Chancellor Emeritus William J. Lowe, and former First Lady Pamela Lowe, were honored for their decade of service to Indiana University Northwest.

Chancellor Ken Iwama led the virtual recognition, which included presentations by IU President Michael A. McRobbie and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs John Applegate. Between them, the leaders summarized an impressive list of accomplishments during Lowe’s 10-year tenure before presenting him with the President’s Medal for Excellence.

Colleagues will remember Dr. Lowe’s love of hot tea and craft beer, his workouts in the Savannah Fitness Center, and his fierce editing skills. They’ll remember the Lowes’ intense commitment to philanthropy and supporting students through scholarships. Most of all, the University will remember the legacy and leadership of Dr. Lowe, and the impact of his tenure at IU Northwest. Some of his most notable accomplishments include:

• He redoubled the campus commitment to community engagement.
• He oversaw planning and construction of the Arts & Sciences Building, and with it, sparked a renewed commitment to the arts, as well as a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College.
• He established the Chancellor’s Professor position as recognition for the most accomplished of teacher-scholars.
• He oversaw a portion of IU’s Bicentennial Campaign in which IU Northwest surpassed its $8 million goal and raised well over $10 million.
• He served as a key architect in the reorganization of the IU campuses in order to create the collaborative structure we have today, a plan known as the Blueprint for Student Attainment.
• He championed online learning on the IU Northwest campus.

Pamela Lowe was also recognized for her contributions as IU Northwest’s First Lady. An alumna who earned her master of liberal studies degree while serving IU Northwest, Pamela Lowe was bestowed with a Bicentennial Medal, awarded to those who, through their personal, professional, artistic, or philanthropic efforts, have broadened the reach of Indiana University around the state, nation, and world.

Lowe took to the podium to thank all for the honors and the opportunity to serve IU Northwest for the past decade.

An Irish history and Fulbright scholar who earned his doctorate at Trinity College in Ireland, Lowe will continue to serve on IU Northwest’s faculty.