Charlie Ballowe, ’97, is a true embodiment of lifelong learning. His commitment both to expanding his own education and to helping others grow and succeed is a testament to his character, and one of the many reasons we are proud to count him as part of our IMSA community.
When asked about his proudest moment, Charlie is quick to point to the quiet victories rather than the headline achievements. “It’s the small things,” he says. “Solving a hard problem in an elegant way, and helping others make connections, get promoted, and understand concepts are all things that make me proud.”
Although high schools in his Peoria, IL area were strong, they were limited in what they could offer a student like Charlie. IMSA, by contrast, was “different in all of the ways I liked,” he says. Being surrounded by students who shared his curiosity, who genuinely wanted to be there, was deeply inspiring. “I learned as much by helping others understand concepts as I learned from the instructors. We learned from each other, and while they encouraged everyone to go above and beyond, teachers didn’t get in the way of learning,” he shares. After reaching the limits of what his home school could offer, IMSA offered the challenge he had been searching for.
After earning his computer science degree at Carnegie Mellon in 2001, Charlie utilized his IMSA alumni network to secure a role in Chicago at USG, then Rush University Medical Center. In 2006, he answered a call from Google and moved to California to work as a software and site reliability engineer, sometimes alongside fellow IMSA alumni. Reflecting on that chapter, Charlie says that “Google was as fun of a place to work as everyone says it is!” After 16 years in California, Charlie moved back home to be closer to his family, continuing to work remotely for Google until retiring in 2024, though he prefers to call this phase of life “funemployed!”
Today, Charlie continues to honor his love of learning and making a difference through his involvement in a local community makerspace. This nonprofit organization welcomes people of all backgrounds to learn to use new tools, connect with fellow makers, and create everything from art to functional items, fostering curiosity and collaboration at every level.
Beyond the makerspace, Charlie is deepening his engagement with his local economy. He connects with local entrepreneurs and startup founders, learning about their work and exploring ways to participate. He attends county-wide economic council meetings, and is actively investing his time, energy, and resources into strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Not only is Charlie investing in his local community, he’s also investing in the future of IMSA. “I give a lot of credit to IMSA for the opportunities I have had; I wouldn’t have had the same direction if I hadn’t gone to IMSA. I’ve experienced success because of the path the Academy put me on, and would not be where I am today if not for IMSA. I want to pay it forward so others can also have that opportunity,” he shares.
“When I think about IMSA, it’s always the people – the students, our community, and the professors who encouraged learning and made it easier and more fun,” Charlie says. He especially values IMSA’s commitment to identifying students who need an extra opportunity; students for whom the Academy can be transformative, rather than those who would succeed anywhere. “The kids who need to break out of where they are and need this opportunity – they’re the ones who make big connections to fellow students. IMSA’s value lies in the learning experience and the relationships you form.”
We are deeply grateful for Charlie’s investment in our IMSA community, and his continued dedication to curiosity, discovery, and advancing the human condition.