Jerry F. Tardy Operating Endowment
The IU Alumni Association strives daily to serve Indiana University and engage all alumni of its eight campuses. In support of this mission, the IUAA established the Jerry F. Tardy Operating Endowment in 2004, its 150th anniversary year.
The IUAA is vital to the excellence of Indiana University. IU depends on the IUAA to stay in touch with alumni, provide them with programs and services, and get them involved in service to the university.
IUAA programs include 100 alumni chapters worldwide, 28 constituent societies or school/campus-based alumni associations, and 30 affiliate or special-interest alumni groups. The IUAA provides many opportunities for continuing education and annually provides more than a quarter-million dollars for student scholarships.
Funds from the endowment will support these important programs that connect and serve the nation's third-largest body of university alumni. The ongoing revenues from the endowment will aid the IUAA in its future support of Indiana University.
The endowment is named for Jerry F. Tardy, BS'62, the IUAA's former president and CEO who passed away unexpectedly in 2001.
1854 Society
Everyone who supports the endowment with $1,854 or more is recognized as a member of the
1854 Society, commemorating the founding of the IU Alumni Association on August 1, 1854. Members
are listed on a plaque displayed in the DeVault Alumni Center. Society members
also receive invitations to special IUAA events.
Matthew Campbell Society
Individuals who support the endowment through bequests or planned gifts are recognized as members
of the Matthew Campbell Society. Campbell, BA 1836, MA, was the first president of the "Society of
Alumni" in 1854.
What does the Tardy Endowment mean to IUAA and IU?
The Tardy Endowment supports the efforts of the IU Alumni Association and its mission of supporting
IU. In recent years the growth of the endowment has enabled the IUAA to add new programs and expand
others.
For example, in the winter of 2007 the IUAA conducted its first Winter College in Naples, Fla. This continuing-education program was open to all alumni in central and southern Florida. In some ways it was a Mini University on the road. This serves IUAA's goal of increasing continuing education opportunities for alumni.
Also, the IUAA was able to increase its support of the nationally recognized LeaderShape program, a week-long leadership training retreat that is open to student leaders from all IU campuses.