The month of May will be exciting but laced with regret for senior Danielle Frazier. She is excited about graduating from college and moving forward in life but is disappointed about giving up her position as the student representative on the Board of Trustees.
"I'm having to let all this opportunity go," Frazier said. "I don't know when I'll have opportunities like this again. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. I don't know when I'll be in a role like that again."
As the student trustee, Frazier gives the other eight trustees a point of view representative of students' feelings and explains how policies are affecting students. She applied for the position in 2005 on the advice of her Student Voluntary Services adviser and was appointed by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Frazier, an elementary education major from New Palestine, said being the student trustee gave her the chance to see the business side of education. One day, she said, she hoped to become an administrator.
FAMILY LIFE
Her parents, Michelle and Earl Frazier, said they are extremely proud of their daughter. Earl Frazier said he was excited when his daughter was appointed as the student trustee and believed she adapted well to the position, becoming stronger and more confident. But she is still a humble person outside of school and the board, he said.
"She's pretty outgoing, and she's always been a good person," he said. "She makes sure everyone is having a good time, and she's always there for other people. She's not a self-indulgent person at all. I'm a very proud parent, and I can't wait to see what she is going to become after graduation."
Michelle Frazier said being a trustee was a wonderful experience for her daughter, but the past two years have been busy for Danielle
Frazier, who balanced school, extracurricular activities and student teaching. Before each trustee meeting, she had to set aside time to read the board packets so she would know what the members would be discussing at the meeting.
"It depends on how much time you want to invest in it," Danielle Frazier said. "I made sure school was always my priority because I am a student. I always got my schoolwork done, but I would stay up to make sure I got the packet read. Once you make it a part of your routine, it's easier."
Even though Danielle Frazier is busy with school, activities and volunteering, she always makes time to see her grandfather, who has terminal cancer, and the rest of her family, Michelle Frazier said.
"If I need her, she's here," she said. "She amazes me with everything she has time to do. I don't know how she gets it all done, but she does it, and she excels in it."
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Although Danielle Frazier enjoyed being the student trustee, she said she was faced with many hard decisions along the way, such as raising tuition and room and board.
"I get a different position on the perspective," she said. "I understand that it's important for the university to raise the tuition to grow and flourish, but I know that I'm raising my own tuition."
In October, Danielle Frazier received the 2006 Women of Achievement Award for her outstanding involvement. The award, which is a $500 scholarship, is presented to eight Hoosier women. Lynda Wiley, assistant dean for Student Affairs, nominated Danielle Frazier for the award because of her leadership skills, academic success and commitment to service.
"She is a true role model for other students in all three of these areas," Wiley said. "It would be impressive if a student excelled in even one of these areas, but Danielle excels in all three and has a true passion for being an involved college student."
During her time at the university, Danielle Frazier said she felt she achieved a lot, including earning the respect of her fellow trustees, keeping up with her academics and staying focused. Trustee Frank Hancock said it was a pleasure working with Danielle Frazier.
"I felt she was excellent, and she was very capable," he said. "She really did bring the view of what students thought about issues."
Hancock said Danielle Frazier was very open on the board, never shy and professional. She was recently selected to be one of the 33 finalists for the Little 500 Festival, and Hancock will chaperone her.
Even though she frequently works with administrators, Danielle Frazier said she has maintained relationships with students.
"When I'm a trustee, I have my trustee cap on," she said. "When I'm a student, I have my student cap on. Students know that I'm a trustee, and they talk to me about issues like tuition. I'm able to provide them with more information, and I take the conversations I have with students back to the board."
Danielle Frazier also approaches students to get opinion on issues such as the L.A. Pittenger Student Center renovation. She brings up the topics in a nonchalant way so students don't know why she's asking, she said.
"I like to sneak it in," she said. "I get more natural responses that way. I know what I want the information for, and they don't, and I like it that way. I get more genuine, candid responses."
FUTURE
Danielle Frazier is engaged to Ball State student Josh Daugherty, whom she has known for five years. They plan to marry July 12, 2008. Although they are both busy, the couple spends every spare second together, Daugherty said.
"She's very outgoing and funny," he said. "She knows how to be herself and how to genuinely have fun. I am extremely proud of what she's done, and I'm amazed at how she's been able to handle everything, I know I wouldn't have been able to do all that."
After graduation, Danielle Frazier plans on teaching third, fourth or fifth grade in Indiana, she said. She wants to give back to her home state because it has given so much to her, she said.
No matter where she ends up, Danielle Frazier said she would always carry with her memories of the university, especially from her two years as the student trustee,
"I have been very blessed to be involved with education at such a high level," she said. "When I first entered the board, I was very nervous, but I was determined to make meaningful contributions and learn as much as I possibly could in the next two years of my life."
InvolvementDuring her time at the university, Frazier said she has been involved in many activities, including Student Voluntary Services, Community Alliance to Promote Education, AmeriCorps, Alternative Breaks Advisory Board, Excellence in Leadership and Red Squad Leader.
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