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Eye on the Prize
In 1895, Marcellus Neal became the first Black student to graduate from Indiana University. He went on to become a dedicated science teacher.
A Phenomenal Woman
In 1919, Frances Marshall became the first Black woman to graduate from Indiana University. She went on to become a sought-after registrar.
Bill Garrett Makes History—Again
Bill Garrett, BS'51, was the first Black basketball player to compete regularly in the Big Ten and to play for Indiana University.
The Great George Taliaferro
George Taliaferro, BS’51, was the first Black man drafted to the NFL and a leader in the desegregation of Indiana University.
A Queen Comes Home
In 1959, Nancy Streets-Lyons, BA'62, was the first Black student crowned Miss Indiana University. She returned to campus in 2013.
Doing the Undoable
Thomas Atkins, BA’61, was elected the first Black student body president of a Big Ten university in 1960. He went on to study law at Harvard.
Foundational Politician
Life-long social activist Richard Hatcher (1933-2019) made history as the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city in 1967.
Legal Legacy
Juanita Kidd Stout — the first Black woman to serve as a state supreme court justice — again takes a trailblazing role.
5 Little-Known Facts About the Rose Well House
IU Bloomington’s Rose Well House is best known as a campus smooch spot, but there’s much more to its story. Here are five facts you might not have known about the treasured Old Crescent landmark.
11 of the Most Unique Gifts Ever Given to IU
The IU family is incredibly generous. And that generosity comes in many different forms: time, talent, and treasure. But “treasures” can be wide-ranging, too—even a little unexpected sometimes. Here are just a few of the unusual items that donors have given to Indiana University.
Who is Tyler Combs?
In a new spin on this year’s “March Madness,” Tyler Combs, a Greenfield, Ind., native, became the face of IU as he answered and wagered his way to the College Championship finals. To no surprise, IU Nation welcomed its new representative with open arms—tuning in religiously for every round.
Bootsy Boogies with IU
“Yabba dabba doo! Bootzilla is here!” With that funkadelic introduction, genre-defining funk bassist Bootsy Collins brought his signature starry-eyed swagger to the IU tune “Indiana Fight.” Collins remixed the song this past spring, but his relationship with IU began more than a year before.
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