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August 22, 2015

10/23/2010 12:55:00 PM

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Harris installed as IU Kokomo's sixth

chancellor
Danielle Rush, Kokomo Tribune Staff Writer
Kokomo Michael Harris became part of Indiana University Kokomos history Friday, as he
was installed as the campus sixth chancellor.
He used the occasion to look forward, rather than back, focusing on his vision for the
universitys role in the future of north-central Indiana.
IU Kokomo is on the move and regional transformation will take place. We are bound by a
common goal, to sustain here in north-central Indiana the American dream of a better
tomorrow. We are on the move while remaining grounded in Hoosier values and dedicated
to a global perspective and academic excellence, he said in his installation address.

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About 400 people attended the ceremony at IU Kokomos Havens Auditorium. Faculty,
students and community partners also were featured in the days events, with booths
displayed in Alumni Hall and the library.
Though Harris began work as chancellor July 1, Friday marked his official installation by
Indiana University Kokomo President Michael McRobbie, who sees Harris as the right
person to move the campus forward.
McRobbie said while the campus has been run well and is stable, were at a point ...
where we need to think of how we move it to the next level. I think weve found exactly
the right man who will have that vision.
McRobbie said Harris previous experience was at Kettering University in Flint, Mich.,
where he had experience with the automotive industry.
Clearly one cannot ignore the auto industry when choosing a chancellor [for IUK]. The
chancellor needs to be someone who can work and build on that strength in the region,
McRobbie said.
He called the ceremony a celebration of the future of this region, and the partnerships
that show so much promise for this community.
Harris said his focus is in three areas: Academic excellence and student success, regional
transformation and building relationships throughout the region and beyond.
He said academic excellence and student success are at the heart of our enterprise,
and he wants to create a learning environment to engage learners, support high
standards and motivate independent learners.
We will focus on transforming our students rather than merely transferring information,
Harris said.
He said McRobbie has challenged the regional campuses to improve graduation rates, and
Harris is starting an on-time graduation task force to examine policies, space, technology,
learning, advising and other issues, to improve the campus graduation rate.
The university also is focusing on seamless transfer of students from two-year schools,
and has deployed academic advisors to Ivy Tech to coordinate those efforts. Plans are
also in the works for five new academic programs and 30 online courses, all in areas of
high demand in the region, Harris said.
He said IU Kokomo will be part of regional transformation as the world moves away from
the labor-material paradigm to an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
I believe 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. Harris plans to work in
partnership with other regional groups in a collaboration built on an educated work force,
innovation and access to knowledge, to attract companies and investments, enhance
quality of life and promote a global perspective.
2015 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.

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