Gerald "Jerry" L. Bepko

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of a remarkable individual, Gerald (Jerry) L. Bepko, who left us on September 5, 2023, at the age of 83. Jerry lived a life defined by an unwavering dedication to education, community, and family. Chief among his accomplishments, Jerry was the longest-serving Chancellor of Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI), whose vision and commitment led the school to become a nationally significant model of urban higher education in the twenty-first century.

Jerry was born on April 21, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the first in his family to receive a college education, attending Northern Illinois University. He went on to graduate first in his class from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1965. From there, Jerry joined the FBI and was stationed in Jackson, Mississippi as part of the federal government’s efforts to investigate civil rights abuses and violence in the late 1960s. Jerry was one of the agents tasked with investigating violence and threats by white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan on James Meredith’s 200-mile March Against Fear. Later, Jerry was stationed in New York City where he met and married Jean B. Cougnenc. His FBI work at that time involved investigating truck hijackings conducted by organized crime syndicates. On his way back from a stakeout, Jerry was involved in a traffic accident that left him with broken ribs and a damaged larynx. He was already considering his next career challenge, and after the accident he accepted a post as associate professor at his alma mater, Chicago-Kent. His love of the law and devotion to higher education then motivated him to go to Yale Law School where he earned a masters of law degree.

In 1973, Jerry accepted a post as associate professor at Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis (now the IU McKinney School of Law) where he taught several commercial law courses. He was admired by his students, not only for his ability to convey complex legal principles, but also because of the respect he showed for each of them. Before the start of each term he memorized the seating charts for his large section classes so that he could address as many as 100 students by name on the first day. He also authored books and articles on commercial law, and was a contributor to portions of the Uniform Commercial Code of laws. Not content to only perform his duties as a professor, Jerry was also active within the administration and in 1981 he was appointed Dean of the law school. During this time, Jerry also began a parallel career of community service, later serving on numerous not-for-profit boards, including the Lumina Foundation for Education, Riley Children’s Foundation, Economic Club of Indianapolis, United Way of Central Indiana, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indiana Sports Corp., Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

In 1986, Jerry became the third Chancellor of IUPUI, and held that position for 17 years. During his tenure the university erected twenty-five new buildings to accommodate a rapidly expanding student body, and the research budget grew to more than $200 million. IUPUI now enrolls more than 23,000 students in 20 schools and offers IU or Purdue degrees in more than 180 programs of undergraduate and graduate study. Jerry also led the first six years of the seven-year Campaign for IUPUI, which generated more than one billion dollars before its conclusion in 2004, the first fundraising campaign in Indiana to surpass the billion-dollar mark. Jerry also was involved in the consolidation of IU hospitals with Methodist Hospitals of Indiana to form Clarian Health Partners Inc. (now IU Health). (More recently IU and Purdue have decided to take IUPUI in a new direction—splitting into two distinct schools with the campus to be renamed IU Indianapolis. Both schools are building on IUPUI’s growth and advancement over the years, and view the change as a renewed opportunity to invest in the urban educational environment.) In his final year as Chancellor, Jerry was appointed interim President of Indiana University and spent most of 2003 in that role.

In 2004, the Bepko Scholars and Fellows program was created in Jerry’s honor. It is the most prestigious scholarship at the school, designed to attract students who are not only dedicated to academic excellence but also to community service. There are now more than 100 Bepko Scholars.

Jerry’s other career achievements are almost too numerous to list. He received three honorary degrees—from Chicago-Kent in 2003, from Indiana University in 2007, and from Purdue University in 2009. He won countless awards, including the Anti-Defamation League Man of Achievement Award (2005), Indianapolis Business Journal Michael A. Carroll Award (2002), Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee Charles L. Whistler Award (2004), Columbia Club’s Benjamin Harrison Award for Public Service (1996), Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor (1991), Indiana Black Expo President’s Award (2002), and the Indiana University Medal (2015). He received the Sagamore of the Wabash award twice—once in 1993 and again in 2003. And in honor of Jerry’s achievements, in 2007 the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis created the Gerald L. Bepko Professorship in Law.

Despite all the awards and accolades, Jerry was never boastful or self-important. As a Dean, Chancellor, and President, Jerry described himself as simply as a “professor on hiatus” who was doing a stint as a “servant-leader” in the university’s administration. True to his word, he returned to teaching in late 2003. In addition to his regular catalog of commercial law courses, Jerry created a new course entitled “Leadership and the Law.” This was an apt final course for him to teach given that he embodied the characteristics of an effective leader. He measured his success by the positive impact he had on the world around him and the students he educated. He found more satisfaction in consensus-building rather than control. His moral compass focused him on what was just and right, even if doing so required hardship and sacrifice. And above all, he viewed integrity and honesty as essential to success as a leader and as a person.

Jerry also led a rich personal life. He cherished his role as a husband. He and his wife Jean were married for 54 years, and lived a true partnership. Jerry credited Jean with much of his success—calling himself a “work in progress” when they met. Together they became active volunteers in the Indianapolis community, constantly striving to benefit the lives of the people around them. One of their favorite events was the Indianapolis 500, where they served for years as directors of the 500 Festival Committee. They were also joined together in their mutual faith. Shortly after moving to Indianapolis in 1973, they joined St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where Jean taught Sunday school and Jerry was a regular fixture at early Sunday services. They remain members to this day and Jerry will be interred at the Columbarium just outside of the church sanctuary.

Jerry was also a devoted son. Having lost his father at a young age, Jerry had a special relationship with his mother (Geraldine Bernath) and included her as one of the most influential people in his life. The loss of his father also prompted Jerry to be a present and steadfast influence on his own two children – Gerald Jr. (JJ) and Arminda (Mindy). Despite his work schedule, he never missed a school play or sporting event. He shared his love of golf with JJ, and the two played courses together in Indiana and at the family’s home in Naples, Florida. He and JJ were also fans of the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Cubs, attending as many games as their schedules would allow. Arminda followed in her father’s footsteps and became a lawyer, practicing in New York City. Jerry’s love of Broadway musicals rubbed off on Arminda at a young age, and the whole family shared his appreciation of Marx Brothers films. In more recent years, Jerry enjoyed visits from his daughter, son-in-law Victor, and two grandsons Bradford and Griffin. “Pop Pop,” as he was known, delighted in spending time (and keeping up) with his grandsons on the beach, in the pool, at the Indiana State Fair, and anywhere else the boys wanted Pop Pop to take them.

Jerry Bepko leaves behind a legacy of excellence in everything he did. His most frequent message to his children and grandchildren was that each day is a precious gift not to be squandered or misused. The sum of Jerry’s life proves that he practiced this message every day. He was a visionary for IUPUI, a force for good in his community, and devoted champion to his family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service to celebrate Jerry’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 14, 2023, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260). In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his memory to the Bepko Scholars and Fellows Endowment at the IU Foundation for IUPUI. (https://give.myiu.org/iupui/I380015904.html).