For the last seven years, Indiana University East was connected with a Richmond-based trustee who could easily visit the regional campus and share its realities, needs and aspirations with the leaders of the entire university.
However, new Indiana Gov. Mike Braun suddenly removed that advocate and listening ear, Donna Spears, from her position on the IU board of trustees. Spears had one year remaining on her term.
Spears was first elected as a trustee in 2018 by IU alumni across the world, and then was reelected in 2021. In 2023, she faced no opposition, receiving 10,455 votes.
On the same day as Spears’ dismissal from the board, Braun also immediately removed two additional trustees elected by alumni, Vivian Winston and Jill Maurer Burnett. Winston had a month to go, but Burnett had two years remaining.
In a statement shared with WWN, Spears said that for more than 130 years, IU graduates have played a key role in the governance of the university through the election of three trustees.
“Without the benefit of public discussion or debate that tradition was voided in the recently concluded legislative session,” Spears wrote. “The unceremonious way in which I and other members were removed notwithstanding, the University is strong and vibrant and will continue to thrive.”
Spears said she’s grateful to all the alumni who supported her during her seven years on the board.
“Now is the time for alumni to become more actively engaged in the life of the University,” she wrote.
Before becoming a trustee, Spears was on IU Alumni Association’s Board of Managers, serving as its national chair from 2009-2010, and IUAA’s Executive Council. She also was on IU East’s Advisory Board.
Spears is a founding member of IU’s Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and IU Athletics Women’s Excellence, and a past chair and co-chair of the Colloquium for the Women of Indiana University.
Some of her other university-related involvement has included Riley Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Board of Managers, USA International Harp Competition and the Jacobs School of Music’s Society of the Friends of Music Board.
She’s won several awards for her service, including IU’s Bicentennial Medal and IUE’s Chancellor’s Medallion.
Spears earned three degrees from IU in dental hygiene, public health education and health systems administration.
She transitioned into a real estate career and is now an associate broker for Coldwell Banker Lingle. Spears also is the chair of Indiana Real Estate Commission and a member of Indiana Association of Realtors’ board of directors.
A version of this article appeared in the June 11 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.