Launching the pioneers of tomorrow
Having celebrated my share of commencement ceremonies while serving as a university president, I reflect fondly on the opportunity to shake the hands of graduates the moment they turn into freshly minted alumni. Each face smiling, having long forgotten the blood, sweat and tears invested in making it to that stage. Each face focused squarely on what comes next. Now, as chancellor, I get to tell their story in a different way. To tell the story of how our universities produced 20,000 graduates this year, the vast majority of whom will stay right here in Pennsylvania to live, work, and raise their families. To tell the story of how the state’s social and economic health depends on our universities preparing the next generation of leaders, educators, thinkers, creators, and more. And what a story it is. Our roots are deeply planted in teacher education — our universities having originated as normal schools. Today, while education remains a core strength...