June 2020 News

Important Message from Indiana Academy Leadership Team

Friday, June 5, 2020

Dear Indiana Academy Community:

We are appalled by the horrific killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. George Floyd is one more life lost to violence against Black people. We are broken-hearted for the families who have lost loved ones to racial violence.

The Indiana Academy’s mission statement reads “we are committed to creating innovative programs and practices that attract, retain, and nurture a diverse community and foster an environment that enables all who contribute to excel in a diverse culture.” We cannot hold to that mission while remaining silent on the senseless killing of Black people.

The Indiana Academy stands in solidarity with the Black community and we want them to know that we support them and stand with them. We condemn all actions of violence, discrimination, and hatred. Every individual at the Indiana Academy must take a stand against racial discrimination and violence.

We understand racial discrimination, violence, hatred, social injustice, and killing will have a deep impact on students, families, faculty, and staff. There will be increased anxiety, stress, trauma, and vulnerabilities. We are currently working to set up safe (and brave) spaces for students, families, and employees to share with and learn from each other. We need to listen to the experiences, concerns, and ideas of our community as we seek to be better. These will start in the form of discussion groups/forums on campus when classes resume in August and virtual groups/forums before the start of classes. Additional programming and support opportunities will be put in place throughout the school year.

As we move forward, the Indiana Academy continues to be committed to ensuring that everyone in our community is safe and welcome. To do so we must all stand up against injustice, support each other, and open our hearts and minds to differences to create an Indiana Academy, nation, and world that is inclusive to all.

Dain Kavars
Interim Executive Director

Vickie Barton
Executive Director (Retiring)

Jeff Smith
Director of Academic Affairs

Julie Tuttle Davis
Director of External Affairs

Paul Douglas
Director of Residential and Student Affairs

Bridger Fetters
Associate Director of Residential and Student Affairs