Macedo to lead values center

With the installation of University politics professor Amy Gutmann as provost this summer, politics professor Stephen Macedo GS '87 took over as director of the University Center for Human Values earlier this month.

A tall and friendly man, Macedo was energetic and eager to respond to inquiries, going into detail and depth about his plans for the center.

When asked if he had a particular vision, Macedo described his job as simply "carrying on the terrific work that's been done and maintaining the work of the institution."

That could be a task in itself — in the 10 years since Gutmann founded the center, it has established itself as an important and vibrant part of the University's intellectual community. Its many initiatives include co-sponsoring a number of undergraduate classes, awarding graduate school scholarships and bringing in world-renowned visiting fellows to the University.

But Macedo said he has his sights set much higher. Future initiatives, he envisions, include forums in collaboration with the Wilson School to explore controversies in international legal proceedings, such as the recent debates over prosecution of such war criminals as Augusto Pinochet and Slobodan Milosevic.

Macedo also has a long-term plan to work with the University's academic bodies to sponsor high profile discussions on campus to create a more broad and accessible forum for ideas.

"It's a livelier, more intellectual environment [to have visiting fellows] here," he said.

Though Macedo said it will be difficult to follow Gutmann, he is enthusiastic about the opportunity.

"It's a challenge, but the fact is, so many people are supportive of the center, eager to participate and eager to teach here," he said. "Princeton has such a great reputation that I don't even need to convince professors to come and teach. So in a way it's easy, and in a way it's difficult."