Full Circle: Alumni Spotlight on Chuck Ingersoll

It was a December day 50 years ago. It just happened to be both Chuck Ingersoll's birthday and his college graduation day. The class of '74 had left their mark, to be sure-the football team was unstoppable, closing out the season in a blaze of glory by winning the championship game, the campus was growing, construction was just getting underway on the future Beck Center, and Texas Lutheran University was still Texas Lutheran College. Ingersoll left school, ready to face the world, BA in hand and certified to teach history, political science, and social studies. "My graduation has always been one of the most impactful events of my life," he says.

That day would lead him to a long career in teaching, eventually landing him just a short drive from Seguin, in the Marion Independent School District, where he would teach middle school for the next 33 years-right up until his retirement in 2008. "I can honestly say that Texas Lutheran College was instrumental in paving my path as a productive citizen and for my chosen profession as a teacher," says Ingersoll.

A full career as a middle school teacher, of course, was not without its trials, but Ingersoll was equipped to face them. It helped that he stayed in touch with so many of his own teachers, including his mentor and history professor, Dr. Ray Gerhardt, who eventually became a good friend. "I felt like I was tremendously prepared for handling the pressures and challenges of the teaching profession due to the constant help of many of my education professors who I called upon even after my graduation."

Eventually, Ingersoll would have the opportunity to return the favor by becoming a supervising teacher to several TLU student teachers, helping them to launch their own careers in the field.

But if teaching was Ingersoll's first love, basketball was a close second. "In conjunction with my public-school career, I also spent over 30 years as a certified Texas basketball official with the Texas Association of Sports Officials," he says, adding that "the highlight of this 'secondary' career was the honor of officiating the 2010 Girls State Basketball Tournament in Austin."

Back in college, Ingersoll had been involved in campus life in lots of ways that carried forward into his future. "My tenure at Texas Lutheran College was filled with many activities and associations," he says. He was a member of the Student Education Association, which helped to prepare him to work as a teacher. "I played basketball for the Texas Lutheran College Bulldogs for several years which allowed me to not only meet some forever friends and colleagues, but also to experience different parts of the state. I eventually pledged Omega Tau, which opened my social life with wonderful friends."

This past fall, he had the chance to join the annual Homecoming celebration, where he enjoyed catching up with some of those friends and smiling over shared memories. "The overwhelming college memory for me at TLC is the continued relationships I've enjoyed with so many people that I met throughout my time at the campus," he says. "My first college roommate is still one of my best friends. Because I have made my home in Seguin, I have been able to maintain friendships with many classmates who also made Seguin their home. In addition, I am proud to call past and present presidents and staff of the university friends."

Living in Seguin has also afforded Ingersoll the opportunity to stay connected to his alma mater in other ways. "Because I have lived all of my post-graduation life in Seguin, I have been able to enjoy so many of the eclectic events that the university provides, from sporting events to campus reunions, social gatherings, intellectual seminars, and various presentations in the arts." He has enjoyed watching the campus evolve over time. "I have marveled at the beautiful growth of the campus from a 'college on the plain' to a gorgeous tree-filled landscape with berms and modern building additions along with keeping the traditions of my era."

A lot has happened since that December day in 1974, when Ingersoll received his diploma and set out to start his life, and he's learned a lot along the way. So, what would his advice be to current TLU students? Get involved. Enjoy the ride. "Even though I feel a little presumptuous in giving any advice, I do feel compelled to suggest that students immerse themselves in college life and enjoy its culture," he says. "It is such an impactful period of your life and it becomes so fleeting. Before too long, real life hits you squarely in the face and you will then long for the sanctuary of your formative time at Texas Lutheran University."

Since his retirement, Ingersoll has stayed busy in the local community and at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, where he is involved in numerous different ministries. And he's never let his connection to TLU falter-he gets to campus fairly often, gives what he can, and holds onto true friends. He cherishes his memories from the old days, but he's happy to make new ones, too.