Historic $100M gift will transform Kelley School graduate education, expand Lilly School of Philanthropy scholarships

For Immediate ReleaseSep 16, 2026

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A $100 million gift from Indiana University alumni Jeffrey H. and Benita L. Thomasson will transform graduate education at the Kelley School of Business and expand scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students in the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The gift is the largest from an individual in IU history and, combined with previous gifts, brings the Thomassons’ total support of IU to more than $111 million.

In honor of their support, the Indiana University Board of Trustees has approved naming the Kelley School’s graduate division the Jeffrey H. Thomasson Graduate School of Business

The Thomassons’ $100 million gift is the largest from an individual in IU history. Photo courtesy of Jeff and Benita Thomasson

“For more than a century, the Kelley School of Business has prepared leaders who have shaped companies and industries in Indiana and around the world. The Thomassons’ extraordinary generosity builds on that proud legacy, creating new opportunities for generations of students and ensuring that IU will continue to lead and shape the future of graduate business education,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “We are deeply grateful to Jeff and Benita for their belief in IU and their transformational investment in our students and their futures.”

The gift represents a transformative investment in graduate business education at Kelley by supporting student success, academic innovation and faculty positions

“Benita and I have personally experienced how philanthropy and education change lives, and we’re honored to create those same opportunities for current and future IU students,” said Jeff Thomasson. “The Kelley MBA program set the foundation for my career, and this gift is our way of paying forward the investment people made in us. We hope it encourages others to do the same, creating opportunities that will ripple across generations.”

“Through the Jeffrey H. Thomasson Graduate School at Kelley, we are uniting our world-class graduate degree programs under a single, bold promise: to prepare human-centered leaders for a high-velocity business world,” said Patrick Hopkins, dean of the Kelley School of Business. “This generous gift ensures we can deliver on that promise and provide students with an even more connected, supported and innovative educational experience.”

Graduate students will receive financial assistance through the new Thomasson Scholars Program, which builds on the existing Thomasson Fellows Program for undergraduate Kelley students

The Thomassons are also expanding access to education through a $5 million gift to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis. The gift will provide additional support for the all-encompassing Thomasson Scholarship, which provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to pursue an IU education regardless of financial circumstance while preparing them for careers in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership and community impact.

Media Kit: Videos of IU leaders and Thomasson Family

The Thomassons’ connection to IU spans decades. Jeff earned his MBA from the Kelley School before founding Oxford Financial Group, Ltd. at just 23 years old. The company is now one of the largest Registered Advisor Investment firms in the Midwest

Benita earned her Master of Science degree in elementary education from the former Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and a Master of Arts from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

This gift is part of IU’s Never Daunted campaign, which aims to expand opportunities for students, fuel life-changing innovation and strengthen communities across Indiana and beyond

IU Newsroom

Mark Bode

Executive Director of Media Relations and Public AffairsP: 317-274-0027
E: markbode@iu.edu

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Source: news.iu.edu