IU School of Liberal Arts

Amazing Alumni & Donors

Elisa Lucchi-Riester

Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish, 2007

While completing her undergraduate coursework at the University of Rome- La Sapienza in her native Italy, IUPUI alumna Elisa Lucchi-Riester had no intention of teaching. She was working towards a BA in Modern Languages: "I always knew I wanted to work with languages, because I loved them," she explains.

• Read more about Elisa

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Past Amazing Alumni & Donors

Jennifer Scorniaenchi, BA 2008

Psychology/Communication Studies

Jennifer Scorniaenchi is her name and achieving goals is her game. On and off the soccer field Scorniaenchi is a shining example of what a person can achieve once she puts her mind to it.

The Canadian native was recruited by IUPUI Coach Chris Johnson in 2003 while playing a soccer game here in the U.S.

Rashid Owoyele, BA 2010

IMP - Environmental Ethics and Design (Minor and Certificate in Environmental Science and Public Health)

When Rashid Owoyele dropped out of school and moved out of his home at the age of 16, life without a high school diploma was a challenge. He tried to proceed with his education through a correspondence program called American School. "I found it very difficult to teach myself algebra and physics so I never completed the program," says Owoyele.

Matt Markoff, BA 2003

Political Science

On his MySpace page, Matt Markoff appears in a suit and tie nearly as often as he shows up in jeans and a baggie hooded sweatshirt. This is because Matt is a lawyer and he is also M-Eighty, a rapper. He works behind the stage and performs on it. With degrees in Political Science and Law, he combines the academic and creative, the artistic and practical, landing Matt where he is today.

Paula Granger, BA 2008

Philosophy, Individualized Major

Paula Granger waits for no one when it comes to following her passion for learning--and doing. A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Granger says she chose IUPUI because, "I knew the degree from Indiana University would be respected wherever I went." Granger, now a distinguished May 2008 School of Liberal Arts graduate, is taking her new role as alum in stride-no surprise considering how quickly she made her own niche at IUPUI.

Andy Goodwin

Andy Goodwin (MAT, 2003)

When Andy Goodwin graduated from IUPUI in 2003 with a MA in Teaching Spanish, he soon found himself at Covenant Christian High School helping build a Spanish program from the bottom up. He recalls convincing students and parents that an immersion style learning environment could work. "Now Covenant alumni and their parents speak to future students about sticking with the program, which has taken a much better shape since its turbulent inception," he says.

Vanessa Clarkson

Vanessa Clarkson (BA Spanish 2006)

"Both the Spanish and the Cuban culture were instilled in me from a very young age," Vanessa Clarkson recalls. Stemming first from her heritage-Clarkson's mother was Cuban-this connection to language and culture now shapes her career. As a member of the Santa Ana Police Department in California, the 2006 IUPUI graduate with a degree in Spanish puts her love of language to use on a daily basis.

Miriam C. Delgado

Miriam C. Delgado (BA 1979 Spanish; JD 1988)

Miriam C. Delgado arrived in the United States with her family from Cuba after the revolution that put Fidel Castro in power. While adapting to her new country, Delgado and her brother began to forget their own culture, including the Spanish language. "Sadly, forgetting one's native language happens too frequently when young children come to the USA from abroad," Delgado says.

Frank & Patte Owings

Frank Owings, Jr (BA, 1971, English)

"Living Generously" is this year's theme for the Spirit and Place Civic Festival managed by the Polis Center of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. It is also a good description of how Frank Owings, Jr. (BA 1971, English) and his wife, Patte, have spent their time since retiring from Service Supply Co., Inc. nearly a decade ago.