Robert Easterling graduated from the Indiana School for the Blind in 1965. He recently discussed his time there as a student and his career.

"I would say that the school provided me with an educational opportunity that I wouldn't have received anywhere else. I was a partially sighted student. People don't recognize that we have a visual impairment. In the public schools, it was hard to get the same instruction. Among the courses that I took were advanced math and science classes. There were many extra curricular activities like the Key Club (Kiwanis), chess, photography, ham radio clubs, track and wrestling that many students, including myself, participated in," he recalled.

"At ISB, we had the benefit of classes with small student-to-teacher ratios that permitted very interactive and highly effective learning. In math classes, we had the opportunity to gather very close to the blackboard where we could collectively participate in and follow problem solving. All of our teachers were not only skilled in their field of study, but also in how to accommodate students with limited or no vision. It was obvious that the teachers were highly committed to our success and created a learning environment where students could reach their full potential. My math teacher, Arlo Mock, took time out of his summer to teach an advanced trigonometry class where I was the only student. I needed the class to get into Purdue University. He was not only a dedicated teacher, but also was a special mentor to me. We became good friends and stayed in touch the rest of his life. I consider myself fortunate to have had a mother who was also a public school special education teacher. She had the wisdom and courage to send me to ISB where I would have the best opportunity to prepare myself for college," he said.

After graduating from ISB, I went to Purdue University where I studied Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology and took additional computer science courses," he mentioned.

"After graduating from Purdue in 1969, I was recruited by Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana mainly due to my interest in computer-based automation technology. When I started there, most manufacturing processes were manual and I had the opportunity to help develop their manufacturing technology. My unique combination of knowledge in manufacturing engineering and computer science acquired at Purdue was key to my advancement to management positions in manufacturing and quality engineering at Cummins largest engine production facility during the first half of my career," Easterling noted.

"Cummins was and is a very forward thinking company and allowed me to build a new organization of computer specialists, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers that introduced many new automation technologies. Robotics, automated engine test systems, 3D laser measuring systems, material management systems put computers on the shop floor controlling machines for the first time at Cummins. During the second half of my career, I worked in a corporate capacity to continue the development of manufacturing technology and propagate it worldwide throughout the company," he explained.

Easterling played a key role in helping advance and transform Cummins' manufacturing processes in a similar way that ISB provided a quality education for him. He worked for Cummins 31½ years before retiring in February of 2001.

"One of the things you look back upon is that when you're a student at ISB is you become part of a family - a family of friends. The friendships that a student acquires there are life-long bonds. You look back on those times at what you have learned and experienced together. The world is changing and that's where the school helps you. You make good friends in learning to cope with the changing world that we live in. We all understand each other's situation. It's a group of friends that we wouldn't have any other way. Durward Hutchinson (ISB Superintendent from 1959 to 1988) was the head of a very special family of students and faculty," he reflected.

"Durward did a lot to promote the education of the teachers to help students that were attending public schools. He introduced the idea that ISB, as a center of excellence for educating the blind, could broaden its reach and effectiveness by creating programs and seminars for students and teachers in public schools statewide. He also expanded ISB's on-campus facilities and curriculums, including the ability to better accommodate blind students with additional disabilities. He was a really special person, very thoughtful and very nice. Durward was a 2008 recipient of the Hofsteter Award (Hank Hofsteter was a member of the American Counsel of the Blind of Indiana). This award is not given annually, but only on rare occasions to sighted individuals who have made an extraordinary lifetime commitment to serving the Blind of Indiana." Easterling emphasized.

"Durward had the vision to develop ISB's curriculum inside and outside the classroom with sports, which was kind of unheard of at that time. D.J. Dunkin was a popular history teacher and Dan Wolcalski pioneered the wrestling and track team and athletic facilities. James "Moe" Haralson continued that legacy and was principal of the school. He took over the wrestling program after Dan retired and led them to numerous NCAA championships," he said.

"When I returned to ISB for a meeting many years later, I ran into Durward in the main building. He asked me if he could submit my name to the Governor to serve on the school's advisory board. I said 'yes' and soon received an appointment to the board. I served from 1982 almost continuously until resigning from the Board around June 17, 2002. Easterling accepted a second invitation to return as a board advisor.

"People like Durward and James Haralson were among many teachers and individuals who left their mark on ISB and the students' lives. They collectively made the fabric of exceptional leadership that made this a great place. There is a sense of family here that is rededicated during Alumni Weekend where students and faculty return to get reacquainted. Anybody attending ISB has a second family here they will never forget. We are like brothers and sisters who learn together how to cope with our disabilities and survive in this world," he noted.

As a member is ISB's Scholarship Committee, Easterling recently saw a student's application that aspires to study engineering at Purdue and is acting as a mentor to him. The student will benefit from Easterling's insights and experiences as Purdue student. "The gesture is in the culture of a vital process of helping people survive. At this point in my life as I look back at my days at ISB, my career and my own family, which includes two college-educated sons with careers and families of their own, clearly our lives would have been vastly different had it not been for the school and its incredibly dedicated staff. I feel a debt of gratitude that is far beyond words," he concluded.

Robert Easterling's career and life-long friendship with Durward Hutchinson are among many inspiring stories in ISB's history.