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Supporting Hoosier Veterans
ALL IN THE FAMILY
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
(Week of 26 May 2025)
ALL IN THE FAMILY
The Book of Ruth has four pages. One paragraph of one page is perhaps the Bible’s most often recited passage by brides and grooms:
“Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you;
For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people, and your God my God;
Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried.”
Ruth 1:16-17
These beautiful promises were made by Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi. The family and cultural inter-connections are closely intertwined. Ironically, Naomi, her husband, Elimelech, and their two sons, Mahlou and Chilion, were originally Ephrathites who lived in Bethlehem in Judah, what is now not only the birthplace of Jesus but also Palestine. A further historical irony is that just as today there is famine in Gaza, part of Palestine, in Naomi family’s time “the judges” (the government?) “ruled there was a famine in the land”. So, Naomi and her family left Bethlehem and “sojourned” to the country of Moab that was in what is now the country of Jordan.
Naomi’s sons both married Moabite women but then both sons and Elimelech died. Thereafter, times were hard for Naomi and her daughters-in-law when Naomi heard that, “the Lord had visited his people (in Bethlehem) and given them food”. So, Naomi, Ruth and Orpah decided to seek new lives in Bethlehem. While Orpah turned back to Moab, Naomi and Ruth ventured on to Bethlehem where Naomi’s husband still had a wealthy Israeli kinsman named Boaz. Ruth and Boaz eventually married and had a son named Obed. Obed fathered Jesse who fathered Israel’s most famous king, David. The genetics of the Israeli-Palestinian Naomi, the Moabite (Jordanian) Ruth, the Israeli-Palestinian Boaz and the Israeli King David are closely related. They are all of Semitic culture and history and are all deeply embedded in the general genealogy and geography of the area. In essence, they are all related, leading to possible fratricide or genocide if indiscriminate slaughter should occur.
Yet, according to many authorities that is exactly what the Zionists of Israel are doing today as a matter of government policy. As former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, recently stated in an interview on BBC, what Israel is doing in Gaza is, “very close to a war crime”. And more evidence of Israel’s intent comes from Israeli Cabinet Members, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have publicly called for the “conquest and depopulation of Gaza”.
More graphically, as recently reported in The Washington Post’s World View Newsletter by reporter Ishaan Tharoor, former Israeli Defense Force general and current head of the Democrats Party in Israel, Yair Golan, stated:
“Israel is on the way to becoming a pariah state among nations if it doesn’t return to behaving like a sane country. A sane country doesn’t engage in fighting against civilians, doesn’t kill babies as a hobby and doesn’t set the expulsion of a population as a goal.”
As for America, with the cooperation of Egypt and other allies, we should immediately force massive amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza through Egypt. America should also guarantee the accessibility and safety of impartial international journalists into Gaza so the world can witness the facts on the ground. And, the immediate cessation of America’s enablement of the killing and destruction by Israel in Gaza should be a priority.
Not only are the descendants of Ruth and Naomi responsible for and entitled to humane treatment, the United States, as part of the human family, must help assure such outcomes.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Otters overcome six-run deficit, fall in extras
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters (5-7) fell despite a strong comeback attempt to the Schaumburg Boomers (8-5) in the series finale, 12-8.
The Otters started well and hit the run column first. JJ Cruz drew a walk before a Graham Brown double put runners on second and third. LJ Jones then hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Cruz to make it 1-0. A second run came in when George Callil was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving Evansville a 2-0 advantage after one.
The score remained 2-0 throughout the first three innings, thanks to Jon Beymer retiring the first nine batters he faced to begin his outing.
In the fourth, Schaumburg struck for five, three of which came on a three-run home run. The Boomers then followed that up with three more runs in the fifth that came off another home run.
After five, Evansville trailed 8-2. The Otters fought back in the sixth frame however, plating three runs. Brown recorded his fourth hit of the day with an RBI single that sent home Ty Crittenberger. He was followed up by Pavin Parks, who came through with an RBI double. After the home half, Evansville had narrowed the Schaumburg advantage to 8-5.
The bullpen continued to shut down the Boomers offense as Evansville scored one run in each of the seventh and eighth innings. Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, Evansville was down 8-7.
Alain Camou came off the bench to pinch hit and reached on an error. He reached third thanks to a wild pitch and sacrifice bunt. Keenan Taylor delivered in the clutch once again with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 8-8.
In the top of the tenth, Schaumburg scored four, all with two outs. The Otters loaded the bases in the home half of the tenth, but were held off the board.
Brown finished his day reaching six times and going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two singles, an RBI and two walks.
Evansville struck out 17 Boomer hitters, a new season-high. Beymer ended his day with 10 strikeouts and now leads the Frontier League with 23 on the season.
Mustafa tapped as USI Vice President for Student Affairs
Following a national search, Dr. Abeer Mustafa has been selected as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Southern Indiana, effective Monday, June 23.
“Dr. Mustafa brings a wealth of knowledge to the University and will serve us well as Vice President for Student Affairs,” said USI President Steve Bridges. “Her extensive background in student affairs, combined with her genuine passion for supporting students and fostering divergent ideas, aligns perfectly with USI’s mission and values. I’m confident her leadership will make a lasting, positive impact on our students and the entire campus community.”
Most recently, Mustafa served as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor at the University of Tennessee Southern. She is a seasoned higher education leader with over two decades of experience advancing student success, enrollment management and strategic planning. She has served in senior leadership roles at institutions across the country where she collaborated closely with executive leadership to shape inclusive, data-informed strategies supporting student retention, wellness and engagement. Previously, she served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and before that, Executive Director at California State University, Chico.
With a strong background in strategic planning, she has helped institutions align organizational priorities with measurable outcomes that drive institutional effectiveness and student success.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen to join USI and become part of this vibrant community committed to academic excellence and student engagement,” says Mustafa. “My vision is to develop the division’s organizational priorities to drive toward the measurable outcomes that propagate institutional effectiveness and the central goal of student success. My goal is to collaborate across campus to remove barriers, strengthen engagement, and ensure every student has the resources, encouragement and opportunities needed to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”
As the University’s chief student affairs officer, Mustafa will provide intellectual and administrative leadership, guiding the University’s Student Affairs services and programs as well as University-wide initiatives. Also providing programmatic, assessment and financial leadership for Student Affairs departments, she will serve as an advocate for all students in the University community.
Student Affairs departments include Counseling and Psychological Services; Dean of Students Office; Housing and Residence Life; Multicultural Center; Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center; Religious Life; Center for Campus Life; and USI Deaconess Clinic. Mustafa will report to the President, is part of President’s Council and Provost’s Council, and will work closely with faculty, staff, students and community leaders on all matters affecting the student experience.
Outside of work, Mustafa enjoys traveling, cooking, cheering on Houston sports teams and spending time with family—including her twin boys, husband and loyal dog Max.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mustafa holds a doctorate degree in organizational leadership from Oakland City University; master’s degrees in legal studies and business administration from the University of Tennessee School of Law and Sam Houston State University, respectively; and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston-Downtown.
Attorney General Todd Rokita rallies Indy 500 fans to stay alert for signs of human trafficking
As the 109th Indianapolis 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, approaches on May 25, 2025, Attorney General Todd Rokita calls on Hoosiers and visitors to remain alert for signs of human trafficking. Large-scale events like the Indy 500, which draw hundreds of thousands of spectators, are known to create increased demand for trafficked individuals forced into manual labor, commercial sex acts, or other exploitative services.
“Spectator events of this magnitude are prime targets for human traffickers looking to exploit vulnerable individuals,” said Attorney General Rokita. “As we celebrate the thrill of the Indy 500, we must keep our eyes open for signs of human trafficking. By reporting suspicious actions to law enforcement, we can help stop these predators and rescue victims.”
Human trafficking, a modern form of slavery, occurs when individuals are coerced, deceived, or forced into providing labor or services. The U.S. State Department identifies key signs of trafficking, including individuals who:
- Appear submissive, fearful, or unable to speak freely
- Live in cramped or poor conditions, often with their employer
- Show signs of physical abuse, malnourishment, or restricted freedom
- Provide scripted or rehearsed answers when questioned
- Are minors engaged in commercial sex acts
Attorney General Rokita encourages immediate reporting of suspected trafficking to local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
“Human trafficking thrives in the shadows, but we’re shining a light on it,” said Rokita. “From protecting victims to equipping families and holding traffickers accountable, our office is committed to rooting out this evil enterprise.”
As the Indy 500 coincides with National Missing Children’s Day on May 25, Rokita encourages attendees to stay proactive.
Ivy Tech Community College Evansville Awarded Funding for ABE/ELL Programs
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College Evansville has been awarded $7,200 from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support Ivy+ Career Link’s Adult Basic Education and English Language Learners (ABE/ELL) Programs.
Nicholas Bragin, director of employer engagement for Ivy Tech, said the funding is designated for the college to provide free High School Equivalency (HSE) testing for students who are ready to take the exam. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development provides funding for much of the ABE/ELL program, but only a small portion of the funding is earmarked for testing. “Testing funding is rarely funded at a level that meets the needs of our students. This grant will allow us to provide testing for up to 50 additional students.”
According to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation website, the “Foundation helps individuals of all ages pursue their educational goals and achieve their dreams by investing in literacy programs that help students learn to read, prepare for the High School Equivalency test or learn English.”
Ivy Tech Evansville was one of 14 locations in Indiana awarded a grant for 2025.
The Ivy Tech ABE/ELL programs are currently offered in Vanderburgh, Spencer, Pike, and Gibson Counties. Now in the fifth year, the ABE/ELL program has served 461 students and expects to serve more than 250 in 2025. All students receive instruction in reading, English language and mathematics, while those pursuing an HSE certificate receive additional instruction in science and social studies.
The courses are designed to strengthen students’ foundational knowledge, refresh academic skills, and work toward earning an HSE certificate. When students reach the necessary competency in all subjects, those seeking to earn their HSE certificate are registered for the exam. In addition to the ABE courses, for non-native speakers not proficient in English, ELL classes help develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing through traditional instruction and engaging group and partner-based activities.
Trailblazer Teaching Academy elevates new Vincennes University faculty
VINCENNES, Ind., May 22, 2025 – At Vincennes University, student success starts with faculty excellence.
The Trailblazer Teaching Academy, developed in 2020 by VU Provost Dr. Laura Treanor continues to transform how first-year faculty begin their journey at the University.
The innovative, yearlong program offers new professors and instructors the tools, training, and confidence to make an immediate impact in the classroom.
“At VU, we invest in faculty because we know they shape the future of our students,” Treanor said. “The Trailblazer Teaching Academy is an additional way we ensure our students are learning from the very best.”
The 2024-25 academy cohort was honored for completing the program with certificates at a recognition luncheon attended by Treanor and VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson on Monday, May 12.
The most recent cohort included Keith Adkins (Education), Tim Buckner (Lafayette Advanced Internship in Manufacturing), Sara Burger (Nursing), Shane Chester (Indianapolis Aviation Technology Center Flight), Spencer Ebbinga (Art), Molly Engstrom (Nursing), Amanda Jerrel (Nursing), Brent Maguire (Homeland Security and Public Safety), Jennifer McNeece (Journalism), Nickole Meier (Nursing), Dawn Nelson (VU Jasper Nursing), and Jaret Roach (Advanced Manufacturing).
During the academy, the faculty is empowered by gaining insight into VU’s academic ecosystem and cutting-edge teaching practices, ensuring students are learning from educators who are supported, confident, and committed to teaching excellence.
Since 2020, more than 50 faculty have completed the program, directly enhancing student
retention, success, satisfaction, and academic outcomes.
Director of the VU Center for Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE) Dr. Sarah Alderfer leads the academy.
Alderfer said, “This program offers more than just an orientation; it’s designed to foster a strong sense of community among faculty cohorts while equipping them with research-based best practices to ensure their success in the classroom.”
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