Each year, the IU School of Liberal Arts Alumni Association honors people associated with the school who have achieved distinction through their careers or through service.
Learn about our awards and how to nominate people below.
Recognizing accomplished alumni, faculty, and friends of the school
Distinguished Alumni Award
Our highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizes alumni of the school who have distinguished themselves professionally and/or through extraordinary service to the school, IUPUI, or IU.
All School of Liberal Arts graduates are eligible for this annual award. Factors that may be considered in the selection process include philanthropic support and IU Alumni Association membership status.
Career Achievement Award
This award is given to alumni for outstanding accomplishments in their professions or in service to the school, IUPUI, or IU. Graduates who completed their first School of Liberal Arts degree in the last 5 to 15 years are eligible for this annual award.
Factors that may be considered in the selection process include philanthropic support and IU Alumni Association membership status.
Honorary Alumnus Award
This award is presented to non-alumni supporters of the school to recognize their outstanding contributions of time, leadership, and service, and their efforts to bring greater recognition to liberal arts and/or the school.
Factors that may be considered in the selection process include philanthropic support and IU Alumni Association membership status.
Recipients
We’ve listed the recipients’ IU degrees. Their School of Liberal Arts degrees are in italics.
2021
Erin Kelley
MA History
2021
Steve Kern
BA Philosophy
BS in Business, Management and Administration
2019
Dr. Paul Siddens
BA Speech and Theatre
2018
Adam Hayden
BA Philosophy, MA Philosophy
2017
David Driscoll
BA Economics
2016
Ray Boomhower
BA Journalism/Political Science, MA History
2015
Janice Klein
BA Sociology, MSW Social Service
2014
Sheila Gilbert
BA Sociology, Master of Public Affairs
2013
Gregory Mobley
BA History
2011
Christine Dowdeswell
BA Political Science
2010
Peter Carmichael
BA History
2005
Tonja L. Eagan
BA Sociology, Master of Public Affairs
2003
M. Teresa Baer
BA History, MA History
2002
Samuel Graves III
BA Political Science
2001
Byron Buhner
BA Speech, MS Adult Education/Education
2000
Stephen Akard
BA Economics/French, JD/MBA
1999
Kerry Manders
BA Sociology
1998
John Wild
BA Political Science, Specialized Study/Master of Public Affairs
1985
M. William Lutholtz
BA Political Science
1984
Fred Biesecker
BA Political Science, doctoral degree
1983
Sandra Borns
BA History, MS Secondary Education/Education
1982
Mary Parido
BA German, MS Secondary Education/Education
1981
Anne Wilcox
JD
1980
Judith LaFourest
BA English, MAT English
We’ve listed the recipients’ IU degrees. Their School of Liberal Arts degrees are in italics.
2021
Leon Bates
BA Africana Studies and History
2019
Marc A. McAleavey
BA Philosophy, MSW Social Work
2018
Sharee Myricks
BA Sociology
2017
Kirby Purciful
BA Economics, MA Economics
2016
- Sarah Ancel
BA Political Science/Economics, MA Economics - Lauren Guidotti
BA Communications Studies
2015
Todd Sears
BS Finance, MA Economics
2014
- Charity Counts
MA Museum Studies - Brian Denton
BA German/Political Science/Economics, BS Mathematics
2013
Olivia Roney
BA Communication Studies
2021
Vicki Bohlsen
2020
Rhonda Fox Waltz
Previous
- Stefan S. Davis
- James East (deceased)
- Debi Eller
- Gail M. Plater
Aristea Vareldzis-Pappas (deceased) - Gretchen Wolfram
Nominate liberal arts alumni for our awards
The 2022 nomination deadline is January 10, 2022.
To nominate someone, you need to:
- Fill out the nomination form.
- Upload a nomination letter written by you or someone else who has knowledge of the nominee’s credentials.
- If you wish, upload up to two more supporting documents, such as additional nomination letters, a resume, or a curriculum vitae.
The nomination letter and supporting documents should demonstrate the nominee’s achievements, including any service on boards, committees, and organizations at the school, at IUPUI, at IU, or at the local, state, or national level.
Nominate someone for an alumni awardAlternative ways to nominate
To submit your nominations by email, fax, or mail, contact Tricia O’Neil, Associate Director for Donor and Volunteer Engagement at IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI for the form and then submit the materials to her at peoneil@iupui.edu.
IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI Alumni Awardsc/o Tricia O’Neil
425 University Boulevard, Suite CA 436
Indianapolis, IN 46202
More helpful information
We keep nominations on file for two years. Recipients are recognized at the School of Liberal Arts alumni events.
Questions?
Contact Tricia O’Neil at 317-278-1074 or peoneil@iupui.edu.
