Alumni remember friend through donations

Alumni across the nation are remembering a friend by helping his cause and keeping his legacy alive.\nFollowing the death of IU Alumni Association President and chief executive officer Jerry Tardy Sept. 7 after a battle with cancer, various groups and alumni remembered their friend with memorial donations made to the IU School of Medicine's cancer research program.\nMeanwhile, the alumni association is steadfast in keeping meeting its goals, said John Hobson, IUAA's vice president.\n"The gifts will be used for urologic cancer research at his request," said Elizabeth Elkas of the medical school on the campus of IU-Purdue University of Indianapolis. "He developed a strong relationship with doctors Michael Cohk and Laurence Einhorn. He was truly an advocate of cancer research and believed in the research taking place at the IU School of Medicine."\nBecause gifts are still pouring into the foundation, Elkas said, no exact figure stands yet as to the donation total. \nWhile friends and alumni take time to grieve the loss of Tardy, the IUAA has asked Hobson to function as interim president, although a formal announcement will not be made for several days, said IU spokeswoman Susan Dillman. \n"We have not yet announced what we're going to do to find a permanent replacement because it is still very soon," Dillman said. "There are still a lot of people saddened by his death. He made an immense contribution to the University. He was everything President Brand said he was … he had a fierce loyalty to his work."\nIU President Myles Brand touted Tardy's service to IU during a memorial service Sept. 19.\n"Jerry was a personal friend," Brand said during the service. "He displayed great pride as a Hoosier and had Hoosiers' humility, too … He was a good man, and helped others become good people."\nDillman said the University will most likely wait two weeks before they begin the search for a new president. \nHobson offered some insight as to what the process will entail.\n"In general terms," Hobson said. "President Brand, in conjunction with volunteer leaders, will form a search committee, post the job nationally, and select candidates. They will probably make a recommendation to the president."\nWhile the tragedy has many involved in the IUAA, according to Hobson the association has continued to function normally.\n"It has certainly impacted us; and because it occurred at the same time of the national tragedy, we were doubly affected," Hobson said. "The work is still going forward and has not stopped; we've had no cancellations of events or organizations. We have a loyal and dedicated staff that wants to make sure the important work we do continues during this interim period"