For the third consecutive year, Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons has been named among Indiana’s 250 most influential and impactful leaders in business, education, government, philanthropy, the arts, and the nonprofit sector for his contributions to the state.

The 2025 Indiana 250 list was unveiled during a July 23 reception at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A profile of Coons—Rose-Hulman’s 16th president—is featured in the special Indiana 250 publication and on its accompanying website.

The annual list is curated by the executives, editors, and newsroom teams of IBJ Media’s three news brands: Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business, and Indiana Lawyer. Honorees were selected following a months-long process involving public nominations, organizational research, and conversations with community leaders throughout Indiana.

“President Coons has provided steady, visionary leadership during a pivotal time in Rose-Hulman’s history,” said Carl Cook, chair of the Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees. “His unwavering commitment to student success, institutional growth, and long-term sustainability continues to move the Institute forward and strengthen its national reputation.”

Under Coons’ leadership, Rose-Hulman has reached historic highs in student applications, enrollment, philanthropic support, and the construction of state-of-the-art campus facilities. He has also overseen the launch of the institute’s strategic plan, Advancing by Design, and the celebration of Rose-Hulman’s 150th anniversary in 2024, marking a century and a half of excellence in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation. Rose-Hulman has maintained its No. 1 ranking in undergraduate engineering education by U.S. News & World Report—now for 26 straight years—and has been ranked in Wall Street Journal’s 2024 and 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.