About the Communal Studies Center - University of Southern Indiana

USI campus to reopen, classes resume, January 28

Change is never easy, and we know this is a challenging time as you navigate recent announcements affecting programs and operations at Oakland City University. We want you to know that your educational journey doesn’t have to pause.

At the University of Southern Indiana, we are fully committed to helping you transition seamlessly so you can stay on track with your education journey. We’ve designed this dedicated page specifically for you to explore our programs, access resources, learn about credit transfers and continue your education with minimal interruption.

>> OCU Student Information

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Center Staff

Board of Advisors:

Dr. Franziska Bechtel (2027) Research Associate Insitut für Theologie, Diakonie, Ethik AGAPLESION gAG, Frankfurt Germany	franziska-bechtel@gmx.de
Dr. Greg Blair (2029) Assistant Professor of Art and Design University of Southern Indiana	gblair1@usi.edu
Ms. Wendy Bredhold (2026) Senior Manager Transmission Initiative National Audubon Society’s Climate Team (USI '98)	wendybredhold@gmail.com
Dr. Gregory W. Brown (2029) Educator (ret.)	drgwbrown@aol.com
Dr. Andrew Buck (2027) Professor of Sociology Advisor, Communal Studies Minor University of Southern Indiana	adbuck@usi.edu
Ms. Jennifer Greene Archivist, University of Southern Indiana Associate Professor of Library Science (USI BA '03, MALS '09)	jagreene@usi.edu
Dr. Matthew Hanka (2027) Professor of Political Science University of Southern Indiana	mjhanka@usi.edu
Dr. Donald E. Janzen (2029) Consultant (ret.)	don.janzen@yahoo.com
Dr. Joshua Lockyer (2029) Professor of Anthropology Arkansas Tech University	jlockyer@atu.edu
Dr. Carol Medlicott (2026) Professor emerita of Geography Northern Kentucky University	medlicottc1@nku.edu
Dr. Tristra Newyear (2029) Lecturer Central Eurasian Studies Indiana University Publisher and Novelist	hitnewyear@gmail.com
Mr. G. Graham Perry III (2025) Tennessee Historical Commission Columbia State Community College	graham.perry@tn.gov
Dr. Donald Pitzer Professor emeritus of History Founding Director, Center for Communal Studies University of Southern Indiana	dpitzer@usi.edu
Dr. Claudia Roesch (2029) Assistant Professor of Modern History University of Konstanz, Germany	claudia.roesch@uni-konstanz.de
Dr. Kristalyn Shefveland (2026) Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts Professor of History University of Southern Indiana	kmshefvela@usi.edu
Dr. Michael Strezewski (2028) Professor of Anthropology University of Southern Indiana	mstrezewsk@usi.edu
Ms. Leslie Townsend Director of Community Engagement Interim Director of Historic New Harmony University of Southern Indiana USI (BS '88, MA '08)	ltownsen@usi.edu

Ex Officio

Dr. Del Doughty Dean of the College of Liberal Arts University of Southern Indiana	ddoughty1@usi.edu
Dr. Jason Hardgrave Assistant Provost Associate Professor of History University of Southern Indiana	jhardgrave@usi.edu
Ms. Marna Hostetler Director of David L. Rice Library University of Southern Indiana	marna.hostetler@usi.edu

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Center for Communal Studies