Bepko a natural fit

It seems natural that Gerald Bepko will run the show in President Myles Brand's absence, considering he has so much history with the University.\nBepko began his career with IU as an assistant professor at the IU School of Law in Indianapolis in 1972. He became a full professor in 1975, associate dean for academic affairs in 1979, and dean of the law school in 1981. He was named IUPUI's Chancellor in 1986. \nBepko has striven to unify various IUPUI programs, both by moving schools to the West Michigan Street campus such as the Purdue Science, Purdue Engineering and Technology and the IU Herron School of Art.\nUnder Bepko, IUPUI Intercollegiate Athletics became a Division I program in 1998. \nDuring his administration, student enrollment grew by 15 percent and annual external support has increased from $38 million in 1986 to more than $190 million today. \nBepko has focused heavily on improving IUPUI's medical program. He worked with President Myles Brand and others to consolidate IU hospitals with Methodist Hospitals of Indiana, forming Clarian Health Partners, Inc. The merger has served the community as an economic anchor to the health industry. \nBepko has also remained active in the city of Indianapolis. He sits on the boards of First Indiana Corp., the Indianapolis Life Insurance Co., and the Lumina Foundation for Education. In addition, he serves as president of the Economic Club of Indianapolis and chair of the board of the Indiana Convention and Visitors Association.\nBefore working for IUPUI, he practiced law in Chicago, and was a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1965 to 1969. He earned his B.S. from Northern Illinois University in 1962, his J.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1965 and his LL. M. from Yale in 1972.\nBepko is married to Jean B. Bepko and they have two children, Gerald L. Jr. and Arminda.