Chancellor Allison Installation story - 2013

Installation of Chancellor Terry L. Allison

foundations A publication for alumni & friends of indiana university south Bend | Fall/winter 2013

Students Alumni Faculty Feature

Installation of Chancellor Terry L. Allison

Development

Ken Baierl // Photography Peter Ringenberg

Class Notes

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Campus Briefs

It was more than an Installation of a chancellor. Terry L. Allison used the occasion of becoming the fifth chancellor at IU South Bend to do many things.

He introduced his parents, brothers, friends, and colleagues.

He recognized his mentor. He thanked IU administrators, the campus and the community for the opportunity to lead IU South Bend. He listened with the audience as his friend and colleague, soprano Sonya Baker, sang a beautiful song of Māori origin that he requested. He read a haiku that he wrote. Then he challenged the campus to bend, to be nimble, and to do more to help students succeed. Then he made a pledge. Then he got a standing ovation.

His speech was titled “Here at River’s Bend” using local geography as a metaphor. He said, “Today, Indiana University South Bend is at river’s bend. The campus has been moving along, and in many ways has grown stronger academically and in its capacity to serve students. … Here, today, we must make a significant turn toward student success. Here, today, I ask this community, gathered to celebrate IU South Bend, to recommit to student success.”

Since he arrived on campus July 1, Chancellor Allison has been talking about two themes­—planning and student success.

These themes have been mentioned in almost every venue where he speaks—on campus and in the community. In his installation speech he said, “On this campus, we must be more flexible and nimble; in other words, to foster student success, we need to bend!” He has already started looking at practices like a first-year experience program, improved advising, and providing more time for underprepared students in the classroom. “IU South Bend was founded to provide greater access to students in our

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Chinese Lantern launch Tamra Garrett performs

Chancellor Allison meets Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kernan

Students Alumni Faculty Feature

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Class Notes

Parents Betty and Frank Allison, and brothers, Curtis and Eric, all sat in the front row watching as Terry became the chancellor of IU South Bend. His father and mother had spent two weeks in South Bend while the brothers came in a few days before the ceremony.

“We’re so pleased,” Mrs. Allison said. “We love the city, campus, and the neighborhoods close to IU South Bend. This was our first time in South Bend, it is wonderful and very lovely.”

Mr. and Mrs. Allison came from Granbury, Texas; Eric from Palm Springs, Calif.; and Curtis from McKinney, Texas.

Both brothers said they enjoyed seeing the city, Notre Dame, the architecture, and Amish country. They both have careers in management.

The Allison family grew up moving around the world because Mr. Allison was an aviation senior chief. “Before we retired to Texas, we moved 53 times.” She added they are happy to be in Texas now.

They have been married 62 years.

Mrs. Allison said her son, Terry, was an early reader and loved books as much as she does.

He earned a Ph.D. in literature and a master of arts degree in comparative literature from the University of California, San Diego. He also has a master of library and information science degree and a bachelor degree with honors in economics and political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Campus Briefs

The Allison family was well represented at the installation ceremony

Development

region to a high-quality public university education, but initial access that does not lead to graduation and meaningful professional work is, in reality, worth little,” he said.

In his speech he advocated for the benefits of a liberal arts degree that IU South Bend provides. “As I have met with regional leaders to talk about the cities, towns, and rural areas that IU South Bend serves, it has been gratifying to hear from employers that the liberal arts and sciences must remain central to our work. CEOs in agribusiness, banking, education, engineering, government service, health care, hospitality, manufacturing, and other fields have all used similar terms.

Please give us graduates strong in soft skills, graduates who can solve problems, read and think critically, write and speak well, and people who work well in teams that cut across cultures and national borders.”

He closed with a pledge. “Today, as I am officially installed as chancellor, I would like to publicly state my commitment to the university, its students, faculty and staff, and to the communities we serve. I promise to lead by example, share information widely, consult broadly, and share how I arrive at decisions that only I can make. I commit to be fully present and engaged. I will place all my energies into becoming an increasingly effective chancellor and leader within Indiana University and for the broader region this campus serves.”

Indiana University President Michael McRobbie placed the chancellor’s mantle on his shoulders and praised Allison and the campus in his remarks, as did other speakers including State Senator Joe Zakas and South Bend City Councilwoman Valerie Schey.

Listening in the audience were former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan and Commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers.

The ceremony ended with IU South Bend student Lawrence Mitchell-Matthews leading the singing of “Hail, to Old IU.” The week was full of events that drew the campus together including a Chinese lantern ceremony along the St. Joseph River, a concert with soprano Sonya Baker, and a reception following the ceremony.

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