Indiana University Northwest will confer an honorary degree on the Honorable Robert Rucker during its 57th annual commencement ceremonies May 11.

“As a scholar, a distinguished jurist, and engaged citizen, Justice Rucker opened the door for opportunity, equity and inclusion, to improve the lives and prospects for people of historically under-represented backgrounds,” said Ken Iwama, chancellor of IU Northwest, in a press release. “His work, his legacy and his name stand as a powerful testament to his care and regard for all Hoosiers, something to which the IU mission commits us.”

Rucker served as the 105th justice of the Indiana Supreme Court and is an IU Northwest alumnus. He was appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court in 1999 and served until his retirement in 2017.

Rucker, who grew up in Gary, worked in the steel mills to support his college education. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from IUN and his law degree from Valparaiso University.

Before becoming a member of the high court, Rucker was a judge on the Indiana Court of Appeals as vice chair of the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education. He is the second African American to serve on Indiana's Supreme Court and the only Court of Appeals judge to earn a spot on the state's Supreme Court.

He also was the deputy prosecuting attorney for Lake County and the attorney for the city of Gary, and had a general legal practice in East Chicago.

William Lowe, professor of history and former IU Northwest chancellor, nominated Rucker for the honorary degree.

IUN last bestowed an honorary degree in 2017 to Earline Rogers, former Indiana senator and educator.

IUN's class of 2023 will receive 749 degrees, with women making up 70% of the class and those older than 30 almost 30%. The oldest graduate will be 64 years old and the youngest at 20. Learn more about IUN's commencement, here.