On Dec. 10, Indiana University President Pamela Whitten gave her 2024 State of the University address on the IU Indianapolis campus. This address was given in person but was also accessible via broadcast.
In the past year, Whitten has visited all 92 counties in Indiana, learning about the ways in which IU is making a difference to the Hoosier community, as well as how to better support IU students and faculty.
“When I became president of IU, I put forth an agenda to propel IU to new heights in student success, research and service in our great state,” Whitten said. “I realized that I needed to hear directly from citizens throughout our state.”
As part of the address, Whitten gave an update on the IU 2030 strategic plan. Under this plan are three foundational pillars: student success and opportunity, transformative research and creativity and service to our state and beyond.
“All of our campuses have made progress toward their goals, with more than 432 initiatives supporting IU 2030 launched or completed in the first year,” Whitten said. “Across the state, I have witnessed the dedication and passion of our students, our faculty and our staff who are committed to IU's future and worked tirelessly to enhance it.”
As part of the 2030 plan, there is a heavy focus on supporting students through scholarships and fellowships.
“A major focus of our next capital campaign will be raising funds to support undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships, underscoring our commitment to ensuring that a world class IU education remains accessible to all,” Whitten said.
IU has also been awarded various funding benefits which have been utilized to support student success, including a renewed grant for $1 million from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
“Last year, IU was awarded nearly $1 million by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education through its 2023 college success program grant. This grant, which allowed us to expand student success coaches for 21st Century Scholars across all campuses, was renewed for a second year, bringing the total to just under $2 million in funding,” Whitten said.
IU’s research programs and initiatives have also been expanded in the last year.
“Under the second pillar of IU 2030, we've committed to expanding the scope and global reach of the university's research enterprise with significant growth and external funding to pursue groundbreaking research and all inspiring cultural and creative endeavors that improve the world. I'm proud to note that IU research and development expenditures have increased year over year from $761 million in 2021 when I started to $900 million in 2024,” Whitten said.
One of the largest events of the last year was the official launch of IU Indianapolis following the split of IUPUI.
“One of the most exciting and impactful developments is the historic launch of IU Indianapolis, which embodies all three pillars of the IU 2030 strategic plan,” Whitten said. “By any measure, the launch of IU Indianapolis has been a resounding success. Applications from first-year beginner students at IU Indianapolis were up, yielding a 9% increase in the incoming freshman class. Overall, the campus now serves 20,586 amazing students, or Jaguars, as they are known on the Indianapolis campus.”
To conclude her address, Whitten spoke on the future of Indiana University in the new year.
“Together, we will propel IU to even greater heights, enriching lives and communities across Indiana and around the globe, taking on big challenges, pushing boundaries and seizing opportunities. For as much as we all cherish Indiana University, we also recognize that our most exciting and impactful days are still ahead,” Whitten said.
Abigail Godsen (she/her) is a junior majoring in Applied Information Sciences with a minor in Classics. She is Campus Editor for The Campus Citizen. When she isn’t writing, Abby likes to cook, do crossword puzzles and drink a lot of tea. She can be summoned using anything shiny or books.
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