Latest news with #MikeGodard
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana State University and Thompson Thrift Announce Transformative Partnership and Naming of the Thompson Thrift Department of Construction Management
Historic gift to support innovation, education, and industry collaboration in construction management TERRE HAUTE, Ind., July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana State University and Thompson Thrift, a nationally recognized leader in the real estate industry, have announced a groundbreaking partnership that includes a $1.4 million gift to the University. During their agenda meeting on July 24, the Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Thompson Thrift Department of Construction Management in the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. This partnership reflects both institutions' shared commitment to excellence, innovation and community impact, setting a new standard for collaboration between higher education and industry. In addition to the gift to the University, Thompson Thrift is providing $1.3 million in paid summer internships over the next 15 years to qualified students majoring in construction management. "This partnership exemplifies Indiana State's commitment to forging innovative, high-impact alliances that elevate academic excellence and professional readiness," said Mike Godard, president of Indiana State University. "It stands as a model for how public-private collaboration can enrich higher education, demonstrating the transformative potential when universities and industry leaders unite with a shared vision. Through the integration of experiential learning, professional mentorship, and industry-aligned curricula, we are equipping our students for meaningful careers in a competitive field. Beyond these direct benefits, this collaboration strengthens recruitment, enhances retention, and boosts the university's reputation, both within the Thompson Thrift Department of Construction Management and across our campus. We are deeply grateful to John Thompson and Paul Thrift for their leadership, generosity and belief in the power of partnership to shape the future of the next generation of our educated workforce." The newly named Thompson Thrift Department of Construction Management will benefit from scholarship support, internship, and new interdisciplinary initiatives that bridge education with industry practice. The department will host guest lecturers and adjunct professors from various business units within Thompson Thrift to provide students with real-world perspectives. "Partnering with Indiana State University aligns perfectly with our mission to positively impact our team members and the communities we serve," said John Thompson, CEO of Thompson Thrift Construction. "By investing in the next generation of construction leaders, we're building a foundation for a more innovative and resilient future." Beginning in the fall 2026 academic year, junior and senior students majoring in construction management will have the opportunity to earn a $5,000 annual scholarship, renewable for one year, as an outcome of this partnership. Scholarships will be given to 10 students from Indiana or Illinois who are on-campus students with a declared major in construction management. In addition, the gift supports the departmental program fund, which provides experiential learning opportunities to students, outreach to middle and high school students, faculty professional development and equipment upgrades as needed. Thompson Thrift's longstanding connection to Indiana State University is reflected in its team members, with 15% of the Thompson Thrift team counted among ISU alumni, including co-founders and CEOs Paul Thrift and John Thompson, both honored as 2022 recipients of the University's Distinguished Alumni Award. "The University's connection to Thompson Thrift began when John Thompson and Paul Thrift started their company as students at Indiana State," said Andrea Angel, vice president of university advancement and CEO of the Indiana State University Foundation. "The partnership continues this legacy and provides a framework of how business and industry can partner in meaningful ways with higher education." The gift also establishes a named construction management classroom for Thompson Thrift, which will be unveiled at a ceremony recognizing this commitment upon completion of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology renovations in the fall of 2026. About Thompson Thrift Real Estate CompanySince its founding in 1986, Thompson Thrift has grown from a locally focused development and construction company into a full-service, integrated enterprise with a national scope. From its offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana; Denver; Houston; and Phoenix the company is engaged in all aspects of development, construction, leasing and management of quality multifamily and commercial projects. The company earned national recognition as a winner of a 2025 Top Workplaces USA award, the latest accolade that reflects the company's ongoing commitment to excellence in the community and workplace. For more information, please visit Contact: Jennifer Franklin Spotlight Marketing Communications 949.427.1385 jennifer@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Thompson Thrift Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WATCH: Indiana State President discusses all things ISU
FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Indiana State University President Dr. Mike Godard joined Mike Tank on Live at Five on Wednesday to talk about the happenings at ISU. Godard spoke about the University's upcoming commencement, the University's new partnership with McDonald's, and an upcoming dedication at the Gibson Track and Field Complex. Godard also provided a recap of Give to Blue Day, ISU's annual day of giving and his upcoming participation in the Terre Haute Children's Museum's Top Chef competition. ISU's Earth Day celebrations Watch the video above to hear from ISU President Godard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ISU honors century of theater productions
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)—Indiana State University is celebrating 100 years of theater productions with a special event on April 12. The event will feature a luncheon for alumni, students, and friends of the department, as well as tours of Dreiser and Seventh Street Theaters. During the evening, those who attend the event will be treated to a pre-show toast ahead of a performance of 'Reefer Madness'. The performance is a musical based on the original 1936 film of the same name. This comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when straight and narrow kids fall prey to marijuana. The show is said to include musical numbers inspired by Vegas-style ensembles and Broadway-style showstoppers. Indiana State University President, Dr. Mike Godard, stated, 'For a century, Indiana State University's Theater productions have become a pillar of the greater Terre Haute community, and a hub dedicated to first-class performances and enriched storytelling. I want to extend my gratitude and congratulations to the dedicated students, staff, and faculty who have helped shape the theatre into what it is today, and I look forward to the next century of success.' The theater on campus was founded in 1925 and originally started as a club named The Sycamore Players. In the 1930s, The Sycamore Playhouse was constructed in the basement of the Administrative Building, and the stage in the Physical Education Building was fitted with new equipment. In 1935, the Delta chapter of Theta Alpha Phi came to campus; they were a drama fraternity that grew and sponsored events like the Sycamore and Campus Revue. In 1950, the new Sycamore Playhouse was built with a larger capacity and better amenities, leading to the Indiana State Theater Division of the Department of Speech becoming more involved with the Terre Haute Children's Theatre in the 1960s. The New Theater, built next to the Cunningham Memorial Library, opened in 1980. Throughout the decade, Theta Alpha Psi would host Theaterfest, where students could perform each year. In April 1990, the University Theater received an award from the American College Theater Festival, held by The Kennedy Center, for 'Downwinder Dance'. In 2023, Dreiser Hall, the home of the Department of Theater, was rededicated after the $18 million state-funded renovation. Dr. Chris Berchild, Chair of the Department of Theater, added, 'Theater at Indiana State University has transformed from a small student club into a thriving program that continues to inspire and entertain. This celebration is not just about the past, but about the future—embracing new talent, new stories, and new experiences. We invite our alumni and the community to join us in honoring this incredible journey.' Registration for the celebration lunch and pre-show toast closes Friday and sign up at this link. 'Reefer Madness' will run from April 10-13 from 7:30 p.m. with an additional matinee performance at 1:30 p.m. on April 13. The event is open to alumni, current students, and community members. Tickets to the show can be purchased here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WATCH: Live interview with ISU President Dr. Mike Godard
FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Wednesday evening, Indiana State University President Dr. Mike Godard joined us for a live interview on Live at 5 on WAWV. During the interview, Dr. Godard touched on a multitude of topics including the ISU athletics' Polar Plunge, how the university teamed up with Catholic Charities to hold a food drive, the university's strategic plan moving forward and more. Another topic talked about during the interview was how the university has been navigating and monitoring diversity, equity and inclusion offices after Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, and some Indiana lawmakers, wanted to get rid of those offices and not allow funding to be directed toward these offices. 'One thing that won't change at Indiana State University is the fact that we're going to continue to make sure that every single student on our campus has the opportunity to be successful and we will continue to focus on that moving forward,' said Dr. Godard To watch the full interview, you can watch the video at the top of the page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
