Indiana State University : Office of Public Affairs : News Archive

Dec. 11, 2003

Hall family follows eldest son's lead
in earning degree from Indiana State

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — When Steve Hall walks across the stage at Hulman Center Dec. 20 to receive his college diploma, he will be following in the footsteps of his son.

Hall, 47, will graduate from Indiana State University with an associate’s degree in nursing. In 2001, Hall’s son Brian completed a bachelor’s degree in criminology at Indiana State and an ISU education is becoming a tradition for the Terre Haute family. Kelly Hall – Steve’s wife and Brian’s mother – completed an associate’s degree in May and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. Younger son Matt is an ISU sophomore.

"Brian kind of got the ball rolling for us, which is not the normal way of doing things," Steve said. "I always thought both our sons would go, but I’m a little surprised that both my wife and I have attended."

Steve and Kelly made the decision to go to college after Kelly began working at ISU in 1998.

"I decided that I’d like to do something different with my life," said Steve. "The main reason I got into nursing is the severe shortage of nurses."

As an employee of Apria Health Care, Steve set up oxygen supplies and home health equipment and had seen first hand the need for nurses. He already has a job in Union Hospital’s intensive care unit.

"Steve is a very good student and he’s a very good practitioner. If I were ever in his unit I’d want him taking care of me," said Kathy Pickrell, chair of ISU’s associate’s degree nursing program.

"All of our December graduates will be working in acute care settings," Pickrell noted.

Like Steve Hall, most associate’s degree nursing students at ISU are non-traditional students who are making a career change and don’t want to devote four years to a college education. "This seems to meet the needs of many of our graduates," Pickrell said.

The operator of her own business for several years, Kelly Hall’s choice of a major was clear.

"I was 40 and I think that’s an age that all people decide that they’re going to make their life a little better," she said. "I took advantage of the fact that university employees can take classes at a discounted rate. I thought I’d try one class and it’s just evolved since."

Juggling jobs, classes and family responsibilities at the Hall’s north side home hasn’t been easy.

"It’s a fight over the computer usually and a fight for space to spread out your books. but we’ve been able to get along pretty well and schedule things so no one feels left out," Steve said.

"It gets a little confusing at time when everyone’s trying to do their homework at the same time or get on the computer at the same time but we make it," said Matt.

"Steve has always been the type that helped out at home and we eat out a lot so that’s helped," added Kelly.

Now a case manager at Hamilton Center, Brian is the first college graduate on either side of his family.

"That means a lot to me," said Brian. "I would like to hope that possibly I influenced my parents a little, although I never thought I’d see my mom walking across campus going to class."

Steve and Kelly say students and faculty welcomed them as they would have any other students.

"It was as if I was a 19-year-old. I felt comfortable. I was treated the same as anybody else," Steve said.

Each member of the Hall family worked to help finance their college education. Brian and Matt also received help from the university’s Support Staff Scholarship Fund.

Established in 1988, the fund provides scholarships to university support staff and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Money for the scholarships is raised through donations and an annual soup and sandwich fundraiser each October.

The Halls advise others who may be considering getting a college degree at mid-life to take the plunge.

"It’s hard work, but it’s rewarding and it’s made a real difference in Steve’s life," said Kelly.

"I’m living proof it’s never too late," said Steve.

"Indiana State University means a chance at a different kind of life. It’s enabled me to do things I never thought I would be able to do. ISU has broadened my boundaries, so to speak. I’ve accomplished things I never thought I’d be able to do," he said. "I’m proud of Brian, I’m proud of Matt and I’m proud of my wife and I’ m just really happy that we have been able to include ISU in our lives."

"All of our December graduates will be working in acute care settings," Pickrell noted.

The operator of her own business for several years, Kelly Hall’s choice of a major was clear.

Juggling jobs, classes and family responsibilities at the Hall’s north side home hasn’t been easy.

"It’s a fight over the computer usually and a fight for space to spread out your books, but we’ve been able to get along pretty well and schedule things so no one feels left out," Steve said.