Dr. Amy Gutmann October 15, 2004 Irvine Auditorium Photo by Stuart Watson Stuart by Photo ALMANAC SUPPLEMENT October 19, 2004 S-1 www.upenn.edu/almanac The Inaugural Ceremony I am honored to present to you the follow- but as a leader and a motivator. We found all Invocation ing speakers who bring greetings to President of this in Dr. Gutmann. She has developed a Rev. William C. Gipson Gutmann from their respective constituencies: powerful vision about the contribution that uni- University Chaplain Charles W. Mooney, on behalf of the faculty; Ja- versities can make to society and democracy. I Sacred Fire, Revelation Light, Fount of son Levine and Simi Wilhelm, on behalf of the have met so many students who already feel a Wisdom, Sojourner Spirit Companion of the students; Rodney Robinson and Sylvie Beauvais special connection with Dr. Gutmann through Despairing Disinherited of the Earth—All Gra- on behalf of the administration and staff. her writings. cious God, As a leader, Dr. Gutmann brings new energy, On this Inauguration Day for Pennʼs distin- Greetings optimism, and inspiration to Penn. Her Inaugu- guished eighth President, Dr. Amy Gutmann, we ral theme, Rising to the Challenges of a Diverse celebrate Penn—for the boldness of its academic Charles W. Mooney Democracy, recognizes many issues that we adventures, its electric intellectual inquiry, its Chair, Faculty Senate face today. In just the short time she has been faithfulness to committed citizenship in West Greetings from the faculty of the University here, Dr. Gutmann has motivated students to Philadelphia, the City, the Commonwealth, the of Pennsylvania. We are delighted to welcome take on ambitious intellectual pursuits and serve nation and the global marketplace of ideas and Dr. Amy Gutmann to Penn. in the community. human possibilities. The selection of Dr. Gutmann as president She has already shown her willingness to So here and now we re-commit ourselves fulfilled our greatest hopes. She brings to Penn work with students and listen to their opinions. to the best of Penn. We eagerly anticipate the impeccable credentials as a preeminent scholar Her warm smile encourages all of us to speak elegant, energetic, enthusiastic, and excellent and outstanding academic leader. And she has freely. Dr. Gutmann, we undergraduates look leadership of a President already guiding us the vision and energy to lead us forward. forward to working with you, learning from with infectious joy and a judicious vision for the The past decade has witnessed enormous you, and thriving together. And when we beat next chapter in Pennʼs storied history. successes for the Penn community—our whole Princeton, perhaps we can coax you into helping We ask your blessings on this August occa- community—including our University City us tear down the goalpost. Just kidding. sion and on all who are gathered here in celebra- neighbors. We look to the future with unflagging Dr. Gutmann, the undergraduate community tion, solidarity, and great expectation. hope for continued success. But hope alone will welcomes you wholeheartedly, and we wish you In Your Name we pray…Amen. not suffice. Treading water will move us no- health and happiness in your new post as presi- where, even backward. dent of the University of Pennsylvania. Welcome Not to worry. Dr. Gutmann has challenged us to step up the pace. She has exhorted us to pursue Simi R. Wilhelm James S. Riepe our core missions of creating and disseminating Chair, Graduate and Professional Chair, Board of Trustees knowledge that will make the world a better Student Assembly Distinguished presidents, delegates, honor- place. She has challenged us to stay the course of pursuing and preserving Pennʼs unique posi- On behalf of graduate and professional stu- able governor of the Commonwealth of Penn- dents across the University of Pennsylvania, I sylvania, Trustees of the University, esteemed tion among the worldʼs great research universi- ties. And she has challenged us to see that Penn would like to officially extend a collective and faculty, students, alumni, and revered guests, it warm welcome to our eighth president, Dr. Amy is my great honor to welcome you to the inaugu- plays an important role in fostering social jus- tice and democratic institutions. Gutmann. ration of Amy Gutmann as the eighth president As the next generation of scholars and pro- and twenty-fourth chief executive officer of the But as we pursue excellence and justice, we must always keep intellectual freedom ringing fessionals, we need a president who understands University of Pennsylvania. the appropriate marriage of practical and clas- This is an historic occasion for this August within the Penn community. We believe that vigorous debate and intellectual rigor thrive in sical instruction; we need a leader who can institution—Americaʼs first university. champion a vision for common academic values The presence here today not only of our own an atmosphere of civility and respect for one another. But as members of the diverse Penn across the professions and disciplines; we need eminent faculty—but also of representatives a colleague who can relate to the hours we pore of colleges, universities, and learned societies community, we are entitled to express our views and, yes, even to be wrong. over our experiments, case studies and journal from around the country and throughout the articles; and perhaps most importantly, we need world—attests to Pennʼs prominent place in the Consider the following passage taken from Langston Hughesʼ poem, Democracy: a president who provides a strong role model ambitious endeavor of higher education. both as a scholar and as a professional institu- An inauguration is heavy with the weight of Freedom tional leader. all these traditions, but it also represents a new Is a strong seed We are celebrating today because in Amy beginning. Planted Gutmann, we have just that president. On the one hand, the solemnity of these pro- In a great need. Dr. Gutmann has embraced Pennʼs dual ceedings reflects not just the traditions of presi- I live here, too. commitment to liberal and practical education. dential inauguration—it also symbolizes the Her vision for democratic education speaks to awesome responsibilities that Pennʼs president I want freedom Just as you. all of us and her distinguished scholarly works will bear for the well-being of this community inspire us to push the boundaries of our own dis- of scholars and learners and for its contributions Dr. Gutmann, you have challenged us to rise ciplines. In addition she exudes boundless en- to society-at-large. to the challenges of a diverse democracy. We the ergy and excitement for this institution and our On the other hand, the joyfulness of these Penn faculty accept your challenges. We accept role in its eminent future. proceedings symbolizes our enduring love for them gladly. And we especially look forward to Lucky us and lucky Penn! this educational community—what my prede- meeting them with you as our colleague. Wel- Dr. Gutmann, on behalf of over 11,000 grad- cessor at this podium ten years ago called “this come to Penn. uate students who represent your new friends idea called Penn.” and colleagues, I welcome you to your new in- On behalf of the many diverse members of Jason A. Levine Chair, Undergraduate Assembly stitutional and scholarly home. Thank you for our community and participants in this “idea,” I your commitment to preparing us for future po- thank you for being present here today to share On behalf of Pennʼs undergraduate students, sitions in which we can honor our Penn legacy our great pride in our University, our boundless I am honored to welcome Dr. Amy Gutmann to and for providing an elegant example of how to vision of its future, and our reverence for and this great University. As students, we wanted a fulfill it. our joy at this event in our history. President who is renowned not only as a scholar, www.upenn.edu/almanac S-2 ALMANAC SUPPLEMENT October 19, 2004 Rodney V. Robinson momentum and energy that abounds every- we going to go back?” You donʼt have to spend Chair, Penn Professional Staff Assembly where on campus. And with great expectations more than five minutes with Dr. Gutmann to we join you today, President Gutmann, to begin know weʼre not going back, weʼre going for- On behalf of the administrative and profes- a new chapter in Pennʼs history. ward at warp speed. sional staff, I am honored to officially welcome Celebrating your inauguration provides a You know Iʼve always been described as you, Dr. Gutmann, to our extraordinary Penn unique moment for all to reflect on our heritage someone with boundless passion and bound- family. and the profound contribution Penn has made to less energy and I find that often to be the case, As you have learned from Professor our lives and to the society at large. Today, we although I do get tired. And after spending my Mooney, Jason and Simi, our faculty are world reaffirm our most deeply held values and goals, first substantive meeting with Dr. Gutmann, I renowned, and our students the best and bright- and then we look boldly with you to the future. was tired, I was tired. My energy and my pas- est anywhere. You have also discovered that Penn is a great University, in no small mea- sion was out-striped in a few short moments. the men and women who support the teaching sure because of the support of innumerable But itʼs wonderful to see that, because if you and research mission of this institution daily are alumni gathered here and across the globe and look at the resources that we as a city, and we as truly remarkable and among the finest in higher faculty and staff who teach and work here.