[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 23 (Friday, February 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF IUPUI CHANCELLOR NASSER PAYDAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 4, 2022

  Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Nasser Paydar as he 
retires after thirty-seven years of service in higher education in 
Indiana.
  Nasser's life-long dedication to public education began in 1985 as a 
faculty member in the School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana 
University-Purdue University in Indianapolis (IUPUI). From here, he 
took on many roles within the Indiana University system and across the 
State of Indiana. In August of 2015, Nasser became chancellor of IUPUI 
and executive vice president of Indiana University.
  As Chancellor, Nasser led a strategic plan focused on student 
success, academic excellence, and community engagement. He helped lead 
the transition of IUPUI Fort Wayne to IU Fort Wayne, which is 
administered by IUPUI, and the creation of the School of Health and 
Human Sciences through a merger of two existing IUPUI schools. During 
his tenure, IUPUI celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019 and raised 
more than $1.7 billion in philanthropic endeavors.
  Always focused on students, Nasser created the ``Through Their Eyes'' 
Scholarship, presented to a student who is descended from a resident of 
the thriving Ransom Place and Indiana Avenue neighborhoods that once 
stood on what is now the IUPUI campus. After the scholarship's creation 
in 2012, IUPUI received the Insight into Diversity Higher Education 
Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award. Under Nasser's leadership, IUPUI 
saw an increase in student diversity, with the percent of students of 
color increasing from 24.7 percent to 39.8 percent.
  When the world drastically changed in the wake of COVID-19, Nasser 
led the campus through the pandemic. He spearheaded the unprecedented 
shift to remote learning in spring 2020, and the return to in-person 
classes in fall 2021.
  Chancellor Paydar has dedicated his life to helping students through 
public education. He has led with his heart and persevered through many 
challenges. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Nasser 
Paydar and honoring his legacy. We wish him all the best in his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________