IU Mourns Former Chancellor Gros Louis

Gros Louis' career with IU spanned more than 50 years.

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Indiana University is remembering former chancellor Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis as a "true giant" of the university. During his more than 20 years leading the Bloomington campus, IU set records in enrollment and external support and added several new endowments for faculty and students. Gros Louis passed away Friday at the age of 80.

Gros Louis’ career with IU spanned more than 50 years. He joined the school in 1964 as assistant professor of English and assistant professor of comparative literature. He became dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1978. Gros Louis became vice president of the Bloomington campus in 1980 before being promoted to vice president of IU’s entire multi-campus system in 1988. In 1994, he was named vice president for academic affairs, then in 2006 became only the second person to hold the title of university chancellor, behind Herman Wells.

IU President Michael McRobbie calls Gros Louis a "remarkable man deeply dedicated to the university and the Bloomington campus," adding that he left an "indelible mark on thousands of IU students, faculty, alumni and friends around the country and all over the world."

Gros Louis is also known for his work to create a diverse and inclusive campus, which included leading the charge to establish the office of GLBT Student Support Services in 1994.

The school is working on a special tribute website.