complete various projects, including $700,000 to commission a sculpture for the city of Chicago. He was also recently asked to commission a monument of John Dewey at the University of Chicago.

The Floating Museum in Chicago, which he founded and co-directs, is part of his ongoing community based art pieces throughout the city as well as Northwest Indiana. This display was just awarded a $30,000 grant to support the School of the Arts’ project Cultural Transit Assembly in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Park District.

The Arts Club of Chicago recently unveiled Hulsebos-Spofford’s public art commission, Garden Gipsoteca. This is a new collection of five fantastical sculptures on view in the Arts Club Garden located on St. Clair Street between Ontario and Ohio Streets, until June 22.

Hulsebos-Spofford’s work has been shown at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, The UCSD Art Gallery, The Glass Curtain Gallery and the Hyde Park Art Center, among other spaces. He has held numerous fellowships and his work continues to be supported by many grants.

Alumnus honored for public service

The School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) recently named Cory Thames, 2014 master of public affairs (MPA) alumnus, as SPEA’s 2019 Official Legacy Honoree for his career achievements at the Obama Foundation.

SPEA established the public service award to recognize MPA alumni who have distinguished themselves through exceptional acts of public service. The SPEA Graduate Program Committee (GPC) makes the selection and presents the honoree with the award at the graduate hooding ceremony each May.

Thames serves as deputy director of community engagement at the Obama Foundation, working to cultivate and manage stakeholder relationships. Based on the South Side of Chicago, the foundation works to inspire communities to “take action and empower them to change their world for the better, so they can achieve more together than they can alone.”

Prior to this role, Thames served under Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration and has held leadership roles in several education/youth serving organizations.

Lin honored for exceptional teaching

Tin-Chun Lin, professor of economics in the School of Business and Economics, received the 2019 Herman Frederic Lieber Award. Established in 1961, and first sponsored by the IU Foundation, the award honors outstanding teaching. Today, the award is sponsored by Mrs. Herman Lieber of Indianapolis.