Reflections

Eric Holcomb

Michael's leadership has enhanced the Hoosier state's reputation globally. 

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb

“Michael’s transformative leadership is defined by the day-to-day moments that few people see and even fewer realize at the time the enduring effect they will have. Michael has quietly and steadily brought about a shift in IU’s culture. In so doing, he elevated what we believe is possible and what we should expect of ourselves and collectively of IU as an institution. Because of Michael’s time with us we are a far more innovative, bold, and courageous organization.”

—MaryEllen Bishop, Trustee, Indiana University Board of Trustees

Nasser Paydar

“History books will tell the story of the McRobbie era at Indiana University. It will be story of a passion for progress with a vision for the future.”

Nasser Paydar, Chancellor, IUPUI

“Under Michael McRobbie’s leadership ... Indiana University has committed to addressing pressing issues that affect our city, our state, our nation and our world through research, through education, and through service….”

—Joseph Hogsett, Mayor, City of Indianapolis

“It is incredibly hard to look at today’s [IUPUI] campus and not see innovation and transformation in the teaching, research, and service occurring there now as a result of his leadership.”

“President McRobbie, I want to personally thank you for your generous partnership and your gracious collaboration through the past 14 years, and I wish you and your wife Laurie only the best as you enter your well-deserved retirement.”

—Vop Osili, President, Indianapolis City/County Council

“I think the results speak for themselves. There is a truism that says great leaders show it during our more difficult times. Michael went through at least two very big ones, so yeah, the obvious comment is ‘flying colors.’”

“He’s been a very articulate advocate for IU-and such a credible one. He brought unique talents that are well matched for the era we are in. IU will miss him, and I will too.”

—Mitch Daniels, President, Purdue University

“I think that in order to do what he has done; you have to have a vision for what a first-class research institution looks like. You have to have that from the beginning, and he did. And he has never gotten distracted in pursuing that.”

—Lauren Robel, Provost and Executive Vice President, Indiana University

“The obvious importance to our students and the state of Indiana that IU continue its leadership in technology cannot be over-emphasized…I am extremely pleased to announce that Michael McRobbie ... has agreed to join the IU team,” Brand said. “He will play a central role in our work to build America's new public university.”

"Michael has already made an incredible impact on the university in terms of information technology…But he has much more to contribute in a very broad range of areas, including the humanities and the arts”

—Myles Brand, President, Indiana University (1994-2002)

“All at AAU celebrate the long and successful tenure of Michael McRobbie as president of Indiana University and as chair of our board. Due to an unexpected presidential transition, Michael has chaired the board for 18 months, rather than the usual 12 months, during a time of considerable challenge for higher education. On any given day, Michael could be called upon for urgent consultation and advice about issues that potentially could have a very negative impact on America's leading research universities, a duty to which he cheerfully acceded. AAU depends on such good citizenship by our presidents and chancellors, and Michael has been simply one of the best. Given that he is Australian as well as a U.S. citizen, his international perspective has also been invaluable. In short, Michael McRobbie is a consummate good steward of higher education in the U.S. and the world.”

—Mary Sue Coleman, former president of the Association of American Universities

“It's been a very exciting and great privilege to work with President McRobbie. The university has moved in significant ways internationally under his leadership."

—Patrick O’Meara, late IU Vice President Emeritus

Richard Lugar

Under President McRobbie, IU is now positioned to leap into the very top tier of American universities studying foreign policy.

Richard Lugar, late U.S. Senator for Indiana

“In 1998, Michael and his staff envisioned that IU could become the network operator for the new Research and Education Network, Internet2, that was being created by 34 leading research universities. It was a highly competitive process, but IU’s proposal won, and IU is now the singular, national powerhouse in operating advanced networks for research and education.”

—Brad Wheeler, James H. Rudy Professor of Information Systems, Department of Operations and Decision Technologies