Tilghman praised for leadership despite limited previous experience

While she officially took over the University presidency during the summer, last week marked 100 days since President Tilghman's official inauguration in September.

And despite the challenges she has faced during a tumultuous first semester, many University administrators and alumni say she has skillfully handled her transition into office.

So far, Tilghman's short tenure has seen the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, a nation-wide anthrax scare that originated in central New Jersey, a downturn in the national economy that threatens the University's successful development program and a significant administrative turnover.

"Some things were known about President Tilghman before she was appointed president, for example, that she was a world-class research scholar and that she was a highly respected leader of the faculty at Princeton," said University Vice President and Secretary Thomas Wright '62.

"What has emerged in even this relatively brief time is what a superb executive she is," Wright added. "She has excellent instincts for management and leadership of a complex institution such as Princeton. There was no record of that before."

While Tilghman's appointment was greeted with some surprise among alumni last spring, Washington, D.C., section chair for Alumni Giving Robert Faron '68 said he is happy with Tilghman's selection.

"When I heard that she had been appointed I wondered why there was such a need to look within the team," he said, referring to Tilghman's original position on the presidential search committee.

"However, when I first heard her speak at an alumni event, she impressed me immediately as someone who is extremely brilliant, open to new ideas, and forthright; a very, very, warm person," Faron said.

Outgoing Vice President for Development Van Zandt Williams '65 praised Tilghman's handling of the Sept. 11 situation on campus. "She brought the team together of senior administrators. We had an opportunity to talk out all of the dimensions of the situation. I though she did provide great leadership," he said.

Wright noted that Tilghman faced a difficult situation of having to find replacements for many departing administrators. "There's a lot of turnover and a lot of retirement: four deans, three vice presidents and the general counsel. She has set up search mechanisms and has been very active."

Many observers view alumni giving rates as representative of alumni satisfaction with the University and the administration.

"It's an important role. The president sets the tone and the goals for alumni giving, and it shows how the alumni feel the school is doing," Faron said.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

However, using donations as a gauge of Tilghman's support among alumni is not reliable, according to new Vice President for Development Brian McDonald '83. During the successful campaigns under the last administration, "President Shapiro used to say that he couldn't control the economy," McDonald pointed out, explaining that economic factors such as the stock market have a greater effect on donations than the University administration's efforts.

This year, giving is being hampered by the economic downturn. "We're having a little bit of a tough time," said William Hughson '47, class agent for 1947's 55th anniversary campaign.

John Bales '62, who is his class's agent, pointed out, "Because of the Sept. 11 developments we're probably about a month behind [with annual giving]."

McDonald, however, said the University has received a large number of letters from alumni who have attributed their increased donations to Tilghman's arrival.

Wright noted that both Shapiro and Tilghman inherited difficult financial situations upon their inaugurations. However, while Shapiro had just arrived at the University from another institution and had to adjust, Wright said Tilghman's years at the University have eased her transition.

"Her having been here and knowing people well has made it less difficult to deal with this economic curveball the national economy threw her," Wright said.