According to his candidate profile on the IU Board of Trustees election site, Asdell focuses on his passion for IU, but he reminded listeners at the candidate forum June 5 that organization plays a key role in his passion as well.
“I am a very organized, driven and passionate person,” Asdell said in an email. “I feel strongly about Indiana University as I attended IU for seven years. I feel that I am the most connected to IU of the candidates for trustee as I have a daughter there and a son who recently graduated from IU. I wish the other two candidates the best of luck”.
In his candidate profile online, Asdell said he feels the next 10 years are critical for IU as the cost of higher education continues to rise.
“It is imperative that those in charge are informed, aggressive and proactive,” Asdell said in his profile. “Your trustee should be hard working and insightful with regard to the changing attitudes and perceptions of the 21st Century college student”.
Asdell was willing to mention the recent threats to campus security during the candidate forum. In order to keep 21st-Century students safer, he said he feels “that student awareness and seminars regarding student safety should be a monthly event. My daughter starts at IU, and my concern for her safety and all IU students is paramount.”
Asdell’s daughter Elizabeth starts at IU in the fall and play on the IU volleyball team.
Having sent both of his children to IU, Asdell said he will work hard to ensure that IU remains “the best bang” for students’ educational dollar.
“I feel there is no greater pride than being an IU graduate,” Asdell said in an email. “It is not very often when traveling that you won’t run into someone who has an IU degree or a connection to IU. Wear that IU banner with pride!”
Asdell attended IU in the late 1970s after graduating from Loogootee High School, a small school in southern Indiana. After graduation from IU School of Dentistry in 1983, Asdell completed a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, he said.
In 1986, he moved to South Bend and has been in full private practice ever since. He has been the sole owner of his practice since 2001. He’s been a lifetime member of the IU Alumni Association since 1984 and is currently a member of the IU Varsity Club board and a former board member of the IUSD Alumni Association, he said.
Asdell is an Eagle Scout and has been a member of the LaSalle Council Executive Board and Boy Scouts of America, for 15 years. He’s currently the Chief of the Dental Department at Memorial Hospital in South Bend and also a member of the St Joseph Co. Airport Authority Board.
Asdell said his hobbies include flying, tennis, music, playing the drums, lake time, and watching all IU teams play.
“I feel strongly that active participation is the key to success with any organization,” Asdell said.
All of Asdell’s family have attended IU. Asdell’s wife, Rulan, is also a graduate of the IU School of Dental Hygiene. His son Patrick graduated from IU in 2012 with a B.A. in biology and is currently enrolled in medical school.
Asdell is currently the head oral surgeon for the Indiana Mission of Mercy project, which will provide charitable dentistry to more than 2,000 patients who are unable to afford regular dental care.
For students preparing to use their IU degree, Asdell offers his advice.
“My best advice is to not stop learning just because you have graduated,” Asdell said. “Your degree is a ‘starter kit’ for life, if you will. Use that degree as a stepping stone for success. Expand your horizon even more as you go out in to the world.”
