Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora will join a veteran Indiana broadcaster and a public television host as one of three moderators for the upcoming gubernatorial debates.

According to the Indiana Debate Commission, public television host Dan Lowery will moderate the Sept. 16 debate in Merrillville; Gora, the Sept. 23 debate in Jasper; and former Indianapolis newscaster Tom Cochrun, the Oct. 15 debate in Bloomington.

Gora, who has led Ball State since 2004, said she looks forward to the occasion with the candidates: Republican incumbent Mitch Daniels, Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andrew Horning.

"I'm very appreciative of this opportunity to represent Ball State, higher education and the citizens of Indiana in this important forum," Gora said. "At Ball State, we are always interestd in expanding educational opportunities, promoting local communities, improving government services and boosting the Hoosier economy. I look forward to addressing many of these issues and others with our candidates for governor."

Lowery hosts a public affairs program on Lakeshore Public Television in Merrillville and formerly directed the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council. Cochrun is former news director at CBS affiliate and a former anchor for NBC affiliate WTHR-TV Channel 13.

Dennis Ryerson, vice president of the debate commission and editor of The Indianapolis Star, said that commission members wanted moderators who had no political affiliations and were not currently linked to any one media outlet. The debate commission is accepting questions from the public online at www.indianadebatecommission.com and by mail at 3909 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN, 46208.