IU Kelley School of Business mourns the death of John Rau, its eighth dean

Pat Hopkins, dean of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Conrad Prebys Professor, today notified members of the Kelley Community that John Rau, “our esteemed colleague” and former dean, has passed away:

“John was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished member of the Kelley family. His vast contributions to both our school and to the broader business community have left an enduring mark.

“John served as the eighth dean of what we now know as the Kelley School of Business, from 1993 to 1997. During his remarkable tenure, he introduced several initiatives that continue to shape who we are as a school today.

“Among them, he established our distinctive academies, which have developed into the workshops that provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities for our students. John also oversaw the approval of our graduate building and the establishment of direct admissions to our Undergraduate Program.

“During his tenure, in 1994, our school was designated a federally funded Center for International Business Education and Research, one of 28 in the nation. The same year, the Global Program Office was established to lead our push into greater internationalization of our activities.

“Our graduate programs expanded with the introduction of two new degrees, the Master of Professional Accountancy and the Master of Business Administration in Accounting. John’s vision and leadership have thus had a lasting impact on our educational approach and the success of our graduates.

“Beyond his stint as dean, John led an illustrious career in the business world. He served as president and CEO of Miami Corporation, Chicago Title Corporation, and LaSalle and Exchange National Banks. At 35, he was recognized as the youngest of the top 100 bank presidents in the country.

“His nearly 40 years of executive and managerial experience were marked by his roles as an 11-time corporate director and his leadership in numerous business, civic, and philanthropic organizations.

Most recently, we were honored to welcome John back to campus as the Poling Chair of Business and Government for the 2024-25 academic year. In this role, he generously continued to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with our students, engaging them in meaningful discussions on public policy, enterprise competitiveness, business, and finance.

“His presence on campus was a testament to his enduring commitment to education and to Kelley, as well as to his passion for fostering the next generation of business leaders.

“John’s legacy at Kelley is one of innovation, dedication, and excellence. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the profound impact he has had on our school and the countless lives he has touched through his initiatives and teachings. Our thoughts are with his family during this very difficult time.”