MUNCIE, Ind. -- Thatsanee Dharmpipit, a Ball State University alumna ('79,'89), returns to campus this week to help a fifth family member settle into life on campus.

Dharmpipit, who first earned a master*s degree in actuarial science and ten years later returned for a master's degree in mathematical statistics, accompanied her niece, Chulaluck Techakittiroj, to Ball State the week before classes begin.

"I really enjoy coming to visit Ball State," she said. "Everybody is nice and we've had a warm welcome to campus."

Dharmpipit first learned of the university when she decided to pursue her first master's degree. Based on the programs and other services, she choose the university for her studies.

"Ball State had a residence hall for graduate students and also offered a degree in actuarial science," she said. "It was important to further my education in actuarial science and not all schools offered that program."

Her education was important not only to her, but to the business where she works.

"The company I work for, Ocean Insurance, agreed to sponsor my education at Ball State," she said. "In exchange for each year of education, I agreed to work for at least two years. This way, both the company and I benefitted from my training."

Today Dharmpipit is a senior executive managing 30 people in the company and has worked there for 25 years.

While a graduate student, she met Phyllis Harland, a retired architecture librarian, from Ball State. Over the years Harland became more than Dharmpipit's host while at the university, but a friend to keep in touch with. And when Harland traveled to Thailand for a visit, Dharmpipit returned the favor.

"Phyllis has really helped my family by welcoming each person to Muncie and the Ball State community," she said. "Another niece and two nephews already graduated from Ball State."

The fourth family member of this generation to attend Ball State, Techakittiroj will study speech pathology/audiology to further her training as a medical doctor.

"Everyone is so friendly here and the campus is very nice," she said. "I am grateful to Dr. John Beekman, Dr. Clinton Fuelling and Dr. Mir Ali for their help while I was a student."