Up-close and Personal with Our Distinguished Asian/Pacific American Alumni Award Recipients
2006 Recipient: Belle Liang
What was your most memorable experience at Indiana University?
Biking through the hills of Brown County on a perfect October day. Every fall, I am reminded again of riding along quaint roads, seeing brilliant orange and red autumn leaves falling, and breathing crisp country air. There are few places that I have been that are as beautiful as IU and Bloomington.
What would you say to current students about following their dreams and achieving their potential?
When I returned to Bloomington to receive the award, I was deeply moved to see a room full of Asian-American students who had found each other and a home for sharing their experiences. Here, I thought, are the future recipients of the Distinguished Asian/Pacific American Alumni Award. What pride and joy I take in them, and in my alma mater, IU, which has encouraged the diversity and opportunities that make the growth of these students possible. In the end, my fondest reflection on being the first recipient of this award is knowing that I am merely the first of many to come.
How did IU help you prepare you for your future?
When I was an IU student, I felt as though I was one of the only Asian-Americans in a gigantic sea of white faces — this gave me a fundamental sense of aloneness at times. Through this aloneness, I gained a deep appreciation for the mentoring of Professor Ken Heller and for my spiritual journey — both of which enabled me to embrace my difference and not be afraid of striking out on new ground.