Harold Tafler Shapiro GS '64, who oversaw monumental changes to Princeton University during his 13 years as its president, looked on with seemingly affected composure today as search committee chair Robert Rawson '66 announced Shirley Tilghman as the 19th president of the University in a press conference at Nassau Hall.
With an occasional slight shift of his legs and slow, deep breaths, President Shapiro held a constant folding of his hands, gently rubbing his thumb against his palm and gazing out reflectively at the audience as if 13 years of memories were flashing on the opposite wall.
Amid a changing of the guard, Shapiro congratulated Tilghman and expressed optimism about her presidency. "I think she will make a great leader not only for Princeton but for higher education," he said in brief remarks at the press conference. "I would stake everything I've accomplished here for what she will accomplish in the years ahead."
Reflecting on his legacy, Shapiro could be deemed the constructive president. Spearheading a fund raising campaign that quadrupled the University's endowment from $2 billion to $8 billion, Shapiro opened doors for construction and renovation of several academic buildings, a revamped financial aid structure and arguably the most significant addition to campus life, the Frist Campus Center.
Shapiro witnessed the Wythes Committee plan to increase the student body by 500 students and to add a sixth residential college. In addition, construction of the Princeton Stadium, Bendheim, Fischer and Wallace halls and the not-yet constructed genomics institute all occurred during his reign.
After the press conference, Shapiro walked quickly through the crowd assembled in the Nassau Hall Faculty Room, leaving a cluster of photographers and reporters surrounding Tilghman and Rawson.
Citing an obligation at 12:30 p.m. today, Shapiro only spoke briefly about his future plans and legacy in an interview after the press conference.
Of his plans for the final days of his term, Shapiro said, "Dr. Tilghman and I, we're going to discuss that." And when asked about his greatest accomplishment, he modestly eschewed pointing to a specific achievement.
Shapiro, who announced his intention to retire from the presidency on Sept. 22, will step down as the University's 18th president on June 15 to return to teaching and research in the economics department and the Wilson School. Editor's Note: This breaking story was appended to the May 4th issue of The Daily Princetonian's online edition at 2:35 AM on May 6th.
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