Plater Medallion Recipient: Matthew Watkins

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Leslie Wells

O'Neill's Matt Watkins wears the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion. — O’Neill’s Matt Watkins received the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion.

In his four years of nonprofit and public service experience, O’Neill public affairs major Matthew Watkins has been busy.

Among the many projects he took on in addition to his schoolwork, Watkins created a local veteran resource database in South Bend, connected people to resources to transition to sobriety, worked on community outreach and grant projects, created and piloted a lead remediation program, helped address food deserts in Indianapolis, and supported community outreach efforts for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. He also served as a research assistant for the IU Public Policy Institute’s Center for Civic Literacy and other university groups.

His full plate is a testimony to what he says is a calling to help improve the communities in which he lives.

“I have always maintained that it is important to do good for the sake of doing good without any expectation of reward in return,” Watkins says. “I had the honor of working with countless neighborhood, community, and civic leaders who embody the importance of service that I hope to emulate.” (more…)

Plater Medallion Recipient: Ashleigh Wethington

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Leslie Wells

Ashleigh Wethington received the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion.

Ashleigh Wethington, who finished her criminal justice degree with O’Neill in December, says if someone would have told her three years ago that she would be an award recipient she would never have believed them.

During her sophomore year, Wethington was the victim of a violent assault that resulted in extensive injuries and prolonged recovery time. She says she had to withdraw from classes that semester, a move that plunged her further into negativity and worry. But that point of view has shifted.

“Now, I am extremely thankful for the opportunities that arose from a situation I once viewed in such a negative manner,” she says. “I was able to work directly with Jim White, engage in multiple internships, and work with amazing groups of people. My education has been forever impacted by my community engagement experiences and I can only hope that my future is as bright as my past.”

Wethington is one of three O’Neill students who received the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion for the 2018-19 academic year. We spoke with Wethington about her experiences and the award.

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2019 Krauss Award winner dedicated to helping homeowners, homebuyers, and neighborhoods

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Leslie Wells

Moira Carlsted stands with the John L. Krauss award--a handmade glass sculpture from local artist Ben Johnson--at the O'Neill School's Champions of Public Policy event. Carlstedt is pictured below (L-R) with John Krauss, PPI director Thomas Guevara, and Brain Payne, President and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Foundation. — Moira Carlstedt stands with (L-R) with John Krauss, PPI director Thomas Guevara, and Brain Payne, president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, as she receives the 2018 John L. Krauss award–a handmade glass sculpture from local artist Ben Johnson–at the O’Neill School’s Champions of Public Policy event.

Carlstedt, who has served as president and CEO of the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership for the past 21 years, was presented with the John L. Krauss Award for Public Policy Innovation. The biennial award is given to an individual or entity for applied research or activity that helps the state of Indiana and/or Indiana communities with real-world solutions.

“While my name appears on this award, it truly is recognition of the entire team at INHP for their commitment to the community,” she says. “This award reinforces the importance and value of data, and the leadership role INHP plays in the community.” (more…)

ReCYCLE Ride helps clean up Indy’s streets

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Leslie Wells

On Friday, April 26, a fleet of yellow bicycles will depart from IUPUI at 9 a.m. and spread out across downtown Indianapolis. These teams of students have a collective goal of gathering as much trash as possible from Indy’s streets and parks, and recycling anything they can.

In 2015, the O’Neill School’s student council wanted to create an event that would focus on the principles of sustainability. They developed the concept for the Indy ReCYCLE Ride and collaborated with the IUPUI Sustainability Council, Pacers Bike Share, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail to bring the event to life. The first ReCYCLE Ride came to fruition in April 2016, timed to coincide with Earth Day as a reminder to students to be mindful of recycling and choosing a more sustainable lifestyle.

“I saw some trash laying around campus and on the walking trails downtown,” recalls Sawyer Knuteson, a founder of the event and current alumni engagement program assistant for the IU Alumni Association at IUPUI. “You don’t leave trash laying around your house, we shouldn’t leave it laying around our city. Our student council was looking for a way to contribute to the community in a sustainable and impactful way. Using the bikes to cover more ground provided that opportunity.”

On the morning of the event, teams of students and staff gather near the Pacers Bike Share across from the Campus Center. There are games and giveaways before the event begins. Then, the teams ride off, fanning out across the city to compete to bring back the most trash. At the 2018 ReCYCLE Ride, O’Neill Sustainable Management and Policy major Melissa Kidulas said the event was an easy way for everyone to give back to the community.

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O’Neill School at IUB ranked #1 public affairs graduate program in nation

Posted on March 12, 2019 by Michael L. Jackson

Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI

MPA program at O’Neill IUPUI ranks 39th overall, Nonprofit Management concentration ranks 3rd

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For the third time in a row, the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington is ranked No. 1 for its Master of Public Affairs program in the U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate School rankings released today. This year, the O’Neill School shares the top ranking with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

“With our school’s recent renaming in honor of Paul H. O’Neill’s legacy of leadership, this No. 1 ranking is a terrific way to start our new era,” said John D. Graham, dean of the school. “The O’Neill School remains as committed as ever to excellence and influence in public and environmental affairs education.”

The school announced a naming gift in honor of IU alumnus and former treasury secretary Paul O’Neill on March 4.

The O’Neill School at IUPUI also had a strong showing this year and saw a significant jump in its ranking, moving up to 39 from 52 in 2018. It was the largest rankings increase among all schools in the top 40. (more…)