Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

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Before going into the auditorium for inauguration practice, Mrs. Ehrlicti fixes her husband ' s hair. ' ' Vi 29

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Thomas Ehrlich has spent his first year as iG ' s president putting a lot of heart where his home is here in Bloomington. It ' s pretty obvious the orange blaze in the fireplace isn ' t the only element that ' s been warming up Bryan Hall 200 since July 1987. A half-eaten chocolate birthday cake sits on the desk below pictures of the University ' s first family. Favorite works of art line the walls. Silver, blue and yellow birthday balloons float atop a wicker rocking chair. Ehrlich laughs as the helium bal- loons bounce in his face when he walks past them. I ' m celebrating a birthday today 54, he says. Then the man dressed in an oxford, sporting his trademark bowtie, collapses in a chair in front of the hearth. It is a dual celebration of sorts. One year ago from today, March 4, 1 987 - Ehrlich ' s birthday the IG Board of Trustees chose Ehrlich from about 180 serious candidates to succeed John Ryan as ICI ' s 15th president. And what a whirlwind year it ' s been for the newcomer. During his tenure, Ehrlich has brought an increased focus on educa- tion issues at trustees ' meetings, es- tablished seven task forces to prepare reports on seven academic themes and invited state legislators to Bloomi- ngton in an effort to improve the Uni- versity ' s lobbying efforts. After lU men ' s basketball Coach Bob Knight yanked the team off the court during a pre-season exhibition game against the Soviets, Ehrlich called Knight on the carpet and gave the General a harsh reprimand. The move brought praise from acad- emicians and flak from Knight ' s die- hards, but Ehrlich withstood the squalls of protest. .

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Tom Hirschfeld It ' s been exhilarating and exhaust- ing, he says. His glassy eyes and grav- elly voice put the finishing touches to the truth of that statement. He says it had been a late night in Indianapolis for he and his wife, Ellen. Late nights, Ehrlich has learned, is a staple in the v ardrobe of his presid- ency. When Ehrlich first arrived on Hoosier soil for good, he said, I come to the presidency of Indiana Gniversity with a racing mind, a pounding heart and great expectations. Today, several months later, he says with a grin that has been likened to that of Pee Wee Herman, the same holds true. I ' ve been running hard, he says. I ' m still racing, my heart ' s still pound- ing, and 1 still have great expectations. Expectations of Ehrlich ' s perform- ance have been and continued to be equally high. Faculty and administr- ators have said he seems too good to President Ehrlich listens as questions are asked during a meeting. Jeff Siner 30