The ISU National Capital Alumni Chapter profiles in this section local alumni who are making a difference within their profession and/or community. If you would like to nominate someone to be recognized in this section please e-mail [email protected]. We know there are ISU alumni who are making significant contributions to our world and have yet to be recognized so we look forward to hearing from you!
Col. John J. Suggs USAF (Ret.) is a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. He served in the 301st Squadron as a Transport, Tanker and Fighter Pilot from 1943-1961. The name "Tuskegee Airmen" refers to the young Black pilots who received flight training at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama during and shortly after World War II. The squadrons comprised the largest fighter unit in the 15th Air Force. From Italian bases they destroyed enemy rail traffic, hundreds of vehicles on air-to-ground strafing missions, and coast watching surveillance stations. Sixty-six pilots were killed in aerial combat while another 32 were either forced down or shot down and captured to become Prisoners of War. Today the Tuskegee Airmen have four memorials in place to perpetuate the memory of who they were, why they were, and what was accomplished during and after the adverse conditions to which they were subjected. Col. Suggs was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana and received his B.S. degree from ISU in 1939. He has maintained a successful military career, in addition to dedicated many years to teaching and education. Some of his many awards and decorations include the Korean Service Medal, Occupation Medal (Japan), World War II Victory Medal, and the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters.
Information above is from this website link which is written and maintained by Col. William J. Smith.. Additional information was provided by the archives at Indiana State University.For more information about John Suggs and the Tuskegee Airmen visit the links below.
Tuskegee Airmen Inc. - A Brief History
Tuskegee Airmen Musuem
Dr. Herm Davis is one of the nation's top student aid authorities and leading author of the College Financial Aid for Dummies. He is also a proud graduate of Indiana State University. Dr. Herm Davis heads the National College Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing information to students. Additionally, he directs College Financial Aid Counseling and Education Services Inc. (CFACES) where he spends the majority of his time consulting with students and parents on paying for college. He is co-author of College Financial Aid for Dummies (IDG Books, 1999) and financial aid advisor for the National College Scholarship Fund, Rockville, MD. He also serves in an Advisory Board capacity to our National Capital Alumni Chapter. For more information about Dr. Davis please visit the links below.
The CARE Book
College Financial Aid for Dummies
eStudentLoan - Dr. Davis
Rep. Brian Kerns, U.S. Representative, Seventh District of Indiana. Although new to political office, Brian Kerns is familiar with Capitol Hill. He has served as Chief of Staff to Representative Ed Pease, retiring house member for Indiana�s 7th district. At the urging of supporters, Kerns decided to run for his former boss� seat. Kerns is also the son-in-law of John T. Myers, who represented the district in Congress from 1967 until 1996. Kerns earned both a bachelor�s and a master�s in public administration from Indiana State University. For more information about Brian Kerns please visit the links below.
New Office Ceremony
Contact Rep. Kerns
