Indiana University East will host the 2011 Scholarship Luncheon to recognize scholarship donors and student recipients and to celebrate philanthropy in our region. The “Invest in People” Scholarship Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 4, 2011, at the Forest Hills Country Club.

Laurie Burns McRobbie is the keynote speaker. McRobbie is the 18th First Lady of Indiana University. She comes to this role from a career in information technology at the university level and nationally. In both arenas, she has been an advocate for women’s issues and for advanced networking in the research and education community.

During her more than 25 years as a technologist, she held numerous management and executive positions. In her most recent position as Internet2’s executive director of Member and Partner Relations, McRobbie played a leading role in the evolution of Internet2’s governance and membership structures and in building the Internet2 community beyond its initial membership base.

As IU’s First Lady, McRobbie plays a significant role in the work of the IU Foundation, particularly with women’s philanthropy. She is a founding member and honorary chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Council, a new initiative of the Foundation focused on increasing philanthropic involvement of IU’s extensive alumnae community.

Sponsors for the event are West End Bank, First Bank Richmond, Milestone Contractors, Mound Printing, Reid Hospital & Health Care Services, First Merchants Bank, Brady Ware, and Raymond James & Associates.

Individual tickets are $50 and sponsorship opportunities are available. $30 of the ticket cost is tax deductible. The registration form is available online at iue.edu/development.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit IU East’s general scholarship fund.

To make reservations, call the Office of Gift Development at (765) 973-8419 or email robjohn@iue.edu by Friday, September 30. For more information about the Scholarship Luncheon, contact Brindy Roosa, director of Gift Development, at (765) 973-8331 or email broosa@iue.edu.