A love of travel makes a difference in the lives of Herron students

Pack your bags and catch a plane…your life is about to change! If you’ve traveled abroad, you know the truth of this statement.

Indianapolis residents and friends of Herron, Julia and Jack Wickes certainly know the impact of traveling abroad, having most recently returned from their trip to India. Julia, Herron alumnae (’02) and practicing artist, enjoys painting and creating art work during her travels. Jack, a managing partner with the law firm Lewis & Kappes, also utilizes his artistic talents through his photography skills.

Already in her late 40s, a wife, mother of three and owner of her own graphic design firm, Julia enrolled at Herron in 1996. After sampling illustration and painting courses, she decided to major in painting and enrolled at Herron as a part-time student.

Soon given the opportunity to attend the Pont Aven School of Art in Brittany, France, Julia was able to paint every hour of the day if she so desired---and many times did. Jack visited her while in Pont Aven. He shares, “We enjoyed the sites, people and culture of Pont Aven. It seemed to inspire Julia’s art work and the way she observed the world around her.” Upon return to Indiana, Julia soon decided to move her painting studio into their home and made a commitment to enroll in Herron as a full-time student. In 2002, Julia’s family helped her celebrate her graduation from Herron with a BFA in painting and a minor in art history.

Julia excitedly shares, “Upon my graduation, Jack and our three daughters presented an extraordinary gift to me. They established an endowed fund at Herron in my honor ---the Julia Z. Wickes Award. They knew how much my experience abroad meant to me.”

Through this fund, an annual award is presented to a Herron student to be used for international study and the participation in a residential artistic studio environment. Because the fund has been endowed, this award will exist in perpetuity and will benefit students for years to come.

For the last several years, the Wickes have enjoyed meeting the recipient of the Julia Z. Wickes Award and learning about the student’s artwork. Jack shares, “It’s evident that the study abroad experience through Herron’s International Study Program changes the lives of each student. We believe it truly expands the way they see the world.” He adds, “It’s an opportunity to perpetuate those characteristics and values you believe in and at the same time provide for a broader educational experience which affects the student today and through adulthood.”

Herron is proud to announce that a record $145,000 was awarded in scholarships and awards during this year’s Honors and Awards Ceremony. Student scholarships, like the Julia Z. Wickes Award, help shape the future of artistic vision and creative activity in the world around us and serve as a powerful tool to attract the best and brightest students to Herron. Interested in creating a named or program-specific scholarship? Scholarships of $500 or more can be awarded on an annual basis or a permanent endowment can be created with a minimum of $10,000 (pledged over multiple years, if preferred). To learn more, contact Kim Hodges, Office of Development, at 317-278-9472 or kshodges@iupui.edu.