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John Whittenberger Society Indiana University

A letter from Kerry Maller, John Whittenberger Society President

Posted on by Sydney Randall

To my esteemed members of the John Whittenberger Society,

As we begin to gather for the holidays, I cannot help but think about how grateful I am for all of you. It is often said that spring is a time of renewal, but for me it happens to be in the fall. As the leaves begin to change to golden hues and the sun begins to set earlier, it becomes a perfect time for reflection and rejuvenation. When we light that first fire of the season or snuggle up in that cozy IU hoodie, it becomes a welcoming time to take stock of all you have accomplished. Then, we can start to lay the foundation of what can be. It is during these small moments of gratitude which make this time of year so special. And a perfect place to begin.

For all of us, there are many beginnings. Mine isn’t so different than each one of you. My tenure with Union Board began 30 years ago, when as a freshman I walked straight into the UB office and spoke to the newly elected president who quickly got me signed up on committees. That was followed by two years as a director. From committee member to director to the JWS, it is a trajectory we all know very well. It is that foundation that keeps us active and engaged today.

We as a collective share a unique strong bond that is unshakable. Unlike other organizations on campus, we always have a home inside the IMU. While this building does belong to everyone, at one point in time it was simply ours. That is why we are eager to learn about what is happening inside and around the building. The IMU is the heart of the campus, and it is a piece of us. We have shaped its history and told its story, but more importantly created so many special moments in time. Whenever we enter the building, it has a special power to squash the chaos in the world around us. It takes us back to a formidable place that often leads to a reset and focus to what is really important.

As former directors, we have the unique ability to forge ahead in the best way possible. Throw us a challenge, we will give you a solution.

When there is a call to action, we are there. We recognize what is important and step up.

That is special. That is unique. That is inherent in each and everyone of us.

At its core, the John Whittenberger Society has always been about the students and how we can support them for success. Today the students need us more than ever to listen, be an ear, and most importantly offer our knowledge and experience.

During our fall meeting, we were able to hear from Union Board students who had just returned from the International Entertainment Buyers Association conference. We also approved funding to send the incoming Union Board President to the ACUI Conference in Pittsburgh and Canvas Creative Arts and Marketing committee students to the Associate Collegiate Press Nation Media Conference in San Francisco next year. These conferences have become an integral tool for students to apply their current skills, while helping spread their wings to bigger and bolder initiatives.

This past year we also continued our art initiative, adding several new pieces that are showcased around the building. Did you know that the IMU has the largest art collection outside of a museum? That little fact is one that I have used since I was a campus tour guide walking through the storied halls of the building with prospective students. And it’s true!

Union Board students from the Canvas Creative Arts Committee attended the Butter Art Fair in Indianapolis to purchase some of the art. Then, they took the time and consideration to find the best pieces which would fit best. Union Board also became the first group to receive a grant from all three of the IU Foundation’s Affinity Giving Circles to assist with the purchases, too.

This past October, three board members termed off the advisory board. I would like to send a special thank you to past JWS President Anne Kostyo, Vice President of Alumni Relations Lydia Shanklin Roll, and Scott Gudeman. We are grateful for your leadership, vision, and continued dedication.

While part of this note may have seemed like an ending, it truly is a beginning to what is next for each and every one of us.

I look forward to hearing about your beginnings.

_____________________

Kerry Maller
President, John Whittenberger Society
UB 1996, 1997

A letter from the 116th Union Board president

Posted on by Sydney Randall

2025 Union Board President Elisabeth Melms

Dear JWS,

Hello! I’m writing to you from the conference room of the UB offices, tired but so proud coming off of the first week of classes! The 116th Board had such a strong start to the semester, serving over 3,000 students with our different Welcome Week events and clocking long hours to run rewarding and fun experiences. Our star program was Fire Fest, a bonfire on Dunn Meadow. Yes, we might have lit Dunn Meadow on fire just a little—with food trucks, live music, and many different games. Some of you might remember a bonfire of your own from the last Biennial. (Thanks for the inspiration!) It was a successful collaboration with the Residence Hall Association that created unity and welcomed students back to campus, setting the tone for this year that the meadow is a safe space for community engagement and entertainment.

As we continue into another busy semester, we’re keeping the large-scale events rolling. Our upcoming Speaking of Excellence event featuring Pete Buttigieg sold out instantly, and our upcoming Night Market through the Global Connections committee continues our partnerships with cultural centers. We continue to remain committed to high-quality programming that reaches all students, whether they’re at the pool (enjoying our IU Outdoor Pool film screening of Moana) or at Griffy Lake (taking part in our Mind and Body committee’s upcoming nature hike).

Also coming up soon is our fall retreat! The 116th Board will be traveling up to the University of Michigan to engage with their union and program board for a weekend of bonding and training, energizing us to finish out our term as a well-organized team.

It’s going to be another great year for Union Board! We’re already off to a strong start and I’m encouraged by how well our board continues to rally together with all hands on deck to run creative and engaging events for students. I hope to be able to further update you not just over a screen but also in person at the 44th Union Board Biennial Reunion. The current directors are all so excited for the chance to connect with all of you.

Registration for Biennial is still open! We would love to see all of you back in the Union and on campus for an out-of-this-world weekend. See you soon!

All the best,
Elisabeth Melms

Proposed amendments to the JWS Constitution

Posted on by Sydney Randall

Dear John Whittenberger Society Members,

I look forward to seeing many of you this fall at our 2025 Biennial Reunion. If you haven’t already, I urge you to register early and book your hotel room at the Biddle Hotel with the special rate code of JWS25. Special thanks to the Biennial Planning committee, most of which are volunteers—for working to fill our weekend with both fan favorites and new activities alike. I can’t wait to see what they’ve cooked up for us.

For the past several years, your JWS Advisory Board members have discussed an amendment to our JWS Constitution to clarify questions from alumni regarding term limits.

The Current Language (Article VII. Section II). The voting members shall not serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. (11/20/87 Amendment)

Some have translated the current language means that an alumni may serve a total of eight years (or two terms) in their lifetime. Others have thought they may serve eight years consecutively, but after an “off period” may serve again.

Regardless of how one reads it—the message was clear to your Advisory Board—our alumni need more clarity while balancing core values:

  • Retaining robust volunteer membership.
  • Creating a clear “roll off” period, so that students have access to many alums and the board is populated with both fresh and seasoned members at any given time.
  • Allowing alumni members to serve in different eras of their life—after all, an alum who serves in their 30s may have very different skills to offer than in their 70s. We wouldn’t want to turn a great candidate away in a different era of their life.

Proposed Amended Language. The voting members shall not serve more than a total of eight (8) years, in a sixteen (16) year period. Each voting member’s sixteen (16) year period begins at the start of the voting member’s first term. Following a break in service of at least eight (8) years, the eligibility period is renewed.

Practically speaking, the proposed amendment wouldn’t change how we most often operate. It would simply clarify common scenarios that many board members already choose including:

  • Serving two terms consecutively (8 years) and then rolling off
  • Serving one four-year term, taking a break, then serving another four-year term.

In both circumstances, alumni would be allowed to return after a two-term break. We recognize that digesting amendment language may not be top of mind for most folks. For those interested and available, we will discuss and bring the issue to a vote, in accordance with our bylaws, on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at our next JWS Business Meeting as part of our upcoming Biennial weekend.

Please send any comments or suggestions based on these recommendations to jws1909@iu.edu.

With warmth,

Anne M. Kostyo
President, John Whittenberger Society

Alumni Spotlight: Sidney Bosley, Tracy Neff Goodman, and Jessica (Ashton) Reed

Posted on by Sydney Randall

For this edition’s Alumni Spotlight, we’re featuring three different graduate advisors: Sidney Bosley, Jessica (Ashton) Reed and Tracy Neff Goodman. Learn more about each advisor below.

Sidney Bosley
Graduate Program Advisor
Live from Bloomington, Debates & Issues, and Performing Arts
2002-04


Where do you currently live and what’s your current occupation?

I live in Palm Springs, California, and am currently self-employed as a marketing consultant.

What updates do you want to share with the community?

I’ve lived in San Francisco, London, and Palm Springs since my time in Bloomington and work in marketing. My partner, Lance, and I are engaged and have a fluffy Labradoodle named Cosmo.

What was your favorite Union Board program/event/initiative that you worked on or experienced?

Live from Bloomington. I really appreciate how it brings the university and Bloomington communities together and creates so many ways for students to get involved.  

What advice would you give to current and future Union Board members?

Listening and empathy will serve you well.

Tracy Neff Goodman
Graduate Assistant, Program Advisor
1992–93


Where do you currently live and what’s your current occupation?

I live in Bloomington, Indiana, and I am the Associate Director of the IMU as of May 2025.

What updates do you want to share with the community?

I completed my master’s degree in higher ed and student affairs in 1993, then spent several years as a Program Advisor at the Texas Union at the University of Texas at Austin and then a short stint as Assistant Director for Programs and Activities at the Illini Union at the University of Illinois. I left the field for several years and worked with dining and activities at a resort before returning to the University of Texas for operations roles, initially at their performing arts center and then back at the Texas Union. Then, I served as the Associate Director of the Texas State University Union for a campus of 40,000 that just completed a large renovation and expansion. Now I’m back in Bloomington as the Associate Director of the Indiana Memorial Union!

What was your favorite Union Board program/event/initiative that you worked on or experienced?

One of my most memorable experiences with Union Board was being asked to drive a 15-passenger van full of students who had signed up for an Out & About committee trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. It was a day of many firsts for me—not only was it my first visit to the Art Institute and to Chicago, but it was also my first time behind the wheel of such a large vehicle! Navigating the city and trying to find parking with enough clearance for the van turned out to be quite a challenge. Eventually, I decided to drop the students off at the entrance and meet them inside—without mentioning the parking struggles, so everything appeared to be running as planned!

Most importantly, serving as a graduate assistant with Union Board was a truly transformative experience. It shaped my career path and personal growth in ways I’m incredibly thankful for. I will always appreciate the UB students and staff who welcomed and supported me during that time.

Jessica (Ashton) Reed
Graduate Advisor
2014–16


Where do you currently live and what’s your current occupation?

I live in Houston, Texas, and work in sales and market research—I’m currently finishing my doctorate at NC State!

What updates do you want to share with the community?

Advising, volunteering, and getting involved with Union Board as a member is an incredible way to build transferable skills around board governance, team development and management, budgeting, and event planning. So much of what this group does is incredibly impactful to campus and your future. I credit my involvement and experience with Union Board as one of the most impactful of my life—I still call upon these skills.

What was your favorite Union Board program/event/initiative that you worked on or experienced?

Working with Fun & Adventure to collaborate with the Black Law Students Association at Maurer to bring Tim Wise to campus for a lecture. We learned a lot about crisis management, collaboration, diversity, equity & inclusion, and marketing and communications. Tim Wise was also an incredibly impactful speaker and advocate.

What advice would you give to current and future Union Board members?

Write down your accomplishments and how you did it early and often—being able to leverage these experiences after the fact will be more impactful if you have some of those nitty-gritty details in your back pocket. For example, when we were working on Block Party and had a major storm coming, our director of Fun & Adventure, Kevin Kenes, did an incredible job pivoting to ensure the safety and security of all of our attendees. The little details continue to stick with me and remind me of how you roll with the punches with event planning.

If you were a former Union Board advisor and you’re interested in being spotlighted in a future edition of the John Whittenberger Society newsletter, please reach out to Sydney Randall at sydranda@iu.edu.

Union Board Spring 2025 Recap

Posted on by Sydney Randall

By Mickey Makai, Vice President for Relations, 116th Union Board

The 116th Indiana Memorial Union Board had a great spring semester filled with tons of fun events in the heart of campus. Check out the highlights and learn more about each event below!

January

From Page to Stage featuring Sandy Rustin

At this exclusive screening of the 1985 film Clue, students enjoyed a moderated Q&A with Sandy Rustin, the playwright behind the acclaimed musical Clue—providing IU students the chance to learn what it takes to bring a Broadway musical to life!

Party for the Pasifika: Workshops and Kanikapila Dinner Celebration

In partnership with the Pacific Islander Student Association, IU Student Government, IU Diversity, and IU Native American and Indigenous Studies, Union Board hosted a week-long celebration of Pacific Islander culture led by world-renowned practitioners. This week of cultural celebration and partnership ended with the Kanikapila Dinner, where hundreds of students, staff, practitioners, and community members shared a meal while enjoying live performances and demonstrations.

New Year, New You

Brought to you by Mind & Body, Union Board hosted a vision board party where students crafted vision boards to inspire them going into the new year. Craft supplies were provided to students at no cost, providing an accessible crafting experience.

Escape Room Trip

A free escape room experience for IU students drew a line out the door. Students spent an evening off campus honing their deduction, investigation, and escape artist skills.

February

BKB Dance Competition 2025

Bloomington Ki Badtameezi, presented by Union Board, represents IU’s second intercollegiate Bollywood dance competition, drawing Bollywood dance teams from various colleges to compete at IU over a weekend. The event drew 400 attendees, including IU students and teachers, residents of the Bloomington community, and friends and families of the participating teams.

Jewelry Workshop

For students who love beads and shiny things, Canvas’ jewelry-making workshop brought in over 70 students to share a crafting experience. Union Board provided all the supplies necessary to make rings, bracelets, and necklaces so the whole student body could get blinged out.

Flower Bouquet Workshop

Over 100 students visited the Georgian Room in the IMU to craft their own flower bouquets just in time for Valentine’s Day. The event drew a crowd and quickly gave away every last flower to the students in attendance.

Cupid Shuffle

Union Board’s Social Impact committee joined forces with Women of Color Leadership Institute (WOCLI) and the NOIR Creative Guild to bring an unforgettable night of dancing and fun to Neal-Marshall Hall on Valentine’s Day. This event featured food, dancing, and music while supporting the American Heart Association!

Queens and Kings: Chess Tournament

Students from across campus came together to compete in a Valentine’s Day-themed chess tournament in partnership with the IU Chess Club. The event went on to receive a sponsorship from Chess.com, the world’s largest chess company, which provided prizes to the tournament winners in the form of year-long Chess.com subscriptions and rare merchandise.

A Conversation with Coach Cignetti

Over 500 students visited IU Auditorium to hear from NCAA Football Coach of the Year, IU’s very own Curt Cignetti. In a partnership with IU Student Television and Student Athletic Board, student football reporters had the opportunity to lead the interview and provide exclusive backstage coverage.

March

IU vs. Purdue Women’s Basketball Watch Party

Led by Spirit & Traditions, students came together to watch the IU vs. Purdue Women’s Basketball game in the Maple Room at the IMU.

Men’s Basketball Tailgate

Over 150 students visited Union Board’s Basketball Tailgate at the IU vs. OSU basketball game. Students enjoyed arcade basketball, pong, free pizza, and UB swag.

Color Theory Workshop

Union Board STEM and Canvas hosted Hues & You with Dr. Karen Gunther, an acclaimed researcher of the psychology and biology behind color. Students viewed optical illusions and tried their hand at experiments during this colorful experience.

Sew it Begins! (Sewing Workshop)

For this event, Union Board partnered with Bloomington Fine Art Supply to bring our first-ever sewing lesson. This free workshop taught students to hem their pants, sew a button, and fix their clothes. All supplies were provided free of charge, and students got a free sewing kit to take home courtesy of BFA Supply. The partnership resulted in campus-wide news coverage after the Indiana Daily Student interviewed the BFA Supply owner regarding the successful community collaboration.

Pi Day Friday

Over 230 students celebrated Pi Day with Union Board STEM at Sugar & Spice on March 14. Students received free pie and learned about opportunities to get involved at the Union.

Advocacy Through Art: A Conversation with The World with MNR

Union Board collaborated with the Pakistani Student Association, Middle Eastern Student Association, and African Students’ Association to host Human Rights Without Borders, an iftar event featuring a powerful conversation with Pakistani-Canadian twin activists Maryam and Nivaal Rehman. (Iftar is the meal that Muslims eat at sunset to break their fast during the month of Ramadan.) The pair discussed human rights issues in Pakistan and their connections to challenges in the Middle East and Africa. The evening also included a mushaira (poetry reading) and a meal featuring Pakistani, Middle Eastern, and African cuisine.

Sounds of Change

Social Impact proudly presented Sounds of Change, an event centered around women and their impact on music throughout history. Students attending this event learned about female artists while making their own CD playlists to take home a fun, vintage souvenir.

Minorities in STEM Night

This STEM partnership event filled up Alumni Hall with 10 minority-led STEM clubs, major STEM companies like Deloitte and Simtra, and over 80 students there to network, connect with employers, and learn about careers in the STEM industry. The event was fully funded in partnership with the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.

IU Athletic Tours

Spirit & Traditions worked hard to give students an exclusive inside look at the facilities that make IU Athletics the sports powerhouse it is. Students visited Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Live with Jake Shane!

In collaboration with Live Nation Entertainment, Union Board co-promoted “Live with Jake Shane!”, a comedy show featuring world-famous TikTok star, podcaster, and comedian Jake Shane. This event drew over 2,300 students to IU Auditorium for a night of laughter and live entertainment.

Tiny Couch Concert

This year, Tiny Couch Concert came to Collins LLC in the Cheshire Cafe for an intimate acoustic concert hosted by Live from Bloomington and Music Industry Creatives. Students enjoyed local music, fresh coffee, and great vibes during the indie experience.

Blacked Out & Bold

Canvas Creative Arts hosted this blackout poetry night to give students the opportunity to make beautiful poetry by selectively covering words in this unique fashion. All supplies were provided, and students brought their own imagination, making the night one to remember.

April

Dear Evan Hansen

In partnership with IU Auditorium, Union Board co-promoted the production of Dear Evan Hansen. In addition, the Board paid for 40 students to attend this incredible Broadway performance, increasing accessibility in the process.

Sexual Assault & Violence Awareness Tabling

In partnership with IU Student Government and the Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy, Union Board’s Mind & Body committee set up in the heart of the IMU to spread awareness regarding sexual assault and violence prevention.

Full Bloom

With our partner organization Smash at IUB, Union Board presented the second-largest Super Smash Bros. e-sports tournament in the world! The entire Super Smash Bros. franchise has sold over 77 million units worldwide, making this event the pinnacle of a global phenomenon. Over 600 individuals from dozens of states and countries competed, with hundreds of students attending to watch. Out of the 10 greatest players in the world, eight competed, including the #1 ranked female player.

March Madness Watch Party: Men’s & Women’s

Over two days, Union Board screened March Madness watch parties in the Union at the Main Stage. Dozens of students sat to watch, and many more stopped by to check out the big games!

Skincare Event

During this event, students from across campus visited the IMU to take a scientific approach to their skin, learn from a skincare expert, and make their own lip balm. The event was sponsored by Bloomington Skin Care & Acne Clinic, which provided a dermatologist and free samples for students to take home after the event.

Bloomington Entertainment Summit

Union Board presented the first IU Entertainment Industry Conference. This event brought together top IU alumni and industry professionals for an exclusive look inside the world of entertainment. A partnership with the Business of Music Club, the Business World of Entertainment Club, Kelley Student Government, and the Business World of Hollywood, this event brought together many student organizations for a developmental experience for all students in attendance.

Relax and Renew: Yoga Class

Mind & Body brought a yoga expert to teach the skills students need to center themselves with yoga and meditation. Free snacks, mats, and instructions were provided.

Science Fair

Our largest partnership event of the year was the winner of this year’s Best Small Event Award. The STEM committee’s Science Fair brought over 12 student organizations and multiple IU departments to Alumni Hall for an afternoon of incredible experiments, such as Tesla coils, foam explosions, VR experiences, and physics demonstrations.

Storytelling Uncovered featuring Angela Jackson-Brown

Union Board brought the award-winning author behind Untethered, When the Stars Rain Down, and more for an exclusive lecture and book signing with Union Board and the IU Bookstore. Students received a free signed copy of her book, heard from the author, and got free food at this intimate book talk.

Water Festival

In countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, the new year is celebrated in April with food, fun, and water. Union Board hosted the Water Festival to celebrate and honor the people and cultures of Myanmar. Given the current circumstances in Myanmar, including the devastation caused by the March 2025 7.7 magnitude earthquake, many Myanmar people across the world are heartbroken. This year, instead of focusing solely on celebration, Union Board and its partner organizations wanted to bring deeper meaning to the Myanmar New Year, known as Thingyan, by standing in solidarity with Myanmar and providing support where it is needed most. Even though the event was moved inside due to weather, over 100 students joined this year’s celebration.

Cricket Watch Party

The IMU hosted students to watch the Chennai Super Kings take on the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League’s most legendary rivalry. Attendees enjoyed free food and an exciting match during the event.

Earth Day Lattes & Paper Making

To celebrate Earth Day, the STEM committee partnered with IU Hospitality to give out free matcha lattes to students outside the IMU. Students enjoyed their lattes while making paper the old-fashioned way, demonstrating sustainable skills during Mother Nature’s favorite holiday. Nearly 200 students attended the event.

Little Little 499

In this classic spoof of the Little 500 bike race, over 50 students raced tricycles around Showalter Fountain. Many more students enjoyed watching the event while partaking in free cookies and snacks brought by the event’s corporate partner. IU’s own Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Dr. Lamar Hylton, kicked off the race with an inspiring speech, leading to an afternoon of high-speed fun.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Union Board partnered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center to bring an afternoon of food, fun, and flowers to IU students in Dunn Meadow. Nearly 300 students enjoyed the event, wrapping up the spring semester with a day on the lawn.

May

Bob Ross Paint Along

Nearly 100 students participated in this year’s Bob Ross Paint Along. With all supplies provided, students painted alongside a video of the legend himself, Bob Ross, leaving with their own scenic creation.

Almost Midnight Breakfast

One of our biggest events, Almost Midnight Breakfast, won this year’s Best Large Event Award. During this late-night event, over 1,000 students enjoyed a full-course breakfast, caricature artists, psychic readings, plushies, trivia, massage chairs, lawn games, live music, and more!

Hypnotist: Chris Jones

To conclude the semester, Union Board hosted a crazy event with world-renowned hypnotist Chris Jones. As seen on America’s Got Talent, Chris brought his hypno-talent to IU and engaged over 100 students at the event. Even a few Union Board directors got hypnotized during this bizarre, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The 116th Board is looking forward to hosting more exciting events this fall!

From the 2025 Union Board President

Posted on by Sydney Randall

Hello JWS! For those of you I haven’t gotten to meet yet, I’m Elisabeth Melms, and I currently serve as the President for the 116th Board! Although we’ve only been in full swing for about a month or so, it’s been a very busy January, and as the spring semester gets going I wanted to take some time to update you on everything Union Board.

2025 Union Board President Elisabeth Melms

Structurally, we’re a little different now. This year for student director roles, we have four that serve on our executive team, two non-programming roles (marketing and recruitment), and twelve programming roles, all in addition to the non-student directors who assist alongside us. On our executive team, two roles have been shifted. We now have a VP of Programs and a VP of Relations. The VP of Programs expanded our previous VP of Finance role to not only ensure our budget process moves efficiently, but to increase focus on assessment of our events and gaining event feedback and demographics. Salima is compiling data so we can know the areas where we excel in programming, who our target audiences are, and what students we still need to reach. Our relations role has also expanded, putting an emphasis on helping the board gain collaborations with student organizations, external partners, sponsors, and funding for our events, expanding our budget and therefore our reach when it comes to the number of events we can host and students we can serve. In the VPR role, Mickey has been developing internal tools and systems to help directors find success in strong partnerships with organizations and departments within campus, and in soliciting corporate sponsorships for larger events. To highlight a success—our February chess tournament is being paid for thanks to a sponsorship with Chess.com, thus allowing us to use what we would have spent on the tournament for additional programming in the future.

More than ever, the board this year understands the importance of having the student perspective be present when it comes to administrative decisions, or ensuring our role in governance is not just an advisory position, but one where the Union truly is governed by students. As such, we remain committed to being one of the largest mouthpieces for student voices on campus. While I sit in on the IMU Leadership team meetings, other directors have served on committees for First Year Experience’s Strategic Planning, and the search for the new Associate Director of the IMU. We are also in the final stages of rewriting Union Board’s 30 year agreement with the IU Auditorium, drafting a new partnership agreement with them that ensures Union Board can better collaborate when it comes to promoting events in the auditorium. As a result, the auditorium is establishing a program committee that Union Board students will sit on to assist with the selection of the schedule and performances, giving students a chance to weigh in on the shows their auditorium is bringing to them, creating a more student-focused performing arts scene on campus.

In other governance-related news, our IMU Art Initiative still remains in full swing! Hopefully you all got a chance to read the beautiful JWS blog post one of our Canvas Directors, Martha, was featured in about the new art pieces we selected from the BUTTER Art Fair that are now on display. I am always constantly inspired by how dedicated our board is to making sure the IMU remains a physically welcoming space. Our goal as an organization this year is to ensure the Union is a space where all students not only feel welcome, but can literally see that the building itself reflects the modern student experience, and diversifying our art collection is just the first step in that ongoing process. In celebration of Black History Month, the Canvas team has put up didactics next to all of the pieces in the building made from Black artists, honoring their work and calling to attention the wide variety of art that calls the Union home. In addition to their work on the art initiative, Canvas’ creative programming continues—their committee also has two co-directors this year to help maintain their wide range of programs, and submissions for the CANVAS art magazine are currently underway.

Continuing more into programmatic updates, I’m happy to announce that we’re bringing back some old committees and bringing in a new one! Live From Bloomington and Concerts have combined into one larger music-oriented committee again, keeping the LFB namesake of course. LFB now has two directors (co-directors) to help lead it. Having all of our creative and music industry oriented brains in the same group only adds to our vision of bringing the best and biggest concerts and musical performances to IU, and they’re already working on several ideas—Tiny Couch (a spoof on NPR’s Tiny Desk series), a rave out on Dunn Meadow, and even professional development opportunities for the field via a Entertainment Industry Conference.

Some of you might remember the GEEC committee (Gaming, Electronics, and Entertainment Committee, pronounced “geek”) from your time on board. It’s back! Our GEEC committee is focused on broadening the UB experience to connect with students of all backgrounds and interests, even if it’s over a computer screen. They’ve already got a chess tournament coming up, and are looking at reintroducing BloomingCon (Bloomington Comic-Con). This year we’ve also started a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) committee. This is a brand new idea to help reach those demographics of students we might have been missing in the past. Our STEM director Amalee had noticed that the hard science fields often get overlooked when it comes to programming on campus, and wanted to make sure students of all majors have events that cater towards them. Amalee’s looking to make STEM accessible to everyone, regardless of their major, and break down the stigma that science can’t be fun or engaging.

What we’re most excited about is our upcoming lecture program—A Conversation with Coach Cignetti. For the first time since Bobby Knight was at IU, a head athletics coach is sitting down to talk with students directly, and students are getting hype to hear the story behind IU Football’s record-setting season. Our lectures director Reid will be taking the stage in for this event, and this program is the culmination of everything we’re aiming to do—uniting the IU community and building Hoosier pride.

There’s a lot to be proud of so far. Despite building some new committees from the ground up, we’ve already had five committees serve over 400 students in the month of January alone, in addition to the approximately 200 attendees at our film series. This year, it is a priority to collaborate with other student organizations and work on our student-to-student relationships. There’s an organization for just about everyone these days, and as the number of student organizations rise, what’s essential is continuing to instill the idea that the Union is the one place all students belong to and call home. In our first month alone we’ve already partnered or co-sponsored with 8 different organizations, ranging from the First Nations Education and Cultural Center to the Theatre Department to the Pacific Islanders Student Association. All of this collaboration only amplifies student voices, ensuring we work together to build events and initiatives for students, by students! By being at the heart of collaborative and programming efforts with other organizations, we ensure continued education of the Union’s mission and demonstrate its active role in completing the student experience.

Each board builds on the success of the one before it, and with 116 years of tradition behind us, we have never been better poised for success. I know this year’s directors are ready to make an impact and already have, I can’t wait to see all we will continue to accomplish together throughout the year.

Elisabeth Melms
116th Indiana Memorial Union Board President 

Indiana Memorial Union Updates – February 2025

Posted on by Sydney Randall

By Hank Walter, Executive Director of the IMU

My twin son and daughter head off to college this fall, and at least one of them will be attending IU. I’m sure you remember those days of deciding where to go to college, figuring out roommates, class schedules, orientation, and move-in. Some of you have the benefit of having gone through that as a student and as the parent of a new student. When I started college at another Big Ten university, no one had yet made fun of me for being a “boomer,” I had to use a paper map to learn my way around campus, and I registered for classes by talking to someone who typed my requested schedule into the computer because college students couldn’t be trusted to get it right on their own. Today’s students live in a different world, and even if you graduated five years ago, the IMU, Union Board, and IU are different now.

Take enrollment, for instance, in the context of the IMU. When John Whittenberger first pulled together some students to create the Indiana Union and Union Board, enrollment was a little over 1,000. When the IMU building opened in 1932, more than 3,000 students attended class. At the time of the last expansion of the building in 1960, enrollment had surged past 13,000. By 1992, when the last major renovation of the Union was completed, 33,000 students called themselves Hoosiers. This fall, enrollment broke 48,000.

For a building designed for a campus with 3,000 or 13,000 students, depending how you look at it the IMU has held up pretty well. During the school year, our public seating is full 15 to 20 hours a week. Events and meetings in the building are back to or beyond what they were before the pandemic. In the last ten years, we’ve renovated the dining areas, added a pub and a store, tripled the amount of outdoor seating and dramatically increased the open seating inside the building, renovated the Frangipani Room and the Bookstore, updated the East and South Lounges (while maintaining the character), renovated the hotel, but still worked hard to maintain the character and heart of the IMU. The result is that the building is much busier than it was a decade ago (I don’t have records that go back further).

Student activities have changed dramatically too. Many students’ involvement on campus is “a mile wide and an inch deep,” as in they’d rather be a member of six student organizations than focus their time and attention on impacting one they really care about. My cynical peers would say that’s a result of a culture that focuses on “building a resume.” Alumni from the 1960s talk about there being five large student organizations that led student life (Union Board, Student Government, IFC, Panhellenic, and the Student Foundation). Today, we have more than 850 student organizations on campus. I suspect that’s partly a reflection of an increased emphasis on entrepreneurship in society as well as the growth of the IU Funding Board, which provides funds to any student organization to help support programs.

Through it all, Union Board remains. Some committees change from year-to-year: this year, Culinary is out and the Gaming and Electronic Entertainment Committee (a.k.a. GEEC) is in.

I’m most proud, though, of the way the last three Boards have really engaged with issues around the leadership and direction of the IMU itself. Union Board had an active voice in the task force to look at the direction of the Union, including continuing their role with dining. They worked with dining to develop a student organization catering menu. Four students from the Board worked with staff to rewrite the meeting and event space reservation policy last year and the Board reviewed and updated the Union’s policy manual.

They’ve served on search committees, purchased new art for the IMU (and successfully written grant proposals to fund more purchases), restructured positions to give more focus to their responsibility to the Union without impacting programming, and on and on. Laurie Frederickson, the 115th Board President (2024) spoke of a Union that was “by the students, of the students, and for the students,” and that only happens if the students engage with the Union. That student-staff partnership is happening more and more, and when it does, the IMU and Union Board are better. I am really happy to share that it’s made an impact the last few years.

I hope you’ll get a chance to come back and see your Union and how it’s evolved for Biennial this October 10–12. Since this is student life and college students, it will have changed a little more by then too.

Alumni Spotlight: Sherron Rogers

Posted on by Sydney Randall

“Life offers us such an interesting journey…”

When Sherron Rogers, Union Board 2000, started college, she didn’t believe she was a leader. At the time, she didn’t realize that her experiences on Union Board were preparing her for leadership early in her career—now, she’s been in leadership roles at large organizations for over 20 years leading areas like information technology, finance, supply chain, real estate, hospital operations, business development, and many more.

“I wouldn’t have guessed any of this path when I entered IU in 1997,” Sherron said. “However, IU prepared me to strategically navigate complex environments, and my professors taught me to inquire deeply and in a human-centered way—it was great preparation for life and my career.”

On Union Board, Sherron was Vice President of Membership. Her priorities centered around expanding Union Board’s reach into new communities on campus. She not only had an opportunity to do outreach and engage students, but also partner with her peers on Union Board about their programming ideas.

“Our board was very interested in broadening the types of events brought to campus and making a memorable impact,” Sherron said.

And make a memorable impact they did. A few events stood out to Sherron, including bringing the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters to campus and attending comedy shows with jokes she still remembers to this day, but one appearance in particular is something she’ll never forget.

“Our Union Board bringing General Colin Powell to campus a few days before the 2000 election is something I’ll always remember,” she said. “I had read his book and was impressed by his journey and hoped to one day be able to work alongside inspired leaders like him. I thought it was pretty special that we could bring such a commanding and intentional leader to Bloomington, and, at what turned out to be a unique time in his career, shortly before he became the first African-American person to serve as Secretary of State.”

After graduating from IU with a degree in psychology and pursuing a master’s degree in information science, Sherron kickstarted her career.

“As I was interviewing for jobs, acknowledging that I’d held a leadership role in an organization responsible for managing hundreds of thousands of dollars that served as the primary event-planning organization for campus, and that I’d managed formal board meetings gave me additional skills to reference,” she said. “Everything we did in Union Board was significant preparation as I began my career.”

During her time on Union Board, the organization gave Sherron early practice in working with diverse groups of talented, driven, and competitive leaders that translated into opportunities to lead others, balance commitments under competing deadlines, and set strategies in order to reach goals.

Throughout her career, Sherron has worked in healthcare leadership positions at Indiana University Health and Eskenazi Health and a brief period in global manufacturing.

With recent career highlights like being named a First Lady in African American History by the Woodson African American History Museum in Florida, Sherron has a lot to be proud of—but the one thing she’s most grateful for is her family. Her oldest daughter is a freshman in college studying biomedical engineering, her son is a focused high school student and athlete, and her husband is a general surgeon in Indianapolis.

“Whether it’s traveling, movies, or sparking up random debates, we really enjoy our family time together,” she said.

Today, Sherron is currently the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Florida’s #1-ranked children’s hospital located in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she strategically leads the financial areas of the hospital.

“I love working with organizations to build strong cultures in a way that delivers transformational results for patients and the communities we serve,” she said.

For Sherron, IU offered a natural, well-rounded experience that prepared her to navigate life. Throughout her Union Board journey, IU always seemed to have a spirit in the air that encouraged getting involved and contributing to the campus and culture.

“I was a very active student on campus, and I felt so fortunate to have discovered Union Board as an option for both student leadership and personal development,” she said. “As you’re setting your priorities for the year, be relevant to what students are seeking right now, but also don’t hesitate to push the boundaries a bit and consider the gaps that UB can fill on campus.”

Sherron has one important piece of advice for current and future Union Board members: Enjoy the journey.

“Union Board is such a great opportunity to develop relationships outside of your core network and group of friends—take advantage of that,” she said. “The people on UB, both students and advisors, are already dynamic, smart, collaborative, driven leaders now; they’re going to continue to excel as they pursue their journeys. There’s no telling how your paths may continue to cross as you navigate life.”

Get to Know the 2025 Union Board Directors

Posted on by Sydney Randall

Elisabeth Melms

President
ubpres@iu.edu

Year: Junior
Major: Policy Analysis
Minor(s): Economics and Political Science
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Anything on 4th St.
What is your favorite band/group? Fleetwood Mac
What is your favorite movie? Ratatouille
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? Depends…when the sun is shining, I love the natural light and openness of the Club Hub, I always see friends from other orgs or classes in there and it’s such a bright and collaborative space. If it’s raining or a late night, always the South Lounge, preferably right by the fireplace! And when it’s time to lock in and focus, I love hiding in the second floor of the bookstore by their fireplace in one of the armchairs!

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

My roommate! I’ve lived with the same person for two years now, and would always hear of them running off to some fun event or to go hang out with her fellow directors. Indirectly, I would constantly be meeting UB people or hearing about what they were up to, after Pitbull came I knew I needed to see what all of the excitement was all about. Without even being in the organization I could see this was such a special community of some of the most passionate and dedicated people on campus, and I wanted to be a part of that! I applied on a whim to be a director for the 115th board, and UB has been my home ever since!

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I had sat in on a few committee meetings when my roommate was Concerts director for the 114th Board just to see what was up, but officially got involved as director of the Mind and Body committee for 2023–24. I expanded the committee to host 12 events throughout the year, featuring goat yoga, mediation and self defense classes, and the classic paint-a-pot events we’re known for! I also served on the Budgetary Affairs subcommittee during that time, learning not just how to program, but how to manage and operate our budget equitably and efficiently.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

As president, my goals are to amplify the expectations and vision that our board as a whole has, acting as the spokesperson and face of UB. This year, it’s a priority to make our mission and the mission of the IMU more transparent and understood across campus. We want students to know they are members of the Union, and emphasis the community and belonging that comes with being a part of that.

As we amp up our programming, we’re looking to focus on building large scale legacy programs and collaborating with as many student orgs as we can by growing our network of students supporting students. We’re building UB’s reputation across campus as the org for large-scale programming that unites the students from all backgrounds through shared experiences.

And, as always, for 2025 UB remains committed to being one of the largest channels for student voices on campus and being a space where students not only have fun, but are heard and feel like they have a legitimate role in shaping their experience at IU. The governance side of what we do is something we are always trying to emphasis and grow, making sure the Union remains for students, by students, and with students.

Clara Licklider

Vice President for Internal Affairs
ubvpia@iu.edu

Year: Junior
Major: Journalism with a concentration in News and Reporting
Minor(s): Law and Public Policy
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Sunny Poke
What is your favorite band/group? Cage the Elephant
What is your favorite movie? Megamind or The Lobster
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? My most favoritest place in the IMU would unironically be the UB offices. I do enjoy a good game of ping pong, a relaxing space to study, and the overall bright and wonderful energy that comes with such a space filled with people who love what they do.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

The desire to stand on a stage and speak. I know it may sound funny, but I love a good stage presence—and though I would not tell him this or else it may give him a big head, Brayton (2022-2024 Lectures director) really sealed the deal on myself wanting to join UB. I had heard about it often from my best friend Elisabeth’s roommate Carley Mosby, as she is a very persistent member, but once I saw a live stage performance where Brayton got to look like a boss in front of thousands of students—I knew I wanted to be Lectures director some day. But alas, life has an interesting way of working. When the opportunity was nearly jumping down my throat, I chose to go for VPIA, because the board mentality inside me was expressing my talents elsewhere. I will always value my time on the Lectures committee (and most likely continue to help out there when I can), but I am excited for my new chapter.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I have been a part of the Lectures committee for the past year and a half. I played major roles in the Hunter Schafer and Jesse Tyler-Ferguson lectures, along with being a valid member during Andrew Yang/Taryn Southern.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

I want to inspire others to really lean on one another and create close bonds. The way I have interpreted it, IA is a big HR job. I truly do believe that when people work together, beautiful things can be done. So I want to help lead a comfortable atmosphere with one another. When ideas are shared across a table, events are planned with more than one brain, and a structured system of support is laid out—a wonderful 116th can be seen glistening in the distance.

Salima Al Battashi

Vice President for Programs
ubvpprog@iu.edu

Year: Junior
Major: Finance
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Samira
What is your favorite band/group? I’m old school, so maybe NSYNC.
What is your favorite movie? I love Titanic, love my old school Disney movies. Now I am in love with The Lion King, it’s so nostalgic.
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? The SILC. It is so modern, so clean, very close to Ballantine. Also, it is where we hang out. Love the IMU.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

I was the treasurer of MSA last year. Worked closely with UB to organize and make our events happen. We organized amazing events with amazing speakers. With UB we felt included, heard, and participated which is why I decided to join. I believe my experience has made my collaboration genuine to pay back what I experienced.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I was not previously involved with Union Board.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

I believe my goal is to bring events to life and enjoy it. I believe every situation is a lesson and dealing with it positively leads to positive outcomes. I hope to achieve unionship and build a family.

Mickey Makai

Vice President for Relations
ubvprltn@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major: Law & Public Policy
Minor(s): Environmental Management and Finance
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Taste of India
What is your favorite band/group? The Beatles
What is your favorite movie? The Pursuit of Happyness
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? The destination of nine-year-old Mickey’s birthday bash, Bowling & Billiards!

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

As a Bloomington native, I grew up roaming the halls of the Union and attending Union Board events. I re-discovered Union Board as a freshman when a friend introduced me to the Lectures committee. From there, I was able to see the incredible impact of Union Board events on the student body. The community, the friends, the fun, I was hooked.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

Last year I served on Lectures committee and “co-led” the Jesse Tyler-Ferguson lecture as part of the Speaking of Excellence lecture series.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

As Vice President of Relations, my goals are to facilitate successful partnerships between Union Board and other campus partners, solicit sponsorships that increase the size, impact and frequency of Union Board events and increase awareness of Union Board’s mission, events and student-led structure across campus.

Martha Abraham

Director of Canvas Creative Arts
canvas@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major: Media Advertising
Minor: Human-Centered Computing
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Yatagarasu
What is your favorite band/group? Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, and Icona Pop
What is your favorite movie? Ladybird
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? I am probably the person most seen in the Union Board office—it’s a great space to do work, hang out with fellow Union Board members, and simply decompress! Besides the office, I also love the entrance to the IMU and watching people come in and out of the Union from the comfy chairs. The campus map is so fascinating to see how the campus has changed over the years, and Alma Mater and Herman B Wells coming up the staircase are a representation of the guiding principles that the Union was founded on and continue to inspire us today.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

Coming into college, I had a strong desire to be involved on campus, and I thought that Union Board would be a good way for me to have fun and do cool things on campus. The first event I ever volunteered at was the 2023 Homecoming Parade, and that was when I discovered and realized the community and impact that Union Board has cultivated both on campus and within the organization. That experience solidified that this was something that I wanted to continue, and here I am just over a year later!

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I started on Union Board as a member of the Lectures committee in Fall 2023 during 114. I then became an assistant director for Canvas Creative Arts for the 115th Board, mostly focusing on the IMU Art Initiative.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

My main goal is to ensure that Canvas can continue to serve as a dynamic and powerful platform to inspire, elevate, and showcase student creativity and expression across all skill levels and mediums, especially through the IMUG and the Canvas Creative Arts Magazine. Art has a unique and universal ability to bring people together of all backgrounds, fostering connections through shared and diverse experiences while also encouraging self-reflection and growth. I’m also excited to continue work on the art initiative, particularly in commissioning new artwork for the IMU this spring through funding we’ve received in the past year from JWS and the IU Foundation, and exploring ways that the IMU’s art collection can further be a representation of the values and ideals of current students. Overall, through events and opportunities that encourage students to create and engage with art, I hope that Canvas, Union Board, and the IMU can be a space on campus that fosters a vibrant, inclusive community, where everyone can feel a sense of belonging on campus.

Evan Buschman

Director of Films & Production
ubfilms@iu.edu

Year: Junior
Major(s): Media Management, Law & Policy
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Gables Bagels
What is your favorite band/group? Dayglow
What is your favorite movie? Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? My favorite spot in the IMU is the Whittenberger Auditorium, because not only is that where the film series is, but it also encapsulates a beautiful history of the IMU. When you watch a movie in there or see an event in the Whittenberger, it feels like a classic movie theater, and it’s a very immersive experience.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

I first got involved in Union Board when I was hired as a film projectionist in 2023. Had I not been hired back then, I most likely would’ve transferred away from IU because of a rough freshman year. I learned so much through my job, and I fell in love with the film series, and the amazing film program Union Board offers. In 2024, I was promoted to the Lead Film Projectionist, where I was so happy to lead the team of the other talented projectionists, and start making positive change for the program. Then, after much consideration and pushes from people in my life, I figured that I should apply to be a director and advocate for the passion I have for film and Union Board.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I was hired as a projectionist in 2023, and I was also on the films committee. Then, in 2024 I was promoted to Lead Film Projectionist.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

While I have so many, my main goal is to put the Films board in the minds of IU students. I want people to be excited about our events and our films, as am I. By the time I leave my position, I want people to see films as a safe, fun, and exciting program available to everyone.

Sofia Sanchez

Director of Global Connections
ubworld@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Cybersecurity and Global Policy
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? 3 Amigos
What is your favorite band/group? The Marias
What is your favorite movie? Crazy Rich Asians
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? My favorite place is the prayer/interfaith room, it is where I feel the most at ease and peace. I think this is one of the coolest things the Union Board has done and it a great use of space that allows students to feel even more at home.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

I did not know exactly what Union Board was until I went through the interview and application process. I had gone to a few events my freshman year because of the marketing done, but I never knew the organization behind it. During the interview process, I had a lot of questions for the president of Union Board and she did such a good job at describing it to me, which made my desire to join this board grow even more. I received an email from one of the Luddy Organization Advisors saying we needed someone from Luddy to represent them and had all of the information on the flyer for it. Had I not been looking at my emails and had a desire for being more involved I would have missed out on this amazing opportunity! During the interview process, seeing a familiar face from the Groups Program also sparked my interest even more. It is hard sometimes to see familiar faces on the big campus especially at times when feeling underrepresented on this campus, and for it to be the person I would undergo the same director committee helped me feel even more comfortable.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I have not previously been involved with Union Board.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

My goals are not to only help spread that message of belonging for the student committee but for other students to hear about us and want to know more about our involvement on campus. Being the cultural connections director, it is key to have relationships with the different groups of diversity or cultural groups on campus, for us to feel connected in some sort of way would be an end goal for all of us.

Reid Sprenkle

Director of Lectures
ubspeaks@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Information Systems, Business Analytics, Sustainable Business
Minor: Spanish
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Siam House
What is your favorite band/group? The Backseat Lovers
What is your favorite movie? Everything Everywhere All at Once
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? My favorite location in the IMU is the patio. All of my favorite events during my time in the Social Impact committee were held on the patio. So, I have some very found memories of my time there. I have also found it to be a very beautiful place to study, as it overlooks Dunn Meadow and is in a less trafficked part of the IMU.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

I got involved in Union Board in the spring of my freshman year. I was looking for a way to get involved in a truly meaningful organization where its members were extremely passionate about the work that they did. Joining Union Board did just that. Since then, I have found so many people who were extremely passionate about Union Board and loved everything it stood for. I found it easy to want to expand my responsibilities and find as many ways that I could help grow Union Board.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

Prior to this year, I was in the Social Impact committee for two semesters. It was in this committee that I fell in love with Union Board and programming. I’m extremely thankful that my committee director wanted to help me create my own events. I was able to begin to understand what it took to be a leader who was in charge of a programming role, and it inspired me to become a director.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

As the Director of Lectures, my goal is to create events that a large amount of students are excited about, and lectures that make an impact on the IU culture. Due to the scale of these events, it is important to ensure that the speaker will make a positive impact on the audience and bring a positive message that can inspire the IU community. I also want to help my committee members take on roles that excite them and help them engage with Union Board. I hope to help my committee members become as passionate about Union Board as I am, and give them the opportunities to help as much as they can.

Adin Monroe

Director of Live From Bloomington
lfb@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major: Law & Public Policy
Minor: Media Law and Ethics
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Z&C
What is your favorite band/group? Leon Bridges
What is your favorite movie? Jackie Brown
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? My favorite place in the IMU is the large foyer/study room next to the Starbucks on the east end of the building. It makes me think of pictures I have seen of buildings in Oxford and other such schools. It’s also always the perfect temperature in there somehow.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

One of my great friends and my freshman roommate pointed me in the direction of UB. Without his passion for it, I would have never reached out to apply for this position in the first place.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I have never been involved with UB before.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

My main goal this year is to engage with the student body. We can say we represent the student body all we want but in reality, many students do not know what UB is or what we do. I want to change that.

Victoria Rowe

Director of Live From Bloomington
lfb@iu.edu

Year: First-year
Major(s): Media Advertising
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Mother Bear’s
What is your favorite band/group? Third Eye Blind
What is your favorite movie? Fantastic Mr. Fox
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? My favorite place in the IMU is Sugar and Spice. I have an incredible sweet tooth and I love just stopping by to get a sweet treat after class.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

I got involved in Union Board by stumbling upon our booth at the Fall Involvement Fair. I stopped and they told me a little bit about what Union Board does and how they were looking for a marketing director, which led to me applying.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I have not previously been involved with Union Board.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

My goals are to amplify student voices through music and student artists on campus. I also hope to use music and entertainment to bring students together to create a thriving community here on campus. LFB will continue to maintain its strong connection to the local Bloomington music scene, while also bringing in larger acts.

Henry Ratterman

Director of Marketing
ubmarket@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major: Marketing
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Mother Bear’s
What is your favorite band/group? Tame Impala
What is your favorite movie? The Shawshank Redemption
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? The Union Board office! It’s full of personality, from the posters of past events covering the walls, to the eclectic furniture, it’s a space where any UB member can belong and be reminded of the important work of our past and the immense potential of our future.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

I learned about Union Board at New Student Orientation and was immediately hooked. I joined Concerts committee as a freshman and fell in love with the work Union Board did and the events we put on, especially our concerts! The work UB does is so impactful on campus, and I can’t wait to deepen my impact as a director on the 116th board!

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I was a member of Concerts committee as a freshman, and I served as the Director of Marketing for the last few months of the 115th board.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

As the Director of Marketing, I want to grow the Union Board brand on campus and connect students to our incredible events through cohesive and engaging marketing.

Asha Meyer

Director of Mind & Body
ubbam@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Minor(s): Neuroscience
What is your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Siam House
What is your favorite band/group? South Arcade
What is your favorite movie? The Parent Trap
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? I really like to study at the tall tables just up the stairs and off to the left of the main entrance. It’s usually decently quiet so I am able to get work done and it is usually not too crazy busy. However, there are enough people walking by that I feel peer pressure to do my work and not use my phone.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

Freshman year I was on the council for my dorm floor, where we planned events for all the residents. I really enjoyed this and wanted to continue to be involved and plan events for students but I didn’t really know where to go. It was through talking to my RA that I found out about Union Board. He had been on Union Board before so he was telling me all about it. I then decided to go check it out. I really enjoyed being on the mind and body committee and my director at the time Elisabeth was the one who encouraged me to apply to be a director.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

For half of 2024 (fall semester), I was a committee member on Mind & Body.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

For Mind & Body specifically, I want to work on getting more people to our events and getting more people to join the committee. I also want to have a good balance of events meant to help with students’ mental health and physical health.

Nicole Liu

Director of Social Impact
ubimpact@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Marketing and Business Analytics
Minor: Human-Computer Interaction
What’s your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Siam House (The spicy basil fried rice is the best!)
What is your favorite band/group? Boygenius
What is your favorite movie? Everything Everywhere All at Once
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? My favorite place in the IMU is the bookstore! It’s a great place to study especially with the tables on the second floor and the cozy fireplace. I also love checking out the books they have laid out!

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

As a first-generation college student, I felt overwhelmed coming into college. I didn’t know how to find my place on campus or where to even begin to connect to the place I’ll spend the next four years at. When I got connected to my mentor, Jinal Kirani, the Director of Marketing for 114th, Union Board was the first thing she brought up. Her passion for the organization and way she spoke about immediately drew me to find out what Union Board is.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I’ve been involved with Union Board and specifically with the Social Impact Committee since my first semester at college. I started out as a committee member in the fall semester of my freshman year before becoming Assistant Director of Social Impact.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

My goals as a Union Board Director in 2025 are first and foremost making sure that I am putting the student body first with every programming initiative I have. I aim to incorporate student feedback to create events as well as making sure the topics align what students are passionate about. I also hope to encourage students to learn something new. Especially being involved with social impact events, I hope to inspire students to see their voice as a tool for change and empower students to make a difference in the community.

Khushi Monga

Director of Spirit & Traditions
ubspirit@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Finance, Business Analytics
What’s your favorite Bloomington restaurant?Uptown Cafe
What is your favorite band/group? My favorite singer is a Bollywood artist – Shreya Ghoshal!
What is your favorite movie? Favorite Bollywood movie – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (translates to: “This youth is crazy.”) I also love “The Devil Wears Prada.”
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why?Now, my favorite place in the IMU is the Union Board Office in the Student Involvement & Leadership Center. I feel like a “student” due to the vibe of the office, but also someone with responsibility when I think we have our own office. It’s lovely to see students hang out, work, and collaborate. It’s also where I feel the most efficient as I’m working.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

Honestly, the one big event that I always knew Union Board did and is amazing was “Almost Midnight Breakfast.” There wasn’t really a bigger reason for me to want to be on Union Board, other than “I need to be a part of a community on campus and make my voice count.” I wanted to be on the backend of all amazing programs that Union Board facilitates. Until we went through our training workshops and installation, I really didn’t know the level of commitment I was getting into, but I knew I was excited and ready for it. Throughout these training processes I realized that Union Board is way bigger than I knew it as and I would take this as an opportunity to make each student of the campus aware of what we do and the power each student holds. It all started with wanting to conduct Almost Midnight Breakfast, and the best part, I’m the director of the committee that will be organizing this amazing, absolutely loved event this year, and I’m the most proud of myself for being able to work towards it.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

This is my first year of being involved with Union Board, and I’m certain it’s not the last. In the last one month, I’ve fallen in love with this organization and the impact we’re able to create and I love the feeling of being able to create that impact.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

As a director on board this year, one of my biggest goals is to make each student fall in love with IU Spirit. I also wish to weave Union Board in IU Spirit and not just spread the word about the university, but also about Union Board, its history, and its influence. I aim to make every student aware of what exactly Union Board is all about and why we are an integral element of IU Legacy.

Amalee Strupp

Director of STEM
ubstem@iu.edu

Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Biology with a concentration in Cellular Biology and Molecular Genetics, Biotechnology
Minor(s): Studio Art, History
What’s your favorite Bloomington restaurant? Yatagarasu
What is your favorite band/group? Paramore
What is your favorite movie? A Monster Calls
What’s your favorite place in the IMU and why? The Union Board offices—they are just so cozy and feel like home.

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story. 

I ran into several of Union Board’s events, including a lot of the CANVAS events and it helped me feel a lot more connected to campus and feel like I belonged here. I thought it was really cool that they could have that big of an impact and that there was such amazing events.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board?

I was assistant director for CANVAS.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2025?

I want to demystify science for the student body and provide a platform for science majors to have fun, engaging, and meaningful conversations and events. I really want to give science a platform and voice that I feel has been lacking in Union Board.

Unveiling new additions to the IMU Art Collection

Posted on by Sydney Randall

Four new pieces of artwork have been added to the Indiana Memorial Union Collection, complete with an unveiling ceremony and reception that took place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 in the IMU Federal Room.

Union Board’s IMU Art Initiative is dedicated to modernizing and diversifying the art collection at the Indiana Memorial Union to better reflect the mosaic of our student body.

“The artwork, as well as the entire art initiative, play a significant role in showcasing the values of our modern student body in one of the only places on campus where people of all backgrounds gather together daily,” said Martha Abraham, co-director of Union Board’s Canvas Creative Arts Committee. “The artwork within the Union should serve as a highly visible and accurate reflection of the values of our student body and campus community, especially because it is seen by past, present, and future students. By continuing to make intentional and lasting contributions to the art collection, my hope is that we can foster a sense of belonging and ensure that the Union is a welcoming and accessible place for all.”

Students affiliated with Union Board, Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, IU Student Government, and Late Nite selected the pieces at the BUTTER Fine Art Fair in downtown Indianapolis this past fall. One group went during the event’s preview night to scope out artwork and see what they liked, and then a second group went the next morning to finalize selections and purchase the artwork.

“Each of us brought different perspectives and life experiences that shaped how we view the art, and every piece holds a meaning that viewers can interpret in their own unique ways,” said Abraham. “It was especially interesting to hear at the reception how the artists described the significance of their work, often in ways completely different from how we initially perceived them at the fair. It shows that these pieces will continue to resonate with students for years to come, offering new interpretations and connections over time.”

The four new pieces include:

In the Fog by Tashema Davis

Yante by Rosy Petri

Unrequited by Rebekah Galliard

To Dance by Justin A. Carney

 

 

“We really liked that the pieces we chose from the fair incorporated mediums that we haven’t seen before in the Union,” said Abraham. “It adds more interactivity and dynamicity to the IMU that not only reflects the evolving artistic landscape, but also brings new energy beyond what has historically been displayed in landscapes and portraits.”

The artwork is located on the main and first floors of the Indiana Memorial Union. In the Fog is located in the Tree Suites Lounge, Yante and To Dance are located by Sugar & Spice, and Unrequited is close to the Georgian Room.

Thanks to generous donations from Union Board alumni, the art initiative has continued updating the art in the IMU. Two members of the Board personally contributed $9,000 to fund the purchase of art that represents the lived experiences of the Latine community at IU. The committee is working to finalize a mural commission this spring.

Additionally, the initiative was awarded a $14,000 grant by the IU Foundation’s Affinity Giving Circles last summer to acquire artwork that reflects the intersectional identities shared by many IU Bloomington students, with a specific focus on Black, LGBTQ+, and female individuals. Those pieces will be purchased and/or commissioned by the end of the spring semester.

If anyone would like to support the initiative and help purchase new art that reflects today’s campus and students, please reach out to Hank Walter, Executive Director of the IMU.

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