Awards

IU Kokomo Distinguished Service Award - 1990

About Hugh L. Thompson

Hugh Lee Thompson was the former Chancellor of Indiana University-Kokomo from 1980 to 1990. Throughout his career, he served leadership postions at many institutions, including Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI, Detroit Institute of Technology, Washburn University in Topeka, KS, Clarke College in Dubuque, IA, and Meyers University in Cleveland.

During his tenure at IU Kokomo, Thompson exerted a great influence on the university. Over the ten years, he doubled the size of the campus from 24 to 48 acres by buying up land and constructing new buildings such as the Kelley Student Center, Purdue wing, and the campus observatory. He started several scholarship endowments, which are now among the largest offered at the university. Also, the school added 14 new Indiana University degrees and six Purdue University degrees. He is remembered as a transformative leader today.