Emily Mauntel Raises Sheep Under MIU Solar Array

by Jeff Whitten | Sep 20, 2022 | Achievements, MIU News

August 22, 2022 • ISSUE 636

Emily Mauntel Raises Sheep Under MIU Solar Array

For the past several months, a small flock of Dorper sheep has been grazing under the MIU MEG’Array west of campus. The solar array, installed by Ideal Energy in 2018, provides a shaded, fenced-in enclosure, perfect for Emily Mauntel’s first flock of her own.

Emily graduated from MIU in 2020 with a BS in regenerative organic agriculture. She has worked on several farms in Oregon, Virginia, Missouri, and South Carolina tending sheep and cattle. Last winter she returned to Fairfield and has been working on the MIU Student Farm.

“I saw these large solar arrays around the country and realized we have something here in Fairfield,” she said. Emily contacted Tom Brooks, vice president of operations, with her idea to put a flock under the solar array. She then partnered with Robert Barker in nearby Keosauqua, who bought the sheep and gave Emily thirty head to graze. Since May the flock has grown to 35, with several ewes pregnant.

Sheep grazing under the solar panels

“Sheep are my favorite livestock,” said Emily. “They are easy to manage and they don’t damage the solar panels.” The sheep have enough grass to eat on the five-acre lot, and all Emily has to provide is water, which she delivers with a water truck twice a week.

“We are very pleased with the results of this summer grazing project,” said Tom Brooks. “Emily is very knowledgeable and the sheep eliminated a tough mowing job. This is certainly a low carbon sustainable alternative to mowing 4-5 times a year.”

The flock now has five new lambs

Samuel Tumdedo—Humanitarian Software Developer

by Jeff Whitten | Sep 20, 2022 | Achievements, MIU News

August 16, 2022 • ISSUE 635

Samuel Tumdedo

Humanitarian Software Developer

MIU student Samuel Tumdedo grew up in a family of farmers in Ethiopia and studied hydraulic engineering at Arba Minch University. As a Christian, he wanted to use his education to help communities in need, so he decided to do humanitarian work.

He joined World Vision International, where he worked as an infrastructure engineer, and then was promoted to water supply design engineer on area development programs in various parts of Ethiopia.

Later he worked for Samaritan’s Purse International in South Sudan, supporting the water and sanitation needs of several large refugee camps, serving hundreds of thousands of displaced people. He managed different projects, working with various humanitarian organizations in a war zone under extremely difficult weather conditions.

While with Samaritan’s Purse he also spent three years in Cambodia, managing water supply, sanitation, and hygiene programs for refugee camps.

Samuel with children in Cambodia

After many years of living under stressful and unsafe conditions, Samuel needed a change. He had always been interested in technology and programming, and he began working on IT projects with friends while still working with humanitarian organizations. In 2019 he got a job in Maryland and moved to the US. But he wanted to further improve his skills, so he joined the Master’s in Software Development program at MIU.

Samuel enjoys the healthy vegetarian meals on campus and his daily practice of the Transcendental Meditation® technique. “I’m not accumulating stress anymore because I have a way to release it,” he said.

“The education system, coupled with TM at the beginning and end of the day, makes me feel like I am understanding something deeper, like I am more connected to God, and have a deeper appreciation of my own religion.”

Samuel hopes to use his software development skills to work with humanitarian organizations and contribute to educational systems in underdeveloped countries.

Saipriya Gowrishankar—From Physician to Professor

by Jeff Whitten | Aug 8, 2022 | Achievements, MIU News

August 8 2022 • ISSUE 634

Saipriya Gowrishankar

From Physician to Professor

Saipriya Gowrishankar grew up in India in a large family of doctors and, from a young age, aspired to become a physician. She attended medical school in India, then worked at a women’s health and fertility clinic in Chennai. Twenty years ago she moved to the United States with her physician husband.

In the US she has worked in various hospital systems on clinical trials and research projects and settled down in Cleveland, Ohio. While doing a volunteer project for her spiritual teacher, she was charged with the collection and digitization of Ayurvedic scriptures found all over the world.

“I was amazed by all the knowledge I found in my Ayurvedic scriptural research,” said Dr. Gowrishankar. “I realized Ayurveda bridges the gaps in my medical knowledge that I don’t have answers for.”

During her research, she also heard about Maharishi’s revival of the role of consciousness in Ayurveda. She learned the Transcendental Meditation® technique in 2018 and enrolled in the online MS in Maharishi AyurVeda® and Integrative Medicine program in 2019.

“The first thing that attracted me to MIU was Consciousness-Based education,” said Dr. Gowrishankar. “I fell in love with Transcendental Meditation, and every day my enthusiasm increased.”

She left her job to focus on her studies and, in her second year at MIU, was offered a teaching assistant position. Upon her graduation last December, she became a graduate instructor. Dr. Gowrishankar discovered she loved teaching, so she decided to earn a PhD in health and physiology at MIU.

Dr. Gowrishankar plans to launch an integrative medicine private practice and collaborate with colleagues at hospitals in the Cleveland area to further her research on Ayurveda. “My friends in integrative medicine are very open to the concepts of Ayurveda,” she said. “I want to bring Ayurveda to the scientific community.”

Dr. Gowrishankar has also immersed herself in studying Maharishi Vedic Science℠ and Maharishi Jyotish℠ and looks forward to taking the TM-Sidhi® course.

Ymane Lakhlif—Maharishi Ayurveda Student and Clinic Manager

by Jeff Whitten | Aug 5, 2022 | Achievements, MIU News

August 1 2022 • ISSUE 633

Ymane Lakhlif

Maharishi Ayurveda Student and Clinic Manager

MIU student Ymane Lakhlif grew up in New York City and competed in swimming throughout high school and college. She also earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of nine.

Coming from a Moroccan heritage, she has always had an interest in natural health. In college she majored in biology and, after graduating, she combined her interests in sports and health to train as a fitness instructor. She began her career in a fitness club on Wall Street, where she quickly became one of the top trainers and the first woman to rise to a management position there.

With MIU students at the Doshi Center

Four years ago Ymane moved to Los Angeles and continued managing fitness studios. In 2020, when the COVID pandemic hit, all the studios shut down and she was without work. At the same time she developed a digestive health issue, which she was able to resolve with the help of traditional Chinese medicine. This spurred her to research Eastern medicine and eventually pursue a master’s degree in Maharishi AyurVeda® and Integrative Medicine at MIU.

“I wanted to continue my education with something substantial, not just a certificate,” said Ymane. “I appreciate the in-depth knowledge we are learning in class and I see myself doing this for a long time.”

During clinical practice with students and MIU faculty members Anita Mishra and Roxanna Medeiros

When she heard about the opening of MIU’s Navin and Pratima Doshi Center for Integrative Medicine in Los Angeles, she was eager to help. For the past year she has worked as operations manager of the clinic, as well as host of a weekly webinar featuring MIU’s faculty and guest experts. In addition, she oversees the renovations of the building along with her husband, who is the building’s manager.

The practice of the Transcendental Meditation® technique helps Ymane stay calm and focused with her busy schedule as a student and a manager. “Life can be very hectic and TM keeps me grounded,” she said.

In her free time, Ymane enjoys working out every day and maintaining a routine that centers on self-care.

Yick Oi Janet Ho—The Dao De Jing in Light of Maharishi Vedic Science

by Jeff Whitten | Aug 5, 2022 | Achievements, MIU News

July 25 2022 • ISSUE 632

Yick Oi Janet Ho

The Dao De Jing in Light of Maharishi Vedic Science

Yick Oi Janet Ho grew up in Hong Kong and has had an interest in language, literature, and Chinese philosophy from a young age. She earned a master’s degree in education and worked as a curriculum developer and coordinator for schools with special-needs students.

She learned the TM® and TM®-Sidhi programs in Hong Kong and became interested in studying the science of Maharishi’s technologies. She applied to the MA in Maharishi Vedic Science℠ program and enrolled in 2012. After graduating from the master’s program, she practiced reading the Vedic literature and began the coursework for the PhD program in Maharishi Vedic Science.

Dr. Ho then decided to pursue the application of Maharishi Vedic Science to a specific field and enrolled in the MBA program. “The first course I took was with Vicki Alexander Herriott, and I was so impressed by how she incorporated Maharishi Vedic Science into the material,” she said. “So I poured my whole heart into it and I enjoyed it very much.”

With classmates in the Maharishi Vedic Science Department in 2014

Dr. Ho completed her PhD in management, graduating this June with an Outstanding Student Award. In her doctoral dissertation she explored the principles of management in the Dao De Jing in light of Maharishi Vedic Science. Her current research interests include discovering consciousness factors in ancient Chinese philosophies.

“I experienced a transformation through Maharishi’s knowledge and technologies and from understanding the Dao De Jing based on Maharishi Vedic Science,” said Dr. Ho. “That transformation was the best gift; it gave me a deep sense of satisfaction.”

Receiving her doctorate in 2022

During the past 10 years Dr. Ho translated the official website of the Transcendental Meditation organization into Chinese and has published over 200 articles in Chinese on spirituality, philosophy, and life management.

Dr. Ho now works as assistant professor of management, administrative director of the College of Business Administration, and director of the BA in Business Administration program for South Africa.

Samuel Bartolome Valiente—Outstanding Computer Science Student

by Jeff Whitten | Jul 11, 2022 | Achievements, MIU News

July 11, 2022 • ISSUE 631

Samuel Bartolome Valiente

Outstanding Computer Science Student

MIU graduate Samuel Bartolome Valiente grew up in Spain and learned the Transcendental Meditation® technique at the age of six. His father had encouraged him to apply to MIU, and they visited campus in 2003. In 2018 Samuelfinally applied.

Prior to enrolling at MIU, Samuel worked in the family’s retail business for 16 years. He has always enjoyed computers, so he decided to earn a BS in computer science at MIU.

“It was a really great program and my professors were amazing,” he said. “They allowed me to take some courses with the graduate students in the ComPro Program. I also felt supported during my stay by the faculty and staff.”

Samuel with Professors Anne Dow and Cathy Gorini and classmate Kidist Zihon

The block system of taking one course at a time was an extremely beneficial aspect of his education at MIU. It allowed him to immerse himself in one subject at a time and improve his retention of the material. He also enjoyed the healthy daily routine. “You are in an environment where it’s easy to practice TM; it’s part of your class.”

Samuel graduated this June with an Outstanding Student Award. For the first time in three years, he was able to return to Spain and reunite with his wife and daughter.

In July Samuel is returning to campus to complete his one-year Optional Practical Training (OPT) for international students. He is joining the team that maintains the Computer Science Department’s online education platforms. He is excited to return to campus to continue learning and gaining valuable experience, and this time he will be able to bring his family.