Indiana Retold

Stories of the Hoosier State

There is no single story of the Hoosier state; rather, our collective story is shaped by the myriad individual narratives of those who have contributed to life, culture, and community in Indiana.

In January 2020, the A&H Council presented Indiana Retold, a two-night storytelling series bringing together leading contemporary figures from across the state with IU students to share their personal stories of struggle and success, alienation and acceptance, ignorance and understanding. Each individual story offers unique insight into what it means to live, work, and create in Indiana.

Indiana Retold was presented in partnership with the Asian Culture Center, First Nations Educational & Cultural Center, La Casa Latino Culture Center, LGBTQ+ Culture Center, and the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

We invite you to experience these stories of the Hoosier State.

Student Stories

Katie Lichtle, a graduate student in the school of library science, discusses her path toher dream career and her self discovery within the LGBTQ+ community.

Anna Tragesser discusses belonging within her seven generation Indiana family.

Dalton Gibson recounts his journey of how he became an IU student.

Carrick Moon talks about coming out as trans and the importance of love andacceptance.

Gavin Mariano reflects on growing up in Northwest Indiana and his experience as an IUstudent leader.

Meloddy Gao reviews her time in Washington DC and discovers what it means to be aHoosier.

Stories from Across the Hoosier State

Jonah Dahncke talks about the history and uniqueness of being a Hoosier.

Jean Merrill advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and through her work within theNCAA, she fights for inclusion in college athletics.

Joon Park discusses identity as an Asian American and his work with the StudentCoalition during his time on the Bloomington IU campus.

Samrat Upadhyay talks about the outpouring of love from Hoosiers during Nepal's timeof need after an earthquake.

Chris Chyung reflects on being a politician and the threads that tie us together inIndiana.

Denny Spinner retells Huntingburg’s basketball history and how it brought a communitytogether.

Jeff McCabe recounts his experiences during 9/11 and how it affected his family’s life inIndiana.

Jean Capler discusses the LGBTQ+ experience as a Hoosier woman.

Don Griffin analyzes prejudice in our communities and assumptions involving race.

Letty Newkirk remembers her homecoming to Indiana and her love of the artscommunity at IU.