Terry Coleman graduated from Ball State University’s College of Sciences and Humanities in 1984. He is currently the director of Indiana State Parks. Here are Three Things To Know about Terry:
1. Terry knew early on in life that Ball State was the place for him: “I was fortunate to know, or have a good idea of, what I wanted to do in middle school. All I had to do was look at the successful people I knew and the people that I respected, many of whom were my teachers. And, perhaps not surprisingly, many of the teachers I respected most were Ball State graduates. After looking at the University’s Natural Resources Program, which is based in what we all now refer to as a STEM curriculum, I knew that would be important for me. As it did then and still does now, the NREM program turns out graduates who possess a solid foundation in the natural sciences combined with immersive experiences in their chosen concentrations. I toured the campus and the program in 1978 and was immediately hooked.”
2. Ball State has created a “lifelong connection” that has become very special to Terry’s family: “My most memorable, and proudest, experience at Ball State was handing my son his diploma while representing the Ball State University Alumni Council on the graduation stage in 2011. And Homecoming has become very special for our family, as our son Justin (2011), daughter Lauren (2014 and 2016) and daughter-in-law Sara (2010) are all Ball State graduates. That’s why I believe it is critical that alumni remain engaged and vested with the University. We stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. We are charged with pulling forward those that follow, through whatever means we may offer of our time — talent and treasure — just as those that came before did for us. The greatest gift we can give anyone is an education. Alumni regularly provide rare, unique, and critical opportunities for students that otherwise would not be available.”
3. Terry’s advice for future students to help them have a fulfilling career and meaningful lives? “Let me assure you that you are getting from Ball State University what you need to be competitive in your career, and to be a well-rounded individual, prepared for the challenges of an ever-changing world. Embrace change and honor tradition. Understand that it is nice to be important, but more important to be nice.”