FORMER FIRST LADY TO GIVE KEYNOTE AT BLUMBERG CENTER CONFERENCE
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Former First Lady of Indiana, Judy O'Bannon, will be the keynote speaker for "Refresh and Discover," the Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education's first conference on facilitation, Jan. 26-27 in Indianapolis.
The Blumberg Center was established at Indiana State University in 1985 to encourage the interdisciplinary study of populations with special needs, ranging from persons with severe disabilities to those who are gifted and talented.
O'Bannon, who will present the keynote for the first day of the conference (Jan. 26), has spent much of her life supporting efforts to strengthen Indiana communities and working to promote collaboration. During her time as First Lady of Indiana (1997-2003), she spearheaded the drive to make the Governor's Residence accessible to persons with disabilities. Referring to the residence as the "State's Living Room," she worked to ensure that all Hoosiers could be welcomed into the home.
A graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in social work, O'Bannon was selected as a Rockefeller Theological Scholar and was the first woman to attend the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She has been recognized for her achievements on behalf of the State of Indiana with honorary degrees from Anderson University, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, the University of Southern Indiana, Vincennes University, and Wabash College.
O'Bannon currently serves on the executive board for the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and on the Indiana Main Street Council. Previously, she has been a trustee of the Indiana State Museum, a member of the Indiana Arts Commission, and a founding member of the advisory board of Silvercrest Children's Development Center. She also co-founded Partners in Politics, a support and information group for family members of public officeholders.
Kirk Freeman will present the keynote address for the second day of the conference (Jan. 27). During his professional career, Freeman has served as a teacher, coach, school administrator, military officer and college professor. He earned his bachelor's, master's and Ph.D., all from Indiana State University (1982, 1989 and 1994 respectively). He later served as principal, teacher and coach at Eminence Junior-Senior High School and principal at Linton-Stockton High School, Northview High School, Van Buren Elementary and finally, as assistant professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and consultant with Performance Learning Systems. He also is a graduate of the Blumberg Center's Creative Problem Solving (CPS) course and Essential Facilitation training and is a seasoned facilitator.
In 2000, Freeman earned honors as principal of the year for Indiana. In fact, he is often heard saying, "We never know when we will be the "One Voice" that a child hears, that one voice that makes a difference in his or her life."
Some of the sessions presented as part of this first facilitation conference will include: "CPS Journey: The Past and the Future," "FIEP (Facilitated Individualized Education Program)," "Facilitation in Action: What are the key ingredients to a high performing school?" "Using KAI (Kirton Adaption-Innovation) to Your Advantage," "How Kids Learn" and "Facilitation in Action: Creating Meaningful Parent Involvement in Schools."
The registration fee for either Jan. 26 or 27 is $30. Cost for both days is $60. The fee includes continental breakfast and lunch each day. The conference will take place at the Four Points Sheraton (7701 E. 42nd St., Indianapolis, Ph: 317-897-4000).
The conference is supported by a grant through the Indiana Department of Education, Division of Exceptional Learners, and is offered through the Creative Problem Solving Initiative at the Blumberg Center at Indiana State University.
For more information about the conference or to register, contact Laura or Teresa at the Blumberg Center at (812) 237-2830 or treynolds2@indstate.edu
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Contact: Esther Anderson, Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education, at (812) 237-8114 or soesumme@isugw.indstate.edu
Writer: Maria Greninger, associate director, Communications & Marketing, Indiana State University, (812) 237-4357 or m-greninger@indstate.edu
ISU Communications and Marketing: (812) 237-3773 or http://www.indstate.edu/news
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