MONTGOMERY, Ind. — The public is invited to attend a special event celebrating a year of partnership between Daviess County and the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative. The event will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, at the Chandelier Barn at 6747 Gasthof Village Road, Montgomery, IN 47558.
Launched in 2024, the partnership brought together more than 550 IU students, faculty, and staff with local leaders and organizations in Daviess County to collaborate on 27 community-identified projects. Their work addressed key priorities such as enhancing childcare capacity, improving public safety, creating new recreational spaces, promoting ecological education, documenting Black history, improving access to healthcare, supporting business development and enhancing public spaces through art.
“The Sustaining Hoosier Communities program has been a real asset to Daviess County,” said Cindy Barber, Purdue Extension-Daviess County extension director and community development educator. “The student projects have brought fresh ideas, energy, and practical solutions to local needs. It’s been inspiring to see our community and these students working together to make a lasting, positive impact.”
Since 2017, Sustaining Hoosier Communities has been partnering local communities with Indiana University faculty, students, and staff to improve and enrich Hoosier health, prosperity, and vitality. The program has been honored with the 2025 W.K. Kellogg Community Engagement Scholarship Award for its impact in increasing engagement with communities through teaching and learning, discovery and service activities.
“Our collaboration with Daviess County has provided meaningful experience for our students who are stepping into the leadership roles of tomorrow,” said Denny Spinner, Center for Rural Engagement executive director. “Sustaining Hoosier Communities boosts rural Indiana’s vitality and builds professional pathways that align with students’ aspirations.”
In the 2025-26 academic year, Sustaining Hoosier Communities will hold an alumni community year, launching projects with previous partners in Lawrence, Orange, Greene, Washington, Dubois, and Daviess counties. Upcoming projects will focus on increasing access to healthcare, fundraising and grant writing for rural nonprofit organizations, business planning and strategies for future growth and engagement along the Monon South Trail corridor.
The August 28 celebration is free and open to the public. Dinner will be served by Gasthof Amish Village. Those planning to attend should RSVP at events.iu.edu/rural.
