Michael Harris IU Kokomo, Imagine What The Future Holds, Installation of Chancellor Michael Harris

Transformation begins at Harris installation - Kokomo Perspective: Local News

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Posted: Thursday, October 28, 2010 1:00 am

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Indiana University Kokomo is officially on the move. Michael

Harris was installed as Posted on Oct 28, 2010 the sixth chancellor of by Peter Adelsen the campus on Friday, Oct. 22, at Havens Auditorium. This was the moment when North Central Indiana began its regional transformation.

The installation program was originally to be inside Kresge Auditorium, but due to a large response of R.S.V.P.’s, it was moved to the much larger auditorium.

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Michael Harris NEW DAY — Michael Harris speaks at his installation. Perspective ­photo / Peter Adelsen

“From the moment I learned that the university would hold an installation ceremony for me, I wanted to use the occasion as an opportunity to invite regional leaders to partner with us to bring about the transformation of North Central Indiana,” Harris said. “I thank you for your overwhelming response.”

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During the ceremony, Harris gracefully accepted the honor of chancellor of Indiana University Kokomo.

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”President (Michael) McRobbie, I accept the chancellorship of Indiana University Kokomo with humility and enthusiasm,” Harris said. “I am proud and deeply honored to serve as the sixth chancellor of this campus, and I am grateful for your trust and

confidence.”

To some within the campus, Harris’ arrival on June 30 was a shock.

His enthusiasm to transform the campus as a regional hub for commerce development, the campus beautification project and “The Big Move” of offices to streamline operations was quite a change.

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Dianne Roden, professor of finance at IU Kokomo, admitted that she was used to the way the campus was prior to Harris, but the new face as chancellor gave the campus a push toward the future, she said.

“I felt as if I had the best of both worlds,” Roden said.

“So all this talk of change and being on the move, it made me a little apprehensive. But, a little discomfort

http://kokomoperspective.com/news/local_news/transformation-begins-at-harris-installation/article_e1d43942-e1fb-11df-9e52-001cc4c03286.html[2/1/2015 8:24:19 AM]

Transformation begins at Harris installation - Kokomo Perspective: Local News

turned out to be a good thing because it served as a wake-up call. It prompted me to look anew at our surrounding community where many people are struggling in the current economic climate. Although at first he was pretty scary, I am very glad that he is here.”

Harris has been on the move his entire life. He was born in South Africa, moved to Israel, then later got opportunities to move up the ranks at universities.

“So now you know from where I get the tag line ‘On the Move,’” Harris said. “I come from a family of immigrants, and I may be the only person in the auditorium to have my four grandparents – two of whom were born in Europe – buried on three different continents (Africa, Australia and Asia) and a grandson is living on a fourth.”

As chancellor, Harris has three themes that he is using to improve the campus’ standing in the region. First, enhance academic excellence and student success; second, regional transformation; and third, building relationships and making friends.

Harris said he is stepping up to IU president McRobbie’s challenge to improve graduation rates at its regional campuses. IU Kokomo is also developing five new academic programs and 30 online courses.

The campus will also work to ensure easy transfer of students to IU Kokomo.

“We are working to ensure the seamless transfer of students to IU Kokomo,” Harris said. “To that end we are deploying academic advisors to Ivy Tech campuses and we have created a joint position with Ivy Tech to coordinate transfer.”

Harris said that IU Kokomo is perfectly situated to be the hub of a North Central Indiana regional transformation. ”I believe that we in North Central Indiana are well situated to capitalize on this opportunity and that we must instill a sense of hope and optimism,” he said. “In fact, we have several advantages.

They include: educational and knowledge capacity, solid infrastructure, Hoosier values, a heritage of ‘firsts’ and an exceptional location. I have witnessed and participated in successful transformations around the world, in far less favorable conditions. I do visualize it here.”

Through this regional transformation, the future is abundant, he said, through entrepreneurship and innovation.

The third theme is building relationships and making friends.

“I have met so far with over 200 alumni, community, business and government leaders,” he said. “At each meeting, people told me that our campus fulfills a deep need in the region and that they were committed to supporting it. I pledge to each of you here today that I will continue to build relationships.”

The campus is moving forward with ideas on how to reach more area students on convincing them to choose IU Kokomo, he said.

“We are developing an ambitious enrollment plan and a new marketing and branding campaign,” he said. “We want more high school graduates and other residents to be aware of the many opportunities available here ‘close to home.’ ”

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