Your Stories

Stories that tell our story

If you have ever been here, you have felt it: the unique, urban campus we call home, where everything is possible and nothing is out of reach. Every story on this page is a personal reflection on our history. You can sort and read stories by category, or browse them below. And don’t forget to share your own story. We know it’s a good one.

122 results found

I am a first generation college student; IUPUI became my family the moment I stepped onto campus. ... IUPUI is really my home away from home.

Kemberly Toledo, Class 2020

IUPUI has been a great transition for me. I have been to multiple schools, including Ball State and Ivy Tech, neither of which provided the direction and the path that IUPUI has... Read more

Jordan Keeney, Class of 2019

I completed my undergraduate degree at California State University, Stanislaus, in 2016. When I decided that I wanted to pursue my graduate degree in public health, I applied to several... Read more

Christina Yohanan, Class of 2019

I currently work as a graduate assistant and am so grateful to have received my education from IUPUI. Being so close to downtown Indianapolis has been instrumental in me meeting new... Read more

Daniel Tovar, Campus Center and Student Experiences Staff, Class of 2018

When I first came to IUPUI, I fell in love with the Campus Center and the community inside it. IUPUI has so much diversity within it, and I am proud to be an IUPUI student.

Juan Gomez, Class of 2021

Liz Kaye 's story photo

"I'm sorry, what is your name again?" Unfortunately, that's something I often... Read more

Liz Kaye, IU Communications Staff

IUPUI was the perfect place for me. I was able to live at home the first two years, making my education very affordable. Being the first person going to college in my family was... Read more

Paola Fernandez, Class of 2014

A Short History of the IUPUI Department of Chemistry. It was interesting to negotiate the IU Extension Center’s buildings. Upon entering one of these high rises, a small foyer... Read more

Erwin Boschmann, Department of Chemistry Emeritus Faculty

In my more than 37 years at IUPUI, the physical landscape of IUPUI has been dynamic! Many new buildings — the Education Social Work Building had just been completed the year I... Read more

Emily Wren, Campus Facility Services Director

I am as passionate about my job and the people with whom I work today as I was in 1979. I began working at IUPUI in 1979 as an assistant accounts payable clerk for the Physical Plant. I... Read more

Joe Goins, Campus Facility Services Staff

I began my college career at IUPUI over 40 years ago as a math major. The Math Department was located on 38th Street where I took the majority of my classes. Dr. Elaine Alton was an... Read more

Susan Meshulam, Department of Mathematics Faculty, Class of 1980

I remember registering for classes in the 1970s in the Lecture Hall. All departments and classes would be set up at tables with boxes for each class. The boxes contained IBM cards, one... Read more

Marcy Carlson, School of Science Staff, Class of 1977 and 1988

I arrived at IUPUI in summer 2008, having worked on July 7 at Purdue University in West Lafayette (where I had been for more than 20 years). On July 8, I began my IUPUI tenure in the... Read more

Jane Alexander, Department of Biology Staff

Emily Wheelock 's story photo

During my senior year at IUPUI, instead of working on our final projects, a few classmates and I had a burst of energy and decided it would be a great idea to print a giant sized tiled... Read more

Emily Wheelock, IU Communications Staff, Class of 2017

I am grateful for having experienced IUPUI as a whole. The campus has improved and grown so fast because so many people with vision are committed to and engaged in their work.... Read more

Shirley Yorger, Planning and Institutional Improvement Staff

Erin Detweiler 's story photo

Unsure—that’s where my Jaguar story starts. I remember very little of my first... Read more

Erin Detweiler, Division of Student Affairs Staff, Class of 2015

Andrea Anderson

I’m embarrassed to admit that in 1996, I refused to move up to Indianapolis and take classes... Read more

Andrea Anderson, Division of Student Affairs Staff

I started college at the ripe old age of 36 and played what I had dreamed of all my life, but didn’t think could be done: college basketball and softball at Marian College, now... Read more

Sandy Barnett, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management Faculty

Kevin and Sheri Fraser 's story photo

Our IUPUI story began in the fall of 2008. We were undecided after our first all-campus visit and could not have guessed that by 2020, all three of our children would be Jaguar... Read more

Kevin and Sheri Fraser, IUPUI Parents

Coming from a lower socioeconomic background, I recognized early that a college education was key to achieving my dream and for building a better future for myself and my family. As a... Read more

J. Robin Janson, IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Services Faculty, Class of 1989, 2004, and 2016

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