IU Announces Passing of Trustee Melanie Walker

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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana University trustee and noted Hoosier business executive Melanie Walker has died, the school announced Sunday. Walker, who was 62 years old, served on the Board of Trustees since 2016 and was nominated by then-Indiana governor Mike Pence.
“Her dedication and service to this university, the community and the state went far beyond her role as a trustee. We will forever be grateful for her leadership, friendship and commitment to IU,” said IU President Pamela Whitten. “We extend our greatest sympathies to her family and many friends during this difficult time.”
IU says during her tenure on the IU Board of Trustees, Walker was involved in numerous organizations at the university including the Dean’s Council for the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, the Manufacturing and Public Policy Steering Committee, and the Steering Committee of the IU Women’s Philanthropy Council.
“She was highly regarded as a colleague on the board, and her wise counsel throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, her service as chair of the Finance, Audit and Strategic Planning Committee, and her leadership of the yearlong presidential search were greatly valued,” said Michael Mirro, chair of the IU Board of Trustees. ” She will truly be missed.”
Walker was chief executive officer of the North American group of companies of Tsuchiya, a Nagoya, Japan-based company. According to an IU biography, Walker was named president of Bloomington-based TASUS Corp. in 1994. Under her watch, the plastics manufacturer grew to five facilities throughout North America.
Responding to the news of her passing, Governor Eric Holcomb said her business acumen and zeal for life and leadership will have a lasting impact.
“Melanie will forever be so many things to many people around the world. Her combination of a zest for life, love for family, friends and Indiana University, and her globally inclusive work ethic are characteristics I hope every young Hoosier can grow up to embody,” said Holcomb. “I will miss learning from her, especially how to attach action to empathy and always with a servant’s heart. Janet and I are praying comfort and strength will surround the Walker family as this bright light of life finds a forever home in heaven.”
IU says Walker was an active member of the boards for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the IU Credit Union, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center.
She was also president of the board of the Japan-America Society of Indiana, president of the American Heart Association Executive Leadership Team, member of the State of Indiana Workforce Innovation Council.