Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today issued the following statement following news that Indiana’s unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percent to 4.9 percent in June, marking the first month since February of 2008 that the rate of unemployment in the Hoosier State has been below 5 percent. June marks the third month in a row that Indiana experienced significant declines in unemployment, with the state seeing a 3.5 percent decrease in the unemployment rate since January of 2013, the second largest decrease in the nation. In addition, Indiana’s unemployment rate has decreased 5.9 percent since July of 2009, the low point of employment, the second largest decrease in the nation.

“Indiana’s economy is on the move thanks to hard-working Hoosiers and businesses both large and small. With each passing day, it becomes more apparent that Indiana is strong and growing stronger, and now, for the first time in more than seven years, Indiana’s unemployment rate is below five percent. Our administration is committed to implementing the kinds of pro-growth policies that allow businesses to succeed and families to thrive, and Hoosiers can be assured that we will not relent in these efforts in the months to come.”

Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today announced the winners of the 2015 Mr. and Miss Math and Science awards. The Mr. and Miss Math and Science awards aim to recognize students who have exemplary performance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes and extracurricular activities. The winners receive a $1,000 college scholarship through Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan.

“I’m proud today to recognize these stellar, outstanding individuals and the achievements they have accomplished while in high school,” said Governor Pence. “These Mr. and Miss Math and Science award winners represent the bright future of this state, and I look forward to their continued accomplishments in their collegiate careers and beyond.”

Evansville’s Adam Lonnberg and Indianapolis’ Margaret Christy are named 2015 Mr. and Miss Math, and Carmel’s Adit Chandra and Helena Ma are named 2015 Mr. and Miss Science.

Adam Lonnberg, 2015 Mr. Math, recently graduated from Signature High School in Evansville, where he was named a National Merit Semifinalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a member of the National Honor Society. There, Lonnberg served as a tutor in mathematics and chemistry, Chairman of Education of Signature High School’s Math Club, and Co-President of Model United Nations. He received the “Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Mathematics” from the University of Evansville and the “Local Site Scholar Award” in the Indiana State Mathematics Contest. Lonnberg volunteers during summer breaks at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He plans to attend University of Evansville in the fall.

Margaret “Maggie” Christy, 2015 Miss Math, recently graduated from Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, where she was named an AP Scholar, Co-President of the Student Council and National Honor Society member. She received the National Center for Women & Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Award and the Top 10 Award for finishing in the top ten of her class all four years of high school. She helped found and subsequently coached the Auto Flashes, the school’s robotics team, and represented the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana as a VEX Robotics student ambassador at the VEX World Championship. Christy volunteers as a “buddy” with children who have special needs during Parent Night Out events at Indian Creek Christian Church Access Ministry. She plans to study actuarial science and applied statistics at Purdue University in the fall.

Adit Chandra, 2015 Mr. Science, recently graduated from Carmel High School in Carmel, where he was named an AP Scholar, Indiana Academic All-Star, US National Chemistry Olympiad National Finalist, and Intel ISEF International Finalist. Chandra was selected to the Carmel Education Foundation Board, served as the President of the Science Olympiad, and co-founded and captained the Science Bowl club at Carmel High School. He won a state championship in cross country and played saxophone for the junior all-state band. He also conducted research with professors at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Chandra plans to attend Harvard University in the fall.

Helena Ma, 2015 Miss Science, recently graduated from Carmel High School in Carmel, where she was a National AP Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, and Presidential Scholar Semifinalist. There, she participated in the Science Bowl, Math Club, Physics Bowl, Chemistry Olympiad, and Science Olympiad. Ma was also a member of the National Honor Society, Student Government House of Representatives, Principal’s Advisory Council, and served as editor-in-chief of her school’s newspaper. She also conducted research with a professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and volunteered regularly at St. Vincent’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She plans to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall.

Indiana’s top math and science students were nominated earlier this year, and a panel of STEM professionals, teachers, and university selected the winners based on academic performance, work in research, leadership, community service, and extracurricular involvement. Nominations for the 2016 Mr. and Miss Math and Science awards will open next s

Indianapolis, IN – Governor Mike Pence has declared a period of mourning in the wake of last week’s shooting in Tennessee which took the lives of four U.S. Marines and one Navy Sailor and is directing flags at state facilities statewide to be flown at half-staff beginning today, July 21. Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, July 28.

Governor Pence also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff to pay tribute to these brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation and our freedom.