There’s something about your first love that you just don’t get over. It’s the swell of emotion you get when you get when you walk under a canopy of glorious fall trees, a vivid sunset over a lake, or the unfolding of spring as the tulips open in the morning light. Glenna Bower gets a little emotional when she talks about that first great love of her life. The first love that has sustained her for nearly 25 years: USI. She arrived at USI as a transfer student When she stepped onto campus, she felt she was home. Dr. Jane Davis-Brezette provided her with the mentorship she needed to thrive at her new home. “When I graduated, Dr. B told me I needed to think about pursuing a PhD. I wasn’t ready for that. I just wanted get a job and work. But she planted a seed. Then that seed started growing and I began to plan.” She stayed a year in Chicago, working in corporate fitness, but she found she couldn’t stay away. Glenna enrolled in a graduate program at Indiana University and returned to USI as an instructor. Being on campus was just as amazing as she remembered. This time, it was Glenna providing the mentorship to students. “It’s family at USI. What I experienced as a student still goes on today. Faculty still open their doors and open their arms to students.” Nearly 25 years later, what keeps the love still fresh to Glenna are the students. “What better way than to give back then to your alma mater. It’s important for students to have a mentor. My job is to guide, listen and to plant seeds. When Glenna gives her commencement address, she hopes she can keep her composure. Just talking about her journey makes her misty eyed. That’s because there’s always just something about your first love.