UChicago and Crown Family School Welcome President Alivisatos
The community welcomed A. Paul Alivisatos to his new role as President of the University of Chicago on Friday, October 29. The historic event – only the fourteenth inauguration in the University's history – was a rare occasion, bringing together faculty, students, staff, and community members to celebrate the formal installation of the new president. During his remarks, President Alivisatos, a graduate of the College, described his early weeks in Chicago as a "journey of reconnection" and shared his vision of an engaged University of Chicago that collaborated among disciplines and across communities. "It is a time to reflect on the arc of a common journey," said President Alivisatos, "and to commit to bringing our collective imaginations, talents, and diversity of experience and perspective to bear in new and innovative ways."
As a tradition of the formal ceremony, speakers representing faculty, staff, students, and alumni also offered welcome remarks and words of advice to the new President. This year, Eve L. Ewing, assistant professor at the Crown Family School, had the honor of presenting the remarks on behalf of the UChicago faculty. Professor Ewing began her remarks by quoting the writer Audre Lorde: "May I live conscious of my debt to all the people who make life possible," and advised the new president to "remember that all of us owe mighty debts....Live and work each day in your presidency conscious of our debt to all of the people who have made the life of the mind possible. And in the spirit of courageous leadership, dream with us so that we may answer the beckoning of history toward a university worthy of their sacrifice."
President Alivisatos has spent his early weeks on campus on a series of immersive "listening tours," visiting UChicago Schools, divisions, and centers. Last month, the Crown Family School had the honor of hosting President Alivisatos for an entire day, including meetings involving staff, faculty, and students where we discussed the School's research, programs, and community efforts. The day, which started with a working breakfast and ended with a reception, was a wonderful occasion to meet in person, share information about our degree programs, new research, global initiatives, civic engagement, and collaborations with other UChicago schools and community partners. We also were pleased to introduce the President to a number of Crown Family School alumni who are in leadership roles, connecting their training, every day, to make direct community impact.
Click here to watch the full video of the Presidential inauguration. Professor Ewing's remarks begin at 20:38.