Indiana University Northwest Chancellor Arrick Jackson began his career with a dark sense of urgency. At age 9, he lost his 32-year-old father after a heart attack. His mom died in a homicide when he was six months old in the family’s hometown of Saginaw, Michigan. His stepmother, Francis Jackson, adopted and raised her husband’s four children after his death. Yet growing up, Jackson yearned to know more about his parents. “When Google came along and gave me the ability to search, I was curious… I searched for my father’s name, and my mother’s name, and the only thing that appeared were their obituaries.” From that day, IUN’s ninth chancellor knew he wanted his own three children to know there was more to his life than an obituary. “They would find evidence that I existed. That I mattered, that I did something,” he told an audience of IUN faculty, staff and community members Monday as the Gary university celebrated the unveiling of his portrait, which will hang on a wall in the John W. Anderson Library Conference Center. Chancellor Arrick Jackson (left) stands with artist Renae Ricks-Miller. Ricks-Miller (right) sketched the portrait of Jackson. Her work was unveiled during a campus tradition that commemorates Jackson’s service and marks his place as IU Northwest's ninth chancellor on Monday, March 2, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune) Chesterton artist Renae Ricks-Miller said she created the pencil-on-paper portrait from a photograph. Jackson lifted a white cloth that covered it and smiled for the cameras. Another bit of legacy for his kids to discover. Jackson’s likeness will join IUN’s eight previous chancellors and Ricks-Miller, who attended IUN, has sketched the last three. Now 57 and well past his 32nd birthday, Jackson isn’t easing up. He explained how finding his parents’ obits altered his outlook. “That changed something in me. “I became almost frantic about leaving something of me behind, not for the world, but for my children.” Chancellor Arrick Jackson addresses the audience during the unveiling of his professionally sketched portrait. A campus tradition, it commemorates his service and marks his place as IU Northwest's ninth chancellor on Monday, March 2, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune) His three kids are now scattered across the country, from Connecticut to Alaska. His oldest son, Khari, is serving in the Air Force in Fairbanks. Middle son, Kadin, is working in project management in Massachusetts, and daughter, Karlee, is a freshman at the University of Connecticut. Jackson has a resume of academic and military successes, but he doesn’t rest on those accomplishments. He came to IUN from Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where he served as provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs. Jackson joined the Army at age 18 and spent three years in field artillery and three years in military intelligence. Jackson and his former wife had their first child when he was 21. He had his doctorate in criminal justice and political science at 31 and published his first paper at age 32, “because it had to be done. That was going to be it for me.” Then 33 came, and 40, and more publications, and more academic advancements. He served stints in education administration and human resources at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich,igan and later became vice president of community and industry education services for the Tarrant County College District in Texas. He’s been at IUN for less than a year but has already impressed his colleagues. Chancellor Arrick Jackson examines his professionally sketched portrait, a campus tradition that commemorates Jackson’s service and marks his place as IU Northwest's ninth chancellor on Monday, March 2, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune) Vicky Roman-Lagunas served as interim chancellor until Jackson arrived. She said he excels in creative academic programming. “He looks to the needs of the community and finds out what we can do with what we have at IU-Northwest to serve those things,” she said. Vanessa Allen-McCloud is president and CEO of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and also serves on the IUN Board of Advisors. “Chancellor Jackson is honest and open and very engaged in the community,” she said. “He’s a good listener.” Jackson introduced Ricks-Miller before the unveiling, calling her a “gifted local artist with a beautiful connection to this very campus.” Ricks-Miller also painted the portrait of former Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson that hangs with other mayors in City Hall. Finally, Jackson closed his story. “And that little 9-year-old boy who lost his father and quietly feared he might not last long enough to be remembered, he would be overwhelmed by this room right now,” he said. Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. ...read more read less