Vernon Williams, BA’73, interviewed Roosevelt Haywood III, BS’74, a fellow recipient of the IUAA President’s Award recently. Roosevelt is a member of the Neal-Marshall Alumni Club and a resident of Merrillville, Indiana. 

When did you attend Indiana University and how would you describe the mood of the campus and the nation during that time period? How do you think it influenced your experience?

I arrived fresh on the campus of Indiana University in the fall of 1969, courtesy of my Dad, Roosevelt, Jr., driving me down from Gary, Indiana in his late model Pontiac sports sedan. Along the way he advised me of the Klan history in southern Indiana, and my thoughts ran, “why are you telling me this now and should you really be taking me to this school?” However, father knew best, and I was able to survive the four years leading to graduation in 1974.

What was your most daunting chapter as a student from Gary on the Bloomington campus? What is your fondest memory of Indiana University?

In addition to pledging Que and crossing those “burning sands” to be a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity it had to be convincing the I.U. officials to reinstate me as a student after my GPA fell lower than 2.0. Of course, in my defense, I was distracted from having my first apartment off-campus as well as a car. How could you expect one to concentrate on studies with the wonders of the opportunities before you? Eventually I understood how to set priorities but it was a fun learning experience in getting there, i.e., campus/dorm parties, Que House, Club Kappa, Memorial Union, Frangipani Room, Alumni Hall, Commons, off-campus parties, the “Hole,” and not to mention the many excursions to check out the co-eds at Vincennes, Indiana State, Purdue and Ball State Universities. What a life, but all good things came to an end, especially if you plan on graduating.

Delineate your career timeline – from your initial position after completing undergraduate degree to the current? Include points at which you added degrees.

After a successful interview, set up by the I.U. School of Business with Illinois Bell Telephone Company, I took a job as a Communication Consultant, at their corporate office in the pulsating City of Chicago. It was a wonderful experience being downtown in the Windy City, but not too far from my hometown of Gary, which I credit with preparing me to thrive. Eventually, I was promoted to an Account Executive position in Hinsdale (a western suburb) and got caught up in the racism of corporate politics, and was let go after 3 years in 1979. However, this was a blessing in that I started working in the insurance business at my father’s agency, where I branched off to start my own firm in 1984, Haywood and Fleming Associates. We are an award-winning risk management, commercial insurance and employee benefits operation going on over 35 years in the business.

Some things have changed and others remain the same. Benefiting from your student experience, how would you advise an incoming freshman from a similar background as your own?

I would recommend that they get totally involved with the campus experience. Get to know other people, (including professors) outside of your social or racial make-up. For example, I ran for offices as a freshman, worked at a dormitory kitchen, sponsored a dance for Black Greeks, interacted with the President of the student government who happened to be a member of the Black Panther Party. I had met him earlier with my father in Indianapolis, while picketing against the USF & G Insurance Company, who were denying Black insurance agents contracts to do business at that time. The opportunities to experience, learn and grow are unlimited. Take full advantage, it will serve you well once you leave the “bubble” of University life.

How valuable was Indiana University in the formation of lasting friendships and networking? How do you stay connected to friendships that started at Indiana University?

I have made a number of lasting connections from my I.U. experience. Some more key than others. More importantly, Indiana University provided me with a good, solid background, which enabled me to branch out into other areas of endeavor and networking. It cultivated and strengthened the foundation my parents, the tribal village around me, and the City of Gary provided.