Marian University renames biz school after insurance exec

Marian University has renamed its school of business after Clark H. Byrum, president of Indianapolis-based The Key Corp., who made a significant gift to the university this month.

Byrum, 74, asked that the size of his gift, which won't be fully given until his death, not be specified. However, Marian requires gifts of at least $10 million for naming rights of one of its schools.

The Clark H. Byrum School of Business has 300 students. As a whole, Marian, a small Catholic institution on Cold Spring Road, enrolls about 1,800 students.

Byrum’s company is a holding company for real estate and insurance companies, such as Key Life Insurance Co. Byrum is also a member of the finance council of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and on the board of the Indiana Bond Bank. Byrum’s late wife, Joan, was the volunteer president of Right to Life of Indianapolis for 20 years.

“It is essential in today’s world, where the unethical actions of some powerful business leaders have created suspicion and a lack of trust, that our graduates are prepared to lead with their hearts in an ethical way and with unquestionable character,” Byrum said in a prepared statement. “I know that Marian University prepares its students to do this, and it is important to me to further that mission and help the School of Business grow and thrive.”