When did you attend Indiana University and how would you describe the mood of the campus and the nation during that time period?
I attended Indiana University from the summer of 1970 through the summer of 1973 being the third oldest of eight children and the first to leave home to attend college. The mood of the country was similar to that on campus. The Temptations might say it was a Ball of Confusion! It was full of excitement for first generation students like me. It was excitement for legacy students and those free from the constraints of living at home and many like me being on their own for the first time. There was fear and excitement intertwined with the social movement of the 60’s which morphed into the dichotomy of the push toward individualism or as referred to by journalist, Tom Wolfe the “Me Decade.”
Racial tension fueled the campus – even as the minority population grew each year through programs such as the Groups Program, Upward Bound, and active recruitment of black athletes. Anger fueled the minds of many students – blacks and whites as protests became common on IU’s campus. Strangely enough, this anger brought about some racial harmony as students united to protest the Vietnam war, racial inequality, gay and lesbian rights, and voting rights. The mood was about power, privilege, and rights – Black power, voting power, drug power, learning power, and finding oneself in a world that now said “it’s your thing – do what you want to do.” The slogan “old enough to go to war – old enough to vote” resonated across college campuses and sit ins and stand ins were quite common on my campus. Yet, with so much discord, students rallied for peace and the flower children movement spread to a larger segment in our nation – not just among hippies was there a move toward love, peace, and simplistic values.
How do you think it influenced your experience?
Well, it influenced me to want to be on the side of doing the “right thing” based upon principles and not peer pressure. Oh, I gave in to some peer pressure but I didn’t want to be defined by a drug using – do your own thing culture. I changed my major several times before realizing I wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of people as opposed to making a lot of money.
What was your most daunting chapter as a student from Gary on the Bloomington campus?
My daunting chapter happened my sophomore year when I finally declared my major in Sociology and African American History. Financial add dried up and the four-year LEAP loan that I relied on along with grants/scholarships would end my junior year. I would have to take out a high interest loan to finish my last year of college. Because of the Groups summer program, I had an edge since I attended two summer sessions prior to my sophomore year. This gave me a jump and I took the maximum hours (19 – 21) allowed for the next 3 semesters and I finished college in 3 years instead of four. It was stressful since I had to cut back on my social life – the best part of college!
What challenges can you recall?
My biggest challenge was financial because the grants and loans would expire in one year as stated above. I didn’t want to go back to Gary and attend the extension because I lacked funding to stay on campus. I am so glad that the school system of Gary prepared me for the challenges of college life – even though I had been told that I wasn’t “college material” because of test scores.
What is your fondest memory of Indiana University?
My fondest memories are of hanging out in the Keiva and Frangipani rooms attending dances and meeting people from all over the state and other cities, attending frat and sorority parties, and attending classes. Yes, I enjoyed attending classes and broadening my knowledge base. I especially enjoyed classes taught by Dr. William Wiggins. I took every class he taught while I was there. He and his wife became dear friends and a confidant. Because of Dr. Wiggins, I minored in African American History. He was phenomenal.
How valuable was Indiana University in the formation of lasting friendships and networking?
I developed lifelong friendships at Indiana University and they have been confidants, mentors, sponsors and many have become extensions of my family. When I moved from Bloomington to Indy, I stayed connected to my college associates especially those who were a part of the Groups program. When I moved from Indy to Atlanta, I connected with college friends and from the West Coast to the East and from North to South, there is usually someone from my undergrad years that I can connect with. It is a wonderful experience. My closest friends both male and female were cultivated during my undergrad years at Indiana University and those relationships are more valuable to me than any degrees I have received from any university.