Indiana Gov. Mike Braun names new members of IU Board of Trustees

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has appointed three new members, and reappointed one member, to Indiana University’s Board of Trustees.

According to a news release from Braun’s office, the following individuals were named to the IU Board of Trustees on Monday:

• W. Quinn Buckner, chair of the Board of Trustees, effective immediately until term expires on June 30, 2026
• James Bopp Jr., an attorney, effective immediately until term expires on June 30, 2028
• Brian Eagle, an attorney, effective immediately until term expires on June 30, 2027
• Sage Steele, a sports broadcaster, effective immediately until term expires on June 30, 2028

This comes after three names on the IU board’s website were recently taken off, including Jill Burnett, Donna Spears and Vivian Watson. According to the website for the IU Board of Trustees, it states that:

“Indiana’s governor appoints all nine trustees who serve three-year terms, and a student trustee, who serves a one-year term.”

According to previous reports, Braun received full control of who makes up the IU Board of Trustees after a last-minute of the state budget was passed in late April. The board now permits the governor to “remove and replace” any members of the board at any time, including those elected by alumni.

This decision brought forward a lawsuit by an alumnus of the university, one that claims that the new rules are unconstitutional under Indiana law. According to previous reports, the lawsuit claims this addition to the budget bill was “special legislation” that targets Indiana University and does not apply to other four-year universities in the state.

“I am confident that these appointees, who are all Indiana University alumni, will serve in the best interest of the university and will help guide IU back in the right direction as a premier flagship university in our state,” Braun said in the release.

As of Monday, the university’s board of trustees will consist of the following individuals:

• W. Quinn Buckner, the chair of the IU Board of Trustees
• Cindy Lucchese, the vice chair of the IU Board of Trustees and the chair of the finance and audit committee
• Cathy Langham, trustee
• J. Timothy Morris, trustee
• Kyle S. Seibert, chair of the student relations committee
• Issac Torres, trustee
• James Bopp Jr., trustee
• Brian Eagle, trustee
• Sage Steele, trustee

“I look forward to working with our new trustees, who join the board at a pivotal time of positive momentum for IU,” IU President Pamela Whitten said in a news release from the university. “Each has a deep love for IU and shares our vision for putting students first, advancing groundbreaking research and serving our state.”

Along with the announcement surrounding Braun’s appointments to the IU Board of Trustees, Braun also announced appointments to other boards, including:

All Payers Claim Data Base Advisory Board

• Barry Hart, serves the remainder of the unexpired term (June 30, 2025)
• Nicholas Sloffer, serves the remainder of the unexpired term (June 30, 2025)

Board of Accountancy

• Lauren Hamilton, term ends on April 30, 2029
• Erica Emanuel, term ends on April 30, 2029

Board of Proprietary Education

• Michael Nossett, term ends on May 4, 2029

Coroners Training Board

• Jeremy McKim, serves at the pleasure of the governor

Indiana Board of Licensure for Professional Geologist

• Ginger Davis, term ends on April 30, 2029

Indiana Election Commission

• Beth Boyce, term ends on June 30, 2027
• Karen Celestino-Horseman, term ends on June 30, 2027

The release said that Brian Gallagher has been re-appointed to serve on the board of trustees for Ball State University. Gallagher’s term will end on Dec. 31, 2028.