Spanier reflects on 150 years of people, progress and future challenges

Spanier reflects on 150 years of people, progress and future challenges

University Park, Pa. -- In his 10th year as president of Penn State, Graham Spanier took the opportunity in his annual State of the University address on Friday, Sept. 17, to reflect on Penn State's past, present and future.

"This year marks a very special occasion in the life of our University as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our founding," said Spanier. "This is an ideal opportunity not only to remember our past, but to examine it and build on it."

After highlighting some of the traditions, groundbreaking research and people who moved the University from the The Farmers' High School in 1855 into the ranks of the top research universities in the United States, Spanier said, "If asked what it takes to make a great university, I would say about 150 years and thousands of dedicated people."

Of all of the goals he has set for Penn State during his tenure as president, the one that is most important personally to Spanier is humanizing the University. "Humanizing the University means building a culture that invests in our most valuable asset -- our people. It is a key component of Penn State's success and a vital factor in our future.

"Penn State's heritage as a 'people's university' has set us apart from other institutions. Our University has always been about educating people; about discoveries that advance knowledge; about service that is shared for the benefit of people and their communities. It's inspiring to think that we are all part of a larger entity that can touch every corner of the world and enhance the lives of so many."

In addition to pointing out the numerous University success stories of the past year, Spanier addressed the challenges that will influence higher education and significantly reshape Penn State in the future -- demographics and funding.

Pennsylvania, which ranks second among the states for its share of older Americans, is barely growing and has experienced a precipitous drop in the number of high school graduates. "Given the stagnant demographics of Pennsylvania, competition for in-state students will intensify," he said.

The state also is experiencing a lack of diversity in its population. Spanier said national demographic projections suggest that about 65 percent of the growth in population through the year 2020 will be in ethnic minority groups. However, Pennsylvania will remain predominantly white. "It's going to be pretty tough for Pennsylvania institutions to provide our students with an educational experience that mirrors the nation's diversity when our own state lacks that diversity," he said.

Another challenge facing higher education is faltering public investment in public higher education. "Resources are scarce, and competition is heightened," said Spanier. "All of these issues are leading to the increased privatization of public higher education -- putting our legacy as a University that was created for the people at risk."

People now see postsecondary education as a private benefit rather than a public good and this view has aggravated Penn State's long-term funding problem as public universities have received a shrinking share of state dollars. "Penn State now receives more funds from the federal government than from the state government, again bringing into question what it means to be the state's flagship public university," said Spanier.

Across the country, state support of higher education has been declining, Spanier said. In response, institutions continue to turn to other sources of funds -- most notably tuition, thus shifting costs for higher education from the taxpayer to students and their families. "We are in fact replicating a pattern of high tuition/high aid, which started in the private sector some years ago. Public higher education is facing increased demands without a corresponding boost in the public's investment. The key question is whether this changing landscape will force us to refine our mission."

Spanier concluded his address by again reflecting on the University's sesquicentennial celebration. "For 150 years, Penn State has built upon our tradition of putting people at the core of all we do to create an outstanding legacy of success," said Spanier. "To chart our future, we cannot abandon these traditions, but instead must use them as the cornerstone for continued achievements. I hope that 150 years from now, historians will recognize your place in the remarkable success story that is Penn State."

For the full text of the president’s State of the University address, go to
http://www.psu.edu/ur/GSpanier/sou/sou_2004 and for photos, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2004_09_20_sou/index.html