IUAA Southeast Indiana Region

Following in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother, IU Southeast alumna Emma Gauntt knew she wanted to become a nurse. ❤️

Getting there meant balancing challenging nursing courses and clinical rotations with work, music and leadership on campus.

Emma, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May, recently met with Josh Suiter, Director of Alumni Engagement, to reflect on her journey at IU Southeast — from finding the confidence to get involved and serving as president of Christian Student Fellowship to gaining hands-on nursing experience and building relationships with faculty who made a lasting impact.

Today, Emma is putting those experiences to work as a cardiac ICU nurse at Baptist Health Floyd.

“God gave me a brain to be a nurse and a heart to care for people.”

Read more about Emma’s IU Southeast journey: https://blogs.iu.edu/sealumni/2026/08/11/following-a-calling-to-care-iu-southeast-alumna-emma-gauntt-begins-her-nursing-career/

What was your major at your IU campus?

Whether you knew exactly what you wanted to study from day one or found your path along the way, your major was an important part of your IU experience.

Tell us your major and your IU campus in the comments, and let us know where your journey took you after graduation.

This week’s Employer Spotlight features The Thieneman Group.

Serving the Kentuckiana region since 1984, The Thieneman Group specializes in commercial building interiors, including renovations, retrofits, tenant build-outs, additions and more. Their expertise has expanded over the years to include interior general contracting, custom home building, foundation installation and commercial development.

With a customer-centered approach and decades of experience, The Thieneman Group works to minimize the inconvenience and disruption often associated with construction projects while helping businesses transform their spaces.

We’re grateful for The Thieneman Group’s continued investment in IU graduates and appreciate the positive impact they make throughout the communities they serve.

Learn more about The Thieneman Group: https://www.thienemangroup.com/

Alumni Spotlight: Abby Shields , Media, Journalism and Strategic Communication, Class of 2026

For Abby Shields, IU Southeast offered a personal college experience that helped shape her career and build lasting friendships.

Now a Student Records & Transfer Credit Specialist at Vincennes University, Abby says her experiences as both a student and staff member inspired her to pursue a career in higher education.

“I loved the small class size and that professors and administration alike knew my name. The experience felt personal.”

Abby also found a home in Christian Student Fellowship, where Bible studies, Thursday night gatherings and time spent with friends created some of her favorite memories and friendships that have continued beyond graduation.

Her time in the School of Business, including working as an Administrative Assistant, helped prepare her for her current role. Another standout experience was photographing IU President Pamela Whitten during her freshman year for the Marketing & Communications team.

Her advice to future students? Get involved.

“You get a world-class education with professors who know you by name and truly care about you. If you get involved on campus, you’ll meet and make lifetime friends.”

Mike Johnson began his IU journey at the Indiana University Southeastern Campus—now IU Southeast—in 1964. Just a few years later, he helped professor and coach Bob Hotopp start a baseball team for the campus.

That was only the beginning of Mike’s IU story.

From earning his business degree from the IU Kelley School of Business to returning to IU Southeast as an adjunct faculty member and later serving the IU Alumni Association, Mike has maintained a connection to Indiana University throughout his life and career.

Recently, Mike met Josh Suiter, Director of Alumni Engagement at IU Southeast, over coffee to share stories about the early days of the campus, its athletics and the career that followed.

Read Mike’s story and take a trip back through IU Southeast history: https://blogs.iu.edu/sealumni/2026/08/10/from-the-early-days-of-iu-southeast-to-a-lifetime-in-business-mike-johnsons-iu-story/

Some professors teach a subject. Others leave an impact that stays with you long after graduation.

IU alumni, who was your favorite professor during your time on campus? Tell us who made a difference in your college experience and why in the comments.

Celebrate America250 with the Grammy-nominated Indiana University Singing Hoosiers at the Ogle Center at IU Southeast.

Indiana University’s ambassadors of song bring more than 90 singers and instrumentalists to Stem Concert Hall for an evening of classic American music, featuring selections from the Great American Songbook, choral favorites and contemporary arrangements.

Wednesday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Stem Concert Hall | Ogle Center at IU Southeast

Tickets:
$25 Adults
$10 IU Southeast students & employees with valid ID
$10 Students 18 and under

All ages welcome.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating 250 years of America through song.

Buy tickets at:
https://oglecenter.com/events/special-events/singing-hoosiers.php

Flashback Friday: March 5, 1968

A new fraternity was off to a strong start at the Southeastern Campus of Indiana University.

This 1968 campus newspaper feature highlighted Theta Zeta Chi, a social fraternity established to promote brotherhood and service to its members and the campus. During its first semester, the organization was already becoming involved in campus life, sponsoring a spring social event and welcoming its first pledge class.

The accompanying photo shows the new Theta Zeta Chi pledges during initiation, capturing a moment from the early history of student life on the campus we know today as IU Southeast.

Balancing college, work and raising a newborn wasn't easy, but IU Southeast alumna Jaclyn Harbin never lost sight of her goal of becoming an educator.

Today, she is serving as Kentucky's Assistant Director of Mathematics, helping lead statewide efforts to strengthen mathematics instruction and improve student success.

During a recent Zoom conversation with Josh Suiter, Director of Alumni Engagement, Harbin reflected on the IU Southeast professors, classmates and experiences that helped launch her career and prepare her for educational leadership.

Read her inspiring alumni story here: https://blogs.iu.edu/sealumni/2026/08/06/from-iu-southeast-to-state-leadership-alumna-jaclyn-harbin-is-shaping-the-future-of-math-education-in-kentucky/

The Ogle Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year!

This milestone season features an incredible lineup of performances, including:
Collision of Rhythm
The Singing Hoosiers
Haunted Illusions
The Vienna Boys Choir
A production of MACBETH
…and so much more!

Join us as we celebrate 30 years of unforgettable performances and community connections. Explore the complete 30th Anniversary Season at https://oglecenter.com.