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IU College of Arts and Sciences welcomes back three alumni for Luminaries Program

• Oct. 2, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A top executive at one of America's most successful entertainment companies, the first Filipina-American Article III federal judge and the executive director of the National Hockey League Players Association are returning to Indiana University Bloomington as the inaugural class of the College of Arts and Sciences' Luminaries Program.

The three alumni of the College of Arts and Sciences -- Robert "Bob" Chapek, president of Disney Consumer Products, Lorna Schofield, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York and Don Fehr, executive director of the National Hockey League Players Association -- will visit Oct. 6 to 8.

The purpose of their visit will be to share personal and professional ideas and experiences with students, alumni, faculty and staff in order to inspire future leaders, said Larry Singell, executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

"College Luminaries are exceptional leaders selected from the community of IU College of Arts and Sciences alumni and friends. These individuals serve at the highest levels of their professions and have made significant contributions to their fields and communities," Singell said. "We welcome them back to the Bloomington campus and appreciate the time and energies they will share with our students and faculty."

"The College Luminaries Program is a promising model of alumni engagement," added J Thomas Forbes, CEO of the IU Alumni Association. "We hope that our grant will help prove and propagate this as a best practice in alumni and student engagement, for both Indiana University and other institutions."

The College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board supports the new Luminaries Program. It allows students studying in its 80 departments and programs spanning the arts and humanities, social sciences and sciences to invite accomplished alumni and friends back to campus.

"The Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board is thrilled to support the College Luminaries Program," said John D. Papageorge, president of the alumni board. "We believe the program will provide the perfect opportunity to engage alumni, current students and faculty and are grateful the three distinguished alumni are returning to Bloomington. We look forward to adding the College Luminaries to the long list of time-honored traditions at Indiana University."

The program "Ethics and Leadership: A Town Hall Discussion With Notable IU Alumni" will feature Chapek, Schofield and Fehr. It will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 7 in State Room West of the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St. The public is invited.

Here is more about this year's group of alumni Luminaries:

Robert Chapek, BA '81

Robert "Bob" Chapek is the president of Disney Consumer Products, the world’s largest licensor. He oversees consumer product organizations that consolidate retail and licensing across different Disney brands including Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Media Networks, Interactive Media and Consumer Products.

Prior to his current position, Chapek was president of distribution for The Walt Disney Studios and president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, where he led the organization to record-setting performances on numerous movie titles. He also was engaged in brand management in the packaged goods industry with the H.J. Heinz Co. and in the advertising business with J. Walker Thompson. He graduated from IU Bloomington in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in microbiology.

Lorna Schofield, BA '77

Lorna Schofield is the U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. She was the first Filipina-American to be nominated to serve as an Article III federal judge. Prior to her current position, Schofield was a distinguished attorney with the Manhattan-based firm Debevoise and Plimpton LLP. She focused on complex civil litigation and white-collar criminal defense, as well as internal investigations. 

She is perhaps best known in the legal community for having successfully defended television celebrity Rosie O’Donnell in a high-profile, $100 million lawsuit filed by O’Donnell’s magazine publisher. She graduated from IU Bloomington in 1977 with Bachelor of Arts in English and German.

Don Fehr, BA '70

Don Fehr is the executive director of the National Hockey League Players Association. The union represents over 700 players, managers, coaches and trainers from 30 teams in the NHL. During Fehr’s tenure with the organization, he has focused on actively engaging player participation in their union and has worked tirelessly to meet and consult with players from around the league. He serves as the chief negotiator in collective bargaining with the NHL. 

Previously, Fehr was executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the labor union that represents players, managers, coaches and trainers who hold a signed contract with a major league club. He retired in December 2009 after 33 years with the organization. Fehr is the only executive director of a players union to be directly involved in work stoppages in two sports. He graduated from IU Bloomington in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. 

Related Links

• IU College of Arts and Sciences
• IU Alumni Association