Chemistry High School Lab Days offer an immersive experience for students to explore their passions and interests through college-level chemistry experiments such as burning snack foods to determine the energy given off and using organic reactions to prepare an antibiotic.

Graduation season is here! It is one of our favorite times of the year. Vincennes University is excited to honor the Class of 2023, and we are thrilled to celebrate our graduates’ achievements, contributions, and spirit. More information is available at vinu.edu/commencement

A group of 24 Vincennes University Conservation Law Enforcement students participated in a grueling 24-hour exercise known as the “Green Mile” putting their physical and mental endurance and course knowledge to the test. The “Green Mile” began on Wednesday, April 19, with a fitness assessment that included a 1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, and a 300-meter dash. The students then engaged in a full day of real-world scenarios, land navigation, and wilderness survival training. They underwent swim tests and water survival drills at the VU Aquatic Center before participating in night operations and vehicle stops. The event included a 3.5-mile ruck along the Wabash River waterfront that finished at Kimmell Park. Despite the demanding nature of the exercise, all 24 students successfully completed the challenge that culminated around 7 a.m. on Thursday, April 20.

Enthusiastic and jubilant elementary school children sauntered through the Vincennes University Education Department Story Walk at Kimmell Park, reading a delightful tale in both English and Spanish about a one-of-a-kind turtle with a gorgeous garden growing on its back. Page by page, they strolled along the trail overlooking the Wabash River with their families and friends, interacting with VU Education majors and reading the illustrated children’s book “Mossy” by Jan Brett. The free community event on Thursday, April 20, offered a unique learning and social event to encourage reading and being active as a family. After reading the story, the youngsters enjoyed fun interactive activities and craft stations designed by VU students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Education, such as petting a live turtle, creating mini terrariums to take home, building habitats for turtles, painting flower pots, and playing fun games. Free books were distributed to promote reading at home.

At its April 19 meeting, the Vincennes University Board of Trustees approved tenures and promotions, received in-depth updates on student recruitment and the University’s Information Technology, and heard from several students doing amazing things in and outside the classroom. VU is fortunate to have dedicated, talented, and excellent faculty and staff. Nearly 20 individuals (see list below) from across the University have earned promotions or received tenure. Students were also center stage during the meeting. Students from two degree programs showed off their real-world skills for the Trustees at the Shake Learning Resource Center.

Vincennes University announces the appointment of Jaci Lederman as its new Executive Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, effective May 1. She was selected from a pool of more than 50 applicants and is taking over the position from Bob Wisler.

Vincennes University’s community is excited about the return of its summer camps and community enrichment activities after they were canceled or limited last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The University's summer events cater to students of all ages and backgrounds, providing opportunities for personal growth and learning. VU offers a variety of summer programs, including sports camps, STEM academies, surveying technology camps, science lab days, and more. These extraordinary events provide possibilities for all and often reach underserved populations.

The Vincennes University Education Department and VU Education majors are hosting a free Story Walk for elementary school students and their families on April 20, 2023, at Kimmell Park. A Story Walk is an illustrated children’s book displayed page by page along a walking route, and students go from sign to sign reading the story. Along the trail, there are multiple activities for students to enjoy.  VU’s Story Walk is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Today is the day the Vincennes University community comes together and shows their Trailblazer spirit by supporting Blazers Give Day. The third annual 24-hour giving day is devoted to giving back and sharing your favorite things about VU.

Vincennes University students, faculty, and staff paraded around the Vincennes Campus in a colorful display of support on Tuesday, April 11. The gathering demonstrates VU’s dedication to having inclusive and welcoming campuses and locations. The Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion coordinated the Pride Walk.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Learning Resource Center – Innovation Room #112 130 E. College Avenue Vincennes, Indiana 47591 (All Times are Eastern Daylight Time)

The Vincennes University community will come together for the 3rd annual Blazers Give Day on Thursday, April 13, 2023. The 24-hour day of giving celebrates the Trailblazer spirit and gives VU supporters an opportunity to make a difference that carries forward each and every day.

After an EF-3 tornado ripped less than a week ago through Sullivan County, Indiana, and took lives there, Vincennes University Homeland Security and Public Safety Program Chair and retired FBI agent Lou Caprino launched his drone to capture photography of the extensive damage. Those images were then shared with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for use in their early assessment. Recalling the supportive role HSPS majors in helping New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina, Caprino quickly got to work on exploring how current students could come to the aid of a nearby community. The VU students are putting in long hours and many days of volunteer work in Sullivan this week.

A student in the award-winning Vincennes University Jobs for America’s Graduates College Success Program dominated a state competition at the annual JAG Indiana State Career Development Conference. VU Homeland Security and Public Safety major Mason Caudill of North Judson, Indiana, won first place in the College Success Program category and had the opportunity to meet Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb on March 17. Competitors delivered presentations explaining their career pathways and shared the benefits of participating in the JAG College Success Program. Caudill also placed first in the College Success Program division in 2021

Vincennes University provides medical assistant training throughout Indiana and collaborates with Indiana’s Next Level Jobs Program to provide funding to Indiana residents who qualify to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Training program for free.

Middle school students from Daviess, Martin, and Sullivan counties were incredibly excited to get their hands on the collaborative robots in Vincennes University’s brand-new Center for Applied Robotics and Automation. They enjoyed a recent Saturday learning how to program a collaborative robot or cobot to pick up and move blocks during a “Fun With Robotics” day in the VU College of Technology Center.

A trio of Vincennes University Precision Machining Technology majors won first place in the Educational Division of the 2022 Mastercam Wildest Parts Competition. Composed of Nate Conrad, Jackson Roberts, and Luke Schirmer, the VU students won the top prize for their innovative and fun electric skateboard. Sponsored yearly by Mastercam, the competition encourages student interest and participation in manufacturing. The contest challenges students in high school and college to create parts demonstrating creativity and technical skill using Mastercam software. 

Vincennes University is proud to be a military-friendly school with a longstanding commitment to supporting our nation's service members and veterans. VU has once again been named a Military Friendly® School and is the only large public institution in Indiana that has received a Silver ranking for 2023-24 by Viqtory, which recognizes the efforts of schools that provide exceptional support to military students and their families.

Vincennes University Homeland Security and Public Safety students will present a community academy on various timely topics affecting communities and keynote speakers will include representatives from FBI Indianapolis and Knox County CASA. VU’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Program Chair Lou Caprino served for nearly 30 years in the FBI. On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, the community academy will focus on drug concerns, juvenile crimes, hate crimes, and other domestic issues and concerns. On Thursday, March 30, 2023, presentations will focus on human trafficking, cyber threats, health hazards, and transportation hazards.

The Vincennes University Board of Trustees welcomed its newest member this past month. Brandon Haight was appointed a Trustee by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, and he took his oath of office at the Board’s recent retreat. Haight possesses decades of leadership and experience in the automotive industry. He is the general manager of the East Plant at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) in Princeton, Indiana. Haight also serves as the plantwide maintenance and reliability lead and is the regional advisor for Toyota’s Manufacturing Digital Transformation initiatives with a specific focus on machine reliability.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOTICE OF MEETING FINANCE/REVENUE COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15TH, 2023 2:00 P.M (EST) MIKE SIEVERS, CHAIR

The Vincennes University Board of Trustees unanimously approved honorary doctorates for a pair of revered Hoosier lawmakers and welcomed a new Trustee at Board Retreat on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Former State Senator Luke Kenley and former State Representative Dr. Tim Brown will receive their honorary degrees during the Spring 2023 Commencement on April 29 at the P.E. Complex.

Vincennes University student-athlete Daylynn Thornton is always looking for ways to support her fellow college students. So, when the Kinesiology and Sport major won a national contest and was among 19 randomly-selected college students chosen to have a $500 donation made in their name to support an organization dedicated to fighting hunger and food education, Thornton picked Sandy’s Pantry. It provides VU students with free non-perishable food and personal care products in a friendly and supportive way.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Retreat and Board Meeting Schedule French Lick Springs Hotel 8670 West State Road 56 Clifton 102B Meeting Room – 1st Level French Lick, IN  47432 Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Emergency Management and the Disabled Community presentation by Vincennes University Homeland and Security Public Safety students on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 10-11:30 a.m. (ET).