International Center to Honor IU President

(Image courtesy of Indiana University)

The International Center will present its International Citizen of the Year Award to Indiana University President Michael McRobbie in September. The award honors those who "have made outstanding contributions to the globalization of Indiana."

McRobbie joins other notables who have received the award, including former Governor Mitch Daniels and former U.S. Senator Richard Lugar. The award was created over 30 years ago to recognize Hoosiers who have fostered a world view through business, culture, education, government, medicine, research, media, sports and community service.

"The far-reaching impact Michael McRobbie’s leadership of Indiana University has had on our state’s international engagement is extraordinary," said James Morris, International Center board member and honorary co-chair of this year’s event. "We look forward to the opportunity to convey this richly deserved honor to Dr. McRobbie. The International Center embraces diversity, passion, excellence and integrity as our values. It would be difficult if not impossible to find an individual in our state today who better exemplifies that set of values, at home and abroad, than Michael McRobbie."

McRobbie has brought IU to a global scale since becoming president in 2007. The Australia native launched the university’s first International Strategic Plan and led the creation of IU’s School of Global and International Studies. He has also developed or renewed partnerships with universities in many areas throughout the world, including Africa, China, Germany, Indiana and Japan, among others.

"I am deeply honored by this award," said McRobbie. "The list of previous recipients includes some of Indiana’s and the nation’s greatest international citizens, who I admire immensely and who have left a lasting legacy in the state of true global engagement and understanding. It is also a great honor to join several past winners who have such strong ties to Indiana University and its long history of international institutional engagement."