C olumbia U niversity RECORD October 10, 2003 5 New Beginnings for a Columbia Veteran: Alan Brinkley’s First Days as Provost prise in his first days to be, “the Meyer Feldberg’s replacement. BY KATHERINE MOORE magnitude of the job.” “I knew it Alan Brinkley has been at was a big job, but knowing it and Columbia for 12 years and is the lan Brinkley has been feeling it are two different things,” former Allan Nevins Professor of provost of Columbia says the new provost in his Low History. A specialist of twentieth- AUniversity for just over Library office that overlooks century American history, he fre- three months and is already jug- Lewiston and Earl Halls. “I have quently appears as a commentator gling a daunting schedule as been in this office since July 1st on national news programs, dis- Columbia’s chief academic officer. and mostly what I am doing so far cussing a range of political issues, From early morning budget meet- is trying to learn about other areas from the erosion of the New Deal ings, to work on search committees in the university.” after 1937 to the Bush White for new deans, to presiding over After a decade as a historian, House. He is the author of numer- convocation celebrations, the Brinkley is now working with ous books including, Voices of provost plays a major role in the deans of every school and disci- Protest: Huey Long; Father everyday life and future standing of pline, and one of his priorities will Coughlin and the Great Depres- the University. be determining a newfound direc- sion (1982), which won the 1983 President Lee C. Bollinger tion for science in light of recent National Book Award, The Unfin- appointed Brinkley, a well-known advancements and discoveries. ished Nation: A Concise History American historian and former With Ira Katznelson, acting vice of the American People (1992) chair of Columbia’s history depart- president for Arts and Sciences and and Liberalism and Its Discon- ment, to the post last spring. David Hirsh, the new executive tents (1998). Brinkley taught at “Throughout his career, he has vice president for research, the M.I.T. and Harvard before com- shown an unwavering commitment provost is tasked with improving ing to Columbia. to academic excellence,” Bollinger science at Columbia and increasing The provost, if he can find a few noted then. scientific resources. In 2003-2004, hours, will continue to work on his His colleagues—although Brinkley will direct campus plan- biography of Henry Luce, founder lamenting the loss of a very popu- ning, long-term financial strategy of Time magazine. Although lar scholar—agree. “Alan is a and academic policy initiatives. RECORD PHOTO BY EILEEN BARROSO Brinkley is on teaching leave, he superb historian who sincerely val- “[Everyone] is spending quite a Alan Brinkley continues to advise his current ues intellectual life and has the bit of time this year on the campus graduate students and hopes to respect of the entire faculty,” said plan,” said Brinkley. “What we Financial issues and a long-term and remain fiercely competitive in return to teaching next year. Eric Foner, Dewitt Clinton Profes- envision is a campus that will have campaign for viable economic diverse fields in coming decades. Six weeks into the new school sor of History and a Brinkley a lot more space, which will lead to growth are also at the top of his He also will focus on shaping fac- year, Brinkley is cautiously san- friend. “He is conscientious and a lot more opportunities for meet- agenda. “I don’t think of this as a ulty appointments and has been an guine about his legacy as Colum- open-minded, has good judgment, ing new academic and research fundraising job,” he notes. But he active participant in the recruit- bia’s provost. “I hope to help leave and is a man of infinite patience. goals.” The provost will review plans to be very involved in devel- ment of a new dean of architecture. the University a stronger and bet- These qualities augur well for his strategic proposals for the best use opment, which he sees as crucial to Brinkley is expected to play a sim- ter place,” are Brinkley’s final term as provost.” of additional space to meet univer- ensuring the University can grow, ilar role when Columbia begins its words before he rushes off to Brinkley finds his biggest sur- sity needs over the long-term. recruit top faculty and students, search for Business School Dean another meeting. Windows on the Past to Glow Again: Tiffany Stained Glass Pieces Return to Campus “Their presence in the contem- Surrounding the classical figures in BY ELIZABETH GOLDEN porary Hamilton Hall lobby also the Hamilton lobby are a number exemplifies the interplay between of display cases which will contain pair of rare 100-year-old tradition and innovation that is books, pictures, and other artifacts Tiffany stained glass such a defining feature of the Col- that will exemplify the cultural Awindows returned to lege’s Core Curriculum,” noted contexts around the globe that are luminous splendor at Columbia Quigley. also incorporated into the Core University this week. The 13-foot “In that curriculum, tradition is Curriculum,” said Quigley. high windows represent allegorical treated as both an instrument of The windows were originally figures of Virgil and Sophocles. continuity and an engine of presented to the university by the The stained glass windows change. Historical cultural con- classes of 1885 and 1891. Their slowly emerged from beneath a texts of many kinds are involved restoration and installation is made half-century of soot, grime and to guide but not govern students possible by a gift from Arthur G. storage dust at the Jersey City preparing to help create the future. Rosen, CC’65. workshop of Rambusch, the noted architectural design and restoration company. Martin Rambusch, a Legislative Update graduate of the architectural preservation program at Colum- FEDERALFISCALYEAR bia’s Graduate School of Architec- ture and Preservation, oversaw the BEGINS WITHOUT BUDGET restoration, completing it in time for Columbia’s 250th anniversary. numbers for the office of Sci- “Columbia deserves a lot of BY ELLEN S. SMITH ence. Coordinated by Represen- credit for recognizing the intrinsic tative Biggert (R-IL) the letter value of these magnificent stained Federal fiscal year 2004 will be sent to the Energy and glass windows and for preserving (10/02/03-9/30/04) began on Water Appropriations members them,” noted Martin Rambusch. Oct. 1, 2003, but only three who will work out the differ- The windows were created appropriations bills have been ences between the House and before the end of the 19th century, signed. The Government keeps Senate bills. Levels of funding probably six years apart. Together running with a so-called continu- for research and for student aid they illustrate an important change RECORD PHOTO BY EILEEN BARROSO ing resolution until Oct. 31. are unlikely to increase as much in the American arts and crafts Handlers restore the Tiffany windows in Hamilton Hall. Observers suggest that the as they have in the past. Some movement, the transition from final budgets for the majority of funds may, in fact, remain level painting images on glass to achiev- “The top was rounded off in the federal government will not or be reduced. ing a sculptural depth entirely in storage when the lounge was order to fit the larger style neoclas- be complete until late November Last week, Dean Lisa Ander- through the use of colored glass. remodeled. sical window of the original or early December. In the inter- son met with the New York The figure of Sophocles was In 2002, Columbia began a com- McKim, Mead and White building im, associations and universities members of the House Education originally installed in a narrow plete renovation of 100-year-old design. These are the only Tiffany are writing in support of the and the Workforce Committee to gothic window opening in the Hamilton Hall, one of the original pieces in the University’s hold- highest levels of funding possi- discuss the importance of inter- library of Columbia’s mid-19th McKim, Mead and White build- ings.” ble. President Bollinger joined national education. The Depart- century campus on 49th Street and ings and home of Columbia Col- Both windows were mounted in six other New York university ment of Homeland Security is Madison Avenue. When the Uni- lege, the University’s undergradu- the main-floor lounge of Hartley Presidents in thanking House still addressing the issue of fees versity moved to Morningside ate liberal arts college. Two niches Hall, the first men’s dormitory on VA/HUD Appropriations Chair- for the Student and Exchange Heights in the late 1890’s, it was on either side of the lobby have campus, which opened in 1905. man Jim Walsh (R-NY) for his Visitor Information System dismantled and returned to the been created to hold the stained They remained for more than 40 robust support of the National (SEVIS), but plans to publish a Tiffany Studios for modification. glass panels, which will be illumi- years, accumulating layers of cigar Science Foundation budget and rule within the month. The high- “Tiffany remounted the figure nated from behind. and pipe smoke, as well as coal urged his support for retaining er education community has con- in a winder window frame, adding “These figures of Sophocles and dust from the fireplace and dirt the House level of funding. In tinued to reinforce the impor- an ornate border inlaid with faceted Virgil renew the links between the from Amsterdam Avenue traffic. addition, Columbia urged the tance of developing a fee system chunks of glass,” said Sarah Wein- College’s midtown and Morning- In 1948, the two windows dark- New York delegation to sign a that is accessible and fair for stu- er, the curator of art properties at side eras,” said Austin Quigley, ened with years of grime, were put letter in support of the House dents coming from abroad. Columbia University. dean of Columbia College.