Welcome from Provost Lauren Robel

“From the very beginning,” wrote legendary IU President Herman B Wells, “I fell in love with Indiana University.”

Many visitors to our campus have said the same. There’s something magical in the combination of limestone architecture, wooded pathways and seasonal splendor.

“The whole air of the place,” Wells recalled, “nurtured individuality and creativity.”

That air of inspiration comes not only from the beauty of the campus but also from nearly 200 years of commitment to academic excellence. As a leading research university devoted to preparing students for a globally connected world, the spirit of IU-Bloomington reflects a commitment to diversity, academic freedom, creative expression and international engagement.

Whether you’ve come to Bloomington to visit, to study or to make it your home, I am delighted to welcome you to this inspiring environment. This guide will help you discover ways to engage directly with the best that IU-Bloomington has to offer, whether you are interested in the arts, athletics, academics or experiencing our beloved traditions like the Little 500 bicycle race.

At IU, we’re proud of our stellar performance centers. The IU Auditorium, which hosts outstanding touring productions, also houses the historic Thomas Hart Benton murals created for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Opera and ballet performances at the majestic Musical Arts Center showcase the talents of the students and faculty in the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music. Additionally, IU-Bloomington’s Theatre and Drama Department, recently ranked a top-10 theater program by the Princeton Review, hosts a fascinating lineup of performances in the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center.

Other enriching opportunities exist within our cultural centers. These vital community centers, along with our GLBT Student Support Services and our Office of International Services, reflect our shared commitment to a vibrantly diverse and multicultural campus.

As you explore IU-Bloomington’s centers, exhibits and landmarks, I hope you’ll also take the time to learn about the proud history of this campus. This issue of Source offers a brief biography of Wells, the visionary IU president who guided the campus to international prominence. It also recalls the influential work of Nobel Prize-winning IU-Bloomington political economist Elinor Ostrom who, together with her husband Vincent, founded our Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis.

Beyond the campus, I invite you to indulge in our incredible culinary, artistic and entertainment offerings, all served with characteristic small-town friendliness.

On behalf of IU-Bloomington, welcome!

Lauren Robel, IU-Bloomington provost and executive vice president