Symposium discusses 'Future of the American Public Research University'

Symposium discusses 'Future of the American Public Research University'

Richard (Tom) Ingram, president of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, delivered the Friday luncheon speech. For more photos, click on the image above.

Penn State was host for a national symposium Feb. 25-26 to examine the future of the American public research university. Roger Williams, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association, remarked in opening the symposium that "the impetus for this symposium is Penn State's sesquicentennial. Notwithstanding the aura of history, we wanted an event that looked forward, rather than backward. And we wanted an event that would have value not only for Penn State but also for all our sister public research universities and the higher education policy community."

More than 200 people from 40 universities and higher education organizations gathered for the two-day symposium. Penn State President Graham B. Spanier, in his remarks to the gathering, noted that public research universities have a legacy of innovation and service and have "repeatedly transformed themselves to accommodate a changing society." He said that, "major shifts in the landscape of American higher education are again making it imperative that we adapt and change to meet society's needs, while still preserving the broad public purposes on which we were founded."

Themes on the future challenges for public research universities emerged throughout the six sessions and three keynote addresses. Speakers noted that these challenges will include creating learning communities that are engaging for students, finding ways to live up to the land-grant tradition of connecting the goals of science with solving everyday practical problems, and making a college education within the reach of American families, to name only a few.

Patrick T. Terenzini, distinguished professor and senior scientist in the Center for the Study of Higher Education, said the symposium was "one of the most intellectually stimulating experiences I've had in a decade." The event brought together faculty, students, administrators, trustees and policymakers to engage in a lively debate about the future of one of America's finest assets -- its public research universities.

Sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and Penn State's Center for the Study of Higher Education, the symposium was part of Penn State's yearlong sesquicentennial celebration. To view photos from the event, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2005_03_04_symposium/index.html