Reprinted in part by permission from the IUPUI Newsroom
Sheila Gilbert dedicates her life to helping the poor. And her actions were noted and recognized by the IUPUI School of Liberal Arts during its Alumni Awards ceremony on May 9 where she and three other alumni were recognized.
“Sheila Gilbert is a wonderful example of liberal arts alumni making a difference,” said William Blomquist, dean of the IU School of Liberal Arts. “It’s a joy to recognize her career and community achievements and to add her to the rolls of accomplished alumni of
the school.”
Each year the Liberal Arts Alumni Association recognizes alumni and friends of the School of Liberal Arts for their achievements and service. The Distinguished Alumni Service Award recognizes outstanding alumni who distinguish themselves either professionally or by giving extraordinary service to the school/university. Sheila was bestowed that award for her work with people in need. The awards were presented as part of the school’s annual celebration of its graduating classes, which took place at the Indianapolis Arts Garden.
Honorees were nominated by faculty, community members and alumni, and the final selections were made by the Alumni Association Board.
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Sheila is the national president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She is a past president of the society’s Indianapolis Council and currently facilitates its educational program, Changing Lives, a 26-week training and educational program that helps low-income families exit poverty.
She was a St. Mary-of-the-Woods College Adjunct faculty member and previously served as director of Project CLASS, a career development and work experience program of Indianapolis Public Schools for more than 800 economically disadvantaged adults.
“Sheila is the unpaid servant leader of an organization that yearly provides more than half a billion dollars’ worth of goods and services to people in need in the United States,” said Robert White, professor and chair of sociology. “I cannot conceive of an alumna who brings more honor to the IU School of Liberal Arts than Sheila Gilbert.”
