Chancellor Ray Wallace (left) receives the “Expect a Difference” Award for community service from Bob Kleehamer, senior vice president of River Valley Financial Bank.

By Rachel Terlep

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — IU Southeast Chancellor Ray Wallace recently accepted the River Valley Financial Bank “Expect a Difference” Award given to individuals and organizations that exemplify above and beyond community service.

IU Southeast has been a longtime provider of economic and educational growth to Southern Indiana. IU Southeast faculty and staff, in addition to providing an excellent educational environment, have increased their role in the community as a whole, especially since Dr. Wallace’s arrival on campus in 2014.

“In our campus strategic plan, we note that one of our most important missions is to help our student body understand the importance of a vibrant community, and, more importantly, how they can contribute through volunteerism to make their communities even more culturally and socially desirable places to live” says Wallace. “They learn these lessons by witnessing, and then replicating, the active community participation by our IUS faculty and staff. They are indeed great learners and, last year alone, they volunteered for over 6,000 hours in our service area.”

The River Valley Financial “Expect a Difference Award” recognizes organizations that have shown a leadership effort in promoting an atmosphere with an “above and beyond” attitude when it comes to customer service or serving their community.