03-07-2025
Gov. Mike Braun appoints 3 more trustees to Indiana University's board
Gov. Mike Braun appointed three new members to the Indiana University Board of Trustees, effective immediately, on July 1.
Braun appointed surgeon Dr. David Hormuth, attorney Marilee Springer and student Isaac White as trustees on July 1. The appointees will replace Cindy Lucchese, Cathy Langham, and student trustee Kyle Siebert, whose terms expired on June 30.
With the latest move, the governor now has replaced and personally chosen six of the board's nine members, less than a year into his first term. Braun also reappointed chair Quinn Buckner, who was first appointed in 2016 by former Gov. Mike Pence, in June.
'I look forward to collaborating with our new trustees, who will help us further strengthen the impact of Indiana's flagship university,' IU President Pamela Whitten said in a press release. 'With fresh perspectives come new opportunities, and I know they share my excitement for the endless ways IU strives to make a difference in the lives of our students and those living in our state.'
Braun's July 1 appointments did not remove three existing trustees, unlike his three appointments in June. The trustee and student trustee positions being replaced have always been appointed by the governor.
But the state budget bill, which eliminated three alumni-elected trustee positions and allowed the governor to replace them at will, granted Braun total control over the board's composition. That provision is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit from the ACLU of Indiana, which alleges Braun created unconstitutional, 'special legislation' that selectively targets IU.
All three of Braun's appointees have received or are receiving some form of an IU education.
Hormuth is a high-profile cardiothoracic surgeon who's received four degrees — his bachelor's, two doctoral degrees and an MBA — from IU. He currently lives in Jupiter, Florida.
Hormuth has donated significantly to Republican political action committees (PACs), according to data from the Federal Election Commission. In 2024, Homruth donated $1,611 to various Republican PACs, including $1,000 to Sen. Todd Young's campaign. He also donated $15 in December to the Democratic PAC ActBlue.
Springer is an attorney who specializes in corporate and tax law at the Indianapolis office of Faegre Drinker, one of the 100 largest law firms in the U.S. She currently lives in Hamilton County. She earned her bachelor's from Purdue University and her law degree from IU's Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Springer also donates heavily to Republican PACs, according to FEC data. In 2024, Springer donated $2,100 to Indiana Republicans and the Republican PAC WinRed.
Student trustee White is a student at the Kelley School of Business at IU Indianapolis.
Hormuth and Springer will serve until June 30, 2028. White will serve until June 30, 2026.
Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@ Follow him on X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Gov. Mike Braun appoints new trustees including Republican donors to IU trustee board
