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Friday, June 7, 2002
Saturday, June 8, 2002
Sunday, June 9, 2002
Virtual Reunion digital photos were taken by
A. Pierce Bounds '71, Dickinson College Photographer
Please send comments or corrections to webmaster@dickinson.edu.
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| President's Opening Speech |
click on photo to enlarge
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Welcome on this brilliant day to the Alumni Weekend
Opening Ceremonies! When I returned to Dickinson three years ago,
it seemed fitting to gather annually the alumni here before the Old
Stone Steps of Old West to celebrate and renew our loyalty to our
alma mater and our commitment to a vision of high possibility in a
distinctive American education—the national, residential liberal
arts college. The opening of the doors of Old West is perhaps our
longest and most cherished tradition. These doors symbolize our entry
into this very special community. Four years later at our graduation,
we exit these doors into the world beyond, prepared and energized
by the superbly engaged education we received here.
Twenty years ago, the Class of 1982 was unable to participate in
this proud tradition. During Commencement that year, especially
inclement weather forced the ceremony into the Kline Center. Although
they were unable to pass through the doors of Old West then, we
ask the Class of 1982 to reclaim the missing piece of their history
by doing so today.
You will notice that there is a new addition, a new tradition at
the top of the Old Stone Steps. This marble lion once belonged to
John Dickinson himself. It was, in fact, one of his most cherished
possessions and Dickinson had the lion carefully moved with him
as he traveled among his various homes. We acquired the lion in
1939 from one of Dickinson's heirs and he has become a symbol of
our noble historical heritage. We, therefore, feel it is appropriate
to bring him out to oversee our most important College ceremonies
and events.
As a fellow alumnus, it is my very great pleasure to say, "Welcome
Back to Dickinson!" As you look around campus over the next
several days, many things will look familiar. But you will also
notice many changes and you will, I trust, experience a renewed
sense of energy, intensity and commitment to what is "distinctively
Dickinson." This sense of change and momentum is as it should
be. Dickinson is a dynamic institution. It emits high standards
and claims a respected place based on mission and accomplishment
among America's most respected liberal arts colleges. Such a position
permits us no complacency.
As Dickinsonians, we owe our legacy to our founder, Dr. Benjamin
Rush. Many of you may not know much about Dr. Rush and his vision
for Dickinson. Until I returned three years ago, I, too, had only
a vague notion of who he was and what role he played in the creation
and development of our College. But since I returned to Carlisle,
I have read extensively about Rush and I am currently reading his
voluminous personal correspondence. He was an exceptional individual
and he has left his mark on us all.
Benjamin Rush envisioned a new type of liberal arts education that
would be "useful." He believed that it was essential for
students to study the modern languages and to develop a solid foundation
in the sciences. He encouraged students to traverse the boundaries
among traditional academic disciplines and to engage actively the
world beyond these limestone walls. Rush instinctively knew that
the new nation would eventually become an integral and active player
in the emerging Atlantic economy, and he wanted Dickinson graduates
to wield power and influence—that is both material and immaterial
power and influence—in that global setting.
Rush, in short, was determined to provide his young country with
the citizen leaders it would need to succeed and to prosper. His
was a revolutionary conception of a liberal arts education that
was suitable for a revolutionary age.
In the nearly 220 years since Rush first articulated his vision,
this unique approach to a liberal arts education has strengthened,
matured and evolved to meet the constantly changing challenges of
our complex world. Generations of Dickinson alumni, including those
of you here, have gone on to become the citizen leaders Rush envisioned.
Dickinson alumni have been among the most thoughtful and active
citizens in your local community, the most energetic and innovative
leaders in your professions and leading authorities on issues of
national and international significance.
These individuals, these Dickinson alumni—of whom we are all
members—share a special bond. We are "Distinctively Dickinson."
We unequivocally reject mediocrity. We are not afraid to speak out
on controversial subjects. We reach out and embrace the challenges
of an increasingly global and diverse society. We live in the connective
tissue, not solely in the bone, and we are the individuals in the
room who are able to "connect the dots" while others see
only a blank page. We are comfortably contrarians, and yet not cynical.
We are ultimately citizens and we are willing to lead in whatever
aspect of social or professional challenge lies before us. This
is what it means to be "Distinctively Dickinson."
At Dickinson today, there is a new intensity—an intensity
borne of our responsibility to Benjamin Rush's vision and to you,
our loyal alumni who are our standard bearers and whose professional
and personal standing is reflected and affected by the current
quality of the College. We are determined to enhance your pride
in your alma mater. We are committed to securing for Dickinson a
permanent place—for decades to come—among the nation's
leading liberal arts colleges. And we hope that each of you will
join with us in partnership to advance these noble and historic
goals.
As you wander the campus over the next several days, you will notice
many visual and physical changes—from the new "Dickinson
Red" Adirondack chairs and the Cinzano umbrellas on the patio
of the newly dedicated Marc and Eva Stern Foundation Center for
Global Education to the recently renovated Morgan Hall. Be sure
to take some time to visit our beautiful Waidner-Spahr library where
tours will be conducted from 1-4:00 p.m. this afternoon, or where
you can simply wander about.
The changes at Dickinson, however, are more than just cosmetic
and their impact is beginning to attract national and international
attention. Earlier this spring, the Middle States Commission on
Higher Education conducted a site visit as part of our re-accreditation
process. Allow me to read a few brief excerpts from their final
report:
- Strong and confident, Dickinson stands poised to define
the details of, and then energetically to pursue, a bold visionary
future.
- If there is a driving force behind the College's recent upturn,
it is in the increasing number of prospective student applications,
the quality of those being admitted, and the financial controls
that have been implemented.
- Without question, Dickinson College possesses characteristics
of excellence that place it among America's finest liberal arts
colleges. Its many conspicuous strengths properly inspire confidence
in its ability to pursue a bold and ambitious vision for the future.
The Review Team has found many reasons for the College community
to embrace this vision and many sources of hope that it can be
fully achieved. With firmness of purpose and a determination to
stay the course on which it is now well positioned, Dickinson
needs only to follow its optimistic realism and begin to write
the next exciting new chapter in its long and venerable history.
This College—our College—is a very, very special place.
Individually, and collectively, we, as alumni, are the measure of
our success and the foundation of our future. We are part of a 220-year
Dickinson tradition that is revolutionary and dynamic. We are part
of a tradition that is "Distinctively Dickinson."
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