The past year has been quite eventful. In July, I began a three-year term as the ILS Department Chair at IU Bloomington. In addition, the school welcomed Dr. Joanna Millunchick as Dean of the Luddy School, and the department added two new faculty members (Drs. Rongqian Ma & Allan Martell). The office also hired a new administrative assistant, Anna Larson. I am thankful to both Anna and veteran office manager Michelle Dunbar-Sims for helping to make my transition to department chair as easy as possible.
After more than two years of pandemic-related restrictions, the department is now hosting various in-person events including a Fall Reception, our End-of-Year Lunch, movie nights, and the ILS Colloquium series. We also have renewed partnerships with campus groups this past year, including a collaborative effort with the Ruth Lilly Dean of IU Libraries, Diane Dallis-Comentale (IU MLS ‘97), to provide unique opportunities for ILS students.
Many current and former students tell us stories of alumni who encouraged them to pursue a degree in ILS. Please keep spreading the good words, so that we can continue to attract excellent students. If you want to learn more about what’s happening in ILS, check out our social media profiles and/or our new blog at: https://ils.indiana.edu/about/news/index.html
Working with brilliant and dedicated colleagues and students this past year has been a real pleasure, and I am looking forward to the coming months and years. Congratulations to the Class of 2023! I wish you all the best and would love to hear how you are doing. Please keep in touch.
Warm Regards,
Noriko Hara