A million degrees of impact at Indiana University

IU Bloomington Graduate Commencement at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday, May 3, 2024. (Courtesy photo by Wendi Chitwood/Indiana University)

When Indiana University graduated its first class of four students in 1830, few could have guessed the future impact of the university on the state it called home. Over 100 years later, as we recently eclipsed the milestone of one million degrees conferred, we can proudly reflect on the remarkable impact our many graduates have had, and continue to have, on the state of Indiana.

This impact is pursued even more purposefully in our IU 2030 Strategic Plan, which centers service to the state as one of its three core pillars. This plan reflects our focus on serving communities across Indiana in every sphere, from improving the lives of Hoosiers to strengthening the cultural and economic vitality of our state.

IU researchers are boosting the state’s reputation for innovation by pushing the boundaries of understanding, from helming one of the most comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease research programs in the world to laying the foundation for drugs that are transforming the treatment of obesity worldwide.

Across the state, we see employers, from bustling startups in Indianapolis to storied manufacturers in Elkhart, hungry for the talent IU launches into the world. Our graduates are gravitating to Indiana communities in urgent need of skilled professionals, becoming teachers who inspire the next generation, computer engineers who advance technological frontiers, and nurses who care for Indiana’s families. To that end, this fall our School of Nursing welcomed its largest-ever cohort as students eagerly raise their hands to meet a nationwide critical nursing shortage . Meanwhile, our B/MD program is offering the next generation of physicians a direct route to medical school.

IU releases review of April protest activity and enforcement

Our ambitious research endeavors are paying off. In just three years, we’ve increased our research expenditures by an impressive 28.2%, reaching over $978 million in 2024. We’ve invested over $360 million in cutting-edge fields like microelectronics, biosciences, and health—sectors that are critical to Indiana’s future economic growth and competitiveness. As one of the first universities to support the CHIPS and Science Act, our $111 million investment in microelectronics and nanotechnology is directly advancing Indiana’s CHIPS strategy, supporting the growth of our state’s semiconductor industry, and aligning with both state economic development goals and national defense priorities.

Building on our $250 million investment in bioscience, we’ve partnered with the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute to establish a joint center of excellence that will revolutionize patient care for conditions like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

IU’s ripple effect across the state is embodied by IU Innovates, our effort that translates research into real-world applications and startup ventures, and the 30 businesses our students and faculty have started in its first year. Our strategic partnerships with industry leaders like NSWC Crane and Eli Lilly are creating pipelines for ideation and talent development that will keep our students and our state on technology’s leading edge.

This IU innovation ecosystem extends beyond our campus and into the heart of Bloomington through the Trades District, a 12-acre innovation hub that’s becoming a nexus for entrepreneurship and advancement. Recently recognized with a $16 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., this partnership is attracting trailblazers and creating the conditions for them to succeed.

Need to get in touch?

Have a news tip?

In pursuit of analytical minds and creative spirits, IU contributes to a richer, more dynamic Indiana. Our newly accredited J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program is earning national distinction, and our renowned journalism program continues to shape the next generation of reporters in our state and beyond. And in the arts, our Jacobs School of Music will partner with the Metropolitan Opera for a world premiere performance in the 2024-25 season, showcasing our students’ talents on one of the biggest stages.

As we celebrate these milestones—our millionth degree, record enrollments, or our rapidly expanding research footprint—we’re not satisfied to rest on our achievements. As Indiana’s flagship university, IU bears a unique responsibility to drive economic growth and provide leadership for our state. We take this role seriously, understanding that our success is intrinsically linked to Indiana’s prosperity. To thrive as a public university in the 21 st century and beyond, we have committed ourselves to bold, forward-looking decisions that continually shape the future of our state.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX