Herron School of Art and Design Dean Valerie Eickmeier was honored with the IUPUI Chancellor’s Medallion by Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar during the Dean’s Recognition Dinner on May 14, 2018. Under Eickmeier’s dedicated leadership, Herron expanded its degree options, interdisciplinary initiatives, and philanthropic gifts, and has positioned itself as a leading art and design school.
In 1999, after a series of promotions through the academic ranks, including positions as acting dean, associate dean, and two terms as faculty president, Eickmeier became dean of Herron. Her career encompasses more than 25 years of visiting artist lectures, private and corporate commissions, and more than 50 local, regional, national, and international museum and gallery exhibitions.
She is the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts Special Project Grants and the Individual Artist Fellowship, and a Creative Renewal Grant from the Indiana Arts Commission. In 2005, Eickmeier was identified by Dialogue Magazine as one of the Midwest’s “Top 25 Most Influential People in the Arts.”
Eickmeier will transition from her deanship role and, after a sabbatical during the 2018-19 academic year, will return as a Herron faculty member with a renewed focus on teaching, research, and service.
The Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI has established an endowed fund in Eickmeier’s honor. Supported by a lead gift from longtime Herron donors Frank and Katrina Basile, the Valerie Eickmeier Professional Development Fund for Students will bring focus to advancing the school’s career development and academic advising.
Read more about the Valerie Eickmeier Professional Development Fund.