Brehm ushers in different era

Wednesday's induction of Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm marks a defining moment for IU. In the past year-and-a-half, the University lost former Chancellor Herman B Wells, experienced the retirement of its chancellor, Kenneth Gros Louis, and saw its basketball coach, Bob Knight, fired.\nAll three men were defining leaders with widespread support locally and nationally, all bringing IU national recognition for excellence.\nThe University made clear with it's Wednesday's ceremonies that Wells, Gros Louis and Knight are no longer the voice of IU-Bloomington. IU will be forever indebted to the three men, but Brehm is the standard-bearer by which the success of the campus will be measured. The University expressed these sentiments in its first-ever formal induction ceremony for an IU-Bloomington chancellor.\n"Sharon is not just a long distance runner, but a long distance sprinter," IU President Myles Brand said during the induction ceremony. "I know she will dream new dreams and open new worlds of learning and discovery."\nBrehm no doubt sees the challenges ahead and noted three continuing goals in her Wednesday speech: academic excellence, diversity and partnership. She appears determined and ready for the long sprint.\nBut to have strong academics means strong faculty. With a seemingly ever-shrinking state budget, Brehm will struggle to retain top teachers and researchers during her tenure.\nIU has made strides in attempting to diversify itself at all levels. Brehm wants a campus "free of prejudice and stereotypes," but she must recognize diversity will likely lead her on the longest sprint. Planned conversations with student groups should give her a sense of the racial climate on campus, and she must listen closely to what is both said and not said. IU must go a long way in making itself a comfortable environment for minorities and diversity must continue to be a top priority.\nThe University and the city strongly depend on each other and Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez expressed optimism that both Bloomington and IU will have a good relationship. \nAlthough for a short period, Bloomington is home to all of IU's students and Brehm must work with Fernandez and others in the city to forge close ties.\nBrehm said in her speech she read Wells' book "Being Lucky." The road to IU-Bloomington's success is long, as Wells demonstrated with his persistent attitude, and Brehm was hired to run the entire course.\nUpon initial returns, she seems well-liked, driven, ready to listen and ready to lead. Her success will no doubt be contingent on some luck too.\nStaff vote: Unanimous