Skip to content
Contact USI

Top 10 USI Today stories of 2014-15

May 21, 2015

After a careful review of our readership analytics, I've compiled a top 10 list of your favorite USI Today stories over the last year. I hope you enjoy revisiting these stories or perhaps seeing them for the first time. I'd also be interested to know what stories you want to hear in the future, who you want to get to know on campus and what you'd like to see for the future of USI Today. I look forward to hearing from you.

2 250X1881. The ripple effect of a simple wave

Typically, when someone waves, it's a greeting from someone you know. So, when METS bus driver James Putnam drives past and offers a hardy wave, people may be taken aback. "Do I know him?" But after passing him by a few times, they realize it's a simple, friendly gesture he offers everyone. He waves because, "It's just a heartfelt thing to do," he said. "At first people would look at me like I was crazy, but now they are beginning to wave back." He hopes people will take the simple gesture of kindness and pass it on to others. (Read more…)

USI MLK DAY USI1493 319X2082. Getting to know Rodney Watson

"Every one of our student athletes, regardless of the sport, knows why they're here. It's something we discuss - if you're not serious about school, this is not the place for you. The term we use is it's "no joke" here - it's an excellent school. There's not a   kid on campus who wants to be the bottom half of the bell curve." (Read more…)

Edits Milestones News3. Milestones of Service celebration to be held on May 13

Administrative Senate honored 44 employees for their Milestones of Service. We spotlighted Ingrid Lindy (35 years), manager of Human Resources Information Systems and Ray Simmons (25 years), director of Athletic Communications. (Read more…)

Main News4. Getting to know Melinda Roberts

"I've been interested in criminal justice as long as I can remember. Even as a small child playing with my toys, I would create elaborate court scenarios to act out. I also was very contrary and outspoken as a child and my mother was convinced I was going to be a lawyer. Originally, that was the path I was seeking; criminal defense, in particular. I became disillusioned with criminal defense while seeking my undergraduate degree. Then I became interested in gender and race issues in the criminal justice system and changed my path to academia." (Read more…)

Dsc 1124 News5. Getting to know  Christopher Rivera

"I love the interaction with students and watching them learn and grow. I enjoy seeing how their minds work and challenging them in ways that expand their worldview. I love that they struggle, but rise to the occasion. They're good students, and I'm blessed this is the group which I'm exposed to. I can be myself academically and personally." (Read more…)

Linda Cleek Wbook6. 50th anniversary retrospect: Linda Cleek

Rarely can a person say they've spent 40 years employed at the same place, but Linda Cleek, executive director of Lifelong Learning in Outreach and Engagement, can. Not only has she been at USI for four decades, she has spent them in the same department. Although the department has undergone a few name changes: Continuing Education, Extended Services and now Outreach and Engagement, Cleek has remained a familiar face. (Read more…)

Main News17. Getting to know Stephanie Young

"When I get my teaching evaluations, I always get a little nervous. The number one thing I love to hear is 'Dr. Young is enthusiastic and passionate about the course, the materials and the readings.' To know my students appreciate the fact I'm enthusiastic, passionate and energized is my favorite compliment." (Read more…)

DSC 0970 300X2008. Getting to know Edwin Cahill

"My dream would be for every USI student to have some international global engagement experience. I want to reinforce what works, and then introduce new concepts and ideas. I would love to fill the gaps between the isolated progression of study abroad activities and tie it together into the whole experience." (Read more…)

Empty Bowls 2014 Cole AL Gary Mason 300X2019. Getting to know Al Holen

"My dad, Norman D. Holen, was an art professor. He taught ceramics, sculpture and drawing. He's a sculptor through and through. We would go to campus sometimes on a Saturday if he had to finish something up, and he would take his little daughter along. I was 10 or 11 and there was a guy there throwing mugs. I was mesmerized. I said, "I'm going to do that." I got on the wheel the next time we visited and it's always felt right to me." (Read more…)

Willie 2 300X20010. USI's plant whisperer to retire in July

By the time his job duties moved him to the Wright Administration Building, he was USI's unofficial "plant whisperer." People began bringing their sickly plants to him. Soon he had so many, he had to set up a table in front of a sunny window in a Forum Wing hallway. One table became three and a garden oasis was born. He inherited LaVerne the Fern, a gift from USI's first first lady, Betty Rice, in 1969. LaVerne lived in the Office of the President for nearly 40 years, but she needed attention. Today, LaVerne is the centerpiece of Willie's garden spot. (Read more...)

 

Recent Stories