April 4, 2007
Princeton: Present and Future
Shirley Tilgham
President of Princeton University
Minutes of the 26th Meeting of the 65th Year
President Joe Giordmaine called the 26th meeting of the 65th year of the Old Guard to order at 10:15 AM, at the Princeton University Friend Center.
The Invocation was led by George Hansen.
Two visitors were present: Art Morgan’s wife, Barbara, and Guy Dean’s wife, Victoria. Two guests were also present: Jim Harford introduced Hal Erdman, and Bill Haynes introduced George, “Arky” Vaughn
Approximately 100 people were present.
President Bob Varrin introduced this morning’s speaker: Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman. She said she changed the title of her talk: “Princeton: Past, Present, Future” when she learned that Bill Selden, Old Guard member, and author of a number of historical books concerning Princeton’s past, would be sitting in the front row, listening attentively and eyes focused on her like an eagle, she then realized the better part of valor was to lecture about “Princeton University: Present and Future” (and omit the “Past.”)
President Tilghman emphasized the role of research as being a vital element in today’s education. This would shift the goal of a Princeton education from “the private good” as in former times, to one more directed to “the public good.” She then enumerated a number of ways she believed how this would happen, by employing research and creative ideas as resource tools:
1: She believed it important train young men and women to go out into the world to make it a better place, i.e., to make great leaders, such as teaching school in poor areas, seeking public office, creating great companies, and addressing world water shortages, global warming, to name a few examples.
2. She noted the increasing economic gap between the very rich and very poor in the U.S. In her view, this may create a rigid and unforgiving aristocracy in America. Many talented and well qualified prospective students were not applying due to the economic burden that would be placed upon their family. By admitting students from lower income families, who are otherwise academically prepared, would be a step up in affording equality of education. She noted that 11% of the current freshman class is in this group, and many of these students were the first in the family to go to a college. The “Loan” policy therefore has been changed in recent years to a “Grant” policy. This would allow those students to go out and contribute to a better world, debt-free, and thus they would be able to make better choices for their vocations.
3. The University is the research engine not only for social issues, but also in the field of scientific innovation. It is very important to maintain our lead in this rapidly expanding area, especially in the face of increasing global competition. World War II highlighted the need for both government and universities throughout the U.S. to come together in shared research. This was apparent in the development of the atomic bomb as well as other military needs. Sputnik surprised the world by the technical advances made by Russia. This served as further stimulus for a joint Federal government and university research by many academic institutions. The sharing of research led, in her view, to the 70% of economic surge in latter half of 20th century; was an illustration of another way the common good was served. She felt that America’s greatest strength is innovation, and as we move forward in the field of research, we need to be a partner with the federal government.
4. Princeton serves as a safe haven for tough discussions about very controversial issues that can be carried out within the campus facilities, where opposing issues can be placed on the table allowing for honest debates.
5. The University will be promoting courses dealing with world cultures. The world is smaller and there is greater need than ever before for intercommunication between nations.
Lastly, she believes that Princeton must try to be the best possible neighbor to the surrounding communities. She noted the many advantages the University offers to residents living in the Boro and Township, but she admits the University events can unfavorably impact on traffic, and parking. She wants the public schools in the area to continue to thrive. The University owns a significant number of housing in the area and voluntarily pays school taxes, though these taxes might otherwise be withheld from the community tax roles.
There followed a short period of questions, and the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Haynes
The Invocation was led by George Hansen.
Two visitors were present: Art Morgan’s wife, Barbara, and Guy Dean’s wife, Victoria. Two guests were also present: Jim Harford introduced Hal Erdman, and Bill Haynes introduced George, “Arky” Vaughn
Approximately 100 people were present.
President Bob Varrin introduced this morning’s speaker: Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman. She said she changed the title of her talk: “Princeton: Past, Present, Future” when she learned that Bill Selden, Old Guard member, and author of a number of historical books concerning Princeton’s past, would be sitting in the front row, listening attentively and eyes focused on her like an eagle, she then realized the better part of valor was to lecture about “Princeton University: Present and Future” (and omit the “Past.”)
President Tilghman emphasized the role of research as being a vital element in today’s education. This would shift the goal of a Princeton education from “the private good” as in former times, to one more directed to “the public good.” She then enumerated a number of ways she believed how this would happen, by employing research and creative ideas as resource tools:
1: She believed it important train young men and women to go out into the world to make it a better place, i.e., to make great leaders, such as teaching school in poor areas, seeking public office, creating great companies, and addressing world water shortages, global warming, to name a few examples.
2. She noted the increasing economic gap between the very rich and very poor in the U.S. In her view, this may create a rigid and unforgiving aristocracy in America. Many talented and well qualified prospective students were not applying due to the economic burden that would be placed upon their family. By admitting students from lower income families, who are otherwise academically prepared, would be a step up in affording equality of education. She noted that 11% of the current freshman class is in this group, and many of these students were the first in the family to go to a college. The “Loan” policy therefore has been changed in recent years to a “Grant” policy. This would allow those students to go out and contribute to a better world, debt-free, and thus they would be able to make better choices for their vocations.
3. The University is the research engine not only for social issues, but also in the field of scientific innovation. It is very important to maintain our lead in this rapidly expanding area, especially in the face of increasing global competition. World War II highlighted the need for both government and universities throughout the U.S. to come together in shared research. This was apparent in the development of the atomic bomb as well as other military needs. Sputnik surprised the world by the technical advances made by Russia. This served as further stimulus for a joint Federal government and university research by many academic institutions. The sharing of research led, in her view, to the 70% of economic surge in latter half of 20th century; was an illustration of another way the common good was served. She felt that America’s greatest strength is innovation, and as we move forward in the field of research, we need to be a partner with the federal government.
4. Princeton serves as a safe haven for tough discussions about very controversial issues that can be carried out within the campus facilities, where opposing issues can be placed on the table allowing for honest debates.
5. The University will be promoting courses dealing with world cultures. The world is smaller and there is greater need than ever before for intercommunication between nations.
Lastly, she believes that Princeton must try to be the best possible neighbor to the surrounding communities. She noted the many advantages the University offers to residents living in the Boro and Township, but she admits the University events can unfavorably impact on traffic, and parking. She wants the public schools in the area to continue to thrive. The University owns a significant number of housing in the area and voluntarily pays school taxes, though these taxes might otherwise be withheld from the community tax roles.
There followed a short period of questions, and the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Haynes