Aligning work to increase impact
Fiscal year 2025 highlights
New joint strategic plan in place for IUAA and IUF
The first joint strategic plan between the IU Alumni Association and the IU Foundation, known as Advancing IU 2030, was shaped by a significant and strategic alliance between the organizations.
As both organizations work diligently to support Indiana University, the coinciding completion of our 2021–24 plans presented a unique opportunity to develop a new, unified strategic plan. This joint approach enabled us to align our goals, focus our resources more effectively, and drive forward a cohesive advancement strategy in support of IU 2030, IU’s strategic plan.
The development of Advancing IU 2030 marks a pivotal moment in the collaboration between the IUAA and the IUF, symbolizing our shared commitment to support IU. In uniting our efforts through this plan, we are not only aligning our goals and optimizing resource allocation but also setting a clear path toward continued success and a strengthened partnership.
“The process of establishing a joint strategic plan has been exciting and inspiring, as we came together to shape IU’s future—building on innovation, belonging, and making a real impact on the IU family and broader community,” says Yung Nguyen, BS’89, MD’95, chair of the IUAA’s Board of Managers.
Advancing IU 2030 will serve as the guiding framework for all IUAA and IUF operations, beginning in fiscal year 2026 and continuing through 2030. It is organized into three core pillars, shown in sidebar.
Advancing IU 2030 will positively impact the work we all do. The framework will inform the creation of annual operating plans, which will detail specific, advancement objectives that are directly derived from the broader strategic goals outlined in the plan.
Going forward, departments across the IUAA and the IUF will establish their own sets of annual goals that align with these operational plans, ensuring that there is a cohesive and unified approach across all levels of both organizations.
“By recognizing our similar missions and the overlapping constituencies we serve, IUAA and IUF have come together with a united intent to collaborate and enhance our collective impact,” says Allison DeWitt, acting chief operating officer and executive director of outreach and operations for the IUAA.
Leadership of both the IUAA and the IUF formally adopted Advancing IU 2030 in Fall 2024.
Advancing IU 2030
Cultivate belonging and build sustainable philanthropic potential for the future
- Grow alumni and student loyalty to IU.
- Foster greater donor commitment through other modes of engagement including experiential and volunteerism.
- Increase and expand representation of engaged constituents from underrepresented alumni populations across all IU campuses.
Provide financial support for IU’s priority needs as identified in IU 2030
- Build and develop the pipeline of donors.
- Maximize annual financial support to fulfill IU’s greatest needs.
- Connect big ideas with opportunities that ignite donor passion to improve communities and change lives.
Enhance the constituent experience through continuous improvement of processes, programs, and people
- Enable campuses, schools, and units to focus on constituent engagement and fundraising.
- Optimize methods for alumni and friends to give time, talent, treasure, and testimony to support IU.
- Nurture a thriving work environment where employees feel valued, informed, and engaged.
From sunny California to snowy South Bend: IUAA’s big red warm up brings the fun!
Hoosiers party in Pasadena
The IUAA hosted a Big Red Warm Up on the West Coast in September 2024, as part of IU’s expanded Big Ten schedule. Little did they know that IU Football was about to go on a wild ride!
More than 1,200 alumni and fans brought their special brand of Hoosier spirit to the grounds of the iconic Rose Bowl ahead of IU’s tide-turning road game against UCLA. Big Red Warm Up guests enjoyed delicious food, great vibes, and gorgeous views, capped off by a decisive win against the Bruins.
“It was such a good time,” says Daniel Schulz, BA’97. “It felt like a little bit of Bloomington right here in Pasadena.”
Feedback from those in attendance was overwhelmingly positive, with plenty of appreciation for all that went into planning such a large gathering from more than 2,000 miles away.
“Being part of the IU alumni community is so satisfying, especially on the West Coast,” says Linda Goldsmith, BS’86. “I’ve been a San Diegan for almost 40 years now, so it was really fun to tap back into Hoosierville!”
Gathering in enemy territory
From sunny skies to frigid temps, the IUAA book-ended the season with a second Big Red Warm Up, this time in December 2024, when IU made its historic appearance in the College Football Playoff, taking on Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
The day may have been cold and dreary, but the atmosphere was festive and inviting for the 1,500 alumni and fans who gathered to cheer on their Hoosiers. They enjoyed great food and entertainment, abundant camaraderie, tons of swag, and a custom rally towel before heading to the stadium.
“Having our IU Football team qualify and compete in the College Football Playoff was a great accomplishment and provided the IUAA with another outstanding opportunity to engage with our alumni and friends when passions were running high, and love of all things Indiana University was skyrocketing,” says Mike Mann, BS’91, MPA’18, IUAA’s managing director of alumni programs.
Although the game may not have gone our way, the season was one to remember.
“We connected alumni to their beloved alma mater, whether they were in person with us in South Bend or at their game-watch party at their favorite local hangout, cheering on the Hoosiers from far away but still very much part of a historic event for IU,” says Mann.
Chapters cheer
Game watches connect alumni nationwide
As the Cignetti era of IU Football got rolling, excitement grew among alumni across the country, including at game watches hosted by chapters from Atlanta to LA, and from New York, Ohio, Texas, Florida, and others.
The Colorado Chapter was one that enjoyed outstanding engagement during IU’s 2024 football season, with game watches drawing impressive crowds—at times numbering in the hundreds—at Stoney’s Bar & Grill in Denver.
“There are so many new faces coming to watch parties!” says Colorado Chapter board member and game watch coordinator, Rich Lutterman, MS’18, known widely as “the candy-stripe guy” for wearing his visible staple of Hoosier pride.
“For example, it was great to see some recent grads reconnect at a watch party. They didn’t know they had all moved to Denver, so it was cool to see that IU alumni connection come together in real time at one of our gatherings,” says Lutterman.
In response to the growing enthusiasm, local alumni volunteers collaborated to expand game-day offerings, securing a local partnership and additional giveaways. The chapter also welcomed apparel from an alumni-owned, fan-favorite business—Homefield—that shared IU gear with alumni chapters nationwide in celebrating school spirit.
Alumni engagement work takes new shape in Central Indiana
The IUAA’s Central Indiana Chapter completed its first year operating under a new structure, designed to create more accessible and diverse opportunities to engage with alumni. The group introduced a leadership council model, shifting from relying on a small group of highly committed volunteers to a new structure that allows for micro-volunteerism, advisory input, and scalable leadership roles.
This approach has not only sustained alumni involvement but reenergized it. Longtime volunteers, like past president Lori Pearson Perry, BS’01, found new ways to stay active at a level that better fits her life.
“The first year of leadership council has flown by,” says Darrell Pirtle, BS’16, chair of the new leadership council. “There are always challenges to starting something new, but we’ve got a wealth and variety of experience on our council that makes the work fun.”
Another approach proving successful with the Central Indiana Chapter: Neighborhood Nights, which offer more intimate, alumni-led gatherings that build community in smaller settings. One such event was a dumpling-making event to celebrate Asian heritage month; others included celebrations of IU Day in April.
“The dumpling-making class was such a fun and meaningful experience,” says Bang Co, BGS’24. “From the moment people walked in, you could feel the excitement. Alumni from across IU, from different generations, and from the corners of the city came together to roll, fold, laugh, and learn.”
In a world that can feel so divided, it was a reminder that joy, healing, and connection are still possible when we create intentional space for community. “Getting to share parts of my culture and heritage with fellow Hoosiers was incredibly special. I’m so thankful for this night and am already looking forward to the next one,” says Co, who served as volunteer host for the event.
There is still a place for larger, community-focused events, such as IU Indy’s annual Top 100 Alumni celebration, a gathering that saw significant changes in 2025 based on feedback from alumni asking for an opportunity to have the event focus more on reconnecting with past Top 100 award winners, even as they celebrate new students joining their ranks.
This work in Central Indiana offers examples of how the IUAA is reimagining alumni engagement across the country, with adaptable models that meet alumni where they are.
When you grow up in Indiana, two things are often immediately important: the Indianapolis 500 and Indiana University. You see the red-and-white IU flags and people really celebrating their connections to the university, and as much as anything, it is about their connection to Indiana. It’s because of what those institutions—the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indiana University—have done for all of us.
Doug Boles, JD’00President, Indy Car and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, speaking at the IU Indianapolis ‘Inner Circle’ event, held May 26, 2025, at IMS.
Bringing IU to a city near you
The Bring on IU series reconnects alumni and celebrates our beloved alma mater in major metropolitan areas around the U.S.
Guests feature high-profile graduates and faculty in conversations that demonstrate the impact IU has on student success, research, and communities around the world. They showcase some of the great things happening across Indiana University campuses that speak to IU’s reach and influence.
“I was so impressed by the energy in the room,” says Dan Ponce, BS’99, who moderated a Bring on IU discussion with fellow alum Michael Uslan, BA’73, MS’75, JD’76, in Chicago, Jan. 29, 2025.
Ponce is the anchor of the morning news show on television station WGN in Chicago. Also, while at IU, he founded the world-renowned a cappella group Straight No Chaser. Uslan is an IU Media School professor of practice and executive producer of the Batman movie franchise.
“The interview with Michael was a blast, but I equally enjoyed the side conversations with my fellow alumni before and after the main event,” says Ponce.
Autumn express: a scenic alumni experience
The Northeast Indiana Chapter of the IUAA and IU Fort Wayne hosted a private chartered train excursion in partnership with the Indiana Rail Experience, Nov. 2, 2024.
The outing offered alumni a memorable fall journey by rail, round trip from Pleasant Lake, Ind., to Hillsdale, Mich. Attendees enjoyed stunning autumn scenery, live music from The Baggage Car Boys, onboard refreshments, and engaging, self-paced activities to enjoy with others.
During the layover between trips, guests gathered at Hillsdale Brewing Company for a catered lunch, axe throwing, a kids’ play area, and a live stream of the IU vs. Michigan State football game. The return trip featured more entertainment and a sweet doughnut treat.
Alumni shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, describing the event as a perfect opportunity to connect with one another during a fun and engaging excursion.
Alumni By the Numbers
The nation’s largest living alumni community!
Alumni Communities
Downloadable spirit
In an effort to connect with alums near and far, the IUAA launched, in October 2024, a digital-engagement strategy. A linchpin of this strategy is a “Kits and Guides” library, which offers ready-to-print resources that deliver IU spirit and pride in a tangible way—including this happy little guy, Herman the Gnome.
To leverage the success of Indiana Football’s 2024 season, the first kit offered was gameday-themed. It included downloads with everything needed to host an epic game watch event. In FY25 there were a total of eight kits and a total of more than 1,900 downloads.
FY25 License Plates Sold
2024–25 Scholarship Totals
Publications
IU Alumni Magazine
Alumni Insider e-newsletter
Social Media
IU Day celebrates connection, supports scholarships
Each year in this report, we connect the dots between work the IUAA does in engaging with alumni and the critical work of supporting Indiana University students through scholarships. For many who receive scholarships, the support offers a lifeline that encourages their own generosity once they become alumni.
One of those “dots” happens every spring, by way of IU Day, a worldwide event honoring Indiana University and the people who make IU possible. It’s an annual, 24-hour, social-sharing, IU-wearing, gift-giving celebration of all things IU. In 2025, IU Day was April 23.
“IU Day showcases the true spirit of being part of the IU community and the incredible differ-ence we can make when we come together,” says J T. Forbes, BA’90, MPA’96, president and CEO of the IU Foundation. “It’s a time for everyone connected to IU to give back and create a meaningful, lasting impact on our university and its students.”
Alumni, donors, fans, faculty, staff, students, and others with a connection to Indiana University are encouraged to celebrate IU Day by supporting an IU cause, wearing IU gear, and sharing IU pride in person and on social media.
IU Day 2025 inspired more than 8,700 gifts totaling more than $1.5 million in donations to IU causes, the most ever raised since this annual day of giving originated nearly a decade ago. Of those donating as part of IU Day, 23 percent made their first gift to IU.
Part of the spirit of IU Day is represented in crowdfunding campaigns that leverage the reach and spontaneity of social media engagement. In 2025, a total of 96 IU Day-specific crowdfunding campaigns were active, generating almost 50 percent of all online gifts. Many crowdfunding campaigns represented alumni communities around the country, as well as alumni affinity groups.
“For the Greater Evansville Chapter of the IUAA, the scholarship fund is where all our chapter events and volunteer work come full circle,” says Nick Dus, BS’05, MHA’07, president of the Evansville chapter. “Every event, every connection we make in the community helps give local students in our chapter region a chance to experience IU. It’s a great reminder of how powerful our alumni network really is.”
The Indiana University Alumni Association’s Washington, D.C., Chapter awards a scholarship every year to a student from the D.C. metro area attending IU. Chapter members stay involved because we love and value the experiences that we had at IU and appreciate the professional opportunities that having a degree from IU provides. The scholarship is one way we try to ensure that the next generation can have amazing experiences and opportunities by attending IU.
Haroon Anwar, BA’06, JD’09, MS’10President, Washington, D.C. Chapter of the IUAA
Letters from student scholars
Without the generosity of the Colorado Chapter Scholarship, I would not be able to go to school in Indiana let alone be involved in everything that I am passionate about. Thank you for helping me achieve my dream of higher education as I start my journey to becoming an entrepreneur.
Warm regards,
A. Ivey
Dear East Central Indiana Chapter of the IU Alumni Association:
Receiving this scholarship is not only financial support but also a tremendous encouragement for me to continue my academic journey with determination and dedication. Your generosity significantly eases my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies. Your support motivates me to strive for excellence and to contribute positively to my community, just as you have done through your scholarship program.
Warm regards,
A. Ramos
Dear Scholarship Committee:
Your commitment to supporting students
like me in achieving their dreams is truly commendable and inspiring. I promise to use this scholarship to its fullest potential, not only for my personal growth and development but also to contribute positively to my community and society at large. Your generosity motivates me to give back and pay it forward in any way I can, just as you have done for me.
Thank you,
D. Lewis
Dear IU Alumni Association Charlotte Chapter: Thank you so much for selecting me for your scholarship! I take great pride in being both a North Carolinian and member of the IU community. It is great to know that the Charlotte chapter is supporting people like me! I hope that one day after I graduate, I can make a difference as an active member of the Alumni Association.
Sincerely,
E. Dangelewicz