A month of firsts for Whitman College came to an end yesterday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked its official opening.
Whitman's two-day dedication — which began on Wednesday with a lecture by college architect Demetri Porphyrios GS '74 and was held in the center of the college in the South Courtyard — was a chance for administrators and alumni to reflect on the construction and completion of Whitman and future plans for the college.
"This ceremony provides us with an opportunity to honor those who have made this college a reality," President Tilghman said.
EBay CEO Meg Whitman '77, who donated $30 million to name the college, discussed the importance of community in residential colleges. "For more than 30 years, I have enjoyed everything involved with Princeton," she said. "My family and I felt so inspired to contribute to this community."
"Princeton isn't just about classrooms," she added, "but about the community it fosters."
Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel called the college "magnificent" and said yesterday was "an exciting day for Princeton" because "we've just inaugurated a new four-year system that will have wonderful benefits for generations of students."
Porphyrios echoed the other speakers' emphasis on the college's ability to foster community. "University education is [not only] what people learn," he said, "but also the interactions that leave marks on people's lives."
Porphyrios, who studied architecture as a graduate student at Princeton, said the experience taught him to absorb the University's Collegiate Gothic architecture. "Gothic Collegiate connects Princeton to the other institutions in the academic world," he said.
To celebrate the opening of the college, colleagues of Porphyrios from Greece, Italy, London and across the country also attended the dedication ceremony.
Tilghman called Whitman "the largest and most ambitious land project of this University," as she pointed out the college's buildings, from 1981 Hall to Community Hall, the heart of the residential college.
University trustee Peter Wendell '72, whom Tilghman termed the "guardian angel of the project," had a message for the students in the audience. "I hope during your time here at Princeton you will discover things that you are passionate about," he said, "things the donors of this college hope you'll discover."
After the speeches, Tilghman and Whitman cut a symbolic ribbon, and The Nassoons led the crowd in a chorus of "Old Nassau."
Chip McCorkle '09, chair of the Whitman College Council, said the ceremony "was just a great way to open up Whitman, despite the fact that we've been living here for three weeks."
"It just made things official," he added.
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