Yearbooks: 1990s
1990
Notes: On February 20, 1990, the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma is chartered at Indiana State University.
The sun shines on the School of Business in the Statesman Towers during late Spring. The School of Business became a department in 1964. Photo by Audio Visual.
School of Business Celebrated 25th Year
Interest in Silver Pays Off
“We are celebrating 25 years of accomplishment” – Herbert Ross
While 1989 marked the end of another decade, it also marked the silver anniversary for the School of Business. The School of Business celebrated its twenty fifth anniversary with pride, as it was re-accredited to the top ten percent of business schools in the nation.
“We are celebrating quality programs and 25 years of accomplishment at this university," Acting Dean of the School of Business Herbert L Ross said.
The School of Business was accredited on the undergraduate level in 1980 and on the graduate level in 1983 by the American Assembly of Colligate Schools of Business.
It is that the accreditation will lead to better faculty, better jobs for graduates.
The university offered business classes to teachers through the commerce department in 1918, but it wasn't until 1964 that the School of Business became an official department.
The celebration activities included a reception, a business conference, an alumni gathering, a conference on ethics, as well as various other events that brought attention of the School of Business.
Bill Lester, Vice President of Boehringer Mannheim and graduate of the School Of Business was a guest speaker.
The School of Business implemented a four year degree program in the insurance field, headed by Larry Coleman. The curriculum for an insurance degree includes a total of seventy-two hours, forty-five hours in core business subjects and twenty-seven hours in insurance. According to a 1990 article in the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the new program drew over 125 students the first semester.
According to Ross, with a placement rate of 85 percent, as well as a salute from the Chamber of Commerce, excitement is in the air this twenty-fifth year, and for good reasons. — by Andra C. Short. (1990 Sycamore, pages 90 & 91)
Faculty: Herbert Ross
Herbert L. Ross, Acting Dean of the School of Business (1990 Sycamore, page 90)
Guest speaker, Bill Lester, addresses students and faculty at the School of Business Silver anniversary reception. Lester was vice president of Boehringer Mannheim and a 1966 graduate if ISU’s School of Business. Photo by Audio Visual.
Bill Lester (1990 Sycamore, page 91)
Careers
Company representatives promote their corporations during the School of Business anniversary celebration activities. The School of Business had an 85 percent placement rate for graduating students. Photo by Audio Visual. (1990 Sycamore, page 91)
Fraternity: Beta Gamma Sigma
Beta Gamma Sigma - the Professional Business Fraternity 1990 Sycamore, page 118
Fraternity: Gamma Iota Sigma
Note: The first Gamma Iota Sigma chapter was established on April 16, 1966 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Indiana State University's, Alpha Epsilon chapter was chartered on February 20, 1990.
James A. Hart, president of ISU’s Gamma Iota Sigma, accepts the chapter’s charter from Dr. Alan Williams of Ohio State University. Photo by Audio Visual.
(1990 Sycamore, pages 118 & 121)
Students: Kim Schmidt, Jenifer Dole and Ginger Hoagland
Kim Schmidt, Jenifer Dole and Ginger Hoagland, all School of Business graduates, passed time talking business. Graduation took place on a crisp, cool and windy May 5, 1990. Sycamore staff photo. (1990 Sycamore, page 199)
1991
Fraternity: Delta Sigma Pi
Business and Brotherhood
Business majors keep busy with community service and fundraisers
Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity, remained busy by doing community service work and holding fund raisers throughout 1990-91.
One fund raiser was a balloon launch. The purchased tickets with the students' name and address on it, were put into a helium filled balloon.
The balloons were launched, and if someone found the balloon and returned the ticket, the person won a prize.
“One really interesting fund raiser was the balloon launch we held, and some of the returned balloons came from as far as Alabama," Jill Payne, chapter secretary, said.
Delta Sigma Pi, a co-ed fraternity on campus, had a special requirement for students who sought to join. Instead of going through rush like other Greeks organizations, applicants went through what the fraternity called, recruitment.
Like rush, recruitment began by the fraternity's sending letters to potential members.
To be considered for the group, students had to have a 2.5 G.P.A., have second semester freshman standing and have a business major.
During recruitment, three meetings enabled the current members to meet potential members. The first night enabled the members to be introduced to the possible recruits; the second night, a speaker who gave information on the chapter, and the third night, dubbed brotherhood, was the night all students got to know each other.
The fraternity was established nationally in 1907, but the ISU chapter was established in 1959. Article by Kendra Cohen.
A member of Delta Sigma Pi talks to ISU students about the fraternity. Delta Sigma Pi has been active on campus since 1959. Photo by Heidi Gibson. (1991 Sycamore, pages 188-189)
Student: Jennifer Bukovak
Jennifer Bukivac 1991 Sycamore, page 79
Jennifer Bukivac as a student worker in the College of Arts and Sciences to gain work experience while a student in the School of Business.
Student: Tonya Watkins
Answering phones, spending hours in front of a computer terminal, filing, organizing and preparing data are a few tasks performed by those studying for a secretarial career.
These were a few of the tasks Tonya Watkins, Bourbon sophomore, was preparing to perform. As an associate business major, Watkins, prepared to take on the career of secretarial work.
During the two-year program. Watkins took classes in areas such as accounting and economics, office records and forms management. However, these were only a few of the course subjects she encountered. An interest in computers that began in high school planted a curiosity and drive in Watkins for a career working with computers.
“I had secretarial classes in high school and wanted to learn and have more computer classes,” she said, and I came here because they have a really good program.”
Watkins said the most difficult class for her was the records and forms management, but it was the strength of the entire curriculum that influenced her decision to choose the program and the university itself.
“It was the classes that made me decide to come here. I've learned a lot and the teachers are really good,” she said. "Plus. you get hands-on training, you're not just reading it all out of a book.”
She said her college career has given her insight and knowledge into programs such as Management Information Systems, and Word Perfect, as well as Lotus and DOS programming.
“You can get a better job with a secretary degree, and you learn five different software packages, and a lot of companies use these packages.” she said.
Watkins said she was planning to return home after graduation and wanted to work in South Bend or Warsaw.
“I want to work for a large company like Biomet or Dupu.”
Relishing the hustle and bustle of the typical daily office routine, Watkins found the associate program in business developed the tools needed for her to succeed as a secretary in the business world outside the classroom. Christopher Whited. (1991 Sycamore, page 79)
Around Campus: Dede Plaza
The fountain in Dede Plaza was turned on for the first time. (1991 Sycamore, page 9)
1992
Faculty: Robert Smiley
New Chairman Brings Energy and Fresh Ideas to Marketing Department
Robert E. Smiley’s colorful past brought a new light resulting in a unique insight to his administrative duties.
By Claire Foust
Robert E. Smiley, new chairman of the marketing department, applied years of vast and varied experience to his teaching career since he came to ISU in 1979. Beginning in the fall of 1991, he began applying this experience to his new administrative duties.
With his new position, Smiley said, “I would like to see more emphasis put on recruitment of students to ISU and its marketing department." He also hoped to secure more scholarships for marketing students. "Selling is the force that drives the total economy," Smiley said. A man who worked his way through high school building television sets, he quickly learned the value of hard work and the importance of being an honest, ethical and effective salesman. Smiley quoted Robert Louis Stevenson to his belief that "Nothing happens until somebody sells something."
After high school, Smiley worked in the submarine service of the United States Navy, sold securities, worked as a licensed real estate broker, designed and built computers, and even owned a disco.
Smiley's experiences have helped him form the positive attitude he has shown his students and colleagues. When asked, "How are you?" he answers "Great," "Fabulous" or some other reply reflective of a very positive nature.
"The person who looks in the mirror In the morning and says, 'Life is terrible' will have a terrible life, but if you look in the mirror and say, 'It'll be better tomorrow, 'by god, it will!" he said.
Smiley brought this perspective to his new position as chairman and continued to bring it to his students. Empathy, good ethics, and a genuine interest in others were necessary according to Smiley. He put these principles to work in the classroom.
"You have to be a willing worker. Don't give up when life gets a little rough," he said.
In keeping with the theme of his own interesting life, Smiley had advised people to keep life interesting; don't be afraid to try new things.
"Just because something hasn't been done before doesn't mean it can't be done.”
Robert E. Smiley, chairman of the Marketing Department, discusses the theories of Marketing with one of his classes. Smiley has been a professor since 1979 following a life of various careers including real estate. Photo by Jade Birch. (1992 Sycamore, pages 68 & 69)
Collegiate Secretaries International
Row 1: Allison Hale, treasurer; Angie Perkins, vice president; Lucinda Carothers, president; Jennifer Bukovac, secretary
Row 2: Barbara A. Smith, Marian C. Walker, Lucinda K. Neese, Tammy L. South
Row 3: Benita Tschudny, Gina Scott, Tracy Hackleman, Cindy Templin, Dena Irwin (1992 Sycamore, page 220)
Management Information Systems
Row 1: Lisa Branch (treasurer), Tina Koelling (president), Brian W. Batronis (vice-president), Heather Lantz (secretary).
Row 2: John Buysse, Suat H. Tan, Gena K. Goodwin, Camilla Barnes, Crystal Schmaltz, Candy Foster, Jayme Dressier.
Row 3: Jim Buffington, Chris Maxwell, Saif Islam, Tony Soller, Edward Sherfick, Lenell Clay, Rex Fleetwood, Andy Williams. (1992 Sycamore, page 233)
MBA Association
Front: Jaywanth R. Michael, Hwee Ching Wendy Lim (vice-president), A. Sekhar, Ann Felice Bertin (vice-president).
Back: Dave Albin (vice-president), Mahi Kahlon (vice-president), Les Vermillion (president), Deep Mandal (vice-president), Malin Ekstrom (vice-president). (1992 Sycamore, page 233)
Pi Omega Pi (Chi Chapter)
Pi Omega Pi, Chi Chapter (1992 Sycamore, page 235)
Kip Staggs (treasurer), Teresa Minnick (president), Kristina Williams (vice-president), Paula McCammon.
Fraternity: Delta Sigma Pi
Delta Sigma Pi, international professional business administration fraternity.
Row 1: Nancy Bromm, Nancy Meeker, Brad Garloch (president), Mike Klindt, Jill Payne (vice-president), Leslie Riggen (secretary), Ali R. Shemirani, Mandi Coomer.
Row 2: Ken Owens, Julie Sweet, Tammy Owens, Amy Cravens, Janel Kreilein, Michelle Royse, Randy Hayes, Kimberly Wooldridge, Craig Todd, Kathy Decker, Christy Cooksey.
Row 3: Rich Parcels, Cody Schlomer, Heather Lewis, Joseph Chew, Gary VanKley, Michelle Barnes, Ryan Bauermeister, Clint Morris, Brian Hilton, Christy Dixon, Tom Jukes, John Stobierski, Cary Schiller. (1992 Sycamore, page 220)
Fraternity: Gamma Iota Sigma
Some people may have noticed a resemblance in the president and vice president of ISU's chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma, a professional insurance fraternity. They should - President Doug LaFevor and Vice President Christina LaFevor are brother and sister.
Both strove for perfection and were very self-motivated, and it showed in their impressive resumes, full of business experience, activities and scholarships - 100 percent of Doug's education was personally financed through work and scholarships and 95 percent of Christina's education was financed through scholarships and employment.
Gamma Iota Sigma Scholarship Award was Christina's most recent acknowledgement. Winners were selected on the basis of GPA, extracurricular activities, job experience, career objectives, research, leadership and service to Gamma Iota Sigma.
To say the least, she was quite honored and happy to be only one of eight chosen nationwide.
The $500 scholarship was given by the Griffin Foundation to aid students in continuing their "academic work toward a career in the insurance business."
The junior had received four other scholarships throughout her college career - the American Business Woman's Association Scholarship, American United Life Alumni Scholarship, Lafayette Life Insurance Scholarship and the Monroe Guaranty Insurance Scholarship.
All of these helped Christina a great deal because in addition to her research assistant job, they helped her through college.
As a research assistant in the Insurance Program Office, Christina created projects to promote and publicize ISU's professional insurance program, including formatting a resume book of insurance students that was distributed throughout the country.
She initially became interested in insurance while still in high school in South Whitley, after talking with Dr. Larry Doleman, coordinator of the Insurance Program.
"It (the insurance field) is an opportunity to assist people in their time of need," she said.
Since this program just started in the fall of 1989, Christina's first semester at ISU, she felt "honored to be a part of the pioneering program."
Christina said even though she's younger than her brother, she was first in the family to declare insurance as her major.
"I encouraged him (to purse a degree in insurance) She said. Doug's major of finance had to then share the bill when he declared his second major.
Christina's influence plus Doug's exposure to the world of insurance through internships led him to declare insurance as his second major at the start of his junior year.
Doug's internship with Monroe Guaranty Insurance Company for the past two summers gave him a great deal of hands-on experience.
His responsibilities there included conducting scene photos and recording statements during claim investigations and consulting with legal counsel when determining legal liability.
Doug was employed as a field risk analyst at Sycamore Agency, Inc. in Terre Haute, but for one week in late March he took a break from his duties.
From one of only 14 university students in the U.S. selected by the Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. Doug attended the 1992 National risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. Conference in Anaheim California, in March.
During his stay, Doug attended seminars and created contacts by meeting with others in the insurance industry.
Students competing for the honor were evaluated on such things as GPA, career aspirations leadership ability and extracurricular activities.
A major extracurricular activity that Doug undertook for the past year was the presidency of Gamma Iota Sigma.
Being president gave Doug the "fulfillment of being a liaison for students and the university," he said.
Although the fraternity was not a requirement for insurance majors. Doug said it was "an extra opportunity for students to get involved (with the insurance industry.)"
Although these siblings were unsure as to what their future plans were, both had high expectations of themselves in this "ever changing business." Article by Melinda Maloof (1992 Sycamore, pages 124 & 220 - 223)
Vanessa Williams, Cherlisa Starks and Scott Horn provide students with information about Gamma Iota Sigma during Fade to Black. Fade to Black was an annual event, sponsored by Black Student Union to introduce freshmen to different organizations on campus. Photo by Jade Birch.
Left: Christina LaFevor, Whitley junior, addresses the members of Gamma Iota Sigma after being named president for 1992-3. LeFevor also worked as a research assistant in the Insurance Program Office. Photo by Chris Howell.
Right: Nancy Coleman from the Insurance Education Department, spoke to Gamma Iota Sigma during the last meeting of the year. Gamma Iota Sigma allowed students to interact with the insurance industry. Photo by Chris Howell.
Doug LeFevor, Whitley senior, passes the leadership torch to the new officers during the last meeting of the year. Forrest-Sherer donated money to the insurance program to pay for guest lecturers. Photo by Chris Howell.
Gamma Iota Sigma members listen to the guest speaker after the installment of the new officers. Christina LeFevor replaced her brother as the new president. Photo by Chris Howell.
Front: Tracey Hopf, Cherlisa M. Starks, Tonya Lewis, Tammy Shear, Christina L LaFevor, Malissa Johnson
Back: Larry Coleman, David Cole, Roger A. Hopper, Keith C. Weisner, Jody M. Wilburn, Douglas J. LaFevor, Peter Mikolaj, William J. Warfel.
1993
Notes: The last issue of the original Sycamore yearbook.
Faculty: Larry Coleman
The Insurance Program at Indiana State University reports 100 percent placement of its majors.
Dr. Larry Coleman and the staff of the program have put in many hours to make it a success.
Photos: Robin Jenkins. Story: Melinda Maloof - 1993 Sycamore, pages 128-131
Business consultant, author and lecturer are just a few ways of describing Dr. Larry Coleman. Coleman, coordinator of ISU's Insurance Program, didn't begin his career as a college management and insurance professor. His exposure to the industry began as a special business insurance agent for Northwestern Mutual Life in Terre Haute, then he taught business insurance and finance at universities across the country. But in 1971, Coleman became a family economics and home management professor at ISU. He cited his interest in working with college students as the reason for the career change. "I enjoyed the association with the students and seeing the results of my efforts fairly quickly," the professor explained.
Through his years at ISU, Coleman has also served as associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies, professor of management, and now as coordinator of the Insurance Program, which began in 1984.
Coleman admires reasonable, intelligent and "quality people." "I like people who get things done," he said. "I'm interested in results." And he identifies with them.
Coleman has lectured at more than 50 universities across the country on topics of business, industry, management and finance; consulted business, industry, government and educational institutions; written articles in professional and commercial publications and contributed to educational projects; and ap- peared on commercials and edu- cational stations which include programs for the Better Business Bureau and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
But that's not all.
He also received the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Service from the University of Oklahoma, Norman; Life Insurance Community Service Award, Arkansas Life Underwriters; Indiana State University School of Business Award, Faculty Recognition Award, Exemplary Professional and Community Service Award, 1990-1991; and Terre Haute Association of Life Underwriters Distinguished Service Award in recognition of the contributions to the insurance industry.
And there's even more.
Coleman is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma; Gamma Iota Sigma (the national insurance fraternity), National Association of Life Underwriters; Afro-American Advisory Council, Athletic Committee and the Health Benefits Committee, to name a few. But surprisingly, Coleman said the one regret he has had about his life is that "for a number of years, I didn't maximize my time."
Dr. Peter J. Mikolaj, an insurance professor, said he has the "highest regards" for Coleman. "He has been very instrumental in initiating the program and bringing it to where it is today," Mikolaj said. "He also spends countless hours meeting with the students' and goes the extra mile in maintaining contacts throughout insurance industry."
Christina LaFevor, who graduated in May with an insurance degree, agrees. "He's the fire behind the program," she said. But LaFevor thinks Coleman is more than a professor. "He's a friend," she said, "he will go out of his way for students and takes the time to get to know them." "I can't say enough about him," she added.
When asked about retirement, Coleman, 59, said, " I don't plan to retire, just leave the teaching profession." He plans to continue his hectic schedule, which would include traveling, gardening and landscaping, and spending more time with his family - his wife, three children and six grandchildren. Family has been an inspiration to Coleman. He said he has always been concerned with their opinion about me, and because of that, I am more motivated."
Larry Coleman built ISU’s successful insurance program from the ground up. Not too many programs in too many colleges can declare 100 percent placement for their majors, but ISU's Insurance Program can. And it hasn't taken many years for this program to become so successful. In 1984, the dean of the School of Business asked Dr. Larry Coleman, a business professor who taught insurance classes, to "give some thought to developing an insurance program" at ISU , because before that time, only five insurance classes were offered. But Coleman did more than just think about it. Because no college in the state offered an insurance program, the professor traveled to other universities throughout the Midwest and throughout the insurance industry for the next two years to "determine if this degree was needed," Coleman said. After deciding it was, Coleman presented a proposal in June of 1989 to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Three months later, the insurance program was born. And nine months later, the program graduated one insurance major. But that number has grown significantly over the past four years. As of Spring 1993, 85 students majored in insurance and 50 minored. Coleman said the average grade point average is 3.2. "These students are outstanding young people," he said. Coleman also tracks the graduates, and from 1989 to the present, 98 percent of the graduates are still in the industry.
A group that Coleman said "has been instrumental in moving the program forward," is the Insurance Advisory Council - 24 men and women in the insurance industry who make up the program's board of directors. They contribute financially - in the past three years, scholarships in excess of $83,000 have been awarded; sponsor field trips to insurance state conventions; assist with banquets and national speakers; and aid with student internships. During the summer of 1988, one student completed an internship. In 1992, 14 did. Interns are usually employed in all areas of insurance - including pension, claims or benefits, for 12 to 15 weeks. Such companies include Allstate, American United Life and Indiana Insurance, all of Indianapolis; Conseco and Monroe Guaranty Insurance, both of Carmel; and Forrest Shearer of Terre Haute. "It's also a great investment for the employer," Coleman said.
Christina LaFevor, a May 1993 graduate, has participated in two internships in Indianapolis. LaFevor said her interests were broadened by participating in those internships because they assisted her in understanding the practical aspects of the insurance field. "They have enhanced my knowledge and skills about insurance," she said, "and have also reassured me that insurance is people business," the graduate added.
The mentor program is yet another feature of the insurance program. Created to establish relationships between students and insurance professionals, students are paired with outstanding professionals who act as role models. "It gives them someone in the industry to connect with," Coleman explained. "They can take them to a national insurance convention, to hear a speaker, or even to dinner," he added. By participating in the mentor program, students gain knowledge that will ease their transition into the insurance industry.
Forest Sherer's President and CEO John Dinkel said he has been very impressed with ISU's insurance program and with its students."It [ISU] could send any student to another insurance program at another university and that program couldn't measure up."
The start date of the Insurance and Risk Management Program at Indiana State is now taken as 1989 and in 2014 the program celebrated its 25th Anniversary at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Larry Coleman, Don Gongaware, Dr. Mary Ann Boose Kent, and Pete Hudson. (University Photo)
Larry Coleman was the professor instrumental in building the IRM program at Indiana State University.
Don Gongaware and his wife Pat gave a $5 million gift, the largest in Indiana State's history at the time, to be used to fund an endowment for the Donald and Patricia Gongaware Center for Insurance Management Development. The Center was created in 1998.
Mary Ann Boose Kent was the coordinator of the Insurance and Risk Management Program at Indiana State University.
Mr. Hudson entered the insurance business in 1959 and was concerned that there was an absence of opportunity to learn the business in a campus environment. In 1988, Larry Coleman asked him to join Indiana State University's efforts to develop a degree major in insurance and risk management. Within three years the ISU Insurance and Risk Management Program became one of the top four in the nation.
Accounting Society
First Row: Amy Malaise (student advisor )and Bruce Frey II (president)
Second Row: Trace Blair (vice-president), Angie Dickey (vice-president), and Tracy Morgan (treasurer)
1993 Sycamore, page 73
Management Information Systems Association
First row: Amanda Ong; Crystal Schmaltz, treasurer; Lisa Branch, president; Shannon Overs, secretary; Michele Blitz and Jennifer Harpena.
Second row: Patricia Cochran; Saif Islam; Todd Swearingen; Roger West; Tom Weilliver, sophomore representative; Matt Russell; Charles A. Cooper, adviser, Jim Buffington, adviser and Mike Park. (1993 Sycamore, page 86)
Pi Omega Pi (Chi Chapter)
Pi Omega Pi, Chi Chapter (1993 Sycamore, page 90)
First Row: Debbie Grau, secretary and Kristina L. Williams, president.
Second Row: Kevin Huelsman, treasurer; Lisa Mihifield, vice president and Troy Mitchell, business advisory committee.
Fraternity: Delta Sigma Pi
Delta Sigma Pi, international professional business administration fraternity.
First row: Randy Hayes and Ken Owens.
Second row: Michelle Royse; Kathie Chambers; Lisa Famsley; Ruth Woods, BAC representative; Kerry Myers, vice president for chapter operations; Becky Cutter and Christina Spitz.
Third row: Thomas M. Herman; Bryan D. Bransteter, chancellor; Jeffrey A. Goeppner, Mark D. Mehringer, John Stobierski, vice president of professional activities; Clint Morris; Gary VanKely, treasurer; Andy Aders; Shana Wall and Tina Houser, historian.
Third row: Mandi Coomer, secretary; Yvonne Muller; Kathy Decker, vice president, pledge education; Christy Cooksey, president; Janel Kreilein; Nancy Bromm, senior vice president; Tamara Schnell; Renee Auffart; Tracey Hopf and Candy Ottinger. (1993 Sycamore, page 77)
Fraternity: Gamma Iota Sigma
First row: Malissa Johnson; John Lindley; Tammy Shear (treasurer), Christinia LaFevor (president), Tracey Hopf, vice president; Tony Ringle and Kerry Myers.
Second row: Peter Mikolaj, advisor; Bill Warfel, faculty; Christopher Wheeler; Brad Hanna, Mike Ransel, Shawn Drake; Roger Hopper; Jody Wilburn and Keith Weisner. (1993 Sycamore, page 78)
Student: Navin Koosrajoo
Graduate student wants to meet tomorrow’s challenge of a sound environment through managerial techniques - by De Anna Pigg
Navin Koosrajoo was born on August 4, 1967, on an island called Mauritius. Mauritius is located at about 1,350 miles east of Madagascar in the southwestern Indian Ocean. He stayed in his country for the majority of his education.
For his undergraduate studies, Navin studied on a joint program set up by the University of Mauritius and the University College of North Wales. He was elected president of SGA when he was a freshman. As president, Navin lobbied and negotiated for free university education in Mauritius. In 1988, they got it. Now education is free at all levels in Mauritius. Because of his responsibilities as president of SGA. Navin’s grades were not exemplary, but during his final year his research project on marine pollution won him first class distinction.
Navin holds a teacher's license at high school level for English, French, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. He can speak three languages, understand four, and write three. He is very interested in metaphysics. As such, Navin believes that all religions are basically one, but the difference lies in the fact that they came about in different geographical places, in different cultures, and at different times in the history of human civilization.
Navin came to Indiana State University in August, 1992. One reason he chose ISU was because he wanted an university near the East coast. He also loves cold weather. The other deciding factor for Navin to go to school here was purely for reasons of his financial limits. The cost of living and the tuition were affordable. He lives in student housing, because it is quiet and he can get his studying done.
Navin is a graduate student in business administration (MBA) because he wants to learn managerial techniques. He wants to take tomorrow's challenge of a soundly managed environment, ultimately helping to create a breed of environmentally conscious managers. Navin thinks his major will help him greatly in achieving this goal.
Although Navin has only been in the United States for a short time, he has learned a lot. A major thing that he has learned is that money is his best friend and time is money.
He has also learned that fun is an essential commodity of any college student's life. Navin likes to cook and exercise in his spare time. He believes that America would have had a much healthier population if everyone cooked their own meals as opposed to eating fast food or prepared foods so much. Navin also believes that Americans tend to be more wasteful than the people of Mauritius. He says that we are lucky now to have a president who is determined to cut down waste.
Navin has also learned a lot about the students at Indiana State University. He does not think they fit at all the definition that people outside of the United States would give them. He believes that most of our students have not traveled enough and. as a result, are limited to a great extent. Navin also said that he has learned that one has to be conservative in his friendship with women because women around here are crazy about romance. Young people in the United States get married earlier than in Mauritius. Navin believes that this has much to do with the alarming divorce rate in this country.
Presently, Navin is a graduate assistant at Indiana State University. He tries to make professional contact with undergraduate students as productive as possible. He does his best to be someone his students and peers can trust and rely upon in any situation. Navin does not have much spare time to mix with other students now that he is working towards a graduate degree because he is concentrating on his grades. He admits that he misses social life very much. Navin said that the Office of International Student Affairs has made difficult adjustments easier. He believes that those who work in this office are doing a great job and deserve credit for the assistance they lend to international students.
Navin does not believe in chance: he believes in achieving. He has learned that, because of his experiences in the United States, he will have more opportunities to achieve greater things in his life. Navin is a fanatic on truthfulness. He likes seeing people happy. He also is a firm believer in freedom. He believes that the solutions to all the problems of mankind are within man himself. Instead of searching out in space, all of us on earth would do well to begin focusing inward for the answers to world problems.
Navin said that he feels like he has been living in Terre Haute for many years. He feels that he can adapt himself to any situation very quickly. Navtn likes to have fun. He loves to dance, go to parties, and believes that all of this can be done in a disciplined way. The only thing that Navin said stands out in his mind is that although he misses a big social life, he does not miss home. (1993 sycamore, pages 108 - 109)
Navin Koosrajoo leaves the Cunningham Memorial Library after putting in several hours on research. Brendan Kearns photo.
As a graduate student in ISU’s MBA program, Koosrajoo works with many students, staff and faculty in the School of Business. Brendan Kearns photo.