Indianapolis, Indiana – For the past seven years, students, staff, and visitors at Ivy Tech Community College’s North Meridian Center were greeted by more than just a front desk attendant—they were welcomed by the warm, steady presence of Barbara Hall. Now, as Hall steps into retirement at nearly 80 years young, the Ivy Tech Indianapolis community is reflecting on the legacy she leaves behind—one built not just on years of service, but on countless moments of kindness and connection.
Barbara Hall joined Ivy Tech in April 2018. Her resume was already rich with experience—she had spent years traveling the world as a financial analyst with the U.S. Department of Defense. But it was at the front desk of Ivy Tech where Hall found a new purpose: creating a space of warmth and welcome for everyone who walked through the doors.
“When I first came here, people would walk in without saying a word. They wouldn’t say ‘good morning’ or anything,” Hall said, remembering her early days at the college. “So, I started saying ‘good morning,’ and they would respond ‘good morning!’ Then, sometimes I would be working, or helping someone, and people would come in and say ‘good morning’ to me first.”
What seemed like a small gesture quickly became Hall’s signature style. She understood, perhaps better than anyone, that consistent kindness could turn a stressful day into a bearable one—or even a joyful one. Over time, the front desk transformed from a transactional stop into a place of calm and connection, largely thanks to her presence.
Hall became known for her unique ability to defuse difficult situations with compassion and humor. She recalled a moment when a student, frustrated over a testing issue, approached her with clear anger.
“I told her, ‘Let me talk. You’re making that face,'” Hall said, chuckling. “You know the face.” That lighthearted but firm nudge was enough to shift the mood. With Hall’s help, the student calmed down, and they worked together to resolve the issue. “It’s all about how you talk to people,” she said. “Treat them how you want to be treated.”
Long before Ivy Tech, Hall’s journey had taken her around the world. Working for the Department of Defense, she visited military installations in several countries over a six-year period. Italy was her favorite stop. “I loved everything about it,” she said. But after a sudden change of heart in San Antonio, she decided it was time to try something new. “One day I woke up and thought, I’m done.”
That wasn’t the end of her work life, though. Retirement didn’t sit still with Hall. She began volunteering at her granddaughter’s school and discovered a passion for mentoring—especially helping students with literacy and English as a second language.
One story still brings emotion to her voice. A former student she once mentored in fourth grade grew up to become a teacher herself—and credited Hall for the inspiration. “She told me, ‘You let me help grade papers. I wanted to be like you,’” Hall said, holding back tears. “That’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”
At Ivy Tech, that same love for mentoring found new ground. Hall became a friendly face for students headed into testing rooms, many of whom felt nervous or unsure.
“I always tell them ‘good luck’ when they head to exams,” she said. Some students would return after their tests, beaming with joy. “They’d say, ‘You gave me good luck, and I passed all my tests!’” she recalled.
Her compassion made her especially popular among international students who often faced cultural and language barriers. Hall had a unique ability to make people feel seen, heard, and supported.
As her final days at Ivy Tech approached, the outpouring of appreciation came quickly. Flowers, thank-you cards, and warm hugs filled her desk area. Colleagues who had worked with her daily found it hard to imagine the campus without her quiet cheer and endless encouragement.
Though her time behind the desk has ended, Hall isn’t slowing down. She plans to return to the gym, volunteer at her church’s community center, and yes—enjoy a margarita or two. A return trip to Italy may be on the horizon for her next birthday.
Barbara Hall may be retiring, but the atmosphere she cultivated at Ivy Tech won’t be forgotten anytime soon. In the words of many who knew her best, she wasn’t just a receptionist—she was the heart of the building.
As she embarks on this next adventure, the Ivy Tech community sends her off with one resounding message: Thank you, Barbara. You made this place feel like home.
