Graduating students share IU memories
Just in time for spring commencement, Live at IU spoke with undergraduate students from several Indiana University campuses about their most memorable moments at IU. All four are poised to graduate this month.
We talked with Josh Garza, who is completing his biology degree at IU Northwest and deciding on a medical school; Tracie Wright, who will earn her bachelor's degree in psychology at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus; Kimberly Porter, who is completing a bachelor's degree in nursing at Indiana University Kokomo; and William Barnes, who will graduate with a bachelor's degree in media arts and science from the School of Informatics at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Josh Garza, IU Northwest, bachelor's degree in biology
Josh Garza admits to being a particularly unfocused high school student. "I was more interested in sports," admits the self-described "high school jock."
After graduation from Portage High School, he got a job as an electrician for a year and a half, a job that helped him clarify what he wanted -- and didn't want -- in life. "A light went on in my head, and I realized that I could go back to school. I wasn't happy where I was," he said.
Garza knew he would need a degree to pursue his real dream: becoming a doctor.
At IU Northwest, he found the best pre-med program in the area. Advisor Atilla Tuncay helped Garza get on track to complete the work he needed to catch up with his peers. "Going from no studying and being really deficient in a lot of areas in relation to math was hard. I had to catch up, on top of learning all of the new stuff."
During his first two years at IU Nothwest, he had a lot of long nights and a "sleep deficit," but Garza took his job as a student seriously and was soon excelling in his courses. Having committed professors and small class sizes also helped.
"That's one of the things I like about IU Northwest. It's smaller. Whatever time I need, I can get it with my professors because it's one-on-one."
Garza is still deciding which medical school he'll attend in the fall. He hopes to go into pediatrics but is keeping his options open: "I think I'll be able to do whatever I set my mind to."
Tracie Wright
Tracie Wright, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, bachelor's degree in psychology
At a "Discover IUPUC" open house in the spring of 2006, Tracie Wright was touched by a single dad's story about his decision to return to school after his wife's untimely death. His motivation to provide for his son pushed him to complete his studies. "He said, 'I have no regrets about returning to school. I may have some student loans when I finish, but if I can do this, anyone can do it,'" she recalled.
Shortly after the open house, Wright applied for and received a scholarship that enabled her to quit an unfulfilling job and pursue college as a full-time student. During her undergraduate career, she made the Dean's List several times and won the Promising Future Psychologist Award. In July, she will begin a new chapter of her life as a master's student in social work at IUPUI.
"My dream is to be a therapist and to help people who are struggling in life," Wright said. "I too can honestly say that I have no regrets about returning to school. I feel honored to have received several scholarships and to have had the opportunity to work with the professors at IUPUC."
Kimberly Porter, Indiana University Kokomo, bachelor's degree in nursing
During her nursing studies at IU Kokomo, Kimberly Porter has had the opportunity to travel to places including Guatemala and Colombia to distribute essential supplies and treatments to underprivileged children. The trips were an extension of her volunteer work with Abriendo Puertas, the local chapter of Ambassadors for Children. The organization facilitates donations of clothing and school supplies and provides needy children around the world with services that include lice and fluoride treatments and nutritional assessments.
Recently, Porter collected signatures from nursing faculty and students to create a quilt, "A Stitch in Time," as a donation to the local Abriendo Peurtas chapter. "I am very honored and excited to have this on display before graduation," said Porter. After graduation, the quilt will be housed at the IU Kokomo School of Nursing.
Next up for Porter: classes in Spanish and labor studies as she works in geriatrics.
"I am 42 years old and grateful for my wonderful experience at IUK. I have had the honor of meeting amazing faculty here who have been great inspiration and guiding factors throughout my career."
William Barnes, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, bachelor's degree, media arts and science (School of Informatics)
William Barnes joined the Indiana National Guard in 2002 after high school; last spring, he was sent to Iraq for an escort mission, his first deployment. At first, Barnes thought of his service as a way to help pay for school, but he soon realized his service was much more. "This was an opportunity to serve my country and develop personally for life's future challenges," said Barnes, who will return to IUPUI for graduate school at the School of Informatics.
"Being deployed really put a lot of focus on my priorities and goals I want to achieve in life -- graduating was one of them," he said. "I feel lucky to have more opportunities in my future to make an impact on this campus."
