Esthela O’Neill, assistant vice chancellor at Ivy Tech Bloomington, wins Chamber 4 Under 40 Award9/8/2023  Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s assistant vice chancellor for enrollment services and student success, Esthela O’Neill, has been named a 4 Under 40 Award recipient by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. O’Neill was recognized at the Chamber’s annual meeting on Sept. 7.
The Chamber’s 4 Under 40 Award recognizes young professionals that make a significant impact within their organization through their leadership and work ethic, while also giving back to the community through civic involvement. “Esthela’s commitment to student success is evident in her daily work at Ivy Tech. She actively fosters inclusivity within our team and the greater campus community, and builds coalitions to support students throughout their academic journeys,” Dr. Trudy Weddle, vice chancellor for enrollment services and student success said. “Esthela plays a pivotal role in creating a seamless, student-centered college experience and is an invaluable member of the board for Monroe County United Way.”  Four schools in the Indiana Uplands have been selected to join ROI’s UpLabs network, a collaboration of schools that have embedded digital fabrication labs to empower students as adaptive problem solvers through making. With state-of-the-art equipment and project-based learning instruction, these labs are developing a region of makers ready to excel in the next generation of advanced STEM careers.
ROI welcomes the following schools to the UpLabs network: ● Bloomington Graduation School (Monroe County Community School Corporation) ● Loogootee Middle School (Loogootee Community School Corporation) ● North Daviess Jr/Sr High School (North Daviess Community School Corporation) ● Northeast Dubois Intermediate School (Northeast Dubois County School Corporation)  Brent Thompson, Courtesy Photo The Monroe County Airport is proud to announce the appointment of Brent Thompson as its new Assistant Airport Director. Brent, with an impressive repertoire spanning over two decades in fire service and an extensive background in aviation, embodies a blend of professional prowess and community-oriented vision that the airport believes will significantly enrich its operations.
As a seasoned fire officer at the Bloomington Fire Department, Brent's experience has molded him into a paragon of emergency response. His nuanced understanding of safety protocols, risk management, and incident command, together with his deep-rooted passion for aviation, make him an ideal fit for overseeing the critical Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) operations at the Monroe County Airport. His training background, notably as a Department Training Officer where he implemented a department-wide program instrumental in achieving an ISO 1 rating, will ensure that our emergency response standards are not only met but exceeded. Brent’s avidity for aviation is reflected in his credentials as a private pilot, clocking in over 200 hours of flight annually, primarily cross-country. This hands-on experience lends a unique “end user” perspective to airport operations, further enhancing the value he brings to his role. "Brent’s multifaceted expertise, from his time on the front lines of firefighting to his ventures in the skies, offers a holistic approach to airport management,” remarks Carlos Laverty, Monroe County Airport Director. "Moreover, his philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment of the Phoenix Foundation Inc., demonstrate a dedication to community upliftment that aligns seamlessly with our airport’s values." The airport team is confident that under Brent’s guidance, the facility will further its mission to provide top-notch services to pilots, passengers, and the broader community, all while ensuring that safety remains paramount. Calls for national unity are increasing in response to today’s national divides and Americans yearn to move past the polarization afflicting our country. Knitting this country back together is essential and Bloomington is part of the solution!
The Cities of Bloomington, IN and Palo Alto, CA are the first Sibling Cities in a national project that opens meaningful dialog between communities in different parts of the country. As part of the Sibling Cities USA initiative, three town halls are being organized between the communities to discuss “Regional Divides”, “Climate Action”, and “Race & Belonging”. The first will take place on Sunday, September 17 from 4-6pm. Want to help knit this country back together? Ready to listen with curiosity and empathy? Curious what residents in Palo Alto think about how to get along, climate action, and race and belonging? Want to share your views and build friendship, trust, and respect across the miles? You are invited to gather in person with fellow Bloomingtonians to engage virtually with a room full of Palo Altans. Co-sponsored by both city governments, library systems, and service organizations, the town halls aim to renew our public square and offer opportunities to discuss tough issues with fellow Americans distant from us. WHAT: A Town Hall on “Bridging Regional Divides” WHEN: September 17 (followed by Climate Action, October 8 and Race & Belonging, November 12) – all from 4-6pm WHERE: Monroe County Public Library – Downtown branch, 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue To register to participate, visit www.siblingcitiesusa.org/events. |
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