Interim president appointed to replace late IUAA leader

John Hobson has been named interim president and chief executive officer of the IU Alumni Association by IU President Myles Brand.\nIUAA President and Chief Executive Officer Jerry Tardy, who had led the association for more than 14 years, died Sept. 7.\nHobson, who earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from IU, has worked for the association since 1973. Since 2000, he has served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for the IUAA. In that position, he coordinates and directs the 115 clubs in the alumni club program, serves as liaison to IU's regional campuses and supervises Bloomington program staff.\n\"When Jerry (Tardy) became ill, I stepped into the role, but now the president has asked me to serve as interim president,\" Hobson said. \"Our staff is appreciative of the expressions of concern and willingness to assist us from our volunteer leaders and colleagues from throughout the University.\"\nFrom 1994 to 2000, Hobson was associate executive director of the association. He earlier served as director of alumni relations for the Bloomington campus, and alumni director for IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne, IU-Kokomo and IU-East.\nBrand said a search committee to choose Tardy's permanent successor will be named in the next few weeks.\nThe IU Alumni Association reached the 100,000 mark in membership earlier this year, making it one of the five largest such associations in the nation.\nFounded in 1854, the association provides opportunities for alumni and friends to stay connected with their alma mater through communications, programs and services that foster a lifetime relationship with the University.