Pike HS grad says he’ll lead IU’s student body with love, understanding, openness

BLOOMINGTON (WISH) — There’s new leadership among Indiana University’s student body.

Ky Freeman, 21, is soaking it in as Indiana University’s new student body president. “I’m not going to say I didn’t think it would happen, but I think honestly it’s a dream,” Freeman told News 8 on Wednesday.

The Pike High School grad from Indianapolis took office May 13; he has no political experience. Nonetheless, the new student body president said, he’s ready to get to work and welcomes new ideas.

Angel Leo said she voted for Freeman. “He seemed really involved with the community. He seemed like he knew a lot. I like the guy, so I voted for him.”

He told News 8 he has made history at the university. “There have been five Black student body presidents that have come to IU, but I am the first openly gay, Black man. So, yay, let’s throw that out there for Pride Month as well,” Freeman said and then smiled.

An official within the IU Archives suspects Freeman’s statement is correct but said through a spokesman that the university can’t be 100% sure because records of former student body presidents do not reference their races or sexual orientations. 

The university said its first Black student body president was Tom Atkins, who served from 1960-61.

Freeman says he has two top priorities in his one-year term: increasing cultural awareness both on an off campus, and mental health “I think the biggest thing that we saw through the COVID-19 pandemic, it exacerbated a lot of pre-existing conditions. One of those really being that mental health component for students throughout this time. We really want to get back into the community and really engage with them to know there there is someone here listening to you. There is someone here that sees you.”

Freeman also said he wants to make a lasting impact both on and off the campus. “I think the biggest thing is to understand for students is that there is a community and I am here to make sure that happens. Because I make these promises that I’m going to lead with radical love, I’m going to lead with radical understanding and I’m going to lead with radical openness to new ideas.”

Statement

“Ky Freeman has been a pathbreaking advocate for student equity, diversity, and social justice at IU Bloomington. We are thrilled that he has been elected by his peers to lead the student body at this critical juncture in our history.”

John Nieto-Phillips, Indiana University Bloomington vice provost for diversity and inclusion