FULL CIRCLE: Paying Forward the Power of Opportunity
how important it is to experience other cultures. It changes the way you see people, and yourself.” That experience sparked a lifelong passion for travel and cultural understanding. Years later, Fulmer created a study abroad scholarship to help other students experience the same transformation. “Some of the students I met on that trip are still my friends today,” he said. “Had they not had scholarships, they couldn’t have gone. Everyone deserves that chance.” For both men, philanthropy began not as an obligation but as an expression of gratitude. Stockman established the Dr. Pam Ritzline Endowed Scholarship to support future students entering the Krannert School of Physical Therapy. Fulmer maintains a scholarship in his grandmother’s name and another to support global learning. “It’s not about the size of the gift,” Fulmer said. “Even $25 makes a difference. Small acts add up—and they keep UIndy’s mission alive.” Stockman echoes the sentiment. “If every graduating senior gave just $10, imagine the impact,” he said. “Those gifts help buy the equipment, the technology, the resources that keep our programs strong. It’s how we ensure the next generation has what they need to succeed.” For the couple, their story is one of inner gratitude turned outward—a reminder that generosity begins with the smallest gestures. What started as mentorship, compassion, and opportunity has grown into scholarships that will shape lives for decades to come. Giving back isn’t just about honoring the past; it’s about investing in the future. “We were fortunate to have people who believed in us,” Stockman said. “Now it’s our turn to believe in others.” In the end, that’s the quiet magic of philanthropy—a single moment of connection growing into a legacy of opportunity. Through their gifts, Fulmer and Stockman are helping future Greyhounds discover that same truth: the smallest experiences, shared with care, can echo for a lifetime.
For Dan Fulmer ’93 (Sociology) and Brian Stockman ’97 (Physical Therapy Assistant), whose story together began years after their time at the University of Indianapolis, the connections they made through UIndy continue to shape their lives today. Their shared commitment to giving back reflects not only their gratitude for UIndy but also their belief in the power of education to change lives. When they look back on their time at UIndy, they remember the professors who saw their potential before they even did, the classmates who became lifelong friends, and the experiences that shaped their worldview. Those opportunities are what brought them to UIndy, and what ultimately drove them to stay connected. For both Fulmer and Stockman, UIndy was the first place they truly felt seen. Initially denied for physical therapy school, Stockman entered the Physical Therapist Assistant program at UIndy determined to prove himself. What he found was more than a second chance, it was a true community. “We weren’t just numbers,” he said. “Our professors cared about who we were and where we wanted to go. They mentored us, taught us the ‘why’ behind the ‘what,’ and gave us the confidence to grow.” That mentorship was tangible for Stockman in the form of Dr. Pam Ritzline, the first professor he met on campus and the one who would help shape the rest of his career. “She stands out as my pillar and mentor,” he said. “If I can give back to someone the way she gave to me, that’s the greatest gift.” Fulmer experienced a similar sense of belonging. Drawn to UIndy for its Methodist heritage and welcoming size, he quickly discovered that small classes meant real relationships with experts in their field. “You could talk to your professors about anything,” he said. “That kind of access and care isn’t something you forget.” Fulmer’s UIndy years also expanded his worldview— literally. During college, he joined Semester at Sea, a study abroad program that took him around the world. “It was eye-opening,” he said. “Coming from Indiana to places like India, Venezuela, or Africa, just to name a few, you realize
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MAGAZINE // WINTER 2025
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