Thursday, October 15, 2009
Installation of USI president
Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett
Serving learners of all ages She continued, "There are forces which encourage higher education institutions to collaborate on ways of building stronger networks to serve learners of all ages. We have taken a step in that direction as regional colleges and universities have gathered to cooperate on ways of helping Whirlpool employees through the closure of that plant. Our recognition that the greater good is best served through collaborative efforts must shape other endeavors as well. "The future always holds challenges, but it also holds great opportunities. I look forward to my service as president of this great University, and I know we will work together to continue USI's commitment to serving the common good. That dedication, and the impact we have on our students and the quality of their lives, are what define us as an outstanding comprehensive public university." A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Bennett earned undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees from the University of Cincinnati. She has been at USI since 2003, serving as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Prior to her work at USI, she was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University chair of the Department of Political Science at Northern Kentucky University chair of the Department of Political Science and professor, associate professor, and assistant professor of political science at Wittenberg University. She became president of USI on July 1, 2009. In her inaugural address she recalled the University's beginnings. She said, "Service to a greater good was a primary reason the University of Southern Indiana was created. It is our touchstone, and our mettle has been tested many times as the University has grown. But 44 years after our founding and a mere 24 years after our emergence as a separate public university, there is little doubt that USI is delivering on the promise of its founding. She noted that in a region where post-secondary educational attendance was a reality for only one in three high school graduates in the 1980s, now three out of four high school graduates continue their education, and many at USI. She explained that USI graduates are renowned surgeons, bank executives, artists, leaders in K-12 education, fashion designers, accounting executives, lawyers, nurses, hospital administrators, and elected officials - and they are involved in their communities. Teresa Lubbers, commissioner for Indiana Higher Education, attended and brought greetings from the State of Indiana and the higher education community. She said, "We recognize and applaud the excellence in education provided by the University of Southern Indiana. We are indeed, proud of the work we have achieved together in serving the State of Indiana and we look forward to many years of fruitful work to come." Before the inaugural speech, President Bennett was presented the presidential medallion by retired USI presidents, Dr. David L. Rice and Dr. H. Ray Hoops. It signifies the authority invested in the president. A reproduction of the University seal is on one side of the medallion and the names and dates of appointment for the University's presidents appear on the reverse side. The president wears this medallion for all formal academic ceremonies. A public reception honoring President Bennett was held in the University Center immediately following the ceremony. More information on the inauguration is available at www.usi.edu/president. |
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