Leadership for a lifetime
As the student arm of the IU Foundation, IUSF supports student philanthropy on IU’s campus. The Students Helping Students campaign raises funds to benefit student-selected campus initiatives. IUSF students plan and execute the nation’s largest collegiate bike race every spring on the IU Bloomington campus. With the help of advisors and campus officials, the IUSF provides the university community with a diverse array of activities that serve both students and faculty.
These meaningful undergrad experiences help create loyal, involved IU alumni who support the university for the rest of their lives.
History and tradition
Former IU Foundation President Howdy Wilcox founded the IU Student Foundation in 1950 to raise awareness of the IU Foundation and its mission. “The IU Foundation simply had no identity on campus, neither with the students nor the faculty,” Wilcox said. “I wrote a letter to President [Herman B] Wells recommending that we form a Student Foundation Committee and charge that committee with spreading the word.”
On a fall day in 1950, Wilcox happened upon an informal bicycle race on campus between residents of Hickory Hall. The cyclists were racing around the dorm building as fellow students cheered. This was an aha moment for Wilcox, whose father was a star in the early days of car racing—even winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1919. He pitched the idea of a bicycle race to the IU Student Foundation as a way to raise scholarship money for working students and to build lifelong support for IU. The rest is history.
Come explore 75 Years of IUSF history
In 2024 the Wilcox House was transformed into a museum in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Indiana University Student Foundation (IUSF), serving as a tribute to its rich history and lasting impact. This historic space now captures decades of IUSF traditions, including the legacy of the Little 500, memorable student-led initiatives, and milestone events from various campus organizations. From diversity, to the Mini 500 and from IU Sing to celebrities who have been part of IUSF history, this project depicts every aspect of history that has made IUSF the organization it is today. Visitors can explore photographs and stories that highlight the evolution of IUSF and its influence on the IU community since 1951.
Those interested in experiencing this immersive history project can schedule appointments to visit the Wilcox House and engage with the legacy that continues to shape IU’s spirited culture. Email iusf@iu.edu to schuedle your viewing.
Sneak peek to the Wilcox House Museum
