About the Institute
In 2002, the Plowshares Collaborative was founded by Earlham, Goshen and Manchester Colleges and funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Out of this collaboration, the Indianapolis Peace Institute (formerly Indianapolis Peace House) was born. The Institute launched its first off-campus study program in 2004. This program provides students from around the United States with an opportunity to participate in rigorous academics. They engage in practical peacebuilding; linking these efforts to their chosen major(s) or career interests. The Institute also works to build peace in Indianapolis through our partnerships with community-based organizations and other agencies.
Our Mission
To provide dynamic academic and field experiences for students, across various disciplines
To teach conflict transformation skills
To develop leadership skills
To be an educational partner with other peacebuilding initiatives in our community
To engage questions of values, faith, beliefs, and ethical practice in peacebuilding
To teach conflict transformation skills
To develop leadership skills
To be an educational partner with other peacebuilding initiatives in our community
To engage questions of values, faith, beliefs, and ethical practice in peacebuilding
Board of Directors
Douglas C. Bennett | President, Earlham College
Nelson Bingham, Vice Chair | Provost, Earlham College
Nelson Bingham, Vice Chair | Provost, Earlham College
Jim Brenneman | President, Goshen College
Jan Clark | Vice President for Leadership Development & HR, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
Richard Hamilton | Retired Minister, United Methodist Church
Peter M. Michael, Chair | Director of Grants Administration, Clarian Health, Methodist-IU-Riley
Kim Overdyck, Executive Committee | Executive Director, Indianapolis Peace Institute
Alicia S. Roberts | Assistant Manager of Philanthropy, USA Funds
Jo Young Switzer | President, Manchester College
Martha Yoder, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer | Family Physician, HealthNet People’s Health Center
Jan Clark | Vice President for Leadership Development & HR, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
Richard Hamilton | Retired Minister, United Methodist Church
Peter M. Michael, Chair | Director of Grants Administration, Clarian Health, Methodist-IU-Riley
Kim Overdyck, Executive Committee | Executive Director, Indianapolis Peace Institute
Alicia S. Roberts | Assistant Manager of Philanthropy, USA Funds
Jo Young Switzer | President, Manchester College
Martha Yoder, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer | Family Physician, HealthNet People’s Health Center
Our Staff
Kim Overdyck, Executive Director
“Having lived most of my life in Africa, I understand and value the need for change. At the Institute, I am provided with an opportunity to continue my work with two important groups of young people: college students and youth impacted by violence.”
Laura Harms, Associate Director
“My international and domestic experiences with peacebuilding have emphasized the value of each person's contributions. I commit myself to a program that nurtures personal transformation and gives focus to the energy that is born from it.”
“Having lived most of my life in Africa, I understand and value the need for change. At the Institute, I am provided with an opportunity to continue my work with two important groups of young people: college students and youth impacted by violence.”
Laura Harms, Associate Director
“My international and domestic experiences with peacebuilding have emphasized the value of each person's contributions. I commit myself to a program that nurtures personal transformation and gives focus to the energy that is born from it.”
"Having experienced living in an urban and rural setting as well as having a background in communication studies, I look forward to utilizing the tools I have obtained to create collaborative efforts to promote social change."
"It's easy to think of peacebuilding as the work of politicians and diplomats, but I believe that we all have the potential to promote peace. It is vital that we begin to shift our perspectives, and I am excited to be a part of an organization that helps facilitate that change."
Image Credit: ©Michael Vaughn Photography.
