Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Indiana State University Communications Intern
TERRE HAUTE - Angela Fox knows a lot about overcoming adversity.
A paraplegic since birth due to spinal deformities, Fox graduated Saturday from Indiana State University, capping off an ambitious four years in which she accomplished a variety of goals.
Active in student government and Alpha Phi Fraternity since her freshman year, Fox has been a member of the university's Union Board since 2003 and an active member of Delta Sigma Omicron, a disability organization, since 2002. She was accepted into the McNair Scholar Fellowship program last year and has completed the program successfully. She is graduating with a 3.8 grade point average while obtaining a bachelor's degree in political science and a minor in international studies.
"Angela is an excellent student as well as an intelligent, self-motivated, spirited and strong leader. I have enjoyed working with Angela, who is by far one of the hardest working, most articulate and most energetic students in our program. She has always been a valuable part of the social and learning environment I seek to promote in my classes," said Samory Rashid, associate professor of political science
"Angie probably worked harder and complained less than almost any other student I've ever had," added Brad Byers, who teaches an American folklore class. "She's really kind of a 'get up in the morning and take charge' sort of person. She's an excellent role model. She's a very positive, forward-looking person. She's not afraid to tackle new challenges and go for new horizons. I think a lot of students are very complacent and Angela is not."
Fox was one of four recipients of the Alan C. Rankin Memorial Distinguished Senior Award, which recognizes outstanding members of the senior class who have contributed to the improvement of campus life at Indiana State.
Fox attributes her success to her parents, Mark and Cathie Fox, of Leesburg.
"They have touched every aspect of my life. My accomplishments are mirror images of the effect they have had on me," Angela Fox said.
In addition to extracurricular activities at ISU, Fox had three internship experiences. Last summer she went to Brussels, Belgium, to work with the disabilities department of the European Union. The EU is trying to pass a European version of the Americans with Disabilities Act and welcomed the input from an American like herself, Fox said.
Fox noted a difference in the way change was brought about in the United States in contrast to the European approach. In the U.S., loved ones of those with disabilities fought for the legislation. In Europe, disabled individuals themselves are fighting for their rights, she said.
Her other internships were with a women's center in Ohio where she worked as a program director at Housing and Urban Development (HUD) centers, and during fall 2004 when she interned at the Vigo County prosecutor's office.
Fox said ISU was a good fit because it offered her a scholarship and wasn't too close to her Kosciusko County home.
She was offered a speech scholarship at Indiana University - Bloomington but turned it down because the campus is horribly inaccessible, she said.
Aside from the lack of an elevator at Stalker Hall, a matter currently being addressed as part of a $5.5 million renovation of the classroom building, and having to be carried from the second floor of her residence hall during a fire drill, Fox said she had no major problems while at ISU.
She said she is glad the university is bringing Stalker Hall into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act as part of the renovation.
Fox has advice for incoming freshman both with and without disabilities.
"Understand that you are an adult now and need to act accordingly. Professors want students who want to learn," she said. She also urges students to get involved early in their college careers and to not use extracurricular activities for "resume building in the last few semesters."
The cafeteria in the Mills Hall residence hall has a new ramp as a result of the Disabled Student Organization's work. The group also sponsors events that are aimed to educate the public such as "Barrier Day" and "Try on a Disability".
Students with disabilities also need to be assertive, Fox said. ISU will bend over backwards to help, but students have to ask for help, Fox said.
"Within my first week at Indiana State I had a five minute conversation with the president of the university. I don't know where else you could get an opportunity like that," she said.
"ISU believes in no restrictions of a student. It looks at the individual impacting the university and not the university impacting the individual, which helps prepare you for the real world and the not the university's perception of the real world," Fox said.
Next up for Fox is law school at Nova Southeastern University in Florida where she will focus on international law.
"Angie is such an inspiration, not only to those with disabilities but to all students," said Rita Worrall, director of Student Support Services and Disability Services at Indiana State. "One of her goals in law school is fighting for the rights of the disabled. Because of her experiences, she wants to make life better for others."
