Indiana University Foundation

NAME  •  Monika M. Buechel

Hometown  •  Chicago

My IU education  •  I studied business administration, with a minor in international business, and graduated with a BA in 1983. I fondly remember the teamwork in the I-Core business classes. It was really hard work, and sometimes we were at it until the wee hours of the morning. It was excellent practical application of business principles and working with others under pressure. It prepared me for the real world.

After graduation  •  I got a job with the First National Bank of Chicago in international operations before I graduated. Twenty-seven years and three mergers later I’m still there, although because of the mergers the name of the bank has changed. Currently, I’m executive director, product sales specialist for Global Clearing Services at J.P. Morgan.

Fond Memories of IU  •  Attending IU was a wonderful experience—it just enveloped me. I loved the beauty of the Bloomington campus—walking in Dunn Woods, admiring the stately limestone buildings on campus, the Clock Tower, the old stadium on 10th Street—I loved it all. I also remember the great times I had with the friends I made in the I-Core classes. I’m still friends with some of those people today.

IMPACT OF THE IU STUDENT FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ON MY LIFE  •  When I was a working student and I received an IU Student Foundation scholarship, I felt like I hit the jackpot. The money went a long way toward covering the cost of my education, but just as important, receiving the scholarship made me feel special. It felt great that IUSF recognized the working student and, in my case, the older, nontraditional working student.

Why I give  • The IUSF scholarship I received made a huge difference to me as a working student, and I hope that recognition of working students continues.

Join me •  If you put a human face on giving, you’ll want to give. Just picture one individual who will truly benefit from your gift, because they definitely will. I know, because I was that person.