Herbert set to address Rotary Club

IU President Adam Herbert will address the Rotary Club of Indianapolis today at the Murat Shrine Arabian Room, 520 N. New Jersey St., in Indianapolis. The Rotary Club of Indianapolis includes more than 500 business, education and civic leaders from the greater metropolitan area. \nHerbert's sharing session will consist of IU's current economic developments, the progress his administration has made during his first year as president and an outline of future University goals during the noon luncheon. Recent Rotary Club speakers have included Astronaut David Wolf and Jim Morris, former president of the IU Board of Trustees and the current director of the U.N. World Food Program.\nThe community members in the Rotary Club of Indianapolis meet every Tuesday for lunch to affirm member relationships, network with new business prospects and discuss new club business such as the status of its world war on polio. The Indianapolis club is one of the largest chapters in the international organization of 1.2 million Rotarians.\nRotary Club of Indianapolis Executive Director Susie Harmless said the Rotarians are excited about Herbert's visit.\n"We have been trying to schedule an engagement with Dr. Herbert since he was sworn in as president of IU," she said. "We have fantastic speakers week after week. For many, this is the only opportunity to hear speakers from all walks of life."\nIU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis said he believes the president must be seen and heard by large groups since the University receives state and private money. The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is expecting more than just face-to-face time with the president.\n"The president's concern is to answer the question: What can IU do to help the state economy?" Louis said. "He might touch on ways IU provides the state industry with graduates. An intelligent workforce is attracted to cultural events the same way students and faculty are attracted to cultural events in Bloomington."\nIU Director of Media Relations Larry MacIntyre indicated Herbert is likely to focus his message toward an IU economic development progress report. Specifically, the president is going to discuss different campus community projects bearing fruit.\n"(Herbert) is making a difference moving Indiana forward. He will discuss what progress the University will make in the future," MacIntyre said. "IU has always enjoyed strong support from community business leaders. The president would like to maintain community support and show people what we are doing."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.