Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2025

About Frances Huehls

Dr. Frances “Fran” Huehls retired from the University Library on December 31, 2017 after twenty­ seven years of service to Indiana University, including the last eighteen years as a librarian. She was the Philanthropic Studies Librarian at the University Library from 2000-2017 and was head of the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives for the University Library from 2014-2017. Dr. Huehls was also an affiliate faculty member of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy for fifteen years.

During her academic career, she served in an editorial capacity for a number of significant resources related to the study of Philanthropy including FOLIO (Foundation Literature Online), the Philanthropic Studies Index, PRO (Philanthropy Resources Online), and the International Journal of Educational Advancement.

Dr. Huehls’ publications significantly added to the scholarly record in the realm of Philanthropy. She co-authored one book and co-edited another, in addition to publishing numerous book chapters and articles. Throughout her career, she also presented at many national conferences related to Philanthropy and nonprofit scholarship, higher education, teaching and research, as well as librarianship.

She served on various committees of IUPUI’s Faculty Council for 14 years and demonstrated significant leadership within the University Library Faculty Organization and the IUPUI Library Faculty organization.

In the Philanthropic Studies program, Dr. Huehls taught numerous sections of Qualitative Methods for Third Sector Research in addition to the core course called Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector and served on a number of committees in the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, including the Master of Arts curriculum review committee, the curriculum development committee, the graduate admissions committee, and the Philanthropic Studies Restructuring Committee.

Dr. Huehls was awarded the Glenn W. Irwin, M. D. Experience Excellence Recognition Award and Emeritus Faculty status. An IU alumna, she earned 4 degrees (Bachelor – Biological Sciences; Master – Library & Information Science; Master – Philanthropic Studies; Doctorate – Philosophy).

As a pioneer in the field of philanthropy, Dr. Huehls leads by example as she continues her philanthropic endeavors as a loyal and consistent donor to University Library. In her most recent giving, Dr. Huehls expressed a desire to ensure that the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives always have the ability to realize special projects and she wanted to support that work.