Amonette Theron learned to love every minute as a student and tennis player at Indiana University East.

But, it took time. The native of South Africa got off to a bumpy start in her freshman year – 2020-21 – because of homesickness and the COVID pandemic.  She had to make adjustments to live in a tiny community compared to living in Pretoria, which has an urban population of 2.9 million.

“From city life to here, it was hard at the beginning,” she said. “I had to figure it out. I am very happy about the decision to get out of my comfort zone.”

Theron found comfort by making friends all around campus. “I love how the people are here. They smile at you,” she explained.

She grew close to classmates and teammates, to professors and coaches, to department heads and office workers. She performed a variety of jobs on campus – helping accounting professors and working at athletic events. She also did part-time work in the offices of External Affairs and Financial Aid.

Her dream to play tennis at a university in the United States came true and coincided with a rise to excellence for the Red Wolves’ women’s team.

“We made history (in 2021),” she said, by winning IU East’s first championship in the River States Conference. They repeated the next season.

They qualified to play in the NAIA National Championships both seasons.

Theron plays at singles and doubles. She and Eva Caballero combined in 2020-21 for an 11-3 record, a record winning percentage of .786.

Theron set several records in doubles: 15 victories in both 2020-21 and 2021-22 and a 26-9 record over those two seasons when playing with Caballero.

Theron also excelled in the classroom and on the ping pong tables in the Graf Center. She was named to the Dean’s List several times and won conference scholar-athlete honors as she earned a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in accounting and financial forensic investigation.

Her future goals are to earn a master’s degree, become a certified public accountant and start a career as a financial forensic investigator.

“The goal is to get a job here and use everything I’ve learned about accounting,” she said. “I would like to stay in the area.”

Theron explored and found a lot to like outside of campus. “I got an inexpensive car: I love it,” she said. “I love small-town life in Richmond.”

In fact, she hopes to become a dual U.S. citizen someday.

“I want to give back to the U.S. if I have the opportunity,” she said.

Her parents, Amanda and Joe Theron, will visit the U.S. for the first time to attend Commencement.

“That excites me,” said Amonette, who is their only child.