Alumni Profile
James Yeakel
BA'95, Humanities
President and CEO, Kokomo Heritage Federal Credit Union
Why I chose IU
I spent three years at Elmhurst College in Chicago, where I played basketball, but wasn't the greatest student. After three years I was still ranked as a sophomore academically. I left Elmhurst and worked for a few months in a job that required physical labor. I quickly noticed the difference between having a degree and not having one when it came to job options. I entered IU Kokomo initially because it allowed me to stay in the area and still earn a degree. I soon came to appreciate the very individualized attention that students receive at IU Kokomo across the board.
Favorite memories of IU
When I became a student at IU Kokomo, I turned my athletic focus to academics. I took classes nonstop for 2 ½ years; I lived in the library. My favorite memories during that time are working with IU Kokomo faculty such as Gary Dolph and Sue Ridlen. Sally and Colin Black encouraged me to be in a University Theatre production, The Three Cinderellas. I don't know if that is an experience I would have had if not for their encouragement. Marcia Gillette made chemistry interesting, not an easy thing to do. And I took two years of Spanish with Victor Krebs … something that I still use today in my professional life when I am working with non-English speaking customers at the credit union. One of my fondest memories is being involved with the IU Kokomo Honors Program. Jon Kofas was instrumental in getting me involved in the program. While I was already focused on good grades, the Honors program made you shoot for a higher goal than just graduating, and it greatly improved my work ethic.
Advice to undergraduates
I have the perspective of the non-traditional age student. I've lived the challenges. A degree does open doors for you, but it's up to you as to what you do with that opportunity to achieve something. Take advantage of the opportunities at IU Kokomo and try something that you might not normally try. You never know when that experience will help you down the line.
Why the IU Alumni Association is important to me
I am proud of being an alumnus and of how IU Kokomo is growing. I strongly feel that it is important to give something back, especially when you get to a point where you have something to offer. Being active with the Alumni Association gives me the opportunity to do that. I am able to connect with current students as a mentor, and I want to help the campus become an even bigger focus for community life. IU Kokomo is needed now more than ever before with recent changes away from a manufacturing-based economy in north central Indiana. As new business ventures explore the region, we have to be able to say we have an educated, competent workforce ready. Becoming active in the Alumni Association is a wonderful way to support the university and help ensure that our community continues to reap the benefits of having a baccalaureate institution in our area — a higher standard of living, higher income levels, and cultural offerings.