BREAKING NEWS: Bronze Statue of Beloved Meteorologist Stephanie Mead Unveiled in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN – June 22, 2025 — Hundreds of fans, community members, and media professionals gathered today at University Park in downtown Indianapolis to witness the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring longtime meteorologist and community advocate Stephanie Mead.
The life-sized sculpture captures Mead in her signature poised stance—microphone in one hand, eyes cast toward the horizon, evoking her years of delivering accurate and reassuring weather forecasts across the Midwest. The statue stands just outside WISH-TV’s historic studios, where Mead spent a significant portion of her career.
City officials and colleagues hailed Mead as not just a trusted broadcaster, but a “beacon of calm in the storm.”
> “Stephanie helped guide this city through countless tornado warnings, ice storms, and weather emergencies,” said Mayor Jason Randle. “But beyond that, she became a symbol of integrity and compassion—whether volunteering at schools or raising money for disaster relief.”
Mead, visibly emotional during the ceremony, thanked her family, viewers, and coworkers.
> “It’s surreal,” she said. “I never imagined I’d be honored this way. My mission has always been to serve and inform, and to know I’ve made an impact on this community—that means everything.”
The statue, sculpted by acclaimed artist Talia Simmons, took over a year to complete. Funded by a public campaign and supported by the Indiana Broadcast Association, it’s one of the few statues in the nation dedicated to a female meteorologist.
Mead now serves as a national weather contributor and continues to advocate for STEM education and climate literacy.
