IU's first lady staying put in Bloomington

She is an author, teacher, mentor, speaker and a leading researcher in her field. She has spearheaded the development of major women's involvement events across IU campuses and with the IU Foundation.\nBut for the past eight years, Peg Brand has been first and foremost, the wife of Myles Brand, IU's president.\nThat's changing. \nMyles is moving north to Indianapolis to lead the NCAA. And though Peg Brand will take eight years worth of IU memories with her husband, she'll continue teaching in Bloomington -- much to the surprise of even her closest friends.\nSome of which even wished her good luck in the future. \nHer influence on IU and its students will remain on campus.\n"If anything I hope to be more focused and have more time," Brand said.\nBrand said she will continue her research and teaching in upcoming semesters, though her work at IU will change in some respects. \nBrand is in her ninth academic year at IU. She serves as an assistant professor of Philosophy and Gender Studies, has delivered lectures on all eight IU campuses and serves as the head of Inter-Campus Women's Studies Council.\nBrand will no longer carry on her work with the IU Foundation where for eight years she has contributed to the development of alumni and donor relations. This month marked her eighth year overseeing the annual Colloquium for Women of Indiana University, which brings 100 alumni and women leaders to IU's campus for two days of speakers, performances and student interaction. Through this colloquium, Brand has raised money for IUF and other causes such as scholarships for the riders of the Women's Little 500 bike race of which she is an active supporter.\nThis fall Brand helped form the Sarah Parke Morrison Society Fund, an IUF initiative that sponsors women's activities on all IU campuses. \n"I think it is important to say how much we at the foundation have appreciated her energy at the foundation," IUF President Curtis Simic said. "From the first year here our mutual objective was to involve women of achievement who are alumni here and recognize their contributions."\nAlthough the move north will end her involvement with IUF, Brand said she is confident the events and organizations she has been instrumental in developing will continue to be left in good hands. Brand said the transition will increase her availability for student lunch meetings and office hours.\n"I am really proud that what I set up will keep going at the foundation," Brand said. "First and foremost I am an educator, and so what I really enjoy most and am most proud of are the courses I teach, the courses I designed and the fact that gender studies is about to become a department."\nBrand aided in the creation of a Ph.D. minor in Gender Studies and is working on the creation of the nation's first Ph.D. for Gender Studies.\nBrand co-edited an award winning collection of essays in 1995 and is currently writing a book on women's art and humor. She said the upcoming change in her life will open the door for a focus on academic work.\n"Teaching has always been made to fit in with the other things I do," Brand said. "Now that I will be giving up my work with the foundation and alumni and donors, teaching and research will take center stage. I hope to be as accessible, if not more so."\nWhile the move will leave a gap in the foundation, Simic said he hopes it can be filled in part by IU's next first lady. But he doesn't want to lose all of Brand's support.\n"I think the participation of the University's first lady is important to the University and the foundation. When that changes, we'll try to get the incoming first lady similarly involved," Simic said. "We hope (Brand) will continue to be an outstanding participant in University programs."\nBrand said she is confident the change will allow her to continue her mission as a teacher and researcher. She said not much scares her. In January, Brand and her husband will celebrate 25-years of marriage, and -- almost -- 25-years working together.\n"For the first time ever, we will not be working at the same place -- we have always worked together," she said. "That is the only thing that makes me slightly anxious"