In our 16-year history, we have been instrumental in supporting IU faculty, staff, students and alumni in a wide range of programs. But, we are especially proud of our Scholarship Program, where we help academically strong students and those students who tragically have been financially disowned by their parents.

During recent years, we have experienced a significant increase in scholarship applications. Consequently, we are proud to announce today that we have launched the GLBTAA Scholarship Campaign, in large part, to create an endowment so that we can continue our financial assistance. Depending on the success of the Campaign, we are also hopeful that we can increase the amounts of our scholarships. Donors are able to contribute online at: www.indiana.edu/~glbtaa  

Please read paragraph #1 below for more details, and we invite you to join us in promoting this ground-breaking Campaign.

Mike Shumate, GLBTAA President

[email protected]   

When Dr. James Wimbush started to teach at Indiana University in Bloomington, it was not his intention to be here long, much less be here for twenty-two years. But as he has continued to work at IU he has begun more fully to appreciate the uniqueness of IU as well as the many resources on the campuses that allow for the flourishing of a dynamic and diverse community. Wimbush sees "diversity of people and thought in institutes of higher learning as a requirement for a strong education, as well as for a vibrant place to work."

Wimbush, in his new role as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (DEMA), feels that it is of the utmost importance to create and foster an inclusive environment for everyone on every IU campus; a place where a diverse community of faculty, staff, students, and post docs feel they have the opportunity to thrive. As one who has studied climates in organizations, "I believe that my strong academic background and administrative experience provide me with the skills needed to foster an inclusive environment at Indiana University," Wimbush notes.

In addition to recruitment and retention, two of his primary goals as Vice President for DEMA are improving campus climates; and advocacy, and outreach. He wants those in the IU community as well as individuals in Indiana and the world to perceive of IU as a warm and welcoming place. "Internally, the culture centers, like the Asian Culture Center or the First Nations Education and Culture Center, will play a huge role in providing programming and initiatives to create a sense of community. Their mere existence signals to constituents within and outside of IU that we are inclusive and welcome all to our campuses."

In his early years at IU Wimbush recalls "a time when the GLBT Student Support Services (GLBTSSS) office didn't exist. As an untenured faculty member, I didn't know whether the campus valued me, and I know that many others - faculty, staff, and students alike - had similar concerns." Wimbush wants this feeling of inclusiveness to be readily apparent for all people on all IU campuses.

"With the creation of the office of GLBTSSS, and the great work of Doug Bauder, its founding coordinator, we have seen a lot of programming and initiatives over the years that strongly signal inclusiveness for the GLBT community. This is one example of how our major centers play an important role. I want to collaborate with them to do more." Wimbush notes that a number of the services that GLBTSSS offers are complementary to his goal of improving the warmth and inclusivity of Indiana University. The Positive Space initiative that is a part of the GLBTSSS office works to identify positive spaces. Dr. Wimbush hopes to complement this and similar programs to promote a culture of inclusivity at Indiana University.

Wimbush earned his master's degree in human resources and labor and industrial relations and his Ph.D. degree in management from Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business. He was a professor of business administration at IU beginning in 1991, and he is former chair of various units in IU's Kelley School of Business, including the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship; Doctoral Programs in Business; and the Kelley Full-Time MBA Program.   He is also former Associate Dean of the Faculties for the Bloomington campus.

Wimbush is excited to begin important work as the new Vice President for DEMA. And, we are thrilled and proud that he is at the helm! Thank you Vice President Wimbush!

IUPUI Professor Sheila Suess Kennedy presiding at 2012 Harvey Milk Dinner

Th e Fourth Annual IUPUI Harvey Milk Dinner celebrating the campus LGBT community will be held on Thursday, October 10. Registration and a reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the IUPUI Campus Center, Room 450 (420 University Boulevard in Indianapolis). Dinner tickets are $20 for students and $45 for everyone else. Registration is available  online at www.myiupui.com/2013MilkDinner. This year's keynote speaker will be artist, actor and advocate iO Tillet Wright. iO presented a popular TED.com talk in 2012 called Fifty Shades of Gay, and she joins us to share stories from her photography project, documenting people who identify as something other than 100% straight. Her words will inspire and motivate and are especially resonate with the debate on marriage equality gearing up in Indiana for the 2014 legislative session. Additional details on iO can be viewed online at www.darlingdays.com 

One of our GLBTAA tables at 2012 Harvey Milk Dinner

The GLBTAA has had a Facebook page for some time now, but some of you may not be aware of it.  If you haven't already done so, check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/iuglbtaa.  "Like" our page and then you will automatically get our Facebook posts regarding news, updates and information of our events.

IU is playing at Michigan State for its homecoming game. The Michigan State GLBT Alumni Association is hosting a homecoming reception and dinner on Friday, October 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. following its homecoming parade in the Red Cedar Room at the Kellogg Center on the East Lancing campus. There will be food and a cash bar. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door. All IU GLBTAA members are invited and welcome. The Michigan State GLBTAA site is at: 

https://www.msu.edu/user/glbtalum/index.html 

GLBTAA Academic Scholarships  Academic Scholarships are awarded to IU students enrolled at any IU campus, who are academically strong, as well as active in promoting diversity, tolerance and social justice. Scholarships are awarded to students based upon academic achievement, career goals, financial need, leadership experience, community service and extracurricular activities. Involvement in activities promoting diversity and raising awareness of GLBT and related issues on the student's campus or in his or her community is carefully reviewed by the Board. The maximum award for an Academic Scholarship is $1,000 per semester. An individual student may not receive more than $2,000. The deadline for the Spring 2014 semester is November 15, 2013.