Since 2014 more than a dozen IU History faculty and graduate students have benefited from the generosity of Jack and Julia Wickes, who established the Jack and Julia Wickes Fund for the Study of War and Society.

The Wickes have a long history of personal and family involvement in war and with veterans.  

Within months of graduating from Indiana University in 1969, Jack was drafted.  He served in the US Army between 1969-1971, including one year in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division.  

From 1972-1975, Jack attended Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, aided by the GI Bill.  From 1975-1979, Jack worked as counsel to US Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources in Washington, DC.  While counsel for the Veteran’s Affairs Committee, Jack primarily worked on veteran readjustment issues. For many years, Jack served on the board of the not-for-profit agency in Indianapolis addressing veteran homelessness issues.

Both Julia and Jack are descended from veterans—Jack’s father served as a pilot with the United States Navy during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  Julia’s father served in WWII as a medic and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge.  Julia’s paternal grandfather served in the US Army during WWI.

Jack practiced law in Indianapolis for 38 years.  He served as managing partner at the law firm of Lewis and Kappes and was selected Trial Lawyer of the Year in the early 90’s.  In 2005, he was named a Sagamore of the Wabash.

Julia, who graduated from IU Bloomington in 1971 and from IUPUI Herron School of Art and Design in 2002, is a fine art painter and illustrator.  Julia and Jack share an art studio at the historic Stutz Business and Arts Center in downtown Indianapolis, where Julia shows and sells her paintings and Jack displays and sells his photography.

Jack and Julia have three daughters—Katie Wickes Conovitz, who graduated from IU in 1998, Maggie Wickes Callahan, and Anna Wickes Brodie.  The Wickes have seven grandchildren.