New scholarship for IU students to honor Tom Kennedy legacy

IU Columbus accounting students will have a chance to apply for a new scholarship to honor a local educator, attorney and accountant.

The school is announcing the Thomas G. Kennedy Family Scholarship, established by Kennedy’s son Michael and his family with a $1 million gift. Michael Kennedy said his father was a lifelong advocate for the school, and “He would have been proud to continue supporting IU and students from Columbus.”

Recipients will receive an annual scholarship covering full tuition and fees during their four years at IU Kelley School of Business, and possibly a fifth year if they enroll in the school’s MBA Program in accounting.

The first recipient will be Jerry Likens, a 2026 graduate of Columbus North High School.

Kennedy passed away in 2018 after a more than 50 year association with IU starting with his undergraduate degree in accounting in 1964, followed by an MBA in 1969, and a doctorate of jurisprudence from the IU Maurer School of Law in 1971. During his career he worked with Arthur Anderson, Cummins, Scott Foresman and Media One before becoming a clinical professor teaching tax accounting in 2002. He retired in 2013.

You can find a link for more information and apply for the scholarship here: https://scholarships.indiana.edu/scholarships-101/iu-scholarships-application/index.html?