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Impact & Legacy

Impact & Legacy

A rich legacy in support of IU's missions of excellence

Michael A. McRobbie served as the 18th president of Indiana University, one of the largest universities in the U.S., from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2021. Prior to stepping down from the IU presidency, he was among the country's longest-serving presidents of a public higher education institution.

His many accomplishments during his nearly 14-year tenure reflect IU's transformative impact on the health and economic well-being on the people of Indiana and beyond.

As university chancellor, he continues to support IU's core missions of excellence in teaching, research and engagement in the communities served by IU's campuses across the state.

Vision and initiatives (2007-2021)

Recent honors and awards

Reflections on his presidency

A commitment to excellence in education, research and engagement, 2007-2021

$140 million decrease in student loan borrowing

10new schools established, representing the largest academic restructuring and expansion at IU in over 100 years

$3.9 billion One of the largest-ever fundraising campaigns by a public university, which concluded in September 2020 and far surpassed its original $2.5 billion goal

43,711Students studied abroad

200+facilities constructed or renovated across all IU campuses, as well as hundreds of smaller projects completed, with a total value of nearly $2.7 billion

$13 million invested in faculty projects though New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, his wife Greta Warren, First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie, and President Michael McRobbie during a visit to Indiana University Bloomington.

An era of building and growth: Matt Bailey, Lauren Robel, Michael McRobbie, and Dennis Murphy break ground for the IU Health Bloomington Regional Academic Health Center

Additional accomplishments

Ensured an IU education remained affordable and accessible.

• More than 308,000 IU degrees were awarded during McRobbie's 14-year tenure as IU president, with more than 212,000 of these being earned by Indiana residents.

• Gift aid for resident undergraduate students increased by 175 percent between 2007-08 and 2019-20.

Enhanced academic quality of IU’s student body and programs.

• The 2020-21 incoming class had a 3.87 median GPA, the highest in IU history.

Strengthened IU's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• 102 percent increase in the number of students of color.

• 50,000+ degrees earned by students of color.

Strengthened IU’s position as state’s research powerhouse.

• $8 billion+ in external funding for research and other activities.

• $200 million+ invested in Grand Challenges initiatives.

Oversaw one of the largest-ever fundraising campaigns by public university.

• Campaign surpassed its original goal of $2.5 billion and its revised goal of $3 billion, raising nearly $4 billion.

• 5,800+ new scholarships and fellowships endowed.

Enhanced IU's commitment to the economic wellbeing of Indiana.

• IU created $9.9 billion in added income for the state in fiscal year 2019.

• 1 out of 26 jobs in Indiana is supported by IU or its students.

Revitalized and expanded international engagement.

• 160 countries represented by IU's student body.

• 5 new global gateway offices.

• IU Alumni Association chapters in all 30 of IU's carefully selected priority countries.

Oversaw most extensive period of building and construction in IU history.

• Total value approaching $2.7 billion and comprising nearly 16 million square feet.

Strengthened commitment to excellence in arts and humanities.

• 350,000 materials digitized through IU Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative.