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Morris Named Co-chair, Johnson Honorary Chair, Herbert Director of IUB's Matching The Promise Campaign

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Release Date: 2/6/2009

Bloomington, Ind.—James T. Morris of Indianapolis, president of Pacer Sports and Entertainment, will serve as a co-chair of Indiana University Bloomington's Matching the Promise fundraising campaign, announced IU President Michael A. McRobbie. Morris is known nationally and internationally as the executive director of the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP).

"Jim brings great experience, commitment, and vitality to bear on our Matching the Promise campaign," said McRobbie. "In life, a solid education, just like good nutrition, is vital for a functioning, engaged citizenry. And now, with the current economic climate, it is imperative that higher education in Indiana redouble its efforts to develop our economy and educate our youth for the work of the 21st century."

Richard L. Johnson, chairman of the board of Johnson Ventures, has been named honorary co-chair of the campaign. "I wish to express our deepest thanks to Dick Johnson for his tireless efforts as co-chair on behalf of the campaign to date," said McRobbie. "He is one of Indiana University's greatest friends."

The Matching the Promise campaign, begun in 2003, has raised $935 million; nearly $314 million of that total is designated for undergraduate and graduate scholarships and fellowships. Other campaign priorities are endowment funding for faculty positions and funds for construction of teaching and research facilities. 

Morris has previously served not only as executive director for the WFP, but also as the U.N. Secretary General's Special Envoy for Southern Africa. He has also held leadership positions in the IWC Resources Corporation, Indianapolis Water Company, Lilly Endowment, American Fletcher Bank, and the Indianapolis mayoral administration of Dick Lugar. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana University.   

Morris has served as an IU Trustee and has been a member of the IU Foundation Board of Directors since 1998. Morris serves on the board of several organizations and has received numerous awards and honors, such as the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom. He is an inductee of the Central Indiana Business Hall of Fame and holds 12 honorary degrees from various institutions.

Richard L. Johnson has been a longtime supporter of higher education and health care, serving on numerous boards and councils, including the IU Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, IU Kelley School of Business, IU College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation, and Riley Children's Foundation. Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Indiana University and is a member of the IU Foundation Board of Directors.

Matching the Promise campaign co-chairs Clarence Boone, Cindy Simon-Skjodt, and Kay Ryan Booth are all IU alumni and members of the IU Foundation Board of Directors.

Clarence W. Boone Sr., MD, received the Quality of Life Council of NW Indiana Lifetime Achievement award in 2005, served as an IU Trustee, was a charter member and past president of the Neal Marshall Alumni Club Committee, and is a retired physician.

Cynthia Simon-Skjodt serves many nonprofits. She is president of the Pacers Foundation and the Samerian Foundation, director of the Indianapolis 500 Festival, the Methodist Foundation, and Park Tudor School. She was named 2002 Woman of the Year, received the Indianapolis Children's Museum Anne Frank Award, and is a two-time recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash.

Kathryn Ryan Booth serves as president of the Culver Summer Schools Alumni Association Board of Trustees and as an advisor to the IU College of Arts and Sciences. She was awarded the National Organization of Women Power and Influence Award, the Women's Venture Fund Highest Leaf Honoree, and is an honoree with the Irish America Wall Street 50.

Thomas W. Herbert, IU Foundation vice president for university wide programs, has been appointed to direct the Matching the Promise campaign. Herbert leads fund development efforts for the IU life sciences initiative and directs the principal gift program. Herbert was previously vice president for development at the University of Michigan, executive director of development and alumni programs for the IU College of Arts and Sciences, and director of planned giving at the IU Foundation.

The Indiana University Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to maximizing private sector-gift support for Indiana University. IU consistently ranks among the top 20 universities in the nation in support received from the private sector and in the top 15 among public universities in the market value of its endowment. The IU Foundation is responsible for university-wide oversight of fundraising operations and campaigns, for investing IU's endowment, and for providing administrative services to donors and IU. In fiscal year 2008, IU received more than $251 million in gifts from more than 110,000 donors.