Indiana State University Newsroom

A family that has produced at least 16 Indiana State University graduates has been selected to receive this year's Legacy Award from the Indiana State University Alumni Association.

Reflecting the university's roots as a teachers' college, the Ahlemeyer family counts nine educators among its Indiana State alumni - including a school superintendent and a university administrator - at least two business owners, an attorney, a World War I veteran and three WW II veterans.

"As we go through the selection process, it's a gratifying experience to learn more about Sycamore families and their connections to Indiana State University. The Ahlemeyer family and their long history of ISU connections is a textbook example of the legacy family definition," Kendall said.

The Legacy Award was established in 2011 and recognizes multi-generational Sycamore families who have shown continued interest in and support of Indiana State University. Since its inception, five Indiana State families have received the award.

"We are very pleased and we're excited to have the family support of Indiana State recognized. We know a degree from Indiana State is well respected," Elizabeth (Betty) Ahlemeyer Quick, a 1965 master's degree alumna, said of her family being selected for the Legacy Award. "

"We're being recognized for the seed that was planted through our grandmother and her family of the importance of education," said Beth Ahlemeyer Tevlin, a 1982 graduate with a bachelor's degree in English education and a minor in communication. "My ISU education really formed the basis of what I am able to do today."

Tevlin went on to earn a law degree and serves as executive director of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, which has provided more than $1.3 million in student scholarships and program support for Indiana State.

"ISU provided me the opportunity of developing leadership skills and knowing about community outreach and participation," she said. "The nice thing about being (in Terre Haute) is that I still see so many of my professors."

Tevlin serves on the house corporation for Indiana State's Sigma Kappa chapter, on the advisory board for the Bayh College of Education's department of teaching and learning and on the advisory board of the ISU-based West-Central Indiana Area Health Education Center.

The Ahlemeyer family legacy began in the early 1900s when Cora Schopmeyer Ahlemeyer and her three brothers attended Indiana State. Cora and her brother, Ralph, taught in Clay County while Herman went on to complete a master's degree at Purdue and a Ph.D. at Iowa State. His research led to the development of high fructose corn syrup. Arthur died during World War I while serving with the Army Veterinary Corps and is remembered with other veterans on a plaque inside Indiana State's recently restored University Hall.

Other educators in the family have included Mary, Fred, Mina Jane, Francis "Pat", Beulah and Noble Ahlemeyer. Francis "Pat" also served as school superintendent in Owen and Monroe counties.

Betty and her husband, Jerry are also teachers. While at Indiana State, Betty served Gamma Phi Beta sorority as chapter advisor, recruitment advisor, standards advisor and on the house corporation board. She was a national board member of the sorority from 1992-2012, a board member of the National Panhellenic Conference, serving as chair from 2005-07, and has served as judge for the university's Greek Life Awards for the past three years.

Jerry Quick, a 1961 Indiana State alumnus, went on to complete a master's degree at Indiana University only to return to Indiana State in 1965, serving as associate director of housing during a period of growth in enrollment and facilities. He also served as vice president of finance and administration at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

The Quicks contributed to the construction of Hulman Center, have supported the University by providing gifts to the Indiana State University Foundation, have hosted an alumni event in the Gulf Shores, Ala., area and have assisted in hosting Lambda Chi Alpha alumni events in Sebring, Fla., in recent years.

Jerry Quick has a simple explanation for why he and his wife continue to support the university.

"I started at Indiana State in 1957 as a first generation college student on an academic scholarship," he said. "I was the oldest in a family of six, had no money and helped pay my way through college by working in two funeral homes. Indiana State was good to me. It was an institution that had outstanding professors during the time I was there. And then I worked there for 12 years during a major construction period and growth in the institution."

Through the years, family members encouraged students to attend Indiana State University.

Other family members who are Indiana State alumni include businessman John Dean Gooldy, a 1973 graduate; 1977 graduate Terry Tevlin, vice president of marketing at First Financial Bank, and 1970 graduates Georgia Lee and John S. Quick. Beth and Terry Tevlin have both taught classes at Indiana State.

The Indiana State University Alumni Association will present the Legacy Award during halftime of the Sycamores' Sept. 19 Family Day football game at Memorial Stadium.

Contact: Hilary Duncan, assistant director, Indiana State University Alumni Association, 812-514-8453 or hduncan@indstatefoundation.org

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu