I first started at IUPUI as an academic advisor at University College in August of 2013. At that time, my wife and I were trying to adopt because of failed attempts to get pregnant. Being new to University College, I didn't share this information at first with anyone.
In November, only a few months after I started at IUPUI, we were matched with a birth mother who was due in early December. When our son was born and the adoption was complete the first week of December, I sent out an email to my entire department letting them know about how we adopted our son and giving them the backstory of our journey and how we were finally able to have a family.
The response from the department was overwhelming. So many people replied back to state their congratulations and how happy they were. Others also shared how they too have adopted children and how they understood how much that means to us. I had a coworker, Mike Starr, who went out and got books for us to read, even though he admitted he has no idea if that is the sort of thing he should have bought for a newborn. Kathy Johnson, then the Dean of University College, knitted a sweater as a gift for our son. Kathy's gift meant so much to me. For a Dean to take the time to make something as a gift for a very new employee was just unbelievable. I could have never anticipated such a response, especially having only been with IUPUI for such a short amount of time.
I am so thankful to have been at IUPUI when we adopted him because this was such a great experience to have as a first-time, new parent. I'll never forget this moment, the impact that it had on me, and everyone's wonderful response.
Sean Winningham
UITS Staff
