In 1989, David L. Adams arrived at IU as the new director of student media, publisher of the Indiana Daily Student, Arbutus yearbook and other publications and website.
He devoted his life to the student journalists at Indiana University for nearly two decades. He became a national leader for press freedom, mentoring and advocating for the First Amendment rights of journalism students.
The Indiana chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association established the David L. Adams Memorial Scholarship in honor of his commitment to budding journalists. IU Foundation administers this scholarship on behalf of the school.
His tenure at IU was filled with national acclaim. In 1998, 2004 and 2005, the IDS won the top award for overall excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2007, the College Media Advisers selected Arbutus as Best Large Yearbook, and in 1997, Adams was inducted into the College Media Advisers Hall of Fame. He died in 2007.