University of Indianapolis Board of Trustees announces immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees and retired CEO of Monarch Beverage Company Phillip Terry as Interim President

INDIANAPOLIS — Following President Dr. Robert Manuel being named the president-elect of DePaul University, the University of Indianapolis Board of Trustees announced today that it has appointed Phillip Terry, immediate past Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and retired CEO of Monarch Beverage Company, as Interim President beginning July 2, 2022 and continuing until a new University president is appointed by the Board.

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Terry has had a successful 45-year professional career in central Indiana. After graduating from Indiana University, and the Robert H. McKinney School of Law, he was a practicing attorney for 15 years. He then served for thirty years as the CEO of Indianapolis-based Monarch Beverage Company before retiring in 2020. He has also served on a number of boards of directors for civic, professional, not-for-profit, and business organizations; including Wheaton World Wide Moving, Inc., the Julian Center, Visit Indy, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, and Citizens Energy Group. He has spent the last ten years as a member of the University of Indianapolis Board of Trustees.

Terry has also recently served as the Executive-in-Residence through the University’s Stephen F. Fry Professional Edge Center which aims to help students and alumni in a variety of career stages by connecting them with regional and global leaders. The program focuses on career-building through the development of professional relationships and soft skills that are often learned in the professional world. In this role Terry has met with students and alumni—individually and in groups—to mentor them, expand their professional networks and realize their career potential.

“I am deeply honored to accept this interim appointment and serve as a steward for the University of Indianapolis at a time of incredible momentum,” Terry said. “I have the benefit of having been a Board member throughout the entirety of Dr. Manuel’s tenure, so I know the work that has occurred these last ten years to usher in tremendous growth at the University and I am excited to make sure that work continues throughout this important transitional period.” 

Terry added, “I am a life-long southsider and have a tremendous amount of pride in both our University and the city of Indianapolis. We will continue to be an anchor for development in our community that will help both Indianapolis generally, and our neighborhood and campus community specifically.”

Chair of the University of Indianapolis Board of Trustees David Resnick said “In appointing an interim president, we sought a candidate with administrative experience, deep ties to the University and community, and someone who was familiar with the ongoing initiatives and strategic planning of the University. Phil brings all that to the table and more. The Board has tremendous confidence in Phil and his leadership as well as his commitment to ensuring the University of Indianapolis remains a leader in higher education, not only locally but nationally. We are grateful to him for accepting the role of Interim President during this important transition.”

The Board of Trustees has formed a Presidential Search Committee and additional details related to that process and the Committee’s composition will be forthcoming. The Trustees are committed to broad representation and engagement with the full University of Indianapolis community in this important process in the coming months.

What They’re Saying about Phil Terry:

President Dr. Robert Manuel

“I have worked very closely with Phil throughout his time on the University’s Board of Trustees and most recently as its immediate past Chair. He has provided important counsel to myself and to my senior leadership team as we have navigated a challenging last two years. As a result he is intimately familiar with University operations and will be able to deftly guide the University, without interruption, as the Board conducts a presidential search.”

Dr. Mary Beth Bagg, Interim Vice President and Provost, University of Indianapolis

“I’ve had the opportunity to see Phil’s thoughtful leadership of the Board first hand and I have always been impressed by his inclusive and reasoned approach to decision-making. I look forward to working with and supporting him in this new role as we continue the forward momentum of the University we have all worked so hard for.”

Andrew Kocher, Vice President for Corporate and Community Partnerships, University of Indianapolis 

“Mr. Terry has an impressive career, spanning 45 years in both law and business. The professional network he has built and cultivated has already paid tremendous dividends to our students and alumni through his service to our Executive in Residence program. I’m excited to see how he will continue to make sure that the University of Indianapolis serves as a launchpad for success for our students, at a time when career-readiness is at the forefront of higher education initiatives.”

Brian Payne, President & CEO, Central Indiana Community Foundation and The Indianapolis Foundation

“I am sure Phil will be tremendous in this role. This is a wonderful opportunity and he will continue the University’s great work both in preparing its students for their lives ahead as well as capitalize on the community partnerships the University has fostered in recent years throughout central Indiana, allowing it to be a sustainable and effective community anchor on both the south side and Indianapolis as a whole.”

David L. Johnson, President & CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership

“This is a well-deserved call to service for Phil Terry. President Manuel has been a terrific leader for the University of Indianapolis and for this community, and is someone we have worked with closely here in the mutual development of responsive talent and workforce initiatives to better match industry demand with talent supply. We will miss him, but I can’t think of anyone better to step into this interim role than Phil, as a successful and seasoned business leader, a long-time community leader—on our Board, as well as many others—and a terrific colleague.”