Tearful Farewell

IU President Adam Herbert was given a hero’s farewell during a public ceremony Wednesday, being awarded the University’s highest non-academic award – invoking tears from the congenial leader. \nHerbert, who will depart July 1 after four years of University service, accepted the University Medal during festivities meant to commemorate achievements during his tenure. He is the 5th person to receive the honor since its creation in 1982. \nUniversity Chancellor Ken Gros Louis presided over the ceremony, where several speakers, including Stephen Ferguson, president of the IU board of trustees, and Charlie Nelms, vice president for institutional development and student affairs, reflected on Herbert’s successes. In addition to highlighting some of his institutional achievements, the speakers concentrated on Herbert’s dedication and sincerity as a leader. \n“Warm and humane. That is what I treasured then and what I treasure now about Adam Herbert,” Gros Louis said, speaking to more than 200 IU notables and a sprinkling of students. \nTaking the podium, Herbert thanked the crowd deeply for all the kind comments he received throughout the day, adding that the words “reinforced the fact that this really is a special place.” \n“(Karen Herbert and I) have enjoyed so much having the opportunity to be part of this family,” Herbert said, addressing the crowd. \nBefore the ceremony, a line to greet and chat with Herbert stretched at times beyond the doors of the IU Auditorium. Situations like these have been Herbert’s opportunity to shine over the past few years. He appeared altogether more upbeat than the president who presided over a March 1 trustee meeting, where Interim Provost Michael McRobbie was selected as his successor. \nAt that meeting, Herbert smiled little and appeared pensive. His head hung at times as the controversy surrounding his tenure translated into the election of his close colleague. \nBut Wednesday, Herbert appeared relaxed. He took his time to warmly embrace those whom he had worked closest with and, equally, those he had never met. \nAdmittedly, Patrick Smith, director of IU’s Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence mentoring program, does not know Herbert very well. But when the president came and spoke with students at an annual Men of Color Leadership Conference, Smith said he was “thoroughly impressed” by Herbert’s ability to connect with others. \n“He didn’t hesitate,” Smith said. “He hung around and talked with the students and it was just fantastic.” \nWitnessing the interaction between administrators and faculty members at these and similar events opens a small window into the University’s politics. Some have argued that contention and disunity among groups over the past four years hindered Herbert’s tenure. Still, all indications Wednesday suggested that University leaders were simply ready to move past the disagreements and adversity of the past two years. Even Herbert spoke lightheartedly of the disagreements he and faculty members encountered – signaling that a University leadership transition was indeed well under way. \n“(The trustees) did tell me I was going to be a change agent. I didn’t realize how true that was,” Herbert said, referring to the array of the lasting, if contested, decisions he encountered over the past four years. The audience responded in laughter several times to these comments, with a ringing applause following his speech. \n“We’ve worked so well together during some very good times and ultimately have come together following periods of adversity,” he said.