University of Indianapolis and senator announce new Lugar Academy

INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) — U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar will rejoin the faculty of theUniversity of Indianapolis in January and help the school launch a high-level Washington, D.C., internship and study program for students from Indiana and across the nation.

Lugar joined university president Robert Manuel Dec. 7 in announcing the formation of the Richard G. Lugar Academy, a sweeping expansion of the university’s existing Lugar Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders. The university will add a branch office and a full-time staff position in Washington to support its new internship program as well as conferences, symposia, policy studies and other activities of the academy.

Lugar, a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, is a former faculty member and longtime trustee of the United Methodist-related university.

At the school’s main campus in Indianapolis, the nonpartisan Lugar Academy will continue to organize the annual Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders, a daylong program created in 1977 for Indiana high school juniors to explore national and international issues.

Lugar, as a Distinguished Professor in the university’s department of history and political science, will continue as keynote speaker for his annual symposium and also will deliver three lectures each year for students, with additional lectures in Washington. He will be instrumental in designing the D.C. internship program, which will focus on key national and global issues, with courses developed by University of Indianapolis faculty. Students in the semester-long program will spend two days a week in classes and seminars and three days in highly selective government-related internships.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that Senator Lugar has selected UIndy as a home for his important post-Senate work,” Manuel said. “It’s difficult to imagine another individual with such a wealth of experience and such a willingness to share it with young people. With his help, we can provide an unparalleled opportunity for students pursuing careers in public service.”

First elected to the Senate in 1976, Lugar is best known for his work on agriculture, trade, energy security and especially foreign relations, including his sponsorship of the 1991 Nunn-Lugar Act to eliminate stockpiles of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

Now leaving the Senate as its most senior Republican and Indiana’s longest-serving member of Congress, Lugar said he looks forwarding to continuing his career in public service and his commitment to inspiring future generations of leaders.

“I always have found UIndy students especially interested in preparing for leadership roles in campus and civic activities and potential political and public service opportunities,” Lugar said. “I look forward to sharing experiences and helping to shape student careers that will bring satisfaction to each student and a tremendous boost to progress in Indiana and the nation.”