From The President

President Daniel J. Bradley

Dear alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Indiana State University,

In early January, Indiana State launched a new marketing effort which you can read more about elsewhere in this issue. The “There’s More to Blue” campaign and its components are also detailed in a microsite of the University’s website located at: www.indstate.edu/blue.

As the work on the campaign evolved, I have had the opportunity to reflect on what “There’s More to Blue” means to me when I think about our University and the people we serve.

To me, the campaign is a summation of the institution’s primary mission – providing access to a quality, affordable education while also serving as a catalyst for improving our community and our state.

Indiana State has an impressive history of providing access to higher education, regardless of race, gender or socio-economic background, and serves a special role in the state’s higher education system.

It is also the way that quality education is delivered that makes Indiana State special. The caring, personal attention provided by our faculty and staff is noted time and again by students, parents and alumni as one of Indiana State’s distinguishing features.  As we meet with alumni around the state and elsewhere, Cheri and I enjoy hearing their many memories of days at Indiana State and stories about the people who made a difference in their lives.

To me, “There’s More to Blue” is demonstrated in the willingness of a public safety officer to risk injury to himself to save the life of a student who was trapped in a burning car following a wreck that occurred when he suffered a medical issue. (See related story at: Saved.) It is the extra time a faculty member takes outside of the classroom to help a student. It is the concern shown by staff members to a student facing personal problems.

The personal interest our faculty take in engaging students in research and other experiential learning opportunities also comes to mind as does the enthusiasm shown by our student affairs professionals in getting students involved in campus organizations.

“There’s More to Blue” is reflected in the more than one million hours our students, faculty and staff commit to community service each year. Whether cleaning up the Wabashiki Wildlife area, building a Habitat for Humanity House or volunteering with a local non-profit, our students and employees make a difference in the lives of many throughout our community and beyond.

The care that our grounds crew takes in keeping our campus beautiful, and the oversight our facilities managers provide in maintaining and improving our buildings are also a part of the special Sycamore experience. The professional and personal service provided to our students by our staff members is another.

“There’s More to Blue” means taking the time and effort to develop new programs that will help address the state’s needs and provide our students with great careers in high-demand fields. It is evidenced in the growing businesses that receive assistance through our various centers and programs. It also means having hundreds of faculty and staff working countless hours to implement the goals of our strategic plan.

The most significant component of “There’s More to Blue” is the impact that our graduates have. They are teaching tomorrow’s leaders. They are helping treat those with medical issues. They are leading our state’s businesses, running our airports, and overseeing construction sites. They are managing our correctional facilities and protecting children in difficult situations. They are contributing to our nation’s cultural offerings. Our graduates penetrate all layers of society and serve in many capacities.

Each member of the Indiana State University family is likely to have his or her own version of what “There’s More to Blue” means. I would love to hear them. If you would like to share what “There’s More to Blue” means to you, drop me an email at president@indstate.edu. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Daniel J. Bradley

President