Awards

Partners in Philanthropy - 2024

Family Legacy Award

About The Eskenazi Family

Today, the Eskenazi family is an IU institution—recognized in name and likeness across the campus. But their story has humble beginnings and deep roots right here at IU. Sidney and Lois met while they were both students at IU and the rest, as they say, is history. Both active in Greek life as students, Sidney earned his bachelor’s degree from the Kelley School of Business in 1950 before completing his JD at the Maurer School of Law in 1953, and Lois received her bachelor’s degree in medical technology in 1954.

Since 1970, the Eskenazi family has made an enormous difference in the lives of Hoosiers throughout the state through their philanthropic efforts. Their support of Indiana University has ranged from student scholarships to faculty support to capital projects—all inspired by the selfless vision to pass on a robust, well-rounded education to future students and a thriving, healthy city to future generations.

Through the work being done at Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health and by students who are chasing their educational dreams thanks to scholarships at the Bloomington and Indianapolis law schools, the Herron School of Art and Design, and the IU School of Medicine, the Eskenazi family’s philanthropic spirit enables and stimulates advancements in education and health. Their love of art inspires students and the public through the Eskenazi Health Art Program and at Eskenazi Hall and Eskenazi Fine Arts Center at Herron, the Eskenazi Museum of Art, and the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design.

Sidney and Lois have supported programs and students across IU, and they have passed that passion on to the next generations of Eskenazis: their children Sandra (Sandy) Eskenazi, Dori Meyers, and David Eskenazi, as well as several grandchildren. In July 2016, their children joined forces to establish the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Chair in Hematology-Oncology at the IU School of Medicine, used to recruit an accomplished researcher focused on discovering new ways to treat, diagnose, and prevent cancer. This gift was made in honor of their mother's previous lung cancer diagnosis and her successful treatment by the IU School of Medicine's world-renowned oncologist Dr. Lawrence Einhorn.

Most recently, the Indiana Women’s Basketball program’s newly remodeled and renovated Team Center was named the Sandra Eskenazi Women’s Basketball Team Center in recognition of a major gift from Sandy in support of the team center project and the IU Women’s Basketball program.

The Eskenazi name is one that is well-known across Indiana University, from buildings to scholarships and professorships. It is a name that evokes hope, creativity, inspiration…and it is a name that has become synonymous with philanthropy.