Al Leighton '62 and Kathy Fox '75 were honored by Marian University
at its 2023 gala with the university's 2023 Dillion Family Distinguished Alumni Award.
Separately, Leighton and Fox were students and long-time supporters of Marian University. Together, they are an unforgettable duo.
Leighton graduated from Marian College in 1962 and worked for a CPA firm in Dayton, Ohio, before moving to Indianapolis to work for Marian Inc. While at Marian Inc., he served in several leadership roles, including secretary, treasurer, and CFO. Fox graduated in 1975 from Marian College with an accounting degree. After several years in the workforce, she earned her teaching license and master's degree and taught accounting, keyboarding, and web design.
Leighton was married for 51 years before his first wife passed away in 2020. He and Fox met at the St. Joseph Chapel ribbon cutting in 2021 and married in July 2022 – at the St. Joseph Chapel where they initially met.
Leighton has supported numerous scholarships and other campus efforts, including co-chairing the annual alumi fund drive. He has been a Board of Trustees member since 2004, and in 2013, the Marian School of Nursing was renamed the Leighton School of Nursing in honor of his generosity. He has also volunteered his time and leadership to well-known local and national not-for-profits. Fox accompanies him through all of this work while also volunteering for Teachers' Treasures.
The 2023 Marian University Gala raised over $2.5 million for the university's student scholarships, as nearly 2,000 alums, students, faculty and staff, and community leaders attended.