Last modified: Wednesday, July 18, 2007
IU names Edwin C. Marshall vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie today (July 18) announced the appointment of Professor Edwin C. Marshall as vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs.
Marshall, a professor and associate dean for academic affairs and student administration at the IU School of Optometry, replaces Vice President Charlie Nelms, who has resigned to become Chancellor at North Carolina Central University in Durham.
"Ed Marshall is an extremely accomplished member of the faculty and a person who has established a truly national and international reputation for academic excellence in his profession," McRobbie said. "He also has a deep commitment to diversity and equity in higher education. He will have important responsibilities in his new role as vice president, and I am very pleased that he has agreed to take on this key assignment."
Marshall will have oversight for matters concerning diversity, equity and multicultural affairs on all IU campuses and more specific responsibilities at IU Bloomington. This will include relevant academic support services, K-12 outreach initiatives, student enrollment and retention initiatives and diversity and equity efforts.
"While Ed Marshall's primary responsibility will be focused on overseeing and enhancing our many diversity efforts at IU, I will also call upon his considerable expertise and experience in international engagement as we craft our strategy for providing IU students with an even stronger understanding of other nations and cultures."
Marshall has been an adviser to the medical faculty of the National University of Malaysia and the Cebu Doctors' College, College of Optometry in the the Philippines, as well as many other international accomplishments.
McRobbie also noted that Marshall's background in public health -- he is an adjunct professor of public health at the IU School of Medicine -- will enable him to play an important role in implementing IU's strategy for expanding life sciences research.
Marshall said he is honored to have been chosen for this position and that he looks forward to working closely with McRobbie in shaping diversity and equity policies for the university.
"Replacing Charlie Nelms is an impossibility because he has done so much for Indiana University," Marshall said. "I recognize that his loss creates a tremendous challenge for us. However, I welcome the opportunity to build upon Charlie's accomplishments and to use the course that he has set as a guide for enhancing the visibility of diversity within and throughout the university."
Marshall has served as an optometry professor at IU for more than 30 years and has frequently been recognized for his scholarship, teaching ability and professional advocacy. A past president of the Indiana Optometric Association and the Indiana Public Health Association, Marshall last week was named 2007 Optometrist of the Year by the American Optometric Association.
Last year, the Indiana Optometry Association recognized him with its Optometrist of the Year award. The IOA previously honored him with the Distinguished Service to Optometry Award in 1998. In 2001, he received the State Health Commissioner Award for Excellence in Public Health. In 2005, the Indiana governor named him a Distinguished Hoosier, the second-highest honor given by the state.
Marshall has four degrees from Indiana University, including Doctor of Optometry, Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Optometry and Bachelor of Arts in Zoology. In addition, he holds a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
