Awards

Chancellor and Provost Medallion - 2017

IU South Bend Chancellor's Medallion

Honorary Degree - 1988

L.H.D.

Doctor of Humane Letters

Commencement

South Bend, Indiana

Presenter: Thomas Ehrlich

About Lester M. Wolfson

Lester Wolfson received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in English from the University of Michigan. He served in various teaching roles at Wayne State University, University of Houston, University of California Santa Barbara, and IU Northwest. He taught as an associate professor of English at IUN until 1964, when he was selected as Director and Assistant Dean of IU South Bend.

Wolfson became the first and longest reigning chancellor of IU South Bend from 1969-1987. During his tenure, he developed IU South Bend from a two-year college into a university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Other notable contributions under his leadership include the construction of the Schurz Library and the expansion of the theater and music departments.

Wolfson led the IUSB campus to evolve and grow extensively. There is no doubt that students, faculty and staff members will continue to be inspired by his legacy and become community leaders. Wolfson received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Indiana University in 1988, presented by IU former president Thomas Ehrlich at commencement ceremonies in South Bend. Additionally in recognition of his exceptional service to the Indiana University South Bend campus, his unwavering support to student success and advancing the university’s mission, Wolfson was presented an IUB Chancellor and Provost Medallion by Thomas Ehrlich in 2017.