Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University's Bayh College of Education renamed a comprehensive clinic in honor of Norma and William Grosjean with the reception foyer being named in honor of Michele Boyer, a retired professor from the college.

The Norma and William Grosjean Clinic at University Hall houses the Counseling Clinic, the Porter School Psychology Center and the Rowe Center for Communicative Disorders. The inscription on the dedication plaque states, "This clinic is named by the board of trustees in honor of Norma and William Grosjean and in recognition of their support and generosity to the Bayh College of Education. The Norma and William Grosjean Clinic at University Hall exemplifies their commitment to student success." Norma died on July 11, 2012, and was preceded in death by her husband William on Jan. 1, 1990.The Grosjeans left a bequest of more than $1 million to the college.

"It was obvious she had a love of this institution and the College of Education," Provost Jack Maynard said during the ceremony reminiscing about Norma. "The gift is evident of that love."

While the clinic provides a training ground for Indiana State students, Maynard also said that it "provides an array of services that are critical for many members of our community."

Norma Grosjean worked as a secretary in Education Student Services for 15 years, before retiring in 1983. Encouraged by her husband, Norma would buy savings bounds with each paycheck, Bayh College of Education Dean Brad Balch said.

"It certainly pays dividends," he said.

Balch said the support of the Grosjeans has allowed the college to realize an exciting and challenging vision-mission in the clinic. Two scholarships - one for undergraduate and one for graduate students - and a classroom bear the Grosjean name for gifts to the college.

"I am truly grateful for Norma's generosity," Balch said. "She has helped the college accomplish much."

Catherine Saunders, executive vice president of advancement with the Indiana State University Foundation, posthumously presented the March On! Award to Norma Grosjean for her generosity. The award will remain in the center bearing her and her husband's names as a reminder of their philanthropy, she said.

"Norma's story epitomizes this award," Saunders said.

In the clinic, the reception area will now be named the Dr. Michele C. Boyer Clinic Reception Foyer in honor of Boyer, who retired after 25 years at Indiana State in 2012. Boyer served as a chair and professor of the department of communication disorders and counseling, school and educational psychology.

Boyer described the naming as an "incredibly humbling honor," adding that the reception area of the clinic is the doorway that symbolizes the connection the department has with the Wabash Valley community.

"Even though I'm retired from ISU, it is nice to know that I'll be there, through ‘The Boyer Foyer,' to welcome members of the community to the Norma and William Grosjean Clinic at University Hall and the many counseling, school psychology and speech-language therapy services our students and faculty provide," she said.

To celebrate Boyer's retirement, her friends contributed to the Michele C. Boyer Student Development Legacy Fund and the naming of the clinic's foyer. Additionally, Boyer has made plans to support Indiana State and the Student Development Legacy Fund through her estate. As a faculty member, Boyer said she encouraged her students to attend professional conferences and routinely included her students in research and clinical practice presentations she made at local and national conferences throughout the country.

"Though important to their professional development, attending conferences can be costly for students," she said. "It was my hope that this scholarship would encourage students to make attending professional conferences part of their ongoing professional development."

Balch described it as a privilege to have dedicated the "Boyer Foyer" in the clinic as a "small way of paying tribute to Dr. Boyer's distinguished career as a professor, mentor and leader." He described her 25 years at Indiana State as defined by a commitment to counseling and psychology programming, unparalleled professionalism and student success.

"Because of her dedication to graduate education and supervision, it is fitting that the Michele C. Boyer Student Development Legacy Fund was established in her honor to support graduate students' professional development," Balch said.

Photos:http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Dedication-of-Grosjean-center/i-jfn7sBw/0/L/06_28_13_Grosjean_naming-0400-L.jpgDean Brad Balch shows an artist's rendering of the new entrance to the Norma and William Grosjean Clinic at University Hall. ISU Photo/Tony Campbell

http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Dedication-of-Grosjean-center/i-WwGfQ5W/0/L/06_28_13_Grosjean_naming-0333-L.jpgMichele Boyer walks to the podium to speak to the crowd during the ceremony. ISU Photo/Tony Campbell

http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Dedication-of-Grosjean-center/i-zmJsGXd/0/L/06_28_13_Grosjean_naming-0262-L.jpgNorma and William Grosjean Clinic at University Hall

Writer: Jennifer Sicking, Indiana State University, associate director of media relations, at 812-237-7972 or jennifer.sicking@indstate.edu