Senator keynotes inauguration ceremonies

A wooden box, filled to the brim with dirt, and five shovels tied with red and white bows sat in front of the IU Auditorium Monday, a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Global and International Studies Building.

This Monday marked the inauguration of the IU School of Global and International Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and many faculty, students and scholars filled the Auditorium to celebrate and listen to speakers.

Keynote speaker Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) emphasized the importance that students become saturated with a global perspective.

“Thousands of students will spread to over 250 study abroad locations and bring knowledge back to share with other students,” Coats said.

Coats also discussed shared values, which he said are one of the anchors of globalization.

“Few things connect us so universally and globally as our shared values,” Coats said.

Senior Alicia Nieves said her generation will be defined by global decisions, making this school necessary.

“For the first time in human history we all have access to information instantly,” Coats said. “We have the potential to transform global politics in a positive way.”

Vice President Joe Biden also had a word for the people in attendance at the inauguration. While he said he wished he could be there in person, a video would have to do.

“Good luck to IU in your new venture, I am sure you’ll be a great success,” Biden said.

Provost Lauren Robel greeted the audience from the stage Monday in a variety of languages.

“Bonjour, bonjourno, namaste, good day,” she said.

Following her greeting, Robel began her speech by showing photos on the large screen of various locations around the world, photoshopped to appear behind the Sample Gates. 

“Students who walk through the Sample Gates will have opportunities that extend through the entire world,” Robel said. “This school is a portal to the world and for the world.”

One of the aims of the new school will be to help provide a campus-wide global perspective.

“We will educate you well for a global era,” Robel said.

Larry Singell, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said that half of the jobs that will exist when students graduate have not even been discovered.

“We will be teaching students to solve problems that haven’t even been defined as problems yet,” Singell said.

Concerning the groundbreaking of the new building, IU President Michael McRobbie said he is proud to note that the new building will be funded entirely by the university.

The School of Global and International Studies has fostered high hopes in many, including Robel, McRobbie and Singell.

“Students will not only succeed in the global world but be leaders,” Singell said.

The inauguration concluded with the groundbreaking and a piece played by the IU Jacobs School of Music Jazz Trio.