Speeches & Announcements

December 21, 2011

Since my arrival at Cooper Union in July 2011, I’ve had the pleasure of talking with many of you about this extraordinary institution and the tremendous opportunities we have going forward as leaders and innovators.

There really is no other institution like Cooper Union. In teaching and working with students and faculty, I’ve learned more about the texture and nuances of our academic community. Among them is an unparalleled commitment by students to their work.

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President's Address: December 13, 2011

Five months and one week ago Jessie Papatolicas, our two puppies and I began our new life at Cooper Union. It has been a distinct honor and privilege to assume the presidency of this historic institution as the twelfth president in the Peter Cooper succession.

Taking a new job is always an adventure. Many people stay at one job all their lives.  I was ready for an adventure and I am thrilled that it has proved to be one. Despite the turmoil, I wake up each day inspired by the institution, by its founder, and most of all, by you all, the people I serve.

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November 2, 2011

Dear members of the Cooper Union Community,

Since my arrival at Cooper Union this past July, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many members of our academic community. It’s been exciting to talk about the future of our institution with you.

Some of our conversations have been about the difficulties our institution faces at the present moment. We live in difficult financial times and, as I recently told a New York TImes reporter, we face some immediate challenges.

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  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.