Multimedia
“Building Momentum”
Radio Commentary of
President Michael A. McRobbie
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
November 14, 2008
Introduction
This month, a record number of college students cast their vote in the historic 2008 presidential election. Here at IU, we have also been making records and creating history in a number of areas.
Record Research Dollars
Last year, for the first time ever, IU faculty surpassed the half-billion dollar mark in grant and award totals. These dollars will enable fundamental research to be done. They will support jobs, foster the creation of new art and music, and help our faculty address some of the world’s most pressing problems.
Record Construction
But in order to maximize their productivity as teachers, researchers, and scholars, our faculty need more and better space in which to do their vital work. Addressing that need, we’re in the midst of one of the largest construction efforts in the university’s recent history. Over the past year, we7rs ve built or begun construction on more than 1.2 million square feet of teaching, research, and living space.
Record Student Enrollment
These new facilities will be increasingly important as enrollment continues to grow on our eight campuses. 2008 showed record enrollment that reflects an increase in both quantity and quality. This fall, IU Bloomington welcomed the largest, brightest, and most diverse freshman class in its history—a class that included more high-achieving Hoosier students than ever before.
Record International Student Enrollment and Study Abroad
It was also our largest class of international students—nearly 6,000 international students from 144 different countries. And last year, a record number of IU students studied abroad and gained new global literacy and understanding.
Record Private Support
The remarkable increases in the size and quality of our student body reflect our concerted efforts to make an IU education more accessible and affordable. We are doing our part to stop Indiana’s brain drain and keep our best and brightest here at home.
Our donors have pitched in as never before to make that possible. IU received a record $408.6 million in private sector giving in the last academic year. This unparalleled generosity reflects our donors’ faith in IU’s ability to positively impact the future through teaching, research, and service.
Conclusion
These records offer proof that IU is an institution energetically on the move and that we are building momentum. Sir Isaac Newton defined that concept by noting that “every body continues in its state of rest or of uniform motion. . . unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed upon it.”
The vision of our outstanding researchers, the transformative generosity of our donors, and the needs of Hoosier citizens are an irresistible force that is creating a new and exciting era of progress at Indiana University.
Thank you very much.
