IU celebrates 2024 commencement across the state
Indiana University awarded nearly 19,000 degrees in commencement ceremonies and celebrations across the state from May 3 to 9.
IU’s Class of 2024 comprised students from all 92 counties in Indiana, all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 132 countries. Many of IU’s newest alumni started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, almost 1,000 students graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
IU’s commencement ceremonies celebrated graduates’ hard work, dedication and accomplishments, marking the start of new journeys supported by the lessons learned, relationships forged and inspirations sparked during their time at IU.
Scott Dorsey, visionary tech entrepreneur, co-founder of Exact Target and IU Bloomington alumnus, addressed graduates during the May 4 IU Bloomington undergraduate commencement ceremony.
IU’s May 9 commencement ceremony in Indianapolis honored the legacy of IUPUI while also celebrating the campus’ final graduating class. With the official launch of IU Indianapolis on July 1, IU is one step closer to building one of the nation’s premier urban research universities in Indiana’s capital city.
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View photos of this year’s celebrations
Meet members of IU’s Class of 2024
Watch a video about the legacy of IUPUI
Indiana State Senator Chris Garten earns diploma 23 years after starting college at IU Southeast
Indiana state Sen. Chris Garten of Charlestown, Ind., recently received a bachelor’s degree from IU Southeast in August 2023 through the campus’ degree reclamation program. Garten started his studies at IU Southeast in fall 2000.
Garten’s journey to an IU degree was anything but linear. In the years between enrolling at IU Southeast and receiving his diploma, he served two combat tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine, founded a business in Jeffersonville, Ind., and was elected to two terms in the Indiana Senate, representing Clark County and portions of Floyd County.
“The regional campuses throughout our state are such a huge asset and resource for our students because they are willing to meet the students where they are in their educational journey,” Garten said. “I am inspired to explore looking into how I might be able to earn a master’s degree in public administration. It has put me in a position to say why not continue my education? It's going to help me continue to serve my business, my community, my state in a much better capacity that I can now.”
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Statehouse Update
On May 14, the Indiana General Assembly's Legislative Council announced interim topics for legislators to study between now and the 2025budget session...
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Federal Update
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released a 30-page policy roadmap for Artificial Intelligence, alongside Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM)...
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Economic Engagement Update
Inaugural leader of IU Indianapolis research institute named
Chia-Ying “James” Lin, a leading biomedical researcher and innovator, has been named the first executive director of the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute at Indiana University Indianapolis. The institute is part of a $250 million investment from the university to advance scientific discoveries aimed at curing and treating diseases and improving human health.
“Indiana University’s commitment to the biosciences is driving innovative discoveries and lifechanging health outcomes for Hoosiers across our state,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “With James Lin leading the way, the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute will expand IU’s role in central Indiana’s thriving biosciences community, accelerating the tremendous impact of IU’s transformative research.”
Get to know James Lin
IU Innovates supports aspiring entrepreneurs in building businesses, driving impact
In the short time since IU Innovates launched in fall 2023, the Indiana University-wide initiative that expands support for students and faculty in the creation and growth of startup ventures has already amassed more than 125 student startup founders and incubated 30 startup teams.
The students who are part of the IU Innovates pipeline represent a wide range of academic disciplines, experiences and interests, though many share a desire to drive innovation for societal impact. They include student entrepreneurs like Matt Gacek, a junior at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, who recently won the TechPoint Mira Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Theia, his ground-breaking AI therapy and personal growth app.
Learn more about the progress of IU Innovates
Meet student founder Matt Gacek
Future of social robots showcased in IU researchers’ travels to D.C., abroad
On April 30, a team of researchers from the IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, led by professor of computer science David Crandall, traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Senate Robotics Showcase and Demo Day. The event, which took place on Capitol Hill, was co-hosted by the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus. Members of the caucus include U.S. Sen. Todd Young, who was among those in attendance.
The event, which had strong representation from the private sector as well as academia, showcased how federal investment in research, workforce training and education have advanced robotics innovation in the United States. IU was one of only 40 exhibitors invited to participate.
Learn about IU's innovation in AI and robotics technology
IU Northwest launches inaugural Economic Development Academy
Indiana University Northwest’s School of Business and Economics recently announced the inaugural Economic Development Academy, a seven-week in-person and virtual training program focused on regional economic development. The program, which runs May 21 through July 2, will connect economic development approaches with practice, using current research, case studies, guest speakers and lively discussions.
Read more about the new campus-community collaboration
IU in the News
Ken Iwama to serve as new IU vice president for regional campuses and online education
Ken Iwama, who has served as IU Northwest’s chancellor since 2020, has been named vice president for regional campuses and online education for Indiana University.
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IU Columbus and BCSC partner to simplify college admissions
Local high school students now have a seamless, direct-admit path to college, thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation and Indiana University Columbus.
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Revolutionizing education: Democracy Quest VR will take students on historic journey
A new virtual reality experience is one step closer to bringing history to life in secondary-education classrooms across the U.S. Democracy Quest, a free educational resource being developed by the Center on Representative Government at Indiana University, was recently tested by IU Columbus students. Democracy Quest aims to increase the constitutional knowledge and civic-mindedness of students in sixth grade, and even in adults.
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