Alumni Profile
Why I chose IU
I had always wanted to attend Indiana University, but I wanted classes that were smaller. I wanted professors that knew my name. At IU Kokomo, that was what I got. I always felt like I was able to get help when I needed it, join activities, and still be able to work. My years there provided me with incredible learning experiences and lifelong friendships.
Favorite memories of IU
Academically, Dr. Pulikonda introduced me to the scary world of economics. I was the only education major in that class. He did everything he could to help me understand. Today, I use some of his tactics to help my students when teaching the very same concepts. Dr. Chiu was an amazing instructor. However, when you have him three semesters in a row, writing 25-page papers gets exhausting! And of course, Dr. Margo Sorgman pushed me to become a better social studies teacher. Even after I went back post-masters, she and Kathy Parkison both introduced me to some new ways of teaching, and to not be afraid of the unknown. Tackle it head on and do the best job I can!
Regarding extracurricular activities, I would have to say getting involved in student activities. Debbie Clason was the best director ever! We were able to go to National Association for Campus Activities conferences and scout out new talent to bring back to IU Kokomo for students to enjoy. Being able to help plan events was great.
And of course, where the Kelley Center is now, used to be prime parking spots back then!
Advice to undergraduates
Get involved is the biggest thing! Try new things. I know how hard it is to go to school and work at the same time, but try to take advantage of what IU Kokomo has to offer. By getting out and meeting new people, you never know what connections you are making that can help you later on. Also, by getting involved in school, you are able to feel more comfortable in your surroundings.
Why the IU Alumni Association is important to me
I am very proud of being a Lifetime Alumni Association Member. It means a lot to me to see our campus grow to what it is now. I am also proud to be able to open up my classroom to future teachers from IU Kokomo so that they can use my classroom to enhance their teaching abilities. My sister, Barb Hall, and I traveled to Italy two years ago with Minda Douglas and Donna Mclean’s class. We ran into a group from Purdue at the Vatican. Of course we had a long discussion about who was better, Purdue or IU. I believe I won that debate! It’s the little moments that the Alumni Association provides: travel, friendships, mentoring opportunities, sporting events, the list goes on.