Indiana State University is pioneering a new era of donor engagement with the launch of Samantha, its first-ever Virtual Engagement Officer (VEO), on Wednesday, April 2. Samantha, an AI-driven innovation developed in partnership with Givzey, is designed to enhance the donor experience by providing a personalized and interactive connection to the University.

Indiana State University Associate Professor and Faculty Senate Chair James Gustafson will serve as the Royden B. Davis Visiting Chair in Iranian History at Georgetown University in Fall 2025. This highly acclaimed appointment is given to an internationally recognized scholar who trains Georgetown students in foreign affairs, governmental service, and the humanities. 

Indiana State University alumni Charlie and Terri Lentz have generously made a gift through their estate plan to the women’s basketball program in support of advancing the development of student-athletes and enhancing the team’s resources to achieve excellence on the court and in the classroom.

The Yang Family University Art Gallery at Indiana State University has launched its Annual Juried Student Exhibition, which celebrates a selection of work by undergraduate and graduate students from any major. As part of a competition with guest jurors, this exhibition showcasing a wide array of techniques is available from March 17 to April 11, 2025, with a public reception on April 3 from 4–6 p.m.

Version2, Givzey’s AI R&D lab researching, developing, and accelerating the deployment of the world’s first fully autonomous fundraiser, announced the third cohort of nonprofit Innovation Partners to introduce the Virtual Engagement Officer (VEO) to donors. Indiana State University is the first university in Indiana to partner with Givzey and is among 12 other organizations in its cohort.

The Indiana State University Board of Trustees meeting on February 28, 2025, approved academic program and course-specific fee adjustments and new certificate and academic programs.

The Division of University Advancement at Indiana State University is proud to welcome four new development professionals, strengthening the University’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections and securing vital support for students, faculty, and programs. These new team members—Kelsey Fagg, Rondrell Moore, Tyson Baldwin, and Ryan Olson—bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to their roles, helping to advance Indiana State University’s fundraising success.

Dr. James Gustafson, Associate Professor of History at Indiana State University, has released a new book that explores Iranian history from an environmental perspective. The Lion and the Sun: Environmental History and the Formation of Modern Iran is described as essential reading for scholars and students of global environmental history and the modern Middle East.