POSTED: Monday, October 6, 2008

BY JENNIFER RIVERA
OURTOWN.COM

      LAFAYETTE -- In 1989 Tom Barefoot said decided that he no longer wanted to follow his chosen profession, but still desired to work with the law.
      Barefoot thought what could he do that would allow him to continue in his field, the law, to which he had devoted his entire career?  How could he still work in and around the law and yet no longer be a practicing attorney?
      He said the answer came to him in a moment of inspiration; he could be a teacher of law.  You’ve heard the old expression, “Those who can’t, coach?”  Well, he felt that teaching would be the next best thing.
      At the time there were only two options available to him, Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College.  Barefoot said considered both schools carefully and decided that Ivy Tech suited him best.  A graduate of Purdue University in 1970, Tom felt that he could best relate to the older, more mature, population that Ivy Tech offered.
      Ivy Tech, like Purdue, does not offer a law degree but he was able to find a position teaching Business Law.  He began teaching Business Law in the fall semester of 1989 and found that it was an immediate fit. He discovered that he was able to share his passion for the law with his students in a way that was easy for them to understand.  Most of his students over the years have gone on to finish their degrees and land jobs with great success.
      Barefoot has received several awards and honors from Ivy Tech over the years regarding excellence and accomplishment. The students mainly give these awards to those instructors that have made a difference in their lives.
      “I have taken law courses before and could never grasp the concepts," said a former student. "After I took Tom’s class not only could I understand but I also was able get the logic behind it all.  He really made the law come alive for me. He really cares about whether or not you understand."
      "If ever I’m having troubles I know he is there for me,” said a current student.  “Mr. Barefoot will even make himself available in the evenings or on weekends if need be.”  She continued, “He never seems too busy to help us.”
      In addition to the numerous years of excellent service he has devoted to this community through Ivy Tech, Barefoot has been known to donate his time and resources to social service agencies in the greater Lafayette area.  He attends local charity events, participates in food drives and local causes and given his time to local agencies with labor and materials.
      This husband and dedicated father of two is no stranger to adversity and strife, he continues to strive to help his fellow community members. 
       While his family is very important to him, he has never shied away from helping out with the local softball team on his off time.  In a recent interview, he said, ”Sports are an excellent character builder. It provides young people with a sense of accomplishment, building self-esteem and also encourages teamwork -- qualities required in today’s business world.”  
        Who among us hasn’t accredited some of our success in the world today to a teacher or mentor in our lives who helped us get to where we are today?  Why I can remember my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Benson, who went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that I was able to find a way to learn so effortlessly.          That is what this man does for his students. With real world examples and concepts, Barefoot is able to impart his knowledge and skills in way that is clear and concise to his students. One might think that this subject would get old for him and he would move on to bigger and better opportunities, but not Barefoot.         “There are always more people out there who need this knowledge and I’m going to be available for them as long as I can,” he said. 
         So who is this man?  He is quite simply, the guy next door, a great neighbor and a caring and compassionate member of the community and my hero.