IU president welcomed by students

Students and faculty members hosted a welcome reception for newly appointed IU President Adam Herbert Wednesday afternoon in front of the IU Auditorium.\nAt the reception, Herbert was presented with a sweatshirt and hat for the Homecoming game. \n"I have been in education for 34 years, and this has been the warmest welcome I ever received," Herbert said.\nHerbert announced at the reception his plans for enhancing the college experience and maintaining a high-quality learning environment.\nThe president spent most of the time meeting and greeting students. He asked them their names, majors and where they were from. The music of Miles Davis played in the background as students sipped apple cider and ate snacks.\nHerbert said he considers meeting the students he services an important part of his position. \n"The negative part in Florida was I didn't have a chance to interact with students," he said. "It has been a plus about being here."\nHe said he also plans to make even more of an effort to meet other people.\n"I walk from my house to the office; my wife and I went to a volleyball game; and I am going to start visiting various academic buildings," Herbert said.\nRahul Sharma, a sophomore and member of the IUSA, said he feels the new president is a good fit for IU.\n"He is very friendly and very confident and a good face for the administration," Sharma said. \nHerbert's openness and friendly personality was a change for students, who compared him to Myles Brand.\n"I feel that he has an arduous task in front of him," Sharma said. "Currently, the student body has a very negative attitude towards the administration. I think once they hear him speak they will warm up to him." \nYunika Jackson, admissions coordinator for the School of Education, said Herbert will bring new ideas to campus and find a way to implement them.\n"I think it's wonderful they found someone outside of Indiana, especially someone African-American," Jackson said. "I think it is good for IU."\nJackson said she was surprised when she found out he had been selected to be the president.\nCharles Nelms, vice president for student development and diversity, said he is happy IU attracted a candidate of Herbert's caliber.\n"I was pleased IU was successful in attracting a person with his experience in higher education as a president and as assistant chancellor," Nelms said. \nHerbert said he wants to enhance the learning experience at IU. \n"We are working on improving classrooms and the quality of the class space," Herbert said. \nAlong with the academic changes, Herbert said he would like to have a top 10 football team. \nNelms said he thinks Herbert is off to a good start. \n"He has an enormous level of experience, energy and enthusiasm," Nelms said. "His ideas will enhance the overall effectiveness of IU."\nHerbert stressed the importance of a high-quality environment conducive to learning.\n"I would like to improve the quality of all our academic programs so that they're amongst the top 10 or 15," he said. "We also have to do it in a way where we maintain a nurturing and positive environment." \nHerbert said he plans to create the same level of enthusiasm that he sees in the alumni of IU. \n"I want to make sure your experiences at IU are the best times of your life," he said. \n-- Contact staff writer Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.