Westfield police Det. Samuel Newlin-Haus has been awarded the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion for his contribution to a neighborhood revitalization project.
Newlin-Haus, who will be completing a masters of public affairs from IUPUI in May, received the recognition after working with a team of five graduate students on the revitalization plan for the Riley Area Development Corporation and the Old Southside Neighborhood Association in Indianapolis to complete his capstone project.
Through meetings with residents, examining properties and collecting more than 53,000 pieces of information, the team was able to present a list of actionable recommendations to reduce blighted, vacant and abandoned homes in the area. As a result, the RADC incorporated the recommendations in their master plan, with the team’s work being used to guide future developmental decisions in the area.
“The experience was meaningful because it allowed our team to collaborate with the community in order to address an important, ‘real world’ social issue and see the true value of the project to those who lived in the neighborhood and desperately wanted the area revitalized,” Newlin-Haus said.
In addition to the capstone project, Newlin-Haus also was selected for the award for his role as president of Pi Alpha Alpha (National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration) from 2014-2015.
“Serving as president for Pi Alpha Alpha was very meaningful because it had a positive effect on both the student and local community,” Newlin-Haus said. “I was fortunate to be part of an organization where I could help serve my community in order to help make a difference.”
Newlin-Haus grew up in Kalamazoo, Mich. and resides in Westfield. He holds a bachelor’s degree in near Eastern languages and culture and criminal justice.
The William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion was established to recognize students who demonstrate exemplary commitment to their communities during their years as an IUPUI student.
