Kelley Comes Through in a Crisis

Tom and Tina Jaskowiak

Parents of Julia and John

With two children in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit, Tom and Tina Jaskowiak were justifiably frightened for the safety of their children—not to mention their college educations. Both were attending Tulane University: Julia was a junior studying business, while freshman John was looking forward to his business classes and joining the track team.

The storm hit on August 29, 2005—a Monday—and by the following Monday, Julia and John were newly transplanted Hoosiers welcomed by the Kelley School of Business. Both students had previously been accepted to Kelley right out of high school as direct admits, but ultimately chose Tulane. Life had other plans. After Katrina, Julia and John began calling other universities and weighing their options, and with their parents decided IU was the best choice.

“I cannot say enough about our interactions with the Kelley School right after Katrina,” says Tom. “Everyone was so helpful, accommodating, and patient. We always felt that we could phone or e-mail someone at Kelley and receive a prompt response. Julia, as a junior, had to carefully consider her course choices. If she did not get the proper courses, it was possible that she would not graduate in four years and would have to attend college for an extra semester.”

But graduate in four years she did—and she landed a great job through Kelley’s Undergraduate Career Services office working at Maersk Sealand, one of the world’s largest shipping companies. Says her proud father, “Julia was one of 20 students hired in the United States for a special development program. After two years of training in the United States, she will have an international assignment lasting for two years. Julia’s words best describe her opportunity: ‘If someone would have asked me to write the perfect job description, I could not have done a better job than the one describing my position at Maersk.’”

John is also excelling at Kelley. In fall 2006, he traveled to India as part of Kelley’s sophomore block curriculum—and he came back a changed man. “India had a tremendous impact on him,” say his parents. “He learned about the culture, the global business environment, and government. He often talks about this trip, what it meant to him, and how it has shaped his thinking about the business world, and we know that he will remember it for the rest of his life.”

In Brief

What three words would you use to describe the Kelley School?

“Challenging, engaging, opportunities.”

What advice do you have for parents whose children will be attending Kelley?

“It’s pretty simple, really. Tell your kids to attend class, get involved, develop relationships with their professors, and work hard. You and your children will be happy with the results.”

What are your favorite things to do in Bloomington or at IU?

“We like to walk around campus because it is so beautiful. We recently attended a performance of the musical Aida at the IU Auditorium, which was excellent, as is the IU Art Museum. We also enjoy lively discussions over dinner at one of Bloomington’s finer restaurants.”