Bloomington Herald-Times
December 11, 2009
Elinor Ostrom receives Nobel; IU friends and colleagues celebrate
By Andy Graham
December 10, 2009, last update: 12/10 @ 11:53 pm
IU political science professor Elinor Ostrom received the Nobel Prize in economics during a glittering ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, while an ocean and several times zones away, colleagues watched via the Internet today.
Ostrom shared the economics award with Oliver Williamson of the University of California at Berkeley. Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf also presented prestigious 10 million kronor ($1.4 million) awards in chemistry, physics, medicine and literature.
Around 20 of Ostrom's friends, students and colleagues viewed the ceremony at the Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis in Bloomington, and they had no trouble picking Ostrom out of the crowd.
David Price, the workshop receptionist, wondered aloud before the ceremony began what Ostrom would wear "because she never dresses up." Seconds later, cheers, applause and some knowing, affectionate laughter arose in the workshop as Ostrom appeared in an African dress -- a stylistic departure from the formal gowns, tiaras and tuxedos with tails donned by others on the Stockholm stage and in the audience.
More than one person back in Bloomington called out, "That's our Lin!"
The home Ostrom shares southeast of Bloomington with her husband and workshop co-founder, Vincent, showcases their affection for indigenous cultures and artwork. Her wardrobe features a slew of international items. She has worked with many African colleagues over the years, and much of the early research regarding "common pool resources," work cited by the Nobel committee, transpired in Africa.
Vincent Ostrom, 90, opted not to travel to Sweden but made the trip from home to view the computer-feed video projected on a screen in a workshop conference room. When the ceremony concluded, he said, "We didn't really see much of Lin. I'd like to have seen more of her." Still, while shaking hands and accepting congratulations afterward, Vincent heard a colleague say, "You must be proud." He didn't reply verbally, but the tears welling in his eyes told the tale.
Vincent Ostrom sported a T-shirt bearing his wife's likeness Thursday, made by visiting scholar Pontus Strimling and a friend in the hours after the Nobel was announced. "After we got the news, we printed these shirts up all day and night," said Strimling, a Swede who helped translate part of the ceremonies for the Bloomington audience Thursday. "The next morning, she came in to teach class, just as she normally would, and when she walked in, everybody in the class was wearing one of the shirts."
Price said it was characteristic of Elinor Ostrom not to let news of an honor, even a Nobel, interrupt her teaching or other aspects of her work. "She's flattered, of course, but continues to be accessible to as many people as she can be and is just continuing her work," Price said. "She'll say, 'I'm just going to do my research, do what I do.' For us, she's still the same great person she's always been."
But she is also the first female laureate in economics and the first political scientist to win for economics since Herbert Simon in 1978. "It's pretty great -- the first woman laureate in economics ... and, really, the first Nobel winner IU claims who did the bulk of the work (leading to the prize) here," said Carol Parks, whose husband, Roger, is an affiliated professor at the workshop and who attended the Stockholm ceremony. Ostrom was permitted to bring 14 people along for the festivities, and four came from the workshop -- Patty Lezotte, Nicole Todd and co-directors James Walker and Michael McGinnis.
Graduate student Sobhi Mohanty said Ostrom might seem to be the same person but that the impact of the award is undeniable.
"I feel a little numbed and overwhelmed, actually," Mohanty said. "She's my adviser, and I've never had a Nobel laureate as an adviser before! Really, it feels a little bit like something huge and fancy is happening to your mother, because Lin is like a mother to me." Luz Hernandez, a visiting professor from Colombia who works in Mexico when not in Bloomington, said: "I was concerned about how to spread these ideas to Latin cultures. Now, with the Nobel Prize validation, it's like a huge door opening."
A door opened for Mary Tidd back in 1970 when Elinor Ostrom hired her at the workshop. "Three members of my family have worked here, with my sisters Joyce and Patty also doing so," Tidd said. "So to us it's like a member of the family being honored. To me, Lin and Vincent are part of our family. So it feels very special. It's just fantastic, I can't imagine anybody being more deserving, and it couldn't have happened to a better person."
Jacqui Bauer, the workshop's assistant director who watched the ceremony while working from her home, also very much saw the person she knew. "I think Lin made a very particular fashion statement, something we have come to expect from her," Bauer said. "But it was wonderful to see her up there with all those other illustrious people accepting a very well-deserved prize.
"Many of her clothes were given to her by colleagues who admire her, brought from overseas, and it was good to see that she remained herself, even with royalty."
Lilly charity gives new IU health school $1 million
Associated Press
December 11, 2009
The Eli Lilly and Co. Foundation has given Indiana University $1 million to start a school of public health at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz says the grant announced Thursday provides needed startup funding to recruit additional faculty and support students. He says the school will work to reduce Indiana's infant mortality rate and reduce deaths caused by heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
The IUPUI school -- one of two public health schools that IU is establishing on its Indianapolis and Bloomington campuses -- will include faculty from the School of Medicine, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and other programs in Indianapolis.
IU says the school of public health on its Bloomington campus will be created out of its current School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
