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AUL SUPPORTS HERRON IN CAMPAIGN TO MOVE TO IUPUI CAMPUS

INDIANAPOLIS - Thanks to two recent gifts from longtime education supporter American United Life Insurance Company (AUL), Herron School of Art is closer to the campaign goal that will enable the 100-year-old school to move to the IUPUI campus.

Herron is within 85 percent of its goal and has thus far raised $9.2 million in private funds. The state has provided an additional $12 million.

"AUL is strongly committed to education and has enjoyed a longtime relationship with the IU Kelley School of Business and the IU School of Medicine," said Jerry D. Semler, chairman, president and CEO of AUL. "Supporting Herron is a good fit and a natural extension of our relationship with the Indianapolis art, business and education community."

One of AUL's donations, along with gifts from other individuals and businesses, will allow a painting studio in the new building to be named in honor of Herron alumnus and former faculty member Harry Davis. The AUL Tower holds a collection of Davis' artwork along with many other artists including T.C. Steele.

"Harry Davis is well represented in AUL's art collection, and generally, our company history," said Semler. "Our Davis collection includes the various streetscapes of the buildings that have served as the home office for AUL and its predecessors over the years. We are pleased and proud to support the growth of IUPUI and Herron School of Art, as well as a consummate professional like Harry Davis."

AUL's other gift will support Herron's move into the former law school building on the IUPUI campus in fall 2004 after extensive renovations.

Jonathan Hess, a local architect from Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, Inc. has redesigned the law school building to make it suitable for an art school. The plan will increase the building by 50,000 square feet to include a large reception area, three galleries, a 250-seat auditorium, and thousands of square feet of studio space. The exterior design incorporates brick, limestone and glass to utilize natural light in studio spaces through skylights on a saw-tooth roof. The move will reduce the number of Herron's locations from six buildings to only two while tripling the school's square footage.

The groundbreaking for the new building is scheduled for September 13, 2002.

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