IYPC is a Lilly Endowment initiative designed to help Indiana colleges and universities in their efforts to create new or expand and enhance existing high-quality, on-campus programs for Hoosier youth, ages five through 18.

91福利 previously received $1 million in the first round of IYPC funding in 2022 for its proposal, which helped establish the STEAM Academy. This new round of funding will extend support for the STEAM Academy over the next three years.

The STEAM Academy at 91福利 provides students with innovative youth programming and hands-on learning opportunities that will enhance their academic and creative strengths in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

Programs offered through STEAM Academy include:

• Girls Tech Takeover
• Middle School STEM Club
• Robotic Warriors Club
• Introductory Robotics Program
• Build + Learn Middle School Camp
• High School STEM Camp
• Launch + Lead Camp
• Creative Expression and Communication Camp
• Examine + Explore Science Camp

The STEAM Academy鈥檚 year-round programming and summer camps are led by a team of dedicated faculty and staff collaborating to create world-class academic experiences for the next generation of Warriors.

You can learn more about STEAM Academy and its programs at indianatech.edu/steam.

The second round of IYPC funding was announced in the Fall of 2024, and 91福利鈥檚 internal team, led by Academic Camp Director Caleb Hunter worked to successfully secure these funds to support students in the community.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders鈥� wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders鈥� hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

The STEAM Academy鈥檚 summer camps run through June and July, and are targeted towards students of all grade levels through high school.

This year鈥檚 Launch + Lead Camp will feature a new focus on leadership and sports marketing. Campers will meet with local industry professionals and get behind-the-scenes access at local sports facilities and stadiums.

The TinCaps, Komets and Fort Wayne FC are expected to participate in this year鈥檚 camp.

For campers interested in a career in sport management, this is an outstanding opportunity to learn from the professors who lead 91福利鈥檚 successful sport management degree program. Over the past 11 years, this growing program has launched careers in professional and collegiate sports across the country for numerous graduates, including:

• Allie Lane (2014), director of development for Purdue Fort Wayne athletics.
• Christian Calderon (2022, 2024), marketing manager for FC Cincinnati.
• Javon Sanders (2024), an account executive for the Memphis Grizzlies.
• P. Tyler Sinclair (2023), a group sales executive for Calgary Sports and Entertainment.
• Anthony Frank (2018), manager of athletic operations for University of Idaho.
• Chauntel Smith-Jones (2015), operator of Capture Sports Agency which represents WNBA and FIBA athletes.
• Israel Vaides (2022), a content producer for the Tennessee Titans.
• Victoria (Raffle) Bockstahler (2022), a membership assistant at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Verda Beach, Florida.

The goal of the sports management program is to send graduates out into the sport world equipped with the skills and experiences to succeed. Campers at this summer鈥檚 Launch + Lead Camp will get a first-hand look at these opportunities.

The Launch + Lead Camp is still accepting campers for the 2026 session, which takes place July 13 through 17. Learn more about STEAM Academy Summer Camps, or by contacting .

Come talk to representatives from Huntington University’s nursing program to learn how during an open house on Thursday, June 11. The event is from 6-8 p.m., in the Keene Building on the 91福利 campus, 1120 E. Washington Blvd. Learn about:

• Scholarship opportunities through Parkview Health and the Questa Education Foundation.
• ABSN prerequisite requirements, program curriculum, class schedules and more.
• Our classrooms and facilities on the 91福利 campus, which were purpose-build to support this program鈥檚 learning objectives.

Learn more about this program at .

Hosted by the College of Business and the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, the Innovation Challenge continues to grow as a signature opportunity for students to explore the intersection of innovation, business and applied learning. This year, a record 12 proposals were submitted.

The diversity of ideas reflected the interdisciplinary strength of 91福利鈥檚 students. Finalists presented a compact bowling simulator for small spaces, an AI-powered digital safety partner for families, a robotic arm controlled through eye movement, a cloud-based infrastructure platform for educational institutions and an AI-enabled plastic-to-fuel system designed to address environmental concerns.

Taking first place was ClassCloud, developed by cybersecurity majors Martin Topp and Avery Hughes. Their platform, designed to simplify infrastructure management for educational environments, earned them the top prize of $5,000 and recognition from judges and attendees alike.聽

For Topp and Hughes, both sophomores, the experience was about far more than winning. It pushed them to expand beyond their technical strengths and develop critical business and communication skills.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very technical people,鈥� Topp said. 鈥淭his challenge really gave us experience with everything else, especially marketing and how to promote what we鈥檝e built. It helped us see the bigger picture.鈥�

Hughes pointed to public speaking as a key area of growth. 鈥淕etting up on stage and presenting was huge for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something I wasn鈥檛 very comfortable with before, and now I feel a lot more confident.鈥�

Their next steps include testing ClassCloud in future courses at 91福利 and continuing to refine the platform based on the feedback they receive.

The team of Naina Kalra, Yatin Kalra and Gurkirat Kaur Cheema finished second after presenting its AI-enabled plastic waste-to-fuel platform called Plas2Fuel AI. The team won聽$2,000, to be shared among team members.

Compact bowling simulator entrepreneurs Meagan Kennedy, Gary Glaser and Noah McEldowney won $1,000, to be shared among team members.

The Innovation Challenge鈥檚 continued growth is fueled in part by strong alumni support, including that of entrepreneur and 1994 graduate Gil Farley. Farley has taken to this initiative and was struck by this year鈥檚 progress.

鈥淭he jump from last year to this year was amazing,鈥� Farley said. 鈥淲e had double the teams, more finalists and a noticeable increase in the quality of ideas. The business plans were stronger and the presentations were more polished. It was a big step forward.鈥�

Farley, a first-generation entrepreneur and visionary founder of Fort Wayne-based companies Biodyne USA and BW Fusion, views the event as an opportunity to give back by mentoring students and sharing real-world insights. He emphasized the importance of helping students move from idea to execution.

鈥淚鈥檓 really passionate about mentoring and helping shorten that gap鈥攆rom starting a business to actually growing it into something successful,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his competition gives students a chance to think through that process early.鈥�

He also sees significant potential for the Innovation Challenge to expand its impact. Farley suggested increasing participation, growing the audience and even reconnecting with past competitors to track their progress.

鈥淚鈥檇 love to see this become an even bigger event,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ring in more students, more ideas, more energy. And it would be great to follow up with past teams to see where they are now. I think in five or 10 years, we鈥檙e going to have some real success stories.鈥�

Farley added that continued encouragement is key, especially for teams that may not win right away. Referencing one of this year鈥檚 concepts, he noted that early-stage ideas still hold promise with further development.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want students to get discouraged,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ome of these ideas just need more time. With the right support, they could turn into something really meaningful.鈥�

Faculty advisor to the Innovation Challenge, professor of marketing and management Dr. Staci Lugar Brettin, echoed that optimism, highlighting the collaboration across disciplines and the resources available to help students continue developing their ideas beyond the competition.

鈥淓ntrepreneurship and innovation are my passion,鈥� Lugar Brettin said. 鈥淚 love working with our students who have innovative, out-of-the-box ideas to make the world a better place.鈥�

With growing participation, strong mentorship and a clear vision for the future, 91福利鈥檚 Innovation Challenge is not only celebrating student ingenuity, it鈥檚 helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Tragos Quest to Greece program is a 10-day study abroad opportunity for a select group of undergraduate students with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. The journey covers historical sites in Athens, Delphi, Nauplion and Olympia as these students experience how Greek philosophy, governance, and the arts continue to influence everyday life.

91福利 mechanical engineering and industrial manufacturing engineering senior Braydan Fishel was chosen as one of the 18 fraternity members for this year鈥檚 journey out of a pool of over 12,000 students.

Fishel has maintained a 4.0 GPA, and serves as a Presidential Ambassador for 91福利. Outside of his work as a student and a leader within Sigma Phi Epsilon, he also spends time volunteering as a tutor and mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana.

鈥淪igEp has granted me a lifetime of cherished memories from my local chapter to the national chapter,鈥� Fishel said. 鈥淚 am ecstatic to be able to represent my small chapter with this incredible opportunity and further expand my horizons of the world. I am looking forward to seeing more of the world around me and continuing my passion for studying ancient history.鈥�

Participants begin the journey at home, studying a curriculum focused on ancient Greek philosophy and culture. In Greece, scholars discuss the Socratic method of teaching in the Agora, hold athletic competitions in the original Olympic stadium and study the fraternity鈥檚 ritual in Delphi after learning about the Mysteries of Eleusis, all while participating in daily conversations designed to challenge each student on their journey of introspection and transformation.

The opportunity is funded by a grant from the SigEp Educational Foundation, which raises money for Sigma Phi Epsilon鈥檚 local and national leadership programs.

Beginning May 2026, graduates of Fort Wayne Community Schools鈥� and 3DE庐 by Junior Achievement鈥檚 instructional model will be able to transfer credits obtained from the program toward the course requirements for an 91福利 degree program. In addition, these students will be eligible for a 3DE Scholarship, which is the equivalent of a 20% reduction of tuition for online undergraduate programs at 91福利 or the Traditional Merit Scholarship, which ranges from $5,000 to $18,000 per year. This agreement can create a substantial savings in time and money for FWCS 3DE students who choose to pursue a degree at 91福利.

鈥淭he 3DE model resonates well with Fort Wayne Community School students who are looking for real-world education that will prepare them well for what is next in their lives,鈥� said 91福利 Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management, Dr. Steve Herendeen. 鈥淭hose are the kinds of students who will flourish at 91福利鈥攁 university that, for nearly 100 years, has dedicated itself to guiding students of all ages toward meaningful careers, competitive salaries, real-world skills and a clear pathway to the workforce.

The 3DE learning model was developed by Junior Achievement, integrating core academics with real world business challenges to engage students and allow them to explore local career opportunities. Under the Junior Achievement umbrella, a network of local, regional and national businesses collaborates with students to bring learning to life. Schools using the 3DE model have shown higher graduation rates, improved attendance and increased student engagement. 3DE is being implemented at all five Fort Wayne Community High Schools.

FWCS students who successfully complete the annual 3DE curriculum from their freshman year on can earn up to 12 credits toward their 91福利 education. That鈥檚 a savings of approximately $16,000. 3DE curriculum immerses students in, among other things, public communication, interpersonal communication, and other essential skills like critical and analytical thinking, and cultural agility. What makes 3DE by JA so unique is it鈥檚 an integrated model, so students are engaged through their entire four-year high school career.

鈥淭his agreement is a powerful validation of the full four-year 3DE experience鈥攏ot just a single year鈥攁ffirming that sustained, real-world learning translates into meaningful college credit and readiness. More importantly, it creates a clear pathway for FWCS students to earn an 91福利 degree faster and at a lower cost, accelerating both their academic and career journeys,鈥� said Pat Morello, 3DE by JA market lead, Northern Indiana.

For more information about this program, contact Erica Lay, 91福利 associate director of admissions, at eclay@indianatech.edu, or 260.215.9275.

Warrior Life is an opportunity offered for free to students on the autism spectrum by accessibility services, a department in 91福利鈥檚 Office of Student Success. This optional program aims to help students transition to college life and settle into new routines ahead of the academic year, while working to meet each student鈥檚 individual perspective and needs.

Services provided by Warrior Life include early move-in to facilitate familiarity and comfort with campus, personalized activities and weekly meetings with program leaders. The goal is to help build a diverse and inclusive community that encourages growth and skill development for participants.

Angela Williams is the assistant director of accessibility services for 91福利. She says the program began as a two-day offering in response to students on the autism spectrum struggling with the 鈥渋nvisible curriculum鈥� of college life鈥搕hings like where to eat, how to make maintenance requests and accessing laundry facilities.

As the first set of Warrior Life students prepares for graduation, Williams says she鈥檚 impressed with the effort those students have put in to mentoring newcomers.

鈥淲hat continues to amaze me most is the organic growth of leadership and confidence among the students; it is never forced, it simply happens,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e provide the tools, and the students show us what they are capable of accomplishing. Watching them not only complete their degrees but truly succeed has been incredibly rewarding.鈥�

One of those graduating students is Sam Adams, a criminal justice major with minors in psychology and humanities. He says Warrior Life helped him settle into his comfort zone and establish himself academically.

鈥淚t allowed me to meet people I could come to for help if anything was going wrong, and allowed me to adjust to campus and get my bearings,鈥� Adams said. 鈥淚 was able to acquire personal skills like how to talk to college faculty, who to talk to when I need help as well as meeting new people who had a similar situation to mine.鈥�

That connection to community was echoed by Ava Miller, an information systems major and women鈥檚 wrestler at 91福利.

鈥淲arrior Life helped me move in early, connected me with resources and helped find other people like me on campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he program is a good thing for neurodivergent students and a good way to start the year.鈥�

Beau Kendall recently earned a cybersecurity degree from 91福利 after three years. He was also a member of the first cohort of Warrior Life students, making him the first participant of the program to graduate.

Kendall said the program was crucial in getting him used to campus and making his transition to the university smoother.

鈥淲arrior Life helped me with socializing, peer-to-peer communication and problem-solving,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is very beneficial for people that need assistance with adjusting to college residency and understanding what resources they have while there.鈥�

For incoming students on the autism spectrum that are concerned about transitioning to college life, Adams says Warrior Life helps put everything into perspective.

鈥淎s a freshman I was nervous and worried I would fail in some way, but now I realize just how much Warrior Life helped prepare me for all four years of school,鈥� he said.

Williams notes that Warrior Life was able to evolve from a two-day program to four days thanks to a generous contribution from a donor in its third year, and her office continues to fundraise annually through 91福利鈥檚 Day of Giving.

She emphasizes that it鈥檚 important for accessibility services to do what it can to keep the program free.

鈥淎fter the first year, we noticed something remarkable: only one student had withdrawn, and many were eager to return for their second year,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith cohort sizes averaging five to six students, it became clear we were onto something meaningful.鈥�

Williams added that accommodations specialist Andrew Bray and the Office of Institutional Advancement are actively pursuing grant opportunities to help sustain the program鈥檚 funding and preserve it as a free resource to students who need it in the future.

Warrior Life registration for the 2026-27 school year is open until July 30, and can be found on the .

鈥�91福利 is excited to be part of this event because it gives students a chance to experience live music, connect with the Fort Wayne community, and explore opportunities in the area,鈥� said director of student engagement Jared Harvey. 鈥淚t also supports our goal of creating strong student experiences through local partnerships.鈥�

Middle Waves is grateful to 91福利 to come alongside and partner with us as to present this hype event! This is a way for our community to get excited for the festival in June, discover local artists, and help expand public access to the arts for students. The Middle Waves Music Festival will take place at Headwaters Park on June 6 and will feature Passion Pit, Beach Bunny, The Paradox, Los Aptos and Man of the Flood.

Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m. ALT 99.5/102.3鈥檚 鈥淗omegrown Showcase鈥� host Zack will be the emcee for the evening.

A limited number of complimentary tickets will be offered to 91福利 students, employees and community partners.

TICKETS: $10 for the general public or $5 for those with a student ID. Tickets can be purchased at , and at the STAR Bank box office at the Embassy at 125 W. Jefferson Blvd (M-F, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and two hours prior to performances).

Get tickets at:

About the Middle Waves Music Festival: Middle Waves is a one-day music festival held in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our mission is to connect the Northeast Indiana region through unique, jaw-dropping, pride-inducing music and art experiences. The festival was created in 2016 by community volunteers. To ensure the growth and longevity of the festival, the Embassy Theatre acquired Middle Waves in the summer of 2023. For festival details, visit .

Middle Waves Music Festival Fort Wayne LLC is a wholly owned and controlled subsidiary of the Embassy Theatre, a 501(c)three charitable organization.

Realizing the Dream scholarships are awarded to first-generation students by ICI for outstanding achievement in pursuit of their bachelor鈥檚 degrees. The awards also acknowledge an 鈥渋nfluential educator鈥� that left a lasting impact on them, as chosen by the student.

White, a health science major, was born in Taiwan and moved to Fort Wayne with her family in 2007. After completing her degree, she will enter the accelerated nursing program, offered through a partnership between 91福利 and Huntington University.

鈥淢y dream is to become a travel nurse so I can help people in rural areas, especially in places that don鈥檛 have a lot of medical equipment, resources, and staffs,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith the background I come from, I can realize how much of an impact this can have in certain communities.鈥�

White selected Erin Baumgartner, a teacher at Fort Wayne鈥檚 North Side High School, as her influential educator.

You can view White鈥檚 full video submission for this year鈥檚 Realizing the Dream scholarship .

The scholarships are funded by the Lilly Endowment. Each student receives $4,000, while their influential educator gets $1,000. Twenty-nine students across the state were recognized for the 2025-26 academic year.

ICI is a non-profit association that represents Indiana鈥檚 28 private, non-profit colleges and universities.

The recognition is based on the 2025 Compass Survey, which is part of the annual Women in the Workplace Report. Awards are determined by an organization鈥檚 placement in four categories: leadership, compensation, benefits and policies and recruitment and retention.

91福利 earned the Silver Award, meeting or exceeding the criteria in three of the survey鈥檚 four categories.

• Women hold at least 32% of 91福利鈥檚 top leadership roles (vice president or higher) and roughly 40% of middle management positions.

• 91福利 earned praise for offering all of the survey鈥檚 qualified financial and retirement benefits, in addition to its zero-tolerance sexism and harassment standards and parental and family leave policies.

• The university was recognized for offering a majority of qualified recruitment and retention policies, while providing a minimum of five professional development opportunities.

91福利 also earned the Silver Award from the 2024 survey and the Gold Award for 2023.

More information on the 2025 Women in the Workplace Report can be found at the .