INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Award, one of the most esteemed philanthropy awards given by the campus, will be presented to generous benefactors on Apr. 14 at the 2015 Spirit of Philanthropy luncheon and ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. 

For 26 years, the Spirit of Philanthropy Award has been presented to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated dedication and commitment to the academic and cultural well-being of IUPUI and its faculty, staff and students through generous donations, volunteerism and other notable investments. 

"It is essential that we continue to raise the awareness of the contributions philanthropy makes to higher education and the enormous impact it has on research, teaching, scholarships and other projects," said IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz. "This is just one way to pay tribute to the awardees' exceptional generosity, dedication and civic vision."

Sponsored by IUPUI, the IU Foundation and the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI, the luncheon will be emceed by Barbara Lewis, a well-known television and radio broadcast journalist and host of the "Business of Health" segment on "Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick."

Schools and units on the IUPUI campus are invited to select corporations, foundations and individuals as award recipients.

The Athletics Department posthumously honors Phil Hardwick for his many years of support of IUPUI student-athletes. Known for his professional work with the IU Foundation, Hardwick continued to leave a lasting mark on the campus with his support of Jaguars Athletics. In contributing to the annual Jaguars Athletics Club Scholarship Fund for more than 20 years, Hardwick showed a deep and close connection to the coaches and student athletes and exhibited his support of the athletic department mission to recruit, retain and graduate champions. He also enjoyed a unique contribution to the program for 15 years as the observer of basketball officials, which offered him a unique vantage point to support his love of the game.

Hardwick was a longtime high school and college official, including winning the IHSAA's Outstanding Official of the Year in 1985. He passed away on Jan. 18 of this year. Hardwick's daughter, Cindy Leffler, will attend the luncheon on the 14th to receive the award in his honor.