Indiana University Northwest (IUN) celebrated the installation of their seventh chancellor, Ken Iwama, succeeding previous IUN Chancellor William J. Lowe on Friday. Held on the Gary Campus at the IUN Theater inside the Arts and Sciences Building, the event was attended by staff and alumni of IUN, as well as local dignitaries, including Gary Mayor Jerome Prince.
Chancellor Iwama comes to IUN by way of the east coast where he previously served as the founding vice president of economic development, continuing studies, and government relations with the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York. Chancellor Iwama holds a long and distinguished list of achievements, including securing more than $22 million for major facilities, infrastructure projects, and academic initiatives. He led the creation of the CSI Tech Incubator, the first tech incubator on Staten Island, and initiated the development of the borough’s first innovation center. He has a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of New Hampshire, a master of arts degree in labor and employment relations from the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, and a juris doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Presiding over the ceremony was Pamela Whitten, president of Indiana University.
“Ken was appointed as chancellor of IU Northwest at an unusual time in the life of the university and the campus,” said Whitten of Chancellor Iwama. “In fact, his appointment was announced in late March of 2020, just days after IU announced the suspension of in-person classes for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When he took office on August first of last year, there were still few members of the IU Northwest community teaching, learning, and working on campus. Even several months into the job, many of his university and campus colleagues had only met him virtually.”
President Whitten went on to discuss how none of these barriers brought up by the pandemic seemed to stall Chancellor Iwama and his passion for his work.
“But the pandemic didn’t stop Chancellor Iwama from hitting the ground running, or from bringing his extensive experience, his bold vision, and his extraordinary energy to strengthen the missions of IU Northwest,” said Whitten. “He has been tireless in his engagement with the campus and very active in the larger community.”
The theme of Iwama’s installation focused on connections, specifically the vital connections made in the classroom and through hands-on learning opportunities. Powerful and transformative connections that empower, enrich, and advance their campus and community, one student at a time, was exactly what Iwama worked to bright to light.
While Iwama arrived at IUN last fall, his official installation had been delayed until this fall due to COVID-19. Iwama saw this not as a setback, but rather as an opportunity, as he stated in his installation address.
“I started at IU Northwest in August of 2020, and normally this installation would have taken place a few months after my arrival. The operative word in that statement is ‘normally,’” Iwama said. “But, of course, my arrival coincided at a time in history that can only be described as anything but normal.”
“In the big scheme of things, though, delaying this ceremony for a year was such a relatively insignificant consequence of the pandemic. And as I stand here before you now, I am convinced that today was the way it was meant to be,” Iwama said. “Instead of speaking in front of strangers, a year later I am enveloped in a room of friends and colleagues with bonds that have already been forged, and then strengthened, through a year of collective challenge, struggle, and, in many cases, inspirational triumph.”
“For me, today is not a consequence – it’s a gift, so thank you,” Iwama said.
Following the ceremony, Chancellor Iwama was overwhelmed by the outpouring of well-wishes from all who were present.
“I’m simply overwhelmed by the speeches, by the camaraderie, and by the goodwill here today,” said Iwama. “The theme here today is ‘togetherness,’ and we can see that here today, playing out right here in front of us, in terms of where people want to go and our future together at IUN and its community.”
As far as his plans for the future of the university, Iwama considers it a “rediscovery.”
“We have such power here, so many resources, and I don’t think people realize that. It’s our responsibility to let people know what we have to offer, to let them know why they should choose IUN,” said Iwama.
Attending the installation were David Allerd and John MacLennan, who both serve on the board of advisors for IUN.
“Chancellor Iwama brings a wealth of experience and great enthusiasm to this institution,” said Allerd. “As Mayor Prince said, he’s ready to roll-up his sleeves and get to work moving forward.”
MacLennan was even more enthused, echoing the sentiments of his fellow board member.
“In short, he’s a game-changer for this University,” said MacLennan. “With his enthusiasm, he breathes new life into this institution.”
Also attending the ceremony was a very special guest, Emmy-nominated Actress Midori Francis, known for her roles in the 2018 film Good Boys and the 2020 Netflix series Dash & Lily. Midori Francis – also known as Midori Francis Iwama – also just happens to be Chancellor Iwama’s daughter. Enjoying her father’s time to shine, she took the podium to share an excerpt from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
Following her remarks to the crowd, Francis Iwama remarked on her father’s ideologies.
“My dad is extremely passionate about work. He loves the students he works for,” Francis Iwama said. “It makes me proud and happy to see him in this position because I know he deserves it.”
Hallmark to Iwama’s leadership style is optimism, an ideology Francis said was prevalent in her household while growing up on the Jersey coast.
“He encouraged me to have a balanced perspective on rejection and failure, and to take what life throws at you in stride. He never allowed me to wallow in anything for longer than a minute,” Francis Iwama said, laughing.
Iwama also instilled in his daughter that humility is key.
“There’s always somebody working harder than you getting a lot less appreciation,” Francis Iwama said. “Take pride in doing a good job, but never boast about it.”
Since Iwama began his tenure at IU Northwest in August 2020, Francis Iwama has had the chance to visit the campus. She remarked about how beautiful the area is, especially the scenic Lake Michigan. The actress also mentioned how friendly the community is— people stop and say hello rather than brush past.
Francis Iwama also shared a few words of advice for the campus community, specifically for the school’s performing art students.
“Be present, go bold, and make a lot of mistakes, “Francis Iwama said. “You’re going to have time to worry about your career when you graduate.”
For more information about IUN, visit them online at www.iun.edu.
