VINCENNES, IND. – Getting ahead today means going to college. That is why today’s high school students need a clear path to pursue higher education both conveniently and affordably.
That is a message that Vincennes University President Dick Helton is taking to school corporations throughout the state, centered first in Indianapolis.
Unique among the state’s college presidents, Helton served for 19 years as a superintendent of schools in Indiana, including 14 years at the rapidly growing Avon Community School Corp., prior to becoming president of VU in August 2004. Now completing his fifth year at VU, Helton is the longest serving president among the state’s public universities.
Advancing through the ranks in secondary education as a teacher, coach, and administrator gives Helton a perspective that has helped VU bridge the gap between high school and college, boosting both participation and success in higher education.
One centerpiece of that effort is Ben Davis University High School (BDUHS), a partnership between VU and the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township that focuses on dual-credit instruction that can lead to simultaneously earning both a high school diploma and an associate degree.
Now in its second year of operation, Helton said that BDUHS raises expectations of students and boosts their confidence in pursuing higher education.
“Data shows that emphasis placed in dual-credit opportunities at the high school level will foster a stronger desire among students to attend college,” Helton said.
In addition to providing college classes at BDUHS for the past two years, VU recently welcomed 86 Indianapolis students to its Vincennes campus for Maymester, a two-week intensive session of classes that included an introduction to college life. It was a culminating experience for students who have completed their junior year at BDUHS. Beyond the five credit hours earned in college courses, students also gained confidence that achieving a college degree is within reach.
“This makes me really want to go to college,” said Brianna Johnson. “I feel like if I can do it here in two weeks, I can get through a semester of college courses.” Johnson was impressed with her VU psychology course because it included service learning. “It made me want to consider a career helping the mentally challenged since we got to do that a couple of times in class. The experience gave me a broader look at my career opportunities.”
The community service aspect of Maymester also impressed Danielle Wilson. “We worked with a group of kids with disabilities and helped them create a PowerPoint presentation about themselves. They then got to show it to their friends,” Wilson said. Describing her experience at Maymester, Wilson said, “This is probably one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life.” After graduating next year, Wilson said she plans to enroll at VU to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
“I believe this is an awesome opportunity to receive two years of free college,” said Danielle’s mother, Kris Gregson. “There is no way I could give this to either one of my daughters at this point, so for this opportunity to come to them is unbelievable,” Gregson said. Her other daughter, Kelsey, is a freshman at BDUHS.
“Wayne Township officials should be highly commended for this. I’m just going to be so proud when Danielle walks across the stage next year and not only gets her high school diploma but also her associate degree,” Gregson said.
BDUHS Principal Sheryl Garrett said that she has witnessed a change in her students since attending VU. “This will be a confidence builder in more ways than one. I believe our students will walk into any college classroom and, as a result of what they have done at VU as well as at Ben Davis University High School, be very confident about what it means to study in college, advocating for yourself, and knowing how to read a syllabus,” Garrett said.
Helton said the reason for the success of the partnership is that students respond when expectations of them are raised. “This is all about the students—finding ways for them to grow, explore, and understand there is hard work that must be accomplished before you are successful,” Helton said.
Helton said he is not surprised about the success of the partnership since he has been familiar with the MSD of Wayne Township and Superintendent Terry Thompson for many years.
“I know that the school and its leadership have always been interested in innovation for students. I believe that is also true at VU; so when you put those two groups together, I believe it benefits today’s students as well as students in the future. Our relationship with Wayne Township could not be stronger,” Helton said.
A 2004 recipient of the Indiana School Boards Association’s Lorin A. Burt Educator of the Year Award, Helton continues his mission to bridge the gap between high school and college. With BDUHS as the model, Arsenal Tech High School formed an early college partnership with VU this past fall and began offering classes on-site in January. This second early college partnership has opened another path for students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate degree. Discussions are also underway with other school corporations in both urban and rural areas of the state, according to Helton.
“We are looking at expanding these opportunities because, at the end of the day, anytime you are challenging students to do better it is the right thing for them and for our state,” Helton said.
BEN DAVIS UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
BDUHS is a small, focused high school program where students can earn a Core 40 high school diploma while also earning college credits toward an associate degree from VU through dual-credit opportunities. The program includes internships with business partners, project-based learning, and inquiry learning.
The BDUHS program is designated as a model early college site by the Center of Excellence in Leadership and Learning at the University of Indianapolis.
Associate degree options for students include Liberal Arts, Business Management/Distribution and Logistics Emphasis, General Studies Nursing/Health Careers, Information Technology, and Fire Science and Safety Technology.
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY – Indiana’s First College
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport. VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.
In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, and secondary education programs in mathematics, science, and special education.
VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 25 other states, and 37 foreign counties. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is available at www.vinu.edu.
DUANE CHATTIN, Director of Public Information
812-888-4164 (office), 812-887-6397 (cell)
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
Department of University Relations
1002 N First St
Vincennes IN 47591
