Member Profile

Robert L. Hayes Sr.
BGS’95

Global Supply Management Specialist, Delphi Delco Electronics

Robert Hayes always wanted to be a teacher when he was growing up. He achieved that dream, but not in the way you might think. His is not a traditional classroom with walls and a blackboard. Instead, Hayes's classroom is the community of Kokomo, Ind., where he teaches by example.

With a full family life, a strong commitment to community and church involvement, and a demanding professional career, Hayes could have been forgiven for thinking that the opportunity to earn a university degree had passed him by. But the value of IU's regional campuses is evident in Hayes's case, and gave this accomplished professional one of his proudest personal achievements.

"Indiana University had a local campus that was within my finances and easy to access," says Hayes. "I was a nontraditional student. I was married and had a family. I chose the general studies degree, because it fit my time and lifestyle."

Why would someone in Hayes's position pursue a degree midway through a successful career? His explanation is simple. "It helped open doors that would have been closed if I did not have a degree. Your opportunities increase vastly with a degree. The financial benefits alone are reason enough to enroll and graduate. Your options in job selection are increased. Also, your degree provides you with independence to withstand any situation," says Hayes.

Hayes has fond memories of the time he spent as an IU Kokomo student. Hayes cites Dr. Herbert Miller and Walter Doering as his mentors. Their influence, says Hayes, not only helped him develop as a person, but through his work as a city councilman in Kokomo, also enabled him to serve the community with the tools he developed at IU. Hayes continues to speak out to promote greater diversity and understanding in his community.

"Connectivity" and "progress" are two words that sum up Hayes's personal and civic philosophy. He offers some good advice on how IU can better connect with its alumni. "Give alumni a reason to connect. It has to be more than just because you graduated from IU. IU must give alumni something to buy into — scholarship, community service, social activities, and alumni discounts," says Hayes. The IUAA is involved in each of those areas, which may be part of the reason that Hayes is a member.

A high-quality IU education should be available to every qualified student, Hayes believes, adding that higher learning benefits not only students, but also the communities in which they live.

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