Alumni Spotlight: June 2008

Brandi Derleth Host

Degree:
BS'96, tourism management

Family:
Steve Host, husband

Occupation:
Rooms division manager, Indiana Memorial Union

Favorite hangouts as an IU student:
Ironically enough, I did hang out in the IMU quite a bit. Yes, I did catch a few naps on the couches back in the day. My favorite place was the South Lounge because of the year-round fire in the fireplace. Today I feel guilty when I walk through there in high heels knowing I am disturbing the students taking naps!

I was also a big fan of Delights popcorn and made that my main course for lunch on many days. Most of my classes were in the HPER or Ballantine, so the IMU was perfectly situated for me to take a nap or grab a bite between classes.

Most enjoyable aspects of living in a college town:
There are so many; the restaurants, the culture, the constant flow of interesting people who visit our city due to the university.

I absolutely love Bloomington and think it is a great place to live and work. I know I am the envy of many of my college friends when they come to visit and are reminded of how great of a town it is. I really like that it is small enough that you feel like you are part of a community, but large enough that you still feel like there is an opportunity to meet new people.

Fondest memory of IU as a student:
There isn’t one particular memory that stands out for me, but the best time I spent at IU was my second year here. I transferred to IU as a junior from a much smaller junior college, and so the first year was a little overwhelming for me trying to find my spot in such a big place. So, by my second year, everything felt much more natural to me and I really started to appreciate everything IU had to offer rather than being intimidated by it.

I can remember going to the IU Art Museum and being in awe of the fact that we had a real Picasso in our museum and being so impressed that Union Board could bring big acts like Big Head Todd and Blues Traveler to the auditorium to perform. Those are some of the moments that have stuck with me over the years when I think about my time at IU as a student.

Where did you live?
Since I was a transfer student I did not live in the dorms at IU. My first place was a cute little studio apartment in a big house at the corner of Cottage Grove and Dunn. It was just a block behind Yogi’s, so that also became another favorite hangout of mine. I am thrilled that they have continued their success and have grown and expanded over the years. I have a lot of found memories from there including my first lunch there while my mom and I waited for the realtor to meet us to show usmy future apartment!