Herbert was selected to be IU's 17th president, his term began on August 1, 2003. Upon assuming leadership of Indiana University, one of Herbert's biggest initiatives focused on "mission differentiation" for IU's eight campuses, which included making the flagship Bloomington campus more selective. Under the proposal Indiana University Bloomington would have educated the professionals, executives and researchers while the regional campuses would be tasked with educating the labor force. In his inaugural address, IU's 17th president noted that "the opportunity before us is to shape and lay the stones that will serve as the foundation for expansions and additions, new spires and buttresses of this magnificent cathedral of learning." He did so by overseeing transformative initiatives in teaching, research, and public engagement. Under his direction, the faculty instituted a general education curriculum, and brought more than $1.7 billion to Indiana in research grants and contracts. He oversaw the development of the Indiana Life Sciences Initiative, designed to establish IU as one of the nation's leading centers of life sciences research and Indiana as a leader in the life sciences industry. He helped each of IU's eight campuses become more market smart and mission centered by launching the Mission Differentiation initiative and enhanced IU's relationships with Indiana's community colleges. He undertook the university's first major administrative restructuring in 30 years, expanded IU's physical infrastructure through the construction or renovation of more than 3,000,000 square feet of university facilities, and significantly strengthened the university's athletics programs. Throughout his presidency, Adam Herbert placed special emphasis on fund raising, particularly in the area of student financial aid. He also enthusiastically promoted diversity in IU's faculty, staff and student body, challenging each IU campus to develop concrete diversity goals. Post IU post Herbert served on the transition team of Mayor-elect of Jacksonville Alvin Brown. References External links Indiana University Finding Aid - President Adam W. Herbert speeches, 2003-08. Presidents of Indiana University Living people Presidents of the University of North Florida University of Southern California alumni University of Pittsburgh alumni Chancellors of the State University System of Florida African-American educators 1943 births USC Sol Price School of Public Policy alumni 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people