Last modified: Friday, July 22, 2011
Four new members elected to IU Foundation’s board of directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Foundation has added four new members to its board of directors.
W. Quinn Buckner, Rick L. Johnson, Jr., Kathleen Ligocki and Dr. Margaret R. Watanabe have been elected to the IU Foundation Board of Directors. The board provides leadership for the university's philanthropic efforts. The IU Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that oversees fundraising for all campuses of the university, provides administrative and development services for donors and for IU, and manages the university's endowment of more than $1 billion.
"These new members represent a broad range of talents and a shared commitment to the Indiana University tradition," said IU Foundation President Gene Tempel. "Each will bring valuable experience and expertise to our board, along with philanthropic leadership."
Buckner, an IU Bloomington graduate, was captain of both the 1976 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship team and the 1976 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Basketball team. He played for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers during 10 years as an NBA player and was later head coach for the Dallas Mavericks. He is vice president of communications for Pacers Sports & Entertainment and has spent 14 seasons as a cable TV color analyst for the Indiana Pacers. Read Buckner's full bio online.
Johnson is owner, president and CEO of Johnson Ventures, Inc., a private investment company he formed with his late father in 2001. Johnson Ventures invests in and grows successful companies located in Indiana and surrounding states. Its portfolio of companies has included Indiana Limestone Company, Stone Center of Indiana, Johnson Construction Materials, Central Restaurant Products and AuthorHouse. Johnson holds a bachelor of science degree in management and administration from the IU Kelley School of Business. Read Johnson's full bio online.
Ligocki is CEO of Next Autoworks Company in San Diego. Prior to her current position, she was CEO of the Mexico-based GS Motors and CEO of Tower Automotive. She has also worked for Ford Motor Company, United Technologies Corporation and General Motors. Ligocki holds a bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies from IU Kokomo, an master of business administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and honorary doctorates from IU Kokomo and Central Michigan University. Read Ligocki's full bio online.
Margaret Watanabe
Watanabe is a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology and a clinical assistant professor emerita for the IU School of Medicine. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from Wheaton College in Illinois, she went on to earn a master of science degree, a Ph.D. in microbiology and an M.D. from the IU School of Medicine. Watanabe and her late husband, Dr. August M. Watanabe, have received two IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Awards in recognition of their support for medicine and the arts at IUPUI. Read Watanabe's full bio online.
About the IU Foundation Board of Directors
The more than two dozen members of the board of directors meet three times annually. Directors travel at their own expense from across Indiana and the nation. Each year, members of the board collectively give more than $4 million to IU.
IU's president chairs the IU Foundation board of directors. Three university trustees are also members of the board, establishing a formal channel of communication between IU and the IU Foundation.
