As Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma reflected on his time at Beech Grove High School, he spoke about teachers who focused on the big picture.
The 1976 graduate said his math and physics teacher also taught at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. “He was an inspiring guy for me,” Bosma, who went on to study engineering at Purdue University, said.
“He stretched us quite a bit and made us think more like college students than high school students,” he explained. “I had him sophomore and junior years. He just made us think more about academic life.”
Bosma also cited his physical education teacher, an Olympic trial wrestler, as a key influence.
“He, too, made us think about bigger things than just Beech Grove and the class we were in,” Bosma said.
At home, his parents reinforced the message.
“I grew up in a family that placed a very high premium on public service,” Bosma said.
His father served in the Indiana Senate from 1962 until 1980. His mother was a kindergarten teacher. One of his sisters became a civil service worker for the state. The other became a special education teacher. He entered the legislature in 1986 and has remained a member for 30 years.
Bosma’s political career began in Beech Grove as a campaign volunteer for Richard Lugar, Bill Hudnut, his father and others. He became involved in Republican organizations as an Indiana University law student. For eight years, his law career included serving as Beech Grove’s city attorney.
Though his district no longer represents Beech Grove, he visits often. His mother still lives in Beech Grove.
“We just stay in touch,” he said. “I still have a lot of friends down there and stop in on Main Street to the shops occasionally.”
His family operated a dairy farm, a dairy manufacturing plant and a dairy bar during his youth. Bosma still operates a 60-acre farm close to Beech Grove.
He and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for 34 years. They have two adult children. Allison is a chef in Colorado and Chris is in medical school in Indianapolis.
Originally published in Southside Times, 2016. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.