Charlie Norman ’88 left Illinois State in 1988 with a degree in finance and a mountain of debt. He financed most of his education on credit cards.
After his freshman year, he dropped out, returning home to Rockford to decide what he wanted to do with his life. He had an aptitude for numbers and liked working with people. After working with a financial planner, he found his passion. But he needed a degree.
Norman returned to Illinois State University three years older with a desire to become a financial advisor and stockbroker and found a clear path through the College of Business.
“ISU gave me the time to grow up and become a better person, a better thinker all around,” he said. “I developed critical life skills there.”
As branch manager/first vice president for a Bloomington investment firm, he has had the chance to watch the College of Business evolve into a school that’s ranked as one of the best undergraduate business schools in the nation. Now he wants to give back “to thank all of those who have gone before,” as well as the students who find themselves in the same position he did, without the funds to finance their education.
Along with making an annual gift and supporting scholarships, he’s also made a planned gift through a life insurance policy and other investments.
“I just wanted to continue the good that I see happening from the gifts that I’m making now,” he said. “I want to continue making a difference because ISU made a big difference in my life.”
