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Eric Bilodeau

Economics Major; French and Math Minors

Age is not just a number for 19 year old Eric Bilodeau. It is a numeric symbol of achievement. He says moving to the United States from Canada at the age of 16 and his IUPUI education are helping him move closer to his goal of becoming a high profile political figure.

The SPAN program, IUPUI's Special Program for Academic Nurturing, was responsible for cultivating Bilodeau's desire for knowledge. SPAN provided an opportunity for Eric to secure his high school diploma while simultaneously applying the credits to collegiate studies. Eric acquired 32 credit hours upon his completion of the program. Subsequent to finalizing his senior year of high school in the SPAN, he decided to embark on a major in Economics supported by two minors: Math and French.

Although hard for some to digest, economics seems to come easy, says Eric. "I guess I am good with math," Eric laughs. Economics is a numbers game for Eric, a game where he triumphs. Dr. Shah Towfighi, an Economics professor, has helped to pave Bilodeau's academic path with interesting lesson plans. "And," Eric reports, "I really like his teacher-student interaction." As Eric's favorite professor, Towfighi has provided guidance for this scholar and affirmed his decision to take on the world of economics.

Eric Bilodeau was honored at the 2008 Liberal Arts Honors Convocation with the Liberal Arts Dean's Scholarship for his academic success and his recurrent commendations from the faculty. Topping the Dean's List with a 4.0 GPA, Bilodeau is packing his resume full. He is Vice President of IUPUI Free-thinkers, which promotes secular issues, reason, and rationality. In addition, his membership in SAGE, Student Advocates for Global Equality, allows Bilodeau to focus on justice and peace in American foreign policy.

Political and foreign issues are a priority for this new American. That is until fall Sundays roll around and he becomes glued to the television watching the Colts dominate the AFC. Eric does also enjoy being with his family. Visiting them in Canada four to five times a year helps Bilodeau keep his goals in perspective. Not only is being fluent in Canada's dual languages important for his future political aspirations, but as Eric strongly states, "I want to be able to communicate with my grandmother without my dad having to translate." Compassionate and clever, Eric has many years to accomplish his dreams and make his mark in the political sector.

--Jennifer Wade, Communication Studies Major, Liberal Arts News Bureau

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