GARY | New Indiana University President Michael McRobbie showed his commitment to the school's regional campuses by making a stop Tuesday at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

"I was appointed Thursday, and it's Tuesday. And I'm here," McRobbie said during a news conference at the IUN Library Conference Center.

McRobbie said there are some generational issues that need to be addressed at all IU campuses, including the retirement of about 50 percent of the staff.

"Those are the numbers at Bloomington, and those numbers are probably similar at the regional campuses," he said, adding the retirements will come in the not-too-distant future.

McRobbie said he will ensure that Indiana University is internationally competitive and "will significantly enhance what we do in economic development as a general theme."

McRobbie also intends to work on recruitment, retention and graduation, ensuring that students graduate within a time period of no more than five or six years.

The IU Board of Trustees unanimously selected McRobbie as the 18th president of the university. A native of Australia, McRobbie was the interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at IU in Bloomington. He has been a senior administrator at IU for 10 years.

His educational background is in philosophy and science, and he came to IU in January 1997 as vice president for information technology and chief information officer.

McRobbie replaces Adam W. Herbert, who announced last year he would not serve beyond the end of his contract.