Learning to lead with O’Neill Climate Fellows

Posted on June 28, 2021 by Leslie Wells

Each year, Sustain IU pairs students with organizations through the Indiana Sustainability Development Program’s summer fellowship opportunity. The Climate Fellows program allows students to work in a full-time professional setting, addressing sustainability issues, while also helping to combat the loss of workforce talent in sustainability.

The fellowship places an emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Four O’Neill IUPUI students are included in this year’s Climate Fellows cohort:

Ciana Rose Sorrentino: Master of Public Affairs in Policy Analysis
- Fellowship location: Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency
Jonathon Lewis: Sustainable Management and Policy
- Fellowship location: August Mack Environmental
JD Sparks: MPA in Environmental Policy and Sustainability
- Fellowship location: Solar United Neighbors
Halee Griffey: Sustainable Management and Policy
- Fellowship location: City of South Bend

Two O’Neill IUPUI students, Halee Griffey and Jonathon Lewis, shared their experiences in the program and what they hope to accomplish.

(more…)

O’Neill alum served inside Disney NBA bubble

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Leslie Wells

Zach-McClure-at-Disney-social — O’Neill alum Zachary McClure (BSCJ’16) worked as security at Disney World.

In spring 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. While life as most knew it was put on hold, so were major league sports, including the NBA. The 2020 NBA playoffs were in flux. The league had suspended play in March and was trying to recover what it could of the 2019–2020 season.

League leaders met with officials at Walt Disney World to develop a fix. The two sides determined the solution would be to create the now well-known NBA-Disney Bubble. The games took place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex and the teams were housed in on-site Disney hotels. The Bubble allowed the league to host its playoffs—sans fans—while protecting the 22 teams and Disney Cast Members involved.

O’Neill alum Zachary McClure (BSCJ’16) was at Disney’s Yacht Club resort during the playoffs, serving on Disney’s security detail.

“We had six NBA teams staying at that property,” he recalls. “We provided access control and credential checks, made sure reporters didn’t get into private areas, and helped ensure the teams were following health rules, among other things.”

McClure says everyone inside the Bubble wore Magic Bands—smart bracelets that typically store Disney guest information. But rather than tracking reservations, these Magic Bands tracked each person’s daily COVID check-ins to make sure they followed procedures.

Access into and out of the Bubble was very limited and tightly controlled.

“We had to be the eyes for Disney and for the NBA so we could maintain the bubble,” he says. “No one was allowed in or out, without following certain protocols, including COVID testing. They really wanted to maintain the integrity of the bubble.”

(more…)

Pushing O’Neill’s DEI efforts into the future

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Leslie Wells

headshots of three women — (L-R) Ellise Smith, Rachel Brooks, and Malissa Sanon make up the O’Neill Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Written by Rachel Brooks, Director, O’Neill Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the O’Neill School, I have arrived during a unique time for the school and at a critical point in our nation’s history.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified, we have witnessed an increase in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans driven by racist language and terminology. In 2020, we watched in horror as the events of George Floyd’s murder—and the fallout from it—unfolded in Minneapolis and around the world. Yet in 2021, we also watched as the man responsible for Floyd’s death was convicted—a first step in a long and ongoing journey toward justice.

These events not only affect us all personally, but they also must affect how we interact with each other and how we operate within our school.

(more…)

Restoring the past to protect history

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Leslie Wells

Historical sign that gives history of Sugar Creek Community — O’Neill Public Safety Management major Reece Thompson led efforts to restore the Sugar Creek Community cemetery. *Image provided by Indiana Landmarks*

The Sugar Creek Township community in rural Boone County was once a thriving and free community for Black Southerners who had moved north in the early 1850s. Today, all that remains of that community is a small cemetery on the outskirts of Thorntown, Indiana.

While he was still in high school, O’Neill Public Safety Management major Reece Thompson read an article in the Lebanon newspaper about the town’s only Black cemetery. It was on a plot of land originally purchased by the Quaker community and given to the town’s Black residents to use as a burial site. At the time, Black people were not allowed to be buried within town limits.

Through the article, Thompson learned the cemetery had fallen into disrepair.

“It’s the only African American history left in Thorntown and is believed to be one of the less than 10 African American cemeteries remaining in Indiana,” he explains. “I think that’s a pretty important thing. That community helped build the town. People often don’t recognize their own town’s history, but the early Black pioneers and this cemetery are a giant piece of Thorntown’s past.”

(more…)

Transfer to O’Neill opens doors to law and government

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Leslie Wells

man sits in front of lake with IU hat on and blue button-up shirt — O’Neill Civic Leadership major Addison Lavelle

Addison Lavelle was already enrolled in college classes in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana. He had earned a scholarship at Anderson University and was following in the footsteps of many of his family and friends who also attended the school.

But he wanted to be closer to where decisions were being made and to the people who were making those important decisions.

His father was an IU alum so the urban campus of IUPUI felt like a natural direction for Lavelle. It was his chance to be steps away from the Indiana Statehouse and countless law firms that were ripe with opportunities for engagement and impact.

“I could get an IU degree in the heart of Indianapolis—what’s better than that?” Lavelle says smiling. “It’s not too far from home. It’s urban. It’s where government is. It’s where people are involved and things are happening. I just knew it was the perfect place.”

(more…)