IU to honor university alumnus and benefactor James W. Dye

In what promises to be a special day in the history of Indiana University Northwest, the campus will host an academic degree ceremony on Friday, Oct. 23, in honor of IU alumnus and former Trustee James W. Dye. IU President Michael McRobbie will confer upon Dye a Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Dye is a longtime friend and benefactor of his alma mater, of IU Northwest, and of education in Northwest Indiana. His nonprofit organization, The James W. and Betty Dye Foundation, has supported numerous programs and scholarships at IU and other universities, including the Jim and Betty Dye Scholarship for Nontraditional Students at IU Northwest. Dye’s generosity and commitment to the value of education have transformed the lives of many Indiana students and bolstered the institutions where they pursue their dreams.

On Oct. 23, IU and IU Northwest will honor and celebrate Dye for his service and achievements on behalf of Indiana University. The academic degree ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the IU Northwest Savannah Auditorium. Later that evening, Dye will be a guest of honor at the 24th Annual IU Northwest Gala, which begins at 6 p.m. at Avalon Manor, located at 3550 East Highway 30 in Merrillville.

Prior to the degree ceremony on Oct. 23, IU Northwest will host its Fall 2009 Convocation beginning at 10 a.m. in the Savannah Auditorium. The theme for this year’s Convocation is “Enhancing Student Success.” It will present a pedagogical program focused on developing strategies for maximizing student success through active learning techniques and technological innovations. The keynote speaker will be James C. Wimbush, Ph.D., dean of the IU Graduate School.