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Simic receives Distinguished Hoosier award from governor
Oct. 29, 2001
Note to editors in northwest Indiana: Curt Simic is a native of Gary and a graduate of Kouts High School, where he recently was inducted into the Kouts High School "Wall of Fame." A digital image of Simic receiving the award is available by contacting George Vlahakis in the IU Office of Communications and Marketing at 812-855-0846 or at gvlahaki@indiana.edu.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Curtis R. Simic, president of the Indiana University Foundation, has been named a "Distinguished Hoosier" by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon.
The award was presented to Simic by the president of the IU Board of Trustees, James T. Morris, and Alan Gilman, vice chair of the IU Foundation's Board of Directors. Indiana State Representative Peggy Welch also attended the presentation.
The Distinguished Hoosier is one of the highest awards given by the state of Indiana to its citizens. The citation commends Simic, an IU alumnus, for his "great service to the state of Indiana and its citizens" and "tireless work on behalf of Indiana University" during his 13 years as the head of IU's official fund-raising agency.
In that time, gifts from the private sector increased from $37 million to more than $230.1 million in fiscal 2001, and the number of donors grew from nearly 63,000 to nearly 100,000. Since 1990, IU has consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the nation in total voluntary support from the private sector. It also became one of the top 15 among public universities in the market value of its endowment.
IU President Myles Brand credited Simic for his dedication to IU and with setting aggressive goals for the Foundation. "Curt has provided visionary leadership for the Foundation by building strong partnerships among those various constituents who care about the university and work toward its well being," Brand said.
"He is energy, optimism and compassion in action, and IU is much stronger because of his devotion to it. Of course, Curt's expertise is appreciated far and wide. He is nationally recognized for his expertise in fund raising on behalf of higher education and as a national authority on the management of foundations."
Vance T. Peterson, president of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, said, "Curt has been an active member of CASE for many years, giving generously of his time and expertise as a mentor, author, speaker and valued colleague.
"In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the field, Curt was recognized in 1999 with the Frank L. Ashmore Award for Service to CASE and the Advancement Profession. The 'Distinguished Hoosier' award comes as no surprise to those of us who know Curt and appreciate the extraordinary impact he has made on education throughout his distinguished career," Peterson said.
Simic also has been active with the national Association of Governing Boards. Rick Legon, AGB's executive vice president, commented that "Curt is among the handful of professionals who have a real feel for the importance of volunteers to an institution's success. We call upon Curt as frequently as his schedule permits to work with board volunteers and to share his understanding of a board's fund-raising responsibilities."
Simic is also the head of the Big Ten Fund Raisers Institute, an educational program for advancement professionals in higher education.
(Barbara Coffman, 812-855-1422, coffman@indiana.edu)