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A relaxed, confident Martin University President Dr. Eugene White appeared on Afternoons with Amos at the start of the University’s Homecoming Week to talk about the university and the progress its making.  Dr. White who’s been President of Martin University for over a year talked first about the school’s homecoming events, which including naming 22nd Street next to the University – Father Boniface Hardin Way after the university’s founder.  Dr. White said the school is making progress with nearly 450 students enrolled in the Fall semester.  White said efforts are being made to make the university more student focused and friendly.  Asked about the academic and financial problems that had brought complaints from students and scrutinity for accrediation agencies, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the US Department of Education, White said substantial progress was being made in correcting those deficiencies. Asked what the differences were in running a small university versus a large K-12 school system, White said things were more deliberative, the pace a bit slower.  But White’s enthusiasm for Martin University’s mission was infectious.  And about having a Homecoming without any athletic teams, Martin University may not have teams, but they have a team nickname (Bears)  and Dr. White boasted that Martin University is “undefeated”.  Given his decades of experience in urban public education, Afternoons with Amos asked Dr. White to comment on a couple of recent incidents involving his former mission, the Indianapolis Public Schools.  Dr. White expressed concern over the amounts of huge amounts of money being spent in the IPS School Board race.  White noted that the trend of big money flooding school board elections is occurring in school districts across the country. White felt strongly that the public deserved the right to know who’s donating to those campaigns.,  On the recent incident at IPS John Marshall High School where a student was arrested with a loaded gun and IPS didn’t notify parents or the public, Dr. White reminded that when he was IPS Superintendent, he had a policy of openness and transparency on those issues.  He felt strongly that should occur with all schools, even a Martin University.  Click the Media Player to Hear the Afternoons with Amos Interview with Martin University President Dr. Eugene White. Runs 18 Minutes ©2014 WTLC/Radio One.