Herman B Wells was a leader of uncommon vision and generosity. As the architect of IU’s rise to greatness, his legacy continues to permeate every corner of the university. Created in 1961 by the Indiana Memorial Union Board of Directors, the esteemed Herman B Wells Distinguished Senior Award honors outstanding seniors who have excelled academically and are established leaders within the IU community.
This year, we are proud to honor Grant Newman with the 2025 Herman B Wells Award for his academic excellence, established leadership, and ability to exemplify the spirit of Herman B Wells during his journey at IU.
Grant Newman
Grant Newman is an internal Wells Scholar in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Spanish. Upon entering Indiana University, he received the Provost’s Scholarship and has since earned numerous academic accolades, including the Dr. R. J. Grim Award and the David R. Barkmeier Award for academic excellence. He was a three-year recipient of the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship through the U.S. Department of Education and was named a Critical Language Scholar by the U.S. Department of State.
Grant’s academic interests have taken him abroad, including to Ghana through the Hutton Honors International Experiences Program, where he studied the intersection of culture and healthcare. He also conducted chemistry research supported by the Harry G. Day Fellowship. Beyond the classroom, Grant has remained deeply engaged with the Bloomington community. He is the founder of an organization dedicated to combating overdose incidents on campus, demonstrating his commitment to public health and student well-being.
Acknowledgments: “I am deeply grateful to my family for their unwavering encouragement and support. To Beck, whose curiosity and joy inspire me every day—thank you for reminding me of the wonder of learning and discovery.”
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