About the 2025 Chancellor's Medal Recipient
Chris Craft (BS ’89) is proud to sing the praises of Indiana University South Bend.
The President and Chief Operating Officer of 1st Source Bank’s Specialty Finance Group earned his undergraduate degree in business management at IU South Bend and remains an active part of the IU community.
He served as Chairman of the Indiana University Alumni Association and President of the IUSB Alumni Association and proudly recruits and mentors students and graduates to the 1st Source team.
Craft has been associated with 1st Source – and in a variety of capacities – since 1985. He completed his master’s degree at Notre Dame, earned a variety of industry certifications and has been recognized for volunteer leadership service with the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, South Bend Symphony, University of Notre Dame Friends of the Snite Museum, Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Northern Indiana, and numerous other charitable organizations.
He also served on the IU South Bend Chancellor’s Advisory Board, Titan Athletics Advisory Board, Judd Leighton School of Business & Economics Advisory Board and various Alumni Association councils.
“The power of an IU degree, the relatively small class sizes, and aspiring to attend the business school – all attracted me to IU South Bend. I knew there were opportunities for internships in the community. I knew that being around non-traditional students also offered insight I couldn’t get anywhere else,” Craft said.
While a student, Craft obtained 1st Source internships in investments, personal banking customer service, business banking and specialty finance - the group he leads today. As a lifetime member of the Alumni Association, Craft is proud to have been part of a group that helped raise money to grow the Alumni Scholarship Program.
“We wanted to help draw students to the university by reducing the financial burden, knowing that when they got a great IUSB education, they would likely stay or come back to the area,” he said.
The work also led him to leadership roles in the association, which offered a broader view of the university and helped develop a passion for regional campuses, like IU South Bend.
“I saw the spirit we all draw from IU, but also the pride we have about our individual campuses,” Craft said.
It sparked a phrase that is reflected throughout campus to this day – “Hoosier Spirit, Titan Pride.”
Craft’s ties to IU are multi-generational. His father started his academic career at IU Indianapolis; his mother has two education degrees from IUSB; his sister has a master’s degree from IUSB; two of his three children got degrees here and the third graduated from the Kelley School of Business.
Chris and his family's legacy live “Hoosier Spirit, Titan Pride!”
The Chancellor's Medal is the highest honor presented by the chancellor of IU South Bend. It honors individuals who have helped advance the campus and its mission. Recipients demonstrate outstanding support of IU South Bend and serve as exceptional advocates. They also give freely of their talents in the promotion of human welfare and community well-being and serve as role model for students and alumni through their integrity, leadership, and commitment.