The GLBTAA Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to members of the LGBT community and individual allies or supporters of the LGBT community, regardless of sexual orientation. Only living alumni of Indiana University are eligible. Nominees shall have been outstanding in their fields of endeavor and shall have made significant contributions benefiting Indiana University or their communities, states or the nation. We are pleased to announce the following two recipients of our 2015 Distinguished Alumni Awards. 

Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis has had a long and distinguished career as an IU Bloomington administrator, teacher, and scholar. As vice president and chancellor for the Bloomington campus, his principled and humane vision, as well as strategic savvy, were responsible for the establishment of the Office of GLBT Student Support Services in 1994, prompting Doug Bauder to remark that Gros Louis is "the best friend that the GLBT Office has ever had." Ken's support also was crucial to IU's adoption of domestic partner benefits in 2001. As an administrator as well as in retirement, he has been a powerful ally of the LGBT community and a mentor to many students.

Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis

Gros Louis received his BA, magna cum laude, in English and Mathematics in 1959, and a Master's, with honors, in Renaissance Literature in 1960, from Columbia College. He received his PhD in Medieval and Renaissance Literature from the University of Wisconsin in 1964. He then moved to Bloomington, where he came to be regarded both as a beloved teacher and a noted scholar. Following six years of teaching English and Comparative Literature, he was named Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1970. Shortly thereafter, he was named Chair of the Department of English, and in 1978 was named Dean of the College.  In 1980 he became Vice President of the University and in 1988 Chancellor of IU Bloomington. In 1994 he became  Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University. As an administrator, Ken was known for his commitment to faculty, his warm relationships with student leaders, his stewardship of IU's history and traditions, and his eloquence as a speaker at countless University events and ceremonies.

After serving more than twenty years in top administrative positions , Gros Louis retired on June 30, 2001. That same year, he was awarded an IU honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, for his lifetime achievements. In 2004, he rejoined the University administration as Interim Senior Vice President and Bloomington Chancellor. In 2006 he was named successor to Herman B Wells as University Chancellor. In April, 2011, the Board of Trustees bestowed upon him the designation of University Chancellor Emeritus. 

Steven L. Tuchman has had an exemplary legal career and has been a steadfast supporter of IU, as well as his community and Indiana, and beyond. He has earned prominence in his immigration practice and has brought distinction to the international practice of the Indianapolis and Indiana Bar Associations. After serving as Chair of each, Steve was named Chair Emeritus of the International Section of both Bar Associations. He was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash in 2004 for his community service and lifetime achievement.  He is currently the only immigration attorney in Indiana to be designated as an "Indiana Super Lawyer" and one of the "Best Lawyers in America". 

Steven L. Tuchman

Steve received his BA in History in 1968 from IU Bloomington and his JD in 1971 from IU's McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. Since 1990, he has practiced with Lewis & Kappes, P.C. in Indianapolis in immigration, real estate, and business law.  His practice focuses on immigration, with vast experience in employment and family related matters, employer sanctions, enforcement and removal (deportation) cases, and naturalization cases. He has written and lectured widely on immigration and nationality law. He speaks Danish as a second language and serves as the Honorary Consul for Denmark in Indiana and Kentucky. In addition, he calls upon years of experience in real estate and business related matters and is a past Commissioner of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. Steve is also active in the Indianapolis arts community, having served as a Commissioner of the Indiana Arts Commission, Chair of the Board of the American Cabaret Theatre, Board member of Dance Kaleidoscope, and Board member of the Festival Dance Theatre. For a period through the 80s and 90s, Steve was known for his provocative opinions, as performing arts critic on WFYI Public Radio and Channel 13 NBC, Indianapolis. Other community organizations have also benefitted from Steve's civic efforts, including Planned Parenthood of Central Indiana, Junior League of Indianapolis, and the Jewish Community Relations Council,

Steve has remained engaged with IU since his early days on the Bloomington campus. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors of the McKinney School of Law.  He also has served as Chair of the International Studies Program External Advisory Council for the School of Arts & Sciences in Bloomington. He has served on the Dean's Advisory Council and on the International Studies Program Advisory Council of the IUPUI School of Liberal Arts. 

His contributions to the LGBTQ community have similarly been significant. He serves as co-trustee of the The Tuchman Bobrick Trust, a private foundation that supports many LGBT projects and organizations, including Lambda Legal and the Point Foundation. Steve and his partner Reed Bobrick have been an integral part of the LGBTQ community for years, and their strength and vision have added immeasurably to our legacy at IU and in Indianapolis.

In 2011, Steve was knighted by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Please join us on Friday, January 30 to extend congratulations to our two recipients and to enjoy an evening of festivities and fun at the Neal-Marshall Center.