Michael D. Shumate's passion, as a leader and advocate, to ensure "equality for all" shines through his life, especially in his endeavors at IU. Mike received his B.S., with distinction, in Accounting from the IU Kelley School of Business in 1967.  He received his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1970.  Mike is also a CPA.

While on the Bloomington campus, Mike was president of his senior class and vice president of his fraternity, Sigma Chi. He was a recipient of the Elvis Stahr Award and the Rawles Key Award (presented to the Kelley senior with the most distinguished record).  At the University of Virginia Law School, he was vice president of his class.  Following law school, Mike practiced law in Indianapolis for ten years. He served as chair of the Human Rights Commission of Indianapolis and Marion County early in his legal career. Governor Otis R. Bowen awarded him Sagamore of the Wabash for his tireless community service and advocacy. While residing in Indianapolis, he was president of the IU Alumni Club.

In 1980 Mike joined the international law firm of Jones Day in its Los Angeles office, where he practiced corporate tax law.  He transferred to Jones Day's New York office in 1986. Mike was engaged with firm clients, predominantly publicly traded companies involved in complex matters, ranging from mergers and acquisitions to large bankruptcies and reorganizations. In addition to his tax practice, Mike served as the administrative partner of the firm's Los Angeles and New York offices.  He retired from the firm in 1996. 

Since his student days, Mike has remained engaged with IU. "I have loved IU ever since I was on campus," explains Mike. "IU was key in forming my identity and moral compass." He has been especially involved with the IU LGBTQ community, and his leadership has touched the lives of IU faculty, staff, students and alumni. Mike was on the GLBTAA Board for eleven years (2005-2016), serving as president for three years. Under his leadership, the groundbreaking GLBTAA Student Scholarship Campaign was launched - the first of its kind in the nation! The GLBTAA provides emergency funds to IU students who lose financial support for school after coming out to their families.  The GLBTAA Scholarship Program, now endowed as a result of the Campaign, is a beacon of light shining on IU and its welcoming environment. Under Mike's leadership, the GLBTAA saw an 81% growth in its membership, became the only IUAA group with a monthly newsletter, and attracted record-setting crowds during its annual celebration weekend, at which alumni were welcomed back to campus by university trustees, vice presidents, chancellors and deans.

In 2009, Mike helped found the LGBT Alumni Advisory Board at IU's Maurer School of Law. He served as the board's president for two years and currently serves on the executive committee.   He also served on the Board of Governors of the Kinsey Institute from 2001 to 2007. 

Mike's love for and commitment to IU extend beyond his service to the LGBTQ community. He constantly works to build bridges, bring people together and share understanding of LGBTQ life and issues with others.  Mike serves on the IU Foundation Board of Directors, including serving as chair of the Audit Committee overseeing the financial reporting of approximately $2 billion of assets. He currently serves as vice chair of the Committee on Directors and as a member of the Ethics Committee. He is a founding member of the IU Women's Leadership Council, which supports programs designed to enhance engagement with alumnae and female donors. He currently serves as an honorary co-chair of the WPLC Campaign launched in connection with IU's Bicentennial Campaign. He is a member of the Presidents Circle. He served on the Dean's Advisory Board of the Herron School of Art and Design from 2012-16 and was recently named as co-chair of IU's new Diversity Council for all eight campuses.  

Mike has been a steadfast supporter of IU's Kelley School of Business, having served on the Accounting Department Advisory Board since 2001 and the Dean's Council since 2010. From the onset, he has also been a tireless supporter and advisor to Out at Kelley, an LGBTQ organization for undergraduate and graduate students interested in business.  

 Please join us on Friday, January 27 to extend congratulations to Mike and to enjoy an evening of festivities and fun at the Neal-Marshall Center.