NEW ALBANY, IN, (Dec. 16, 2011) – After nearly a decade as the Special Assistant to the Chancellor, longtime state legislator William C. “Bill” Cochran retired from IU Southeast this week. 

Cochran has worked at IU Southeast since 2002. As part of the Alumni and Community Relations staff, he was instrumental in helping to further the mission of the University. He championed several issues and secured financial support for several IU Southeast projects over the years, including the IU Southeast Library, Knobview Hall, and the IU Southeast Lodges.

Bill Cochran, right, receives an award for his years of service from IU President Michael McRobbie.

He also collaborated with local organizations like the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau on projects that benefited both the University and the community, such as the new lighting on the IU Southeast baseball field.

The New Albany native represented the 72nd District in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1974 to 2008. As a State Representative, Cochran served on standing committees including Ways & Means, Judiciary, and Public Policy.

In 2000, Cochran received the Welsh-Bowen Distinguished Public Official Award from Hoosiers for Higher Education. HHE awards the Welsh-Bowen Distinguished Public Official Award to an elected official at any level of government who has made significant contributions to higher education and Indiana University.  In 2009, he was honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash award, an award given by the governor of Indiana to outstanding citizens.

“This campus would not look the way it does today without Bill,” said Chancellor Sandra R. Patterson-Randles. “He has been one of our strongest supporters over the years, and we could not have made these strides without his assistance.”

Cochran’s last day was Dec. 15.