Ordinarily, I look out into the world for inspiration: local, national and international current events, controversies and culture compel me to start a conversation among students and citizens in Bloomington that encourages us to see ourselves in the context of the larger global picture.
However, this week, I find myself most captivated by the incredible things happening right here at home.
This week, I’d like to talk about how incredibly lucky we all are to attend IU.
When I was in high school, in the thick of the college search, I looked everywhere but IU. I wanted to go as far away from home as I possibly could. I wanted to get out of what I perceived to be a one-dimensional little hometown, totally devoid of culture and diversity.
I had no idea that everything I sought in a school — strong academics, beautiful campus, competitive athletics, diverse student body, exciting college town — could be found right here at home.
What never ceases to amaze me about IU is all the ways in which we quietly excel.
The average student — which, for longer than I’d care to admit, included me — has no idea that the programs housed by the beautiful limestone halls we walk by every day are among the best in the nation.
For example, a quick glance at the U.S. News rankings reveals that IU-Bloomington is the 30th best public university and 76th best university overall in the nation. While that seems like a high number, there are 2,870 four-year degree-granting institutions in this country as of 2011, putting IU in the top 2.6 percent. If one takes all 4,599 degree-granting institutions into account, we’re in the top 1.6 percent.
The Jacobs School of Music’s musicology department was ranked amongst the best in the country in 2010. The school offers more than 1,100 performances a year, which includes seven fully stages operas.
Of course, one cannot sing IU’s praises without a tribute to the Kelley School of Business’s many accolades. The school ranked No. 8 in the nation. Kelley boasts single-digit status for its accounting, entrepreneurship, management, marketing and production degrees.
Our elementary education program is No. 7 in the nation. The Mauer School of Law is No. 29 in the nation. The public affairs program is No. 2 in the nation.
It’s easy to dismiss a huge public midwestern school as run-of-the-mill. Schools that match IU’s basic characteristics on paper are practically a dime a dozen. What’s thrilling about spending a few brief minutes on research is the discovery that IU is anything but ordinary.
I implore everyone on campus to take a moment to savor the incredible opportunities our school can offer.
Go to class today proud to be a Hoosier.
