---

News Release

Last modified: Thursday, February 25, 2010

IU forms statewide engagement council

Representatives from each IU campus will participate in economic development discussions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 25, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS -- As part of its "Innovate Indiana" initiative, Indiana University has established a university-wide engagement council composed of economic development representatives from IU's eight campuses and three engagement offices located throughout the state.

The newly created IU Council on Regional Engagement and Economic Development will be chaired by Bill Stephan, IU vice president for engagement. The purpose of the council is to create a university-wide forum to more effectively connect with all IU campuses and the communities they serve in addressing regional economic issues. Council members from IU campuses have been directly appointed by their respective chancellors.

According to David Gard, executive director of engagement at IU, "through ongoing interaction and dialogue, the Council will be instrumental in identifying how the university can bring its considerable resources and expertise to bear in ways to enhance economic development efforts throughout the state. This first meeting is designed to foster ample discussion of opportunities and challenges faced at the regional level."

"Innovate Indiana" is the name for Indiana University's efforts to channel the university's vast resources to strengthen the Hoosier economy. The Office of the Vice President for Engagement is the central point of contact for "Innovate Indiana," coordinating IU's economic development activities across the state and connecting the business community in Indiana, the nation, and the world to IU.

Through its many policy centers and schools, IU brings vital resources that boost state economic development efforts. The Council's ability to tap into the key roles and capabilities of those resources will further broaden IU's economic footprint in Indiana.

The Council will hold its first meeting on March 5 at the IU Emerging Technologies Center in Indianapolis.

Council member campuses/offices include: IU Bloomington, IUPUI, IPFW, IU East, IU Southeast, IU South Bend, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, and IUPU Columbus, as well as IU Engagement Offices in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Evansville.

---

---