The candidates are vying for the spot of Alumni Trustee. Anyone with a degree from an IU school may vote by June 30.
The three candidates, Jay Asdell, Mike Wilcox and Philip N. Eskew Jr., were each given two minutes to make opening statements and introduce themselves to viewers.
Asdell graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1983 and currently serves as chief of the dental department at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, according to his candidate statement on the IU Alumni Association website.
Wilcox is the superintendent of the Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation and received degrees from IU in 1990 and 1997.
Eskew, who currently serves on the Board and has worked as chair of the facilities committee and vice chair of university and student relations, received his Doctor of Medicine from the University in 1970.
Asdell began the opening ?statements.
“I am here today because I am passionate about Indiana University,” he said. “I want to see IU continue as the most diverse, economical, research-oriented and successful university in this country.”
Eskew made his opening statement next.
“I serve because this is my opportunity to give back,” Eskew said. “I feel very fortunate to have received the opportunity to learn from IU.”
Wilcox then introduced himself.
“We all love Indiana University,” Wilcox said. “We all bleed crimson and cream, this is why we’re here.”
Following opening statements, the candidates were given a series of questions provided by the Board of Trustees, audience members and viewers online through Twitter by tweeting @IUAA. The forum was also available via live stream for those who weren’t in Bloomington.
The candidates were given two minutes to answer the questions, which covered a variety of topics involving university priorities such as state funding, the balance between athletics and academics, the role of technology’s growth in education and the latest two-year tuition freeze.
In one case, the candidates were asked what were the biggest threats they saw currently facing the University. Wilcox said the two biggest problems were how IU is taking care of students financially and campus security.
Both Eskew and Asdell agreed, adding points about the importance of state funding of education and maintaining reasonable tuition rates.
When asked about how an IU degree might change as students take classes across the system and graduate having taken classes at multiple campuses, each of the candidates agreed that “an IU degree is an IU degree.”
Following questions and closing statements, viewers were reminded that voting started June 1 and lasts until 11 a.m. June 30.
IU Alumni can vote online at alumni.iu.edu or can request a print ballot by sending an email to truselec@indiana.edu.
The next regular meeting of the Board is June 18-19 at IU-Northwest.
