The Australian National University (ANU) hosted distinguished international visitors, Professor Michael McRobbie and his wife Laurie McRobbie on our beautiful campus this week to view a painting received in Michael’s honour. The painting is displayed in the Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) Building.
Professor Michael McRobbie AO is the University Chancellor, President Emeritus, and University Professor at Indiana University, and an ANU alumni (PhD Philosophy ’79). Laurie McRobbie is Indiana University’s First Lady Emerita and University Fellow, and has a long career in higher education IT, and an interest in women in technology.
During their visit to Canberra, the McRobbies generously networked and shared their experiences with connections across the University. They met with ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt AC, ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics Interim Dean Professor Steve Eggins and School Directors, as well as leaders in ANU Advancement.
“Along with Genevieve Bell, Tony Hosking and Chris Kellett, I had the pleasure of discussing our College vision and their experiences in growing the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at Indiana University,” says Interim Dean Professor Steve Eggins. “It was a positive and insightful partnership meeting with potentially more to come.”
The McRobbies excitedly travelled to Australia to visit CSIT Building 108 and see a painting received in Michael’s honour.
The artwork is titled ‘Incoming tides - Corea, Maine: Bar Island, Northeast, 9:32 AM, 2014’ by artist Barry Gealt.
The artist Barry Gealt, Professor Emeritus, Hope School of Art, Architecture and Design, Indiana University, generously donated this work to the College in honour of ANU alumnus Professor McRobbie on the occasion of his retirement as President of Indiana University. McRobbie is a dedicated art lover who is known to have appreciated Gealt’s work.
The beautiful oil on panel painting is one of many stunning works completed by Barry Gealt after spending a summer in the area of Corea, Maine, on the North-eastern coast of the United States of America.
Gealt studied the effect of light on the subject at different times of day and evening. The very painterly surface gives the work a great deal of energy and presence. These works also show the power of the sea in the North Atlantic, for which the coast of Maine is known.
The artwork is located in the stairwell above the landing between Level 2 and Level 3, so be sure to check it out the next time you’re in CSIT Building 108.
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Michael McRobbie
Professor Michael A. McRobbie is the University Chancellor, President Emeritus, University Professor at Indiana University. Professor McRobbie served as the 18th President of Indiana University from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2021, placing him among the country’s longest-serving presidents of a major public research university.
McRobbie is university professor and holds faculty appointments in computer science, philosophy, cognitive science, informatics, and computer technology. He has also chaired the boards of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Big Ten Athletics Conference, and Internet2, and served on the board of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).
Professor McRobbie received a PhD in Philosophy ’79 from ANU, as well as an ANU Honorary Doctor of Letters (HonLittD) ‘10 and the ANU Alumnus of the Year 2015 award.
Laurie McRobbie
Laurie McRobbie served as Indiana University First Lady from 2007 to 2021. With a long career in higher education IT and advanced networking, she devoted much of her time to women and technology, as well as diversity and inclusion in STEM disciplines more widely. She helped found the Laurie Burns McRobbie ServeIT Clinic in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, and was a co-founder of the Center of Excellence for Women and Technology. She leads the advisory councils for both programs. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Luddy School and also holds an adjunct faculty role in the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Laurie is a member of numerous non-profit boards in Bloomington and Indianapolis.