Editor’s Note: In this guest post, Dr. Thomas Ho shares his story about growing up in Hawaii, living in Pennsylvania and Singapore, and then coming "back home again to Indiana."

Why I am Back Home Again in Indiana

It's not because I "like" cold winters...it's because there's more to life than warm weather! Yes, I was born in Hawai'i and I "retired " to Florida after several decades in Indiana.

In 50 years, I have seen Indiana become more than a state that works...it's become THE state that "works" for me! Indiana has shaped me into the person I have become by giving me the opportunity to first learn so much and then to apply what I have learned to give back to the state that has given me so much! Even after I left for only a (fortunately) few years, I came back to pick up where I left off!

Let me explain what happened...

In 1966, I arrived at Purdue after graduating from high school in Hawai'i. For the next 24 years at Purdue, I completed my post-secondary education, began my academic career, and created one of the first baccalaureate information technology programs in the nation. That's what Purdue did for me and what (I hope you will agree) I gave back in return.

Then, I made the first in a series of "mistakes" by leaving Indiana for a couple of short stints in Pittsburgh and in Singapore until I came "back home again [to] Indiana" to continue my career in IT academic administration at IUPUI.

Eventually, I "retired" from higher education to join a Christian missions organization in Florida, but I came "back home again [to] Indiana" (again!) when my daughter was admitted to Purdue because #OnlyPurdue was best for her!

I then resumed my academic career (this time in K-12), and have been Director of Technology at Traders Point Christian Schools.

I think I am done with this "back home again in Indiana" pattern, so I am taking this opportunity to explain why I keep coming back after leaving Indiana.

As our state slogan says: Indiana works!

It works for me and it works for my family because both of my children were born and raised in Indiana.

Indiana has shaped me. Sure, Hawai'i shaped me during my formative years, but Indiana has been home for almost all of my adult life! What has that meant to me?

Indiana has consistently offered me opportunity! I keep coming back because Indiana has offered me opportunities that were not offered to me during my short absences or when I have considered leaving.

Indiana has trusted me to do more than I realized I was capable of doing before I was offered the opportunity.

I could go on, but I think you get what I'm getting at, so I hope you are as glad as I am to be "Back Home Again in Indiana!"