Awards

Distinguished Service Medal - 2021

Presenter: Michael A. McRobbie

Bicentennial Medal - 2019

About J T. Forbes

J Thomas Forbes is the President and CEO of the Indiana University Foundation and formerly the President and CEO of the IU Alumni Association. An IU alumnus, Forbes earned a B.A. in 1990 and an M.P.A. in 1996. He briefly served in the private sector as director of state government relations for Cummins Inc. and as a principal private sector staff leader for the United States - Brazil CEO Forum. Forbes is an experienced higher education leader having served in communications, marketing, public affairs, and government relations roles at IU and Michigan State University. He has provided consulting on these issues for other major public research and land grant colleges. His service to the advancement field includes work as a consulting vice president for Grenzebach Glier and Associates philanthropic consultants and active service with the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE) and Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

As a student, Forbes was president of the student body on the IU Bloomington campus, founded the All University Student Assembly to unify IU students from all campuses, and served as a trustee of Indiana University.

Forbes received the IU Bicentennial Medal in August 2019 in recognition of his distinguished service as CEO of the Indiana University Alumni Association.