Livening up the state economy

A lot of us have a big goal for IU: a berth in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. But IU President Adam Herbert is looking further into the future. He's determined to make IU a cornerstone in Indiana's economy through life sciences research. \nFor the past few years, the state government, universities and the private sector have been laying the groundwork for Indiana to surge ahead of the rest of the nation and even the world. State leaders, in conjunction with IU, are seizing the opportunity. Fortunately, IU will benefit tremendously from this ambition. Life sciences is well on its way to becoming an IU tradition as great as basketball.\nIn Bloomington, we will receive a great deal of money targeted to life sciences and, in turn, great talent, plus some gratitude from others in the state for playing a major role in economic development.\nThis campus will get $53 million from the Lilly Endowment for METACyt research studying the inner workings of cells, and in Indianapolis, the endowment is contributing $155 million to build up the Indiana Genomics Initiative. The state has also helped IU obtain other grants, and Simon Hall will house new science space.\nThis money for life sciences is from new sources of funding, so other departments at IU will not suffer cuts to make room for life sciences. With these resources, IU is poised to lead Indiana's new economy, and every Hoosier should be pleased.\nThese expansive commitments to life sciences education will help draw the finest students as well. High school talent will be more likely to remain in-state to study life sciences, and graduate students will be attracted by the opportunities for research and job opportunities at companies like Lilly and Diagnostics. \nA related influx of talented faculty will follow. With the brightest students, most advanced equipment and industry leaders in-state, IU can be an irresistible destination for anyone driven to study the intricacies of life and to develop technologies and remedies to make life longer and more enjoyable.\nAcquiring the best academic capabilities for life sciences has repercussions beyond campus. Indiana can become a magnet for new life sciences companies. Indianapolis and its suburbs, combined with the academic base for life sciences, make an attractive package for a headquarters. With promising new companies come increased tax revenues and secondary economic effects of high-paying, high-tech jobs.\nNot only will IU help the economy, but all IU students will benefit from being a crucial cog in the economy. \nEvery student, faculty member and IU alumnus will benefit from being connected to a University with a strong life sciences initiative. When the basketball team has a stellar season, it heightens the University's overall profile, both athletically and academically.\nA top-notch life sciences program might not produce the same parties and news coverage as a basketball championship, but it will reflect well upon every other department at IU. We're cheering for the researchers and IU in particular. Glory by association doesn't sound too bad.