Chancellor Michael Harris Recognized a Notable Kokomoan, IU Kokomo Chancellor Michael Harris

A CHILDHOOD STORY FROM A NOTABLE KOKOMOAN: Indiana University Kokomo Chancellor Michael Harris - Kokomo Perspective: Kokomoans

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A CHILDHOOD STORY FROM A NOTABLE KOKOMOAN: Indiana University Kokomo Chancellor Michael Harris Story Previous

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Posted: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 4:06 pm | Updated: 8:10 am, Tue Jun 21, 2011.

My upbringing was quite different from most citizens in the Kokomo community. I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. When I was six years old, my family and I moved to Israel and joined a commune. The commune we lived in had around 350 people. The property was 1500 acres. We grew a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, had a dairy and poultry farm, and also grew cotton. Everyone lived in the same style and size of home. Property was collectively owned, and there was a fleet of vehicles which were used mainly for work; but, you could sign up to borrow a car for leisure. Everyone was compensated the same, no matter what your individual job was. There was never really a need for money, as you would receive based on your need.

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Michael Harris as a boy (he is on the right, and his cousin is on the left)

Since there were no televisions or phones, my friends and I would find things to do. We would play sports, such as soccer, basketball and volleyball. When I was young, none of us had ever heard of baseball or football. We also enjoyed swimming at the community pool on hot days. Nearly every Friday evening was movie night at the community center. They would play two movies. The first would be a movie for children, and the second would be a family movie for older children and adults.

Kokomo Middle School 6th gra…

I had a little mutt dog named Rodney. We got him when I was about 8 years old. I liked to ride my bike to the pummelo trees, and Rodney would always come running along with me. I would pick a pummelo to eat, and we would sit under the shade of the trees. Sometimes I would take a book with me to read. One of my favorite activities was, and still is, reading. Growing up, I would love to go to the communal library and read as much as I could. I have enjoyed reading from a very early age.

YMCA’s Huddle draws in visitor…

Another memorable activity was going on camping/hiking trips. A group of 15 - 20 of us would go, and we hiked all over. On one trip, we started from the

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http://kokomoperspective.com/...tory-from-a-notable-kokomoan-indiana-university-kokomo/article_4d39ef04-978e-11e0-839f-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story[3/8/2014 10:30:53 AM]

A CHILDHOOD STORY FROM A NOTABLE KOKOMOAN: Indiana University Kokomo Chancellor Michael Harris - Kokomo Perspective: Kokomoans

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Mediterranean Sea and ended at the Sea of Galilee. This was between a three and four day trip. Along the way, the chaperones would tell us about the history of the country. The commune had deep heritage and traditions of living off of the land. At night, we would set up camp and sing around the campfire. We would roast potatoes in the coals of the fire. Once they were roasted, we would dig them out, sprinkle on some salt, and eat them. We had never heard of roasting marshmallows or hot dogs.

… The Northwestern Lady Tigers gymnastics tea…

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School was always taken very seriously, and I strived to do my very best. We would ride a bus or truck over to the regional school, which had children from several communes in the area. I relished walking into school, because there were the most amazingly fragrant flowers. Our playground had a huge world map covering the asphalt, which I always enjoyed looking at and imagining the places I could go when I got older. In middle school, I was the Vice President of the Student Council. All of us on the Student Council felt really important, since we got to meet in the teacher's lounge. My favorite subject was history. It was interesting to learn what had happened in the past around the world. I have always enjoyed learning. Knowledge is one of our greatest resources.

Video Clips 2014 Chrysler Town & Country at … Share

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Posted in Kokomoans on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 4:06 pm. Updated: 8:10 am.