During his tenure at Flint, Nelms has used his unique qualities to create a more integrated environment between the school and the surrounding community. When he was appointed by then University President James Duderstadt and the faculty advising committee, the Flint campus was an academic community set against an urban setting. By the time he leaves this summer, people may no longer feel this way. Due in large part to the chancellor's efforts, the Flint campus has been transformed into an urban university working in cooperation with its community. The campus has expanded greatly during his stay, and he has worked to create several programs that address the social and economic problems that lie outside its boundaries. His effort and accomplishments deserve much praise.
Perhaps what best describes Nelms is his desire to use higher education to help those with few opportunities. At Flint, the chancellor tore down the walls isolating the University from the community in an effort to address problems, such as poverty, that are close to home. His new position at the University of Indiana will require some of the same ideas that allowed him to make an enormous impact on the Flint campus. At Indiana, the chancellor will be responsible for promoting diversity on the school's eight campuses through the recruitment of minority students and by improving their graduation and retention rates. Indiana was recently the site of two racially motivated incidents - indicating a need for someone with Nelms' sensitivity and experience. He will begin his new occupation in Indianapolis, where he will once again work with members and organizations of that community to provide more educational opportunities to those who do not have them - an admirable effort by Nelms and the University of Indiana.
The Flint campus is losing a person who has thrived in the situation presented to him nearly three and a half years ago. University President Lee Bollinger and the faculty advising committee will soon begin the difficult task of finding a new chancellor. When they begin the search, they should look for a candidate who embodies similar qualities similar to Nelms'. The Flint campus is unique in that it is located in the middle of a major urban area and a large percentage of the students are commuters. Nelms worked to create an environment that is conducive to interaction between fellow students and between the University and the community. Flint's next chancellor should have these two priorities set high on his or her agenda. Nelms turned his ideas into reality, and his departure will be felt throughout the University community.