INDIANA — Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced the appointment of three new members and the reappointment of one member to Indiana University’s Board of Trustees. These changes come as Governor Braun assumes full control over the board, a power granted by a last-minute amendment to the state budget passed in late April.
The new appointees to the IU Board of Trustees, effective immediately, are:
- W. Quinn Buckner: Reappointed as chair of the Board of Trustees, serving until June 30, 2026.
- James Bopp Jr.: Attorney, serving until June 30, 2028.
- Brian Eagle: Attorney, serving until June 30, 2027.
- Sage Steele: Sports broadcaster, serving until June 30, 2028.
These appointments follow the recent removal of Jill Burnett, Donna Spears, and Vivian Watson from the IU board’s website. Previously, Indiana governors appointed all nine trustees who served three-year terms, along with a student trustee who served a one-year term. However, the new budget provision allows the governor to “remove and replace” any board members at any time, including those previously elected by alumni.
This shift in control has drawn a lawsuit from an alumnus, who claims the new rules are unconstitutional under Indiana law, asserting that the budget addition constitutes “special legislation” targeting Indiana University specifically, rather than applying to other four-year universities in the state.
Despite the controversy, Governor Braun expressed confidence in his selections. “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 stated in a news release.
As of Monday, the university’s Board of Trustees now consists of:
- W. Quinn Buckner, Chair
- Cindy Lucchese, Vice Chair and 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
IU President Pamela Whitten welcomed the new members. “I look forward to working with our new trustees, who join the board at a pivotal time of positive momentum for IU,” Whitten said in a university news release. “Each has a deep love for IU and shares our vision for putting students first, advancing groundbreaking research, and serving our state.”
In addition to the IU Board of Trustees, Governor Braun also announced several other appointments to various state boards:
All Payers Claim Database Advisory Board
- Barry Hart (serves remainder of unexpired term until June 30, 2025)
- Nicholas Sloffer (serves remainder of unexpired term until June 30, 2025)
Board of Accountancy
- Lauren Hamilton (term ends April 30, 2029)
- Erica Emanuel (term ends April 30, 2029)
Board of Proprietary Education
- Michael Nossett (term ends May 4, 2029)
Coroners Training Board
- Jeremy McKim (serves at the pleasure of the governor)
Indiana Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists
- Ginger Davis (term ends April 30, 2029)
Indiana Election Commission
- Beth Boyce (term ends June 30, 2027)
- Karen Celestino-Horseman (term ends June 30, 2027)
Brian Gallagher has been reappointed to serve on the Ball State University Board of Trustees, with his term set to expire on December 31, 2028.
