Helmke accepts IU post

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WANE) - Paul Helmke is about to start another chapter in his long career.

Indiana University announced on Tuesday that the former Fort Wayne mayor will be joining the faculty of the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs at its Bloomington campus starting in January.

Helmke served as the mayor of Fort Wayne from 1988 to 2000, was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Indiana in 1998, and was also president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and of the Brady Campaign/Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

At SPEA, IU said Helmke will teach and also direct the new Civic Leaders Living-Learning Center . That facility will open in fall 2013 and will be home to first-year students from across the campus who share an interest in government, economics, politics, policy and related subjects, the school said.

"I want to help a new generation prepare to become leaders, not just in the future, but now," Helmke said.

Helmke has an undergraduate political science degree from IU and served as president of the student government in 1969-70.

Helmke told NewsChannel 15 he will keep his home in Fort Wayne and split time between the Summit City and Bloomington.