Jane Tuttle graduated from Ball State University in 1977 with a bachelor’s in Social Studies Education and minors in Business Administration and Political Science. In this interview, she shares the highlights from her Ball State experience and how the University launched her passion for education into a successful career.<\/p>\n
I wouldn\u2019t be doing what I do now without my experience with the residence halls and the student government. The campus chess charity was influential to me; we all dressed up for it. I dressed up as the Tin Man, and the students sang the titular song by America for me, which is an experience I will never forget. Before ATMs, there was the Thelma Miller Fund that I volunteered with. It allowed students who needed quick loans to have some cash, usually small amounts like five dollars. When the fund started to dry up as the semester went on, we placed a sign by the door that said \u201cThelma is dying over here folks,\u201d to signal our lendees to pay their debts.<\/p>\n
Take advantage of everything Ball State has to offer. It has stellar academics and extra-curricular activities and a good student affairs department. Oh, and get to know your faculty.<\/p>\n
Commencement was always fun. It was smaller when I was in school. One year, one of my kids answered the phone, and it was a Ball State basketball coach asking if I could record a game for him in Lawrence, Kansas. I said, \u201cThat feels traitorous but ok.\u201d I haven\u2019t been back to the campus since 1979, and I miss it.<\/p>\n
I loved the political science classes. I can’t remember the exact name of the course, but it was on the political electorate and how we voters behave in very irrational ways. It was a fascinating class and introduced me to survey research, a combination of psychology, political science, and survey methods. I did not enjoy the economic history of the United States. I love listening to passionate people, and I always say if a mason was talking about laying bricks and they were into it, they would make it fascinating.<\/p>\n
I can’t remember his last name, but it was Mike in Political Science; he had just a dry-wit and was smart as a whip and was just really an encouraging person. He taught in the \u201970s.<\/p>\n
It introduced me to the profession I\u2019m in\u2014higher education and student services\u2014gave me a few friends for life, and helped with my critical thinking skills, I want to believe. Back in the \u201970s, the University wasn’t as big as it is now. I looked around before I found it, was told I would get a world-class education there, and so that’s where I went.<\/p>\n
Because I believe that higher education can change the trajectory of a family for generations. I didn\u2019t need financial help in school, but I know some students need it. Some departments could use an extra hundred dollars here or there, and money makes a difference. Even smaller donations add up. People should never discount the power of higher education.<\/p>\n
I have two beautiful little granddaughters in Texas that I don’t get to see enough. I’m getting ready to retire, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with my husband. I used to volunteer a lot with La Leche League and have been active with them for more than 34 years. I was on the national board for a while.<\/p>\n
I met a lot of mothers, and through my job at the University of Kansas, I have met a lot of parents. I have had at least half a dozen people talk about their babies then, and now their babies are coming to the university where I work. I have been told that I have saved lives, and I had a remarkable career at KU. I will miss it dearly, but I am also looking forward to getting some sleep. I can’t say enough about Ball State, except I don\u2019t get the “Chirp, chirp!” business. We did not chirp when I was in college. I flew into Indy one time, and I saw the banner, and it was terrific. Ball State has some of the best student retentions in the country, and it\u2019s for a good reason. I\u2019m proud of my time there.<\/p>\n