University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: October 21, 2004

By SUE WUETCHER and ARTHUR PAGE

On the occasion of his investiture as the 14th president of the University at Buffalo, John B. Simpson on October 15, 2004, set a course for the university in the 21st century that will entail "great daring, and great devotion, pursuing great achievement," one that he predicted will culminate in victory with UB finding "its destined place among the nation's very leading universities."

Simpson took inspiration from President Theodore Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech delivered in 1910 at the Sorbonne in Paris, comparing the role of the public university to Roosevelt's vision of a man who enters the arena as a citizen of the Republic. In experiencing both triumphs and defeats, Roosevelt said, the man is one "who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly."

Simpson told a capacity crowd in the Mainstage theater in the Center for the Arts on the North Campus that "on the eve of a new era for UB and for public higher education, the University at Buffalo enters the arena."

"We do so firm in the belief that there is no worthier cause for our time or talent—indeed for the whole of our vibrant academic endeavor—than to strive daily to fulfill and to renew the promise of public higher education."

Simpson pledged that UB will work to improve access to public higher education "because this commitment to our society is as fundamental a role as the university can have."

He noted that the public research university's role is evolving in the 21st century, and that, now more than ever, it spurs cultural, technological and economic development.

"I wholeheartedly endorse this cultural evolution of the university's public role," Simpson said. "At the dawning of a new knowledge revolution, I believe it is most appropriate that society look to the university—the enterprise that has always devoted itself to the creation, transmission and application of knowledge—for leadership and expertise."

He also pointed out that the economic impact of the research university upon its regional communities will increase significantly during this century.

"All in all, the modern public research university is critically engaging with its communities—regional, statewide, national and global—in new ways that are serving to redefine its intellectual, cultural and economic impact for the 21st century," he said.

Simpson called public access to higher education "one of the most crucial issues facing public higher education today."

He cited U.S. Census statistics that show that only 29 percent of families with an income of less than $25,000 per year had at least one student enrolled in college, compared to 67 percent of families reporting an income of $75,000 or higher.

"We in public education must be vigilant in asking ourselves, 'Are we doing all that we can to ensure equity—and not just socio-economic, but racial and ethnic, gender and cultural equity—in student access to higher education?'

"Both across the nation and here in New York State, we must improve the ways in which we ensure public access to public universities," he said.

"We must do so not only because it is part of our public mission and because it is simply the right thing to do, but as well because higher education is foundational to our society and vital to our democracy."

Before Simpson delivered his inaugural remarks (Click here for the full text), numerous colleagues, friends and officials offered congratulations and praised the personal qualities that they said will make Simpson an exemplary university president.

SUNY Chancellor Robert L. King called Simpson "a person of enormous, demonstrated talents; a scholar, a tested leader and a very nice guy."

"He is a man who comes here ready to embrace UB's rich history...and then to move this campus to even greater heights and in new directions as the needs of our nation and of our students continue to evolve," said King, who formally invested Simpson later in the ceremony with the assistance of SUNY Trustees Gordon Gross and Steven Alfasi. Gross and Alfasi placed the silver presidential medallion on Simpson.

Jeremy M. Jacobs, chair of the UB Council, told those in attendance that Simpson's inauguration marks "a new chapter in UB's long and distinguished history of academic leadership and outstanding public service."

"Today, we celebrate a legacy of outstanding leadership, a legacy that will surely be sustained, invigorated and enriched by President Simpson's contribution in the years to come," Jacobs said. "President Simpson brings to UB a powerful combination of visionary leadership and clear-sighted pragmatism. These strengths already have had a substantial and visible impact on this university."

Susan E. Jeffords, professor of English and women's studies and vice provost for academic planning at the University of Washington, Seattle, was one of three distinguished colleagues of Simpson's who offered greetings on behalf of the national academic community. Jeffords, who worked with Simpson while he was dean of arts and sciences at UW, described him as "an amazing leader, who brings vision, power of intellect, kindness and generosity, and a steadfast friendship to all of his academic relationships."

As a humanities scholar, Jeffords said she valued the "leadership John Simpson showed at UW in that regard." Calling Simpson a "fine bench scientist—a lab rat person," she said he also understands the importance of the arts and the humanities, and "showed extraordinary leadership in building what is one of the finest humanities centers in the country at the University of Washington."

"It is that expansive vision and his ability to see that in order to educate students, we must educate all of them—we must educate them for the entire world that they will face—that will make him such an extraordinary president," Jeffords said.

Joyce Justus, professor emerita of anthropology at the University of California, San Diego, who worked with Simpson when he was provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, called him "an honest and inspiring leader—a man with a vision, a believer of the responsibility of public higher education to the community in which it is located, and dedicated to both the principle and practice of diversity."

Diversity is not just a "feel-good" issue for Simpson, but an economic and social imperative, Justus said, noting that she is most proud to call Simpson a friend because of his "recognition of the integral role of K-12 in strengthening the diversity of our future leadership."

"You guys don't know what you got," she said. "You're in for a wild ride."

Simpson is a man "who is not quite complete without a challenge," noted Claude Steele, Lucie Stern Professor in the Social Sciences at Stanford University who was on the faculty of the UW Department of Psychology with Simpson.

"It is challenge that really brings him into focus," Steele said, comparing Simpson to the basketball player who, late in the game with the season on the line and thousands of people watching, "actually wants to shoot the ball. He wants to do things."

Simpson is a builder—both literally and figuratively, Steele said. "John has become a great university leader in great part because he likes to build things and make them work."

In the uncertainty of the post-9/11 world, the job of "keeping the flame" has gotten harder for those in higher education, he said.

"In times like these, it is important to have leadership with the capacity and courage to deal with challenge. John is that kind of leader. Facing challenge with strength and optimism has been an organizing metaphor of his life."

Barclay Simpson, chairman of the San Francisco-based Simpson Manufacturing Co. and father of John B. Simpson, offered greetings on behalf of the president's family.

"I am delighted to be here and to know that he is so delighted with his new job," Barclay Simpson said. "I know that he took this job because his rather complete examinations and analyses showed him that SUNY Buffalo was an outstanding research and educational institution and he thought that with the help of an outstanding faculty and staff, he could take it higher."

The elder Simpson, who brought the audience to laughter with off-hand comments about his son, said on a more serious note that "people who are lucky enough to graduate from a first-class public university or any first-class university like this one need to realize they have an obligation to educate the unfortunate or their kids and grandkids are going to pay a heavy price.

"I would hope that the atmosphere of this outstanding university is conducive to making its students feel that obligation toward the less fortunate."

Susan Howe, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Samuel P. Capen Chair of Poetics and Humanities in the Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences, said she was "happy and very enthusiastic and filled with hope" to welcome Simpson on behalf of UB's faculty and staff.

Quoting Samuel P. Capen, UB chancellor from 1922-50, she noted that "the task of the university president is to plan, but to submit all plans to democratic ramification; to initiate action, but not to force it; to be the champion of freedom for teachers and students against attacks from without and within the institution; to persuade rather than command; to lead, but never to boss."

Also citing Capen was David M. Brooks, a second-year medical student and elected student representative to the UB Council, who extended to Simpson the "warmest congratulations and encouragement" from UB's students.

Brooks noted that Capen defined the job of university president as "an opportunist's job" and had called upon presidents "to make grand plans for their colleges and universities."

He added: "President Simpson, as you take on these roles and others, we note that the UB presidency is indeed an opportunist's job. And UB is certainly a place for grand plans. The student body looks forward to your grand plan and we welcome you to UB."

Speaking on behalf of federal, state and local elected officials, state Sen. Dale Volker noted that UB has a proud tradition of academic excellence and innovation, and has played—and will continue to play—a crucial role in Western New York, as well as the rest of the state.

"UB is at a critical stage—its foundation is solid and its potential is endless," Volker said. "The State of New York and our community are extremely pleased that John Simpson will be the driving force behind its future successes during our university's era of excellence. It's my great and distinct honor to work with John Simpson at the state level, and I foresee great accomplishments for our community and UB, and the people they serve."

Robert M. Bennett, chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, offered Simpson greetings from the New York State educational community.

He told Simpson that he wanted to extend sincere thanks "for your understanding, instantly, that a large research university can and must use its assets in a way that enhances entire communities, and guides and influences students and their families in the K-12 environment, with a very special emphasis on closing the achievement gap for those most needy students and their families."

"I do look forward to your working very closely with the Board of Regents to promote and improve education of opportunity at all levels and for all students," Bennett said.

Johann-Dietrick Wörner, president of Darmstadt University of Technology in Darmstadt, Germany, which has had a formal academic relationship with UB since 1975, spoke on behalf of the international academic community in urging Simpson to continue UB's support of international academic exchange programs.

"Our tiny and fragile world needs international linkages, not only for the institutions themselves, but also for the promotion of closer and stable relations between the countries involved," Wörner said. "The academic world has a responsibility to contribute to the idea of a peaceful coexistence and interaction of different countries, colors, religions and political systems.

"In fact," he noted, "academic links were always able to work beyond existing political and religious borders. I look forward to working with John Simpson and hope he will make international education, research and exchange a priority within his administration."

Jennifer B. Wozniak, president of the UB Alumni Association, pledged to Simpson the "loyal support" of UB's more than 181,000 alumni who live in every state and 122 countries worldwide.

"An important foundation for any alumnus is the strength of the university from which they have come," Wozniak noted. "We as alumni are looking forward to the continued growth and development of our university with readiness and enthusiasm."

The investiture ceremony opened with graduate and undergraduate students carrying flags representing the UB schools, in order of founding. They were followed in the procession by the UB Pillars, graduates from the classes of 1954 or earlier; delegates from international colleges and universities; U.S. colleges and universities; SUNY colleges and universities, and learned societies, foundations and professional organizations.

Presidents of various UB alumni associations were next in the procession, followed by members of the staff, the faculty and the platform party.