From the Office of Recruitment and Admissions at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC), credentials analyst, Geneva Foster, is retiring after 22 years of service. During her tenure, Foster has instrumentally inspired IUPUC employees towards community service in the form of charitable giving.
Special recognition was given to Foster’s because of her consistency in public service throughout Columbus and the giving opportunities she developed with the campus faculty, staff, and students. IUPUC Vice Chancellor and Dean, Dr. Reinhold Hill, presented her with a plaque that reads, “In recognition for your years of dedication, commitment, and service to our campus, and for engaging employees to help make a significant difference in our greater community Geneva Foster is presented with the Community Service Award for 2016.” Additionally, she received a monetary award on behalf of all IUPUC faculty and staff.
Around the holiday season, IUPUC is typically very busy. The extra activity is due in part to the Staff Council Outreach Committee (SCOC) year-long efforts in effective planning, soliciting, and collecting donations coming to fruition. For over a decade Foster has led the group with a directive of bringing holiday cheer to less fortunate individuals throughout the region.
EXAMPLES OF THE SCOC INITIATIVES INCLUDE: Love Chapel – Jeans Day
Beginning in 2003, the SCOC requested monetary donations from IUPUC faculty and staff; employees appreciated the provided opportunity give. Collected donations were used to purchase hams for the baskets distributed during the holidays by the local Love Chapel.
Because the needs of the community continued to increase, the SCOC developed a method to generate donations throughout the year. The idea, each month faculty and staff would pay $5.00 and wear jeans on one Friday. In 2006 students were included in the challenge. In 2007, a second Friday was added each month to the Jeans Day/Love Chapel ham drive. The SCOC reported that since 2010 the IUPUC campus generosity donations have increased to over $2000 for the purchase of hams.
IUPUC’s Angel Tree
In 2010 Foster was a Salvation Army volunteer. During her service, she was introduced to the concept of Angel Tree; she realized that the Angel Tree initiative would work well as a charitable opportunity at IUPUC.
As a Salvation Army volunteer, my daughter Nikki and I were asked to hang cards on the Angel Tree at the Fair Oaks Mall. As we began, we read some of the wants and wishes of the angels. To our surprise, they were not children, but adults, mostly over the age of 60. Through the tears, we kept reading and at that moment starting adopting name cards for ourselves and family members.
Later, I contacted the Salvation Army and spoke with Jodie Sladek, Lieutenant Corps Officer, and Pastor. I explained my thoughts on IUPUC fulfilling the wishes of these Senior Angels. Jodie happily agreed to provide assistance; her immediate question, “How many Angels would IUPUC like to adopt?” She gave me a usual number of 40 to 90 names. I felt that it would not be a problem for IUPUC, and this year IUPUC adopted 105 senior angels.
IUPUC is known for many great qualities. However, little has been said about the continual charitable efforts that occur each year by the faculty, staff, and students. More importantly is the motivation towards giving that is especially inspiring during the holiday season.