For the first time in more than a century, the IU Board of Trustees will have no elected representatives.
Gov. Mike Braun announced in a press release today the appointment of three new trustees — Sage Steele and James Bopp Jr. until 2028 and Brian Eagle until 2027 — and the extension of W. Quinn Buckner's term until 2026.
Braun flexed the power of a policy written into the state budget in April granting him authority to remove and appoint IU trustees at his discretion. The IDS reported earlier today trustee Vivian Winston had been removed from her position effective immediately, with WTIU additionally confirming the sacking of Jill Maurer Burnett. It is now confirmed Burnett, Winston and third elected trustee Donna Spears have all been replaced. They were removed from the Board of Trustees "Current Trustees" section earlier today
Sage Steele is a former ESPN host and commentator who parted ways with the network in 2023 after she was reprimanded for a string of remarks about Barack Obama's racial identity, mandating the COVID-19 vaccine and more. She sued ESPN for allegedly violating her First Amendment rights to free speech.
She has since started her own podcast and YouTube show "The Sage Steele Show." She's also been associated with the Trump campaign, at one point rumored to be vying for Trump's press secretary role. She denied the rumors.
James Bopp Jr. is a conservative lawyer formerly part of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita's team. He was influential in late 20th century anti-abortion campaigns by the Republican party and has campaigned to remove barriers to corporate and union funding of political campaigns.
Brian Eagle is an attorney, wealth consultant, and partner at his firm Eagle and Fein. He is a current member of the Central Indiana Community Foundation’s Cornerstone Advisory Council, a philanthropic organization with the stated values of anti-racism, authentic relationships, inclusivity, leadership, effectiveness and sustainability.
All three are IU alumni, and their terms begin effective immediately. It is unclear whether there will be an election for Winston's vacant spot, but it appears unlikely due to each appointment lasting until at least 2027.
"I am confident that these appointees, who are all Indiana University alumni, will serve in the best interest of the university and will help guide IU back in the right direction as a premier flagship university in our state," Braun said in the press release.
Buckner's extension comes despite a newly minted three-term limit, passed in the same April budget hearing that gave Braun unadulterated power of appointment.
IU President Pamela Whitten also authored a statement in an IU News release shortly following the new appointments.
“I look forward to working with our new trustees, who join the board at a pivotal time of positive momentum for IU,” Whitten said in the release. “Each has a deep love for IU and shares our vision for putting students first, advancing groundbreaking research and serving our state.”
The IDS has reached out to the board and the governor's office for comment, and is awaiting a response.
This story has been updated to correct a misspelling of the year 2028 and a misspelling of the late 20th century.
