Herbert
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As autumn hints at the spectacular colors to come, I am beginning my third month as president of this special university. Since being appointed by the board of trustees, I have had the opportunity to visit each of the university’s eight campuses to meet, listen to and learn from colleagues, students and supporters of Indiana University throughout the state and the nation. Karen and I are deeply grateful for the very warm welcome you have extended us.
Since joining the IU family, I have learned so much about the core values that drive this university and make it such a special place. The untrammeled pursuit of knowledge is one of these core values, as is the value attached to civic engagement. In this regard, I am reminded of the observation made by Adlai Stevenson that, “If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. The free mind is no barking dog to be tethered on a ten-foot chain.”
Clearly, the pursuit of knowledge does not happen in a vacuum. In addition to providing high-quality educational experiences for our students and advancing the frontiers of knowledge in our various disciplines, IU must play a major role in fostering economic growth and development. Throughout the state, there is great optimism and excitement associated with IU’s expanding success in research. Many believe that we are only scratching the surface when it comes to new entrepreneurial activity arising from that research.
During the last few years, IU has made a number of important contributions to Indiana communities in the area of economic development. Basic and applied research, technology transfer and public/private partnerships are just a few of the many means by which IU stimulates economic transformation in Indiana.
During the current fiscal year alone, the university received nearly $7 million in legislatively directed federal funds for projects focused primarily on economic development and the life sciences. This success was the result of much hard work by our faculty, staff and many IU partners. Like many of you, I believe that we can do even more to assist the state in addressing its significant economic challenges. To that end, we have created the Economic Development Task Force, which is charged with developing a university-wide strategic plan for IU’s role in the state’s economic development activities. William Stephan, vice president for public affairs and government relations, will chair the task force. Other members will include Craig Brater, dean of the School of Medicine; Terry Clapacs, vice president and chief administrative officer; Mark Long, president and CEO of the Advanced Research and Technology Institute; Michael McRobbie, vice president for information technology, CIO and vice president for research; Kumble Subbaswamy, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Judith Palmer, vice president and chief financial officer.
The task force will develop a report that includes a vision statement, an overview of current university activities; descriptions of units/structures through which economic development activities are currently conducted, a summary of accomplishments to date, a description of any barriers that limit institutional capacity to fulfill its economic development responsibilities, and a list of untapped opportunities that warrant university attention.
The report also will provide specific recommendations for long-term and short-term goals, objectives, policies, processes and priorities; appropriate coordination and implementation structures; financial considerations and new or expanded entrepreneurial initiatives.
The task force will consult with a wide range of IU colleagues and external community partners, including members of the university family, various business associations, local and regional economic development organizations, elected officials, and colleagues at other research institutions. IU faculty and staff are invited to provide input by contacting William Stephan or any of the task force members.
The state’s future and Indiana University’s fortunes are inextricably interwoven.
Our potential for contributing to the state’s economic growth
and development has never been greater, but these hopes will
not be realized if we do not organize ourselves effectively
and act strategically. Through such efforts, we will ensure
that we remain true to IU’s core values while rising to meet
the challenges of the 21st century.
Related story:
Task force to explore economic development
strategies
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