For more than 40 years, DR. PAMELA F. HOPSON D'23 (right), Executive Director of Campus and Community Strategy, and INGRID LINDY '90 (left), Manager of Human Resource Information Systems, have witnessed nearly all of USI's history unfold during their careers. Their journeys began in 1979, a month and 15 days apart. Together, they have worked under all five USI Presidents, watched the campus expand—through construction and student population—and witnessed some of USI's most iconic moments.
What is something memorable from your first year at USI?
Hopson: The one thing that comes to mind is that we reached our 3,000th student in 1979. We celebrated that milestone shortly after I started.
Also, Ingrid, do you recall when we had student registration in the hallway of Wright Administration? There were representativesfrom each office. That’s what you call one-stop shopping.
Lindy: Yes, I remember. Do you remember before they added the second level of Wright Administration, where my office is now, there was a big open room with double-story ceilings? They would set up tables there for registration, and students would walkaround to pick the classes they wanted.
The classes were printed on punch cards, and that was how students built their schedules each semester. If a class was capped at 30 students, which is a normal size, they printed 30 punch cards. Once the 30th card was handed out, that was it,the class was closed. That was the technology at the time and it felt high-tech.
Hopson: Yes, I remember that’s how they did it at IU-Bloomington as well.
Lindy: So, what I remember most of all from my first year in 1979 was that the University shifted from working a 40-hour workweek to a 37.5-hour week. There wasn't money for salary increases, so they cut our hours instead. But our hourly rates bumped up, and that’s how we received salary increases.
I also remember the PAC opened during my first year on campus. That was in April 1980, and they celebrated with an ice cream social around the pool. That was really cool.
How has the energy on campus and the perception of USI shifted over time?
Lindy: One of the differences I see and feel on campus is the range of cultures represented at USI. We have people from so many places who are proud to show who they are and where they come from.
Hopson: And that did not happen overnight.
Lindy: It did not. But looking from 1979 to now, you can see a huge difference.
Hopson: I think the real shift came when we gained our independence. I remember how we started to have conversations across campus about how to interact with people who didn't look like us, didn't act like us, didn't have the same experiences.
We also asked: Are we providing the services students need to succeed? Our admissions counselors started traveling acrossthe state of Indiana, and not only did the student body makeup begin to change, but so did our employees and faculty.
Lindy: And now USI has welcomed students from more than 40 different countries, which I think is amazing.
The impact we’re making around the world has also changed how we're seen. We are now known around the world. For example, the Engineers in Action chapter here helped build bridges in South Africa. Those bridges allow villagers to get to workand students to return to school. So yes, we’re making a difference in southwest Indiana, but also around the world as well.
I honestly don’t think we toot our horn enough. But the truth is, we're doing great things everywhere.
What has kept you at USI for more than 40 years?
Hopson: I came here for a job, to get away from where I was. I never imagined I'd be here this long.
But instead of just getting a job, it became something much bigger. Something beyond my imagination regarding the benefits and the rewards I have gained from being at USI. And those 40-plus years went by very quickly.
Lindy: Yes, absolutely. It feels like yesterday. It was the same for me. IT jobs were hot back then, and when I applied, I thought, "I'll get my feet wet a while and move on." But that never happened.
I think it was meant to be. It's not that we both didn't have opportunities to go other places—we did. But when you think aboutwhat you have to give up, it's not just salary or benefits; you can find those anywhere. But you won't find the family. You won'twalk across campus and know half the people. You'd lose that.
Hopson: It's interesting because when we started here, David L. Rice was President, and because we were small, he knew everybody by name. And I think that piece right there, that component, helped make us a family.
Another reason I've stayed is purpose. When I started, I didn't know what my purpose was. I came here for one reason, but I was searching for my purpose. And when you couple a purpose with passion, then it's very difficult to leave something you really have a heart for.
That's something that I share with my staff, my direct reports and students: find your purpose. Understanding what your purpose is and once you find it, couple that passion with it; it no longer feels like work. Because you enjoy what you're doing, you're making a difference. That's what has kept me here for 40-plus years.
Lindy: Everything Pamela says is true. When you find your purpose, you know you're making a difference in people's lives. I don't have the daily contact with students like Pamela does, but I support employees and faculty members who do have that one-on-one relationship with students. And we're here to make their work lives better, so they will treat our students the way they deserve to be treated.
Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?
Lindy: Be kind, be appreciative of what you have and learn all that you can.
Hopson: I would say, it's okay to take risks, because they help you grow.
Lindy to Hopson: Pamela, if you could have any position on campus for one day, what would it be and why?
Hopson: I'd be Archie. I'd love to see what it's like to be in that costume.
Lindy: It would be hot.
Hopson: Well, you know, I love being hot. What about you, Ingrid?
Lindy: Oh, there's so many people I'd want to be. I'd love to be Rick Stein and Stan Gouard before a basketball game. But really, I think I'd like to live in the shoes of every employee of USI, just to see what they're going through and why they make the decisions they do. We don't always agree with the decisions that are made, but there are obvious reasons for them. So, maybe in their shoes, I can understand a bit more.
Lindy to Hopson: How many physical offices have you had during your time at USI?
Hopson: OK, so…a total of 10.
Lindy: And I've had seven different offices.
Hopson to Ingrid: I don't have a question for you, but I wanted to bring up something you said...
Hopson: ...to Dr. Rochon [Ronald S. Rochon, USI's fourth President] before he left USI.Now, I never have to go looking for information and asking questions, because it always finds its way back to me. And you know what this is. We're sitting here talking, but someone said to me…
Lindy: Dr. Rochon said to you, "Ingrid Lindy is trying to get rid of you."
Hopson: Yes! I asked him, "What? You're joking."
Lindy: That's not really the way it happened.
Hopson: But he wasn't the only one who told me that, so I had to confirm it. I went straight to the source—you—and asked. Turns out, she wanted Dr. Rochon to take me…
Lindy: To California with him!
Hopson: And do you know why?
Lindy: So I could win the longest tenure at USI.
Hopson: As a matter of fact, she even calculated the difference between when I started and when she started. So, she's not going anywhere until I leave. But guess what? You will win. (It was announced on August 7, 2025, that Hopson will be retiring on July 1, 2026).
Lindy: There’s a lot that can happen between now and then! Anything could happen. The proverbial bus could get me. But yes, I'm a little competitive.
