From high-energy traditions like Regatta to late-night study sessions and national conferences, five Jaguars share the moments they have carried into 2026. Sophomore students Anna Almeciga, Van Sui Lung Tum and Kendall Troy, along with seniors Anish Bhawal and Kimberly Hestermann, each reflect on the events, programs and personal milestones that made 2025 unforgettable.
Business student Anna Almeciga found her favorite fall memories in spaces filled with connection, energy and support. “One of my most memorable moments was attending the Male Performative Contest hosted by the Xiphos Corps dance community. I went with all my friends, and the energy, talent and crowd interaction made it such a fun and unforgettable experience.”
Anna also credits Business Plus with transforming her professional path early in her college career. “Through the program, I secured two internships incredibly early in my college career, which has helped shape my professional path.”
She said she felt especially connected to campus during late-night study sessions at the library and at the Honors College Pacers game, moments that reminded her she is surrounded by a community that motivates her. A core memory Anna is taking into the spring semester is her role on the FBLA executive team. "Being part of the first-ever FBLA chapter at IU Indianapolis feels like making history together."
For marketing student Van Sui Lung Tum, the most memorable moment of the fall semester was Regatta. As the coordinator of Traditions, she spent months planning the event with students from across campus. “Being a part of a team that had a like-minded vision and drive transformed the event, bringing together students, faculty and the city of Indianapolis.”
She said she felt most connected to campus through the Regatta Royalty Court, where she met student leaders from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation students and student parents. One memory that will stay with her came moments after Karla Bohnenkamp was crowned Regatta Royalty, when her children hugged her. “That’s what it’s all about — creating community and love within my school.”
Serving as vice president of marketing for the Operations and Supply Chain Organization (OSCM) marked a major turning point for Van Sui as a content creator. “Being able to truly step into social media marketing through my position gave me the confidence I needed to go into my own content creation.” With full creative responsibility, she watched her work hit key performance goals and realized her passion for digital content could extend beyond the classroom.
Data science student Kendall Troy shared how 1RIP, a research initiative for first-year students, deeply impacted her. “With this program, I had an opportunity to present research nationally at the National Collegiate Honors Council in San Diego. This was an amazing chance to meet with honors colleges outside of IU Indianapolis and network with like-minded peers.”
A core memory from the fall semester was experiencing her first Regatta. She said the performances, food vendors and school spirit made the event feel like the perfect celebration and homecoming event to kick off the start of a new year at IU Indy. “This year was my first year attending, and the atmosphere was unforgettably vibrant.”
Kendall also felt connected to the campus community through mental health and wellness events, especially during finals. Dog therapy sessions helped her manage stress and made her feel supported. “Especially during finals week, IU Indianapolis does an excellent job at providing additional services to manage stress.”
A significant moment for senior Anish Bhawal was speaking at the Freshman Induction Ceremony. “I got the opportunity to address 2,400+ students, where I introduced them to the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and all the benefits of being involved on campus,” said Anish.
He also felt connected to the campus community through leadership groups like SAPB’s General Board Meetings and USG’s Senate Meetings. “These experiences just make me realize how this campus has helped me grow as a professional, a leader and as a person,” Anish reflected.
Anish also played a key role in Bridge Week. As a First-Year Seminar coordinator, he helped welcome new Jaguars and saw firsthand the enthusiasm mentors and campus partners brought to supporting first-year students. “Bridge Week and Weeks of Welcome are lively traditions of our campus, and this year was better than ever," he said.
In the fall, senior Kimberly Hestermann served on a student panel at the FBLA collegiate conference. Sitting alongside other student leaders gave Kimberly the chance to reflect on the college experiences that shaped her journey, including internships, mentorship and her involvement in Women in Business. “It was surreal to realize that my experiences could help other students feel more confident about their own paths,” she said.
One meaningful moment that left a lasting impression on Kimberly was a scholarship dinner she attended. “Being surrounded by other recipients from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and staff and faculty who care deeply about service and social impact reminded me that I’m part of a community committed to using education to help others," she remarked.
Another fall achievement for Kimberly was her feature in MORE magazine’s “Women Who” issue and being a guest on the “Let’s Talk MORE on Monday” podcast. “Sharing my experiences as a woman in business at Kelley reminded me that my voice matters and that my experience can uplift others,” she said.
