Speeches

Graduate Doctoral Alumni Reunion

Good afternoon. I want to personally welcome you back to Penn State to celebrate this milestone event marking the 25th year for some and the 50th year for others of the conferral of your graduate degrees.

Looking out at this distinguished audience, I’m reminded of the time my daughter asked me how I managed to get through graduate school in what she considered the dark ages.

She said, “You grew up in a world without personal computers, space travel, cell phones, hybrid cars…How did your generation ever manage?”

I thought about it for a minute and then replied, “You’re right. We didn’t have those things when we were young…so we invented them.”

The fact is, your accomplishments and achievements have shaped the world we live in and improved the lives of countless individuals.

For example, among you today are:

A World War II vet who received not one but three Purple Heart Medals for injuries sustained in combat.

Three accomplished scientists associated with noted pharmaceutical giants, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, and   Johnson & Johnson.

A top researcher with 3-M Company; and a regional executive for CTB/McGraw-Hill Co.

Seven members of Penn State’s Graduate School Alumni Society Board.

Dedicated career professionals with top Federal Agencies including the U.S. Agency on International Development,   Federal Highway Administration Research Laboratory, and the Department of Energy in Nuclear Regulations.
 
Distinguished faculty members from the University of Massachusetts, University of San Diego, Kent State University,  George Mason University, Saint Vincent College, and Penn State.

It is a privilege to be here today and to thank you for all you have done to bring honor and glory to the Penn State name. 

For those of you who haven’t visited Penn State recently, I’d like to give you a quick update of our progress.

Penn State is now the most popular university in the nation. This year, we will receive over 100,000 applications for admission, including almost 15,000 for graduate school.

Currently, we are in one of the largest facilities growth periods in the history of Penn State, adding six million square feet on this campus since 1999.

We also have launched a number of historic initiatives such as The Schreyer Honors College, the Penn State World Campus, the College of Information Sciences and Technology and the School of International Affairs.

Our stature as a provider of graduate education has soared as well.

With nearly $700 million in research expenditures, Penn State ranks 13th nationally among all private and public research universities in research activity. This is more than an eightfold increase over research expenditures 25 years ago. 

In defense funded research, we’re second in the nation.

As you can see, we’ve been working hard to elevate Penn State’s reputation, while positioning it as a model student-centered university. Throughout the weekend, I hope you’ll take some time to explore the vast array of scientific and artistic breakthroughs on display.

To continue Penn State’s legacy of success, we have launched For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.

In its first year, this ambitious campaign has raised more than $364 million. These funds will be used for “student priorities” such as scholarships, faculty support, facilities and programs that stimulate research and creativity, and graduate fellowships. In fact, through the Distinguished Graduate Fellowship Program we aim to double the number of University graduate fellowships available for our most talented graduate students.

The long-term support and commitment of our alumni have made a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and faculty. It has allowed Penn State to excel in a number of areas and continues to play a significant role in our recruitment of top-notch faculty and stellar graduate students. We are truly grateful for this support.

As Penn State looks to the future, I believe the adage "We're not getting older, we're getting better" most definitely applies. That holds true for all of you as well, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to honor you.

On behalf of the entire University, thank you for your continuing interest, enthusiasm and devotion.

Now I’d like to introduce Dr. David Han, president of the Penn State Alumni Association. David holds two Penn State degrees: a 1988 bachelor’s in science and a 2005 master’s degree in health evaluation sciences--with a medical degree from Harvard sandwiched between the two. Professionally, David is a vascular surgeon at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center as well as an assistant professor of vascular surgery in Penn State’s College of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming the 75th Penn State Alumni Association president -- Dr. David Han.