Purdue alumnus gives inspiration
to students
By Steven Poland
Staff
writer
A 1980 Purdue alumnus and president of Borders
Stores and borders.com spoke to students on Tuesday about the lessons
she has learned in leadership. At the annual Midwest Retail Management
Career Conference, Tami Heim encouraged students to pursue their dreams.
"If you believe you can, you can," said Heim.
Ultimately responsible for 300 national book and
music stores, Heim began her career in retail at age 16, when she said
she was determined to get a job at Lazarus, a large clothing retailer.
"I knew I wanted to be in this business," said
Heim.
During her speech, Heim displayed personal photographs
of herself and friends taken when she was Purdue student, and also photos
of the birth of her daughter, who is now 15 years old.
"She wasn't some corporate person telling me what
to do. The photos made her more personable," said Misty Rodgers, a sophomore
in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences.
Her business success has allowed Heim to meet famous
people and travel around the world. In the past couple years, she has
spent time with the Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton and John Travolta.
Heim also attended the 42nd Grammy Awards show
and spent an evening with Oprah Winfrey.
"I'll never forget when Oprah looked me right in
the eyes and said, 'The universe will always dream a bigger dream for
you, than you will ever dream for yourself.' That was a big realization
in my life," said Heim.
Heim concluded her speech when she said that the
highlight of her year was getting in touch with her guidance counselor
from Purdue.
"She has always had more ideas than she could put
to work," said Mary Louise Foster, a guidance counselor in the department
of consumer sciences and retailing. "(Heim was) always thinking ahead
— taking more courses. She's a true self-starter."
Foster also said that she told all of her students
to attend Heim's performance whether it was their subject or not.
"She's an inspiration," said Foster.
Heim left students with a feeling that they could
aspire to be anything.
"I have more initiative now to get what I want.
Why just settle, when you can go big?" said Rodgers.
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