BLOOMINGTON – Indiana University is set to honor one of its most famous native sons with a permanent tribute on campus. On October 18, the university will unveil a statue of Grammy-winning musician John Mellencamp as part of its football Homecoming festivities.
The statue’s dedication ceremony will occur at 1 p.m. in the IU Auditorium North Garden, located at 1211 East Seventh Street. The event is expected to last approximately one hour, and Mellencamp himself will attend. The event is open to the public. Attendees are asked to register at an RSVP website.
An exhibition of paintings by Mellencamp is presently on display at the IU Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art on the school’s Bloomington campus.
The statue is the work of Michael McAuley, an IU alumnus, and Bloomington native who serves as the creative director at Livingston Designs Sculpture Studio. The project was made possible through the generosity of a group of donors, including John and Michelle Vickery, Randy Hoffman, and Allen Grubman. The university did not disclose the cost of the project in its announcement.
In a news release issued Tuesday, IU emphasized the statue’s significance, describing it as a symbol of “the icon’s strong connection to his southern Indiana roots.” Mellencamp, a Seymour native, has long been associated with the Hoosier state through his music and activism.
“We are excited to welcome John to our campus once again as we commemorate his invaluable contributions to music, art, and our university,” IU President Pamela Whitten said in a written statement. “The arts have long been a point of pride at IU, and we look forward to honoring a musician and artist who has generously given back to his fellow Hoosiers and greatly impacted American culture.”
Last year, the artist announced he would donate an archived collection of his life and work to IU. The collection holds original creative works, photographs, instruments, and other memorabilia related to Mellencamp’s career.
In 1996, Mellencamp donated $1.5 million to Indiana University to construct an indoor sports practice facility. The John Mellencamp Pavilion is used by the school’s football, soccer, baseball, softball, and golf teams.
In 2000, he delivered the spring commencement address at IU and received an honorary doctorate in musical arts.
At 72, Mellencamp’s legacy in American music is well-established. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His 1982 album “American Fool” produced two of his most enduring hits, “Jack & Diane” and “Hurts So Good.”
Beyond his musical achievements, Mellencamp is known for his advocacy work. In 1985, he co-founded Farm Aid alongside fellow musicians Neil Young and Willie Nelson. The organization continues raising awareness about the challenges American farmers face and works to keep family farmers on their land.
The unveiling of this statue during Homecoming week serves as a fitting tribute to an artist whose music has become synonymous with the heartland experience. It cements Mellencamp’s place not just in the annals of rock history but in the cultural landscape of Indiana itself.
