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Last modified: Monday, July 2, 2007

IU President McRobbie names two members to cabinet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Michael McRobbie announced two members of his presidential cabinet today (July 2), one day after officially assuming office.

IU Vice President for University Relations Mike Sample will become vice president for public affairs and government relations, assuming additional responsibility for leading IU's governmental efforts at the state and federal levels. Sample will take over duties previously held by retiring Vice President for Government Relations Tom Healy, who served the university in that position for the last three years.

McRobbie also announced that Karen Adams has been appointed chief of staff in the new administration after having served as chief of staff for McRobbie in a number of his previous roles at IU, most recently interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.

"Mike and Karen will play important roles in my administration," McRobbie said. "Mike has a very strong background in government affairs dating back to before he arrived at IU, and we plan to rely extensively on his experience as we work with legislators and other government officials on issues that impact IU's future.

"Karen has worked closely with me for over a decade," McRobbie continued, "and I have found her knowledge of the university and ability to oversee a wide range of responsibilities and initiatives to be quite outstanding."

Sample has an extensive background in policy development, corporate communications, public affairs and international business. From 1983 to 1998, he was employed by PSI Resources and its successor, Cinergy Corp., where he served in various roles, including vice president for corporate affairs and PSI's federal affairs representative in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining PSI, he spent seven years as a special assistant to U.S. Rep. Elwood H. (Bud) Hillis, working in both Indiana and Washington, D.C.

In addition to his new responsibilities in government affairs, where he will work closely with JT. Forbes, assistant vice president of government relations and executive director for state relations, and Doug Wasitis, director of federal government relations, Sample will continue to oversee university-wide programs in marketing, internal and external communications, media relations and other public outreach activities.

Sample has a bachelor's degree in political science from IU and an advanced management certificate from Oxford University's Templeton College in England. He served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1974.

As chief of staff to McRobbie, Adams has advised and represented him on a wide range of operational and organizational initiatives, and managed the day-to-day operations of the office for many years. She also previously provided leadership for the communications and planning functions of the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology, including University Information Technology Services (UITS).

As chief of staff in the new administration, she will serve as one of the president's primary advisors, oversee the operations of the Office of the President, and work collaboratively with members of the university community, including faculty, students and administrators, to advance special projects.

Adams received a doctorate in education from the IU School of Education in 1995, where she now holds an adjunct faculty appointment. She has a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Calvin College in Michigan.