Jason Gerdom knew at a very young age that he wanted to attend Indiana University. Growing up in a very small Indiana town, Jason made an early decision to follow in his mother’s footsteps to become a Hoosier sports fan, which stuck with him for life. While Jason became a fan at nine years old, reality set in during his high school years that he would have to make a decision that would impact the rest of his life in choosing a college to attend.
As a student, Jason had a great opportunity to join the IU Athletics Media Relations team as a student worker. During this time, the full time staff team gave these student workers an experience unlike most other internships, which benefited Jason both personally and professionally upon entering the workplace post-graduation. Not only did the student workers have the opportunity to sit court side for IU Basketball, work the sidelines for IU Football, travel with the women’s soccer team, and run an NCAA track and field team, but they also had opportunities to interact with coaches and staff members that helped to pave the way for Jason’s professional life – and strengthened his ties back to Indiana University.
Fast forward to the fall of 2006, Jason attended a board meeting with the Boston Chapter of the IU Alumni Association, with which he is still involved ten years later. During that first board meeting, the chapter was going through a period of revitalization, which Jason knew he wanted to be a part of and he joined the chapter’s board of directors that night. When asking Jason why he wanted to get involved, he simply states:
“I wanted to give back to the school I love. Building a network of friends and associates with the shared experience of IU has been a very rewarding part of my experience, but what drives me is the opportunity to do something good for the school that gave me so much.”
In 2015, in a true example of collaboration between the IUAA staff, Regional Development Team staff at IU Foundation, and the amazing work of the Boston Chapter volunteers, the Boston Alumni Chapter Scholarship Fund was created. This paved the way for more diverse programming in the area to engage more individuals who were previously not engaged.
Anyone who has ever interacted with Jason will know his passion for Indiana University, and the inspiration he finds when returning to campus. Over the summer, the Boston Chapter was able to have Indiana University come to them, not once, but twice!
First, the chapter hosted an event with Indiana University’s first-ever historian, Professor James Capshew. For this event, they had an intimate dinner and presentation from Professor Capshew, and most importantly had a chance to focus on the personal relationships happening between board members and alumni in the area. In this event, they were able to engage over a dozen individuals who had never interacted with the chapter before.
For Jason, the emphasis on personal relationships and the quality of the experience of the event being hosted are what drives the amazing work that the Boston Chapter is able to accomplish. About one month after their event with Professor Capshew, the Boston Chapter was able to spend some quality time with IUAA’s fearless leader, Mr. J T. Forbes and Alison Polley (Director of Alumni Relations and Advancement, SPEA). During this dinner, the board was able to learn more about the vision or priorities stated in the 5-year plan, and where their group can aide in furthering the 5-year plan.
It’s safe to say that the Boston Chapter will continue to produce great quality work, and we here at the IU Alumni Association are so grateful to work with such dedicated volunteers who continue to further the mission, goals, and priorities of the University – but also who make the work we do so meaningful and enjoyable.