McRobbie Honored by Australia

The government of Australia announced yesterday (14 June) that Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie (pictured), a native of that country, has been appointed as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia, a national award signifying "distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large."

Recipients of the award were announced in the "honors list" published 14 June, which is the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of England, who is also the Sovereign of Australia. McRobbie was among 21 Australians to receive the "Officer in the General Division" designation, according to the report by the IU News Bureau.

The Order of Australia, which was created by Queen Elizabeth in 1975, is one of the highest honors an Australian can receive in recognition of outstanding or meritorious service.

McRobbie came to the United States from Australia in 1997 to serve as the university's first vice president of information technology and chief information officer. He later assumed the additional duties of vice president for research. In 2006, he was named interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at the Bloomington campus, and in 2007 he was chosen by the IU Board of Trustees to become the university's 18th president.

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