Indiana University Kokomo


Indiana University Kokomo is a public university in Kokomo, Indiana. It is a regional campus of Indiana University. IUK serves north central Indiana and its athletics teams are known as the Cougars.

History

In 1932, John and George Beauchamp opened the Kokomo Junior College in the downtown YMCA. The Junior College offered a basic two-year collegiate program. It maintained an average enrollment of approximately 75 students. In 1945, it moved to 508 West Taylor Street, which was Indiana University's first building in the city of Kokomo. Indiana University Kokomo was officially established in 1945 as one of several extension centers of Indiana University.
Under the first director, Virgil Hunt, who later donated millions of dollars to the institution and funded the construction of Hunt Hall, students moved to a new location in 1947. In this location on West Sycamore Street, known as the Seiberling Mansion, an adjacent home, the Elliot House, and its two carriage buildings served as the IU Kokomo campus for nearly twenty years. In 1965, IUK moved to its current location, south of historic downtown Kokomo, on Washington Street. The Main Building, the first building on campus, opened with classrooms, a library, administrative offices, and a 908-seat auditorium. In 1980, the East Building - now known for its state-of-the-art Nursing Simulation Lab - was constructed.

In 1989, the Kelley Student Center was completed. Six years later, the modern library was opened. Purdue advisement offices and campus offices are housed in the west wing of the building, where PU:Technology-accredited courses are held. In 2001, Hunt Hall opened, a modern building used for science and math and named after Virgil and Elizabeth Hunt. In 2010, IU Kokomo acquired an off-campus building which was once the Kokomo Post Office, and it has since been renamed the Fine Arts Building.
In August 2013, the Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center opened. The 21,000 square-foot facility includes a jogging and walking track, a cardio and strength training area, two multi-purpose rooms, as well as a health studies room and lockers. The center provides the opportunity for expanding Allied Health Programs such as sports medicine and athletic training. The wellness and fitness center was officially named after the Milt and Jean Cole family in September 2013 to honor them for their generous donation of $1.25 million to the campus and to show appreciation for the dedication the Cole family has made in enhancing the quality of life in north central Indiana. With their donation, the Cole Fitness Center will be a place that IU Kokomo students, faculty, and staff will be able to improve their overall physical and mental health for years to come.

Chancellors

As of fall 2014, there were 4,180 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Indiana University Kokomo. The university serves a 14-county region in north central Indiana, and offers more than 60 Indiana University degrees, including bachelor's degrees in many arts and sciences disciplines, informatics, medical imaging technology, criminal justice, nursing, business, education, and general studies; and master's degrees in public management, business, and nursing.; and a limited number of associate degree programs.
IU Kokomo has an 18 to 1 student-faculty ratio.
IU Kokomo is organized into the following schools, colleges, departments, and divisions:
Indiana University Kokomo is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, located at 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504.

Rankings and recognition

includes Indiana University Kokomo as one of the 296 Best Business Schools in the 2015 edition.
The U.S. News & World Report's 2013 annual report lists Indiana University Kokomo as a top regional campus in the category of regional colleges that focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. IU Kokomo is one of seven public institutions among the 74 that are ranked, and IU Kokomo is the only IU regional campus to be recognized. This is a first-ever mention for the campus that includes the Tier 1 level.
The University Economic Development Association named Indiana University Kokomo as a finalist for the 2012 UEDA Excellence in Leadership and Collaboration award. IU Kokomo is one of three finalists for this award for their Regional Transformation Initiative.

Student life

Indiana University Kokomo has approximately 35 student organizations, including special interest and major-based student groups. Specifically, there are a few groups that represent the interests of all students; Student Government Association, Student Union Board, Student Athletics and Wellness Board, and The Correspondent student newspaper.
The Nearly Naked Mile is a newer tradition, held in late fall each year to benefit Kokomo Urban Outreach. In order for students to participate in the one-mile walk/run each year, students must donate articles of clothing.
Annual events include a campus BBQ, Activities Fair, and Halloween Open House.
IU Kokomo sponsors annual awareness events to bring recognition and to show support to various serious issues.
Deaf Awareness Week brings forward the importance of recognizing the challenges that arise with deafness and what students can do to accommodate those who are deaf. During the course of the week, a silent lunch is held for an hour where individuals are unable to communicate with one another as they could on a regular basis. Students had to learn nonverbal means to communicate with one another.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week at IU Kokomo teaches students to prevent themselves and others from becoming victims. As a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week, a self-defense workshop is set up as well as discussions on issues regarding sex, drugs and alcohol, two Step Up intervention training workshops and a resource table for students.
The annual "Block Out Breast Cancer" volleyball game raises awareness surrounding breast cancer. Fans attend the game wearing pink. Educational pamphlets are passed out to the attendees to inform them about the importance of early detection as a part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Greek life

In 2003, IU Kokomo brought Greek life to campus with the colonization of a national sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma whose principles include lifelong learning, inclusiveness, and leadership through service. In fall 2013, Phi Kappa Tau colonized at IU Kokomo and is the first NIC fraternity on campus. On April 11, 2015, the colony chartered as the Zeta Iota chapter.

Athletics

IU Kokomo teams, known as the Cougars, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, primarily competing as a member of the River States Conference. The school had previously been part of the NAIA's Association of Independent Institutions, a loose confederation of Independent institutions. Men's sports include basketball and cross country ; while women's sports include cross country, volleyball, and women's basketball.
IU Kokomo was one of four institutions to become a member of the NAIA in April 2012. In May 2013, it was announced that IU Kokomo was accepted into the league then known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and now as the RSC beginning with the 2013–14 academic year. IU Kokomo became the 12th member of the KIAC. To remain a member of the NAIA, IU Kokomo must have six varsity sports within four years. In January 2014, it was announced that IU Kokomo would add both men and women's golf teams. Competition began during the 2015–16 season. In 2014, IU Kokomo was able to reach seven varsity sports; men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, women's volleyball, and men's and women's cross country.
In August 2012, IU Kokomo announced the addition of cheerleading on campus as a club sport. Cheerleading will not be a competitive sport or considered a part of the NAIA.