Tilghman named chair of association of universities

The AAU is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of public and private research universities in federal government relations, policy studies and public affairs. Founded in 1900 by 14 universities, including Princeton, the association today comprises 60 member universities in the United States and two in Canada, according to a statement issued by the University.

Tilghman has served as vice chair of the association for the past year and will take over as chair from Pennsylvania State University president Graham Spanier.

Tilghman will serve as chair for one year, according to the statement. AAU representatives said they were not able to comment on the matter Tuesday evening.

AAU’s recent projects have focused on the issue of college costs and the relationship between university endowments and funding for research, according to the statement. On Sept. 8, Tilghman participated in a roundtable discussion about endowment spending on Capitol Hill as a representative of both AAU and the University.

“American universities are among the finest in the world,” Tilghman said in the statement. “And it is critical that we sustain and enhance their capacities to educate students, to engage in research, discovery and innovation, and to serve their communities, states, and regions across the country and abroad.”

In addition to her involvement with the AAU, Tilghman belongs to the American Philosophical Society, the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London.

Tilghman was also heavily involved in the Human Genome Project as a member of the National Research Council committee that guided the United States’ role in the project and as a founding member of the National Advisory Council of the Human Genome Project for the National Institutes of Health.