Awards

Bicentennial Medal - 2020

Presidents Circle Laurel Pin - 2016

Benefactor

Partners in Philanthropy - 2012

Keystone Award

Distinguished Alumni Service Award - 1998

About Dale Ellen Leff

Campus student leader, teacher, innovator in retail fashion, and television spokesperson briefly describes the activities of Dale Stark Leff. Along the way she has taken time for volunteer and humanitarian activities. While earning a BS at IU (Recreation, 1969), Dale was a member of the Student Foundation Steering Committee, held various offices in Delta Gamma sorority, and was a Mortar Board member. She went on to receive an MS in education from Butler University and taught in an Indianapolis elementary school for six years.

Entering the world of fashion in 1977, she advanced from fashion coordinator and buyer at L.S. Ayres to director of fashion and product development at Denver Dry Goods, then from sales promotion and merchandise manager for Neiman Marcus to director of corporate, Japanese, and storewide shopping services for Bloomingdale's. Next, she entered the world of television in New York City as a commentator and producer on E! Entertainment Network, Time Warner's Catalogue 1, and Can We Shop, starring Joan Rivers.

Though she lists herself as retired, her volunteer activities are numerous, including serving on the IU Foundation Board, the steering committee of the IU Women and Philanthropy Colloquium, the Neiman Marcus National Advisory Board, and the Board of the James Lennox House for the Elderly. She and her husband have endowed a chair in Women's Studies that bears the name of IU's first lady, Peg Brand. This dovetails with her activities to help young female graduates find professional positions. Her work with the homeless, underprivileged, and elderly is also direct and hands-on.

In 2020, Dale Stark Leff was presented the Bicentennial Medal for her distinguished service to Indiana University.