Drury High Grad Being Inaugurated as UIndy President

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Robert L. Manuel

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A Drury High School graduate will officially take the helm of the University of Indianapolis on Thursday.

Robert L. Manuel, 44, will be inaugurated as the ninth president of the 5,400-student university at a time when it is charting a course for the next two decades of its development.

Manuel, son of Thomas and Tondra Manuel of North Adams, is a 1986 graduate of Drury High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in history and political science from from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., his master's in higher education administration from Syracuse (N.Y.) University and doctorate in higher education administration from New York University.

He worked in administration at Georgetown University and NYU, most recently as dean of continuing studies and associate provost at Georgetown.



Manuel took office at UIndy last summer and, in October, launched the Vision 2030 initiative, which gathered ideas for the institution's future from more than 1,600 students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff. While a series of group conversations focused on long-term concerns, several task forces addressed more immediate needs in areas such as technology, campus life and use of space.

The president will address the campus community, guests and delegates from other universities during a public investiture ceremony that begins at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, in the university's Nicoson Hall gymnasium. A reception will follow at 3:30 in the atrium of Schwitzer Student Center, 1400 E. Hanna Ave.

The investiture ceremony highlights a week of events designed to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors and other friends of the university. A full schedule and registration information are available at www.uindy.edu/inauguration.


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Teacher of the Month: Kaylea Nocher

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — First-grade students in Kaylea Nocher's class feel secure and empowered in the classroom, confidently embracing mistakes as they take charge of their learning.
 
This safe and fun atmosphere has earned Nocher the iBerkshires Teacher of the Month designation. The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, features distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here
 
Nearly a dozen parents and colleagues nominated the Brayton Elementary School teacher, praising her dedication, connection to students, and engaging classroom environment — going above and beyond to foster growth in her students.
 
"My students are the most important part of the job, and instilling love and a love for learning with them is so valuable," she said. 
 
"We have these little minds that we get to mold in a safe and loving environment, and it's really special to be able to do that with them."
 
Nocher has built her classroom on the foundation of love, describing it as the umbrella for all learning. 
 
"If you have your students feel loved… in the sense that they have a love for learning, they have a love for taking risks, they have a love for themselves, and they can use that in everything that they do," she said. 
 
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