Awards
- IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2009
- IUPUI Maynard K. Hine Medal - 2006
- IUPUI Athletics Hall of Fame - 2002
- IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 1994
About Owen B. Melton, Jr.
Owen B. "Bud" Melton, Jr., played on the very first IUPUI intercollegiate basketball team in 1972. He continued this tradition of firsts twenty years later by becoming a charter member of the IUPUI Lettermen's Club, now the Jaguars Letter Club. As a member of the Club's board of directors, Melton helped give birth to the IUPUI Athletics Hall of Fame. Following the untimely death of Mike Carroll in 1992, he assumed the presidency of what is now the Jaguars Athletic Club. In that role, he spearheaded the Michael A. Carroll Endowment Fund to provide scholarships for IUPUI athletes. He currently serves as an honorary member of the Jaguars Athletic Club board of directors.
President and CEO of First Indiana Bank since 1983, Melton has been directly responsible for the bank's financial support of various university and athletic activities at IUPUI, including the Michael A. Carroll Memorial Golf Tournament, the primary fundraiser for IUPUI athletics. He currently serves as Chairman of the Athletic Department's Capital Campaign.
An active member of the community, Melton has served as an officer and/or board member of numerous civic and business organizations. He currently serves as a member of the board of visitors for the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance at IUPUI in 1973. Melton is also the 2002 Chairman-elect for the United Way of Central Indiana General Campaign.
Melton resides in Carmel with his wife, Christine, their son Scott and daughters Melissa and Katie. They are active members of the Second Presbyterian Church, where Melton serves as president of the board of trustees for the church's endowment fund.
He says, "IUPUI was perfect for me after returning from Vietnam. I was recently married and working full time. Completing my degree was very important, and IUPUI allowed me the flexibility to fit everything in."