Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences Recognizes Outstanding Alumni 

The University of Indianapolis’s Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences proudly recognized outstanding alumni who have achieved exceptional success and leveraged their UIndy education to make a significant impact in their field, within their communities, and in the world.

This year’s Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Alumni Awards recipients were:

Randy Fearnow ’77 (Political Science)

Randy Fearnow was raised in Wabash County, Indiana, and graduated from Northfield High School. Inspired by his great-aunt, Eloise Marshall — an alumna of Indiana Central College from the 1930s and first-generation college student — Fearnow chose to follow in her footsteps, enrolling at Indiana Central College in 1973.

After earning his degree in 1977, Fearnow was accepted to Indiana University Indianapolis School of Law and embarked on a distinguished legal career. Before his admission to the bar in 1981, he served in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, where he trained as a trial attorney. He later specialized in health law, first as general counsel for a health care trade association and subsequently in private practice.

In 2008, Fearnow relocated his principal office to Chicago, fulfilling a lifelong dream of living near Wrigley Field and becoming a Chicago Cubs season ticket holder. He and his wife, Beth Compton — also an accomplished attorney — reside in Chicago while maintaining strong ties to the Indianapolis community.

Effective October 1, 2025, following forty-four years in practice, Fearnow retired as a partner from Quarles & Brady in Chicago. He remains licensed in both Indiana and Illinois, occasionally accepting pro bono matters while he and Beth pursue their shared passions for travel, live theater, and music.

Geoffrey Lapin ’72 (Music)

Following his graduation from UIndy, Geoffrey Lapin went on to earn his Master of Music in Performance from Butler University and pursued additional postgraduate study at Indiana University.

Lapin enjoyed a remarkable 44-year career as a cellist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, where he held the Ambassador Randall L. Tobias Cello Chair. He also performed with The Esch Piano Trio, the first Artists-in-Residence at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Following his retirement, he began a second career in higher education, teaching at Ivy Tech Community College, Butler University, and Franklin College.

Alongside his musical accomplishments, Lapin is a prolific writer. He has created award-winning educational materials and video scripts—including one that received a national TELLY Award—and authored program notes for major arts organizations including the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra and the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. His writings have appeared in publications from Johns Hopkins University Press, the University of Iowa Press, and the Indiana Historical Society, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, PEOPLE, Highlights for Children, as well as in Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. Geoffrey has also been interviewed on NBC’s Today Show!

A devoted community volunteer, Lapin has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, portrayed Santa Claus at charitable events, and founded Central Indiana’s first Gay and Lesbian Switchboard.

Anita Samuel ’98 (Political Science)

Anita Samuel’s distinguished career in public service began right here at UIndy. Encouraged by her mentor, Dr. Graham, she completed an internship with the Indiana Senate—an experience that opened the door to mentors who guided her future in state government.

She went on to serve in key roles in the offices of Secretaries of State Sue Ann Gilroy and Todd Rokita, as well as in the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. Samuel later joined Governor Mitch Daniels’ administration, where she served eight years as General Counsel and Policy Director, leading transformative reforms in state government. Her leadership helped implement a pay-for-performance system, centralize human resources, modernize the civil service system, and launch consumer-driven health plans.

Recognized for her expertise, Samuel was appointed by Governor Mike Pence as Director of the State Personnel Department, overseeing HR services for more than 25,000 employees and establishing the state’s first on-site employee health clinic.

In 2016, Samuel brought her talents to Strada Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting education and careers, and where she now serves as Vice President of Benefits and Compensation. A dedicated alumna, she has served 12 years on the UIndy Alumni Board, including two as president.

Dr. Shariq Siddiqui ’96 (History)

Dr. Shariq Siddiqui serves as assistant professor of philanthropic studies and director of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School, a Juris Doctor from the McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Indianapolis.

A respected scholar and author, Dr. Siddiqui’s research focuses on Muslim philanthropy and the Muslim nonprofit sector. His national study of Islamic schools in the United States led to his co-authored book, Islamic Education in the United States and the Evolution of Muslim Nonprofit Institutions. He is also the author of four additional books, including Understanding Muslim Philanthropy and Nonprofit Collaborations in Diverse Communities.

Dr. Siddiqui serves as Editor-in-Chief of both the Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society and the Muslim Humanitarianism Review, and has previously served as co-editor of the Journal on Education in Muslim Societies and series editor for the Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society book series, all published by Indiana University Press.

Before joining the Lilly Family School, he served as Executive Director of the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action, an international network of scholars and practitioners advancing the study of philanthropy and civil society.

Sue Workman ’81 (Mathematics)

A native of Greenwood, Indiana, Sue Workman graduated from UIndy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in computer technology.

Workman is a nationally recognized leader in higher education technology, celebrated for her visionary approach to innovation, collaboration, and leadership development. Most recently, she served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Case Western Reserve University, where she led groundbreaking initiatives, including HoloAnatomy, an award-winning mixed-reality anatomy curriculum developed in collaboration with Microsoft. She also helped create the university’s Interactive Commons, strengthened research cyberinfrastructure, and guided the institution’s technology transition through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to joining Case Western Reserve, Workman spent 23 years in progressive leadership roles at Indiana University, earning recognition as a transformative IT executive. She has served on the boards of EDUCAUSE and the Northeast Ohio Cybersecurity Consortium, and currently serves on two corporate boards. In addition, she continues to mentor emerging leaders as an executive leadership coach with MOR Associates.

Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with the EDUCAUSE Leadership Award, Indiana University’s Presidential Medal, and numerous national honors for innovation in educational technology.