IUPUI Board of Advisors member Lacy Johnson received an IUPUI 50th Anniversary Chancellor’s Medallion from Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar on April 10 in recognition of his contributions to the IUPUI campus, Indiana University, and the city of Indianapolis as a distinguished alum, as a leader within legal and civic circles, and as a generous philanthropist who exemplifies a spirit of service to his alma mater and community.
Johnson, a partner at Ice Miller, LLP law firm, is also a well-known ambassador for the city of Indianapolis. As past president of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, he was instrumental in the development of the new $1.3 billion Indianapolis International Airport. He serves on the board of directors for the Madam Walker Legacy Center and the American Pianists Association, and is a former board member of Downtown Indy, Inc.
As an active civil and community servant, Johnson contributes his time and talent to a lengthy list of organizations, including the Robert H. McKinney School of Law Board of Visitors, the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute, and the American Red Cross National Diversity Advisory Council. He also serves on the board of the IU Foundation and Eskenazi Health.
In 2018, Johnson and his wife Patricia gave a $1.5 million gift to IU’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs to establish the Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership. The gift coincides with the establishment of the IU Black Philanthropy Circle, of which Johnson is a founding member.
The Johnsons have supported IUPUI through the Johnson Family Scholars program in the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the Lacy M. Johnson Scholarship in the McKinney School of Law. They were honored with the IU Foundation’s 2018 Partners in Philanthropy Cornerstone Award for their partnership, volunteerism, and generosity to philanthropic initiatives. For all that he has contributed to IUPUI, Johnson has also been honored as one of the Faces of IUPUI as part of the campus’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
In recognition of his achievements, Johnson has received IU’s highest alumni honor, the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, as well as a Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the state of Indiana.