Speeches

Pioneer Dinner: Penn State Yesterday and Today

It's a real treat to be here to welcome all of you back to Penn State for this Traditional Reunion Weekend and a celebration of not only the Class of 1953, but also all of our alumni who are considered pioneers of the University. The word "pioneer" is a fitting description for those in this room because you truly have blazed new trails over the last 50-plus years.

It is quite a thrill to see old classmates and rekindle friendships that have obviously stood the test of time. Reconnecting with familiar faces and reliving the good old days is a large part of this weekend, but I must warn you -- you may not recognize some people who are closest to you. I found this out first hand when I recently ran into an old college friend at a conference. At first I wasn't sure it was him, because I thought he looked so much older than me. As I got closer, I still wasn't sure. He had gone bald and had many new lines on his face. I smugly thought, "Wow, I must be aging pretty well."

I decided to approach him and said, "Is your name Dan?".

"Yes," he said. .

I excitedly said, "I think you were in my class at Iowa State. Do you remember me?".

"No," came the reply. "What class did you teach?" So much for aging gracefully.

A lot has been packed into the last five decades since you left the hallowed halls of Penn State. The discovery of lasers, nuclear power, DNA, super computers, and Velcro are just a few of the transformational findings of the past 50 years. I am proud to say that most of those discoveries were fueled by research performed at our nation's universities.

Here at Penn State, our faculty have discovered new planets, achieved tremendous advances in mapping the human genetic code, and made huge strides in artificial heart research.

Our newest course offerings are in disciplines that weren't even dreamed of during your time here -- like nanotechnology, information sciences, smart materials, and biobehavioral health.

But technology isn't the only change. For some of you who haven't been back to Penn State in a number of years, a quick walk across campus might require a map and possibly a hard hat. We are currently in the midst of a $739 million construction program, the largest in the University's history. Within the last five years alone, we have not only completed the impressive HUB-Robeson Cultural Center, we also constructed new buildings for industrial engineering and earth and engineering sciences on West Campus, an All-Sports Museum, and the MBNA Career Services Center. Just last month we finished construction of the multi-faith Pasquerilla Spiritual Center adjoining Eisenhower Chapel. I hope you all will take time to wander through some of these beautiful structures.

In addition, we have broken ground for new Life Sciences and Chemistry Buildings, are mid-way through construction of a new School of Information Sciences and Technology Building --the one spanning Atherton Street -- and two years ago we opened the Hintz Family Alumni Center in the heart of campus. Your future treks to University Park might find you strolling through a new 395-acre arboretum or touring new buildings for business administration, food sciences, or forestry.

Much has changed since you were students. But you also will find that much has remained untouched by time. The street names downtown will still look familiar, West Halls and Atherton Hall still stand, and grilled stickies can still be found. Students still enjoy studying on the Old Main lawn, faculty still care deeply about their students, football Saturdays still bring our alumni home, and Joe Paterno is still here.

The traditions and core values of this institution have stayed the same. The story of Penn State is a story of excellence, success, people, and communities. A large part of this story is about you -- those who care so deeply about Penn State's future. For that, I am truly grateful.

On behalf of the entire University, I'd like to congratulate you on a lifetime of accomplishments and on achieving this Pioneer milestone.