Notes from the Chancellor, Spring 2010
Our graduates represent the most profound contribution we make as an institution to the world around us. At Commencement in May, 334 IU East students received an Indiana University degree. With their degrees, they are now in a position to shape the future and provide leadership to our region. We are full of pride in what they have accomplished as IU East students—and we are full of anticipation to see what they have yet to achieve as IU East graduates.
New IU East Mission Statement
With IU East now a full-fledged bachelor's and master's degree institution, the IU East Faculty Senate and IU Board of Trustees recently approved a new mission statement for our campus:
Indiana University East, a regional campus of Indiana University, offers residents of eastern Indiana, western Ohio, and beyond a broad range of bachelor's degrees and selected master's degrees and certificates through its traditional main campus in Richmond, off-campus sites, and online program options.
IU East challenges students to grow intellectually and personally in a supportive and scholarly environment where faculty teaching skills and participation in the creation and dissemination of new knowledge and artistic work enhance learning opportunities for all.
IU East values a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and intellectual perspectives among its faculty, staff, and students and in its contributions to the cultural and economic development of the communities it serves.
Strategic Plan for Excellence
Over the past few years, Indiana University East has laid the foundation for a new model for higher education in the state of Indiana, with a focus on efficiency and affordability.
IU East has become the premier four-year and master's public institution in eastern Indiana and western Ohio. Now that our mission transformation is com¬plete, we have been able to enhance the campus in many ways and focus on a wider range of degree programs that meet special needs in this region.
Building on this momentum, we have identified goals that are aimed at bringing the campus national recognition for excellence in its mission class. These goals are organized around four major themes:
- Excellence in Teaching and Learning
- Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
- Excellence in Civic Engagement and Community Involvement
- Excellence in Resource Development
Our new strategic plan is full of measurable action items to further strengthen IU East. I invite you to view the plan at iue.edu/chancellor.
Summer Enrollment on the Rise
Our first summer session is in full swing, and enrollment has grown by 12.5 percent compared to last year's first summer term.
This continued double-digit percentage growth is remarkable. We are committed to providing high-quality academic programs and growing IU East in order to increase the educational attainment in our region, accelerate its economic development, and enhance the quality of life of its citizens.
Graduate Education in Lawrenceburg
This summer we will begin offering the Master of Science in Education in Lawrenceburg, our first graduate program offered in southeastern Indiana.
Courses are offered at Ivy Tech Community College's riverfront campus. By partnering with Ivy Tech, we have already established four bachelor's degree completion programs (Business, Communication Studies, Education, and Nursing) in Lawrenceburg.
The southernmost portion of eastern Indiana does not have ready access to universities in Indiana. We are working hard to fill that gap to increase the number of people in our communities with higher education.
New Cross Country Course
We will soon complete a cross country course and nature trail on our beautiful campus grounds. With the generous support of our partner and neighbor Reid Hospital & Health Care Services, the course will serve both the campus community and Reid community. In addition, we will host our annual Run with the Wolves 5K there July 17, high school meets this fall, and of course our Red Wolves men's and women's cross country practices and competitions.
Here Come the Red Wolves!
Speaking of sports, men's and women's outdoor track and field will be the newest intercollegiate sports offered at IU East next academic year. Now with 10 sports, IU East has the largest sports program of any IU or Purdue regional campus.
We are very proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes both on and off the field. You can follow all the action of IU East athletics online at iueredwolves.com. Go Red Wolves!
Nasser H. Paydar, Ph.D.Â
Chancellor
