Dr. Herbert Cassel, Raines-Mueller Professor of Philosophy and Religion, 1966-1996 Image courtesy of Frederick D. Hill Archives.
matching gift program. “My goal is to make a positive impact for a student, just like I experienced.” For all four alumni, the decision to give was not based merely on what they could afford at the time, but on what they felt called to do. While the size and structure of their gifts may differ and have grown over time— ranging from small annual donations to endowments and innovative legacy funds—the intention behind each is rooted in personal experience. That experience often centers on the people who made UIndy meaningful. For Patel, it was the guidance of professors like Dr. Christopher Schmidt, chair of the Anthropology Department. “He’s one of those professors you never forget—not only because of his expertise, but because of his
kindness and genuine interest in his students’ success.” Scifres found her compass in mentors like Dr. Herbert Cassel and Jack ’60 and Valerie (Salge) ’63 Miller—figures she would later honor through the creation of a pair of endowed scholarships that now support two to three students each year. Even professional trajectories trace back to UIndy. Patel’s interdisciplinary studies prepared her to navigate a diverse and evolving job market. Now working in new product planning at Eli Lilly and Company, she credits UIndy with equipping her with the qualitative research skills that formed the foundation of her career. “If I had to sum up my undergraduate experience, I’d say it was ‘diverse,’” she said. “That learning agility helped me navigate an uncertain job market after grad school.”
Dr. Christopher Schmidt, chair of Anthropology Department
Chad Reynolds ’00 and Andy Hammond ’06
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UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
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