Tilghman, Eisgruber discuss transition at conversation with alumni

Twelve years ago this weekend, University President Shirley Tilghman met Provost and President-elect Christopher Eishgruber ’83 for the first time.

Tilghman, then a molecular biology professor, had just been elected to serve as president and was preparing to assume office in the fall. Eisgruber, a New York University Law School professor who had just begun a visiting research fellowship at Princeton, was returning to campus for Reunions.

Tilghman would go on to appoint Eisgruber as her provost three years later. Last month, Eisgruber was named Tilghman’s successor as president by the University Board of Trustees.

“We have had a partnership that you can only dream about,” Tilghman said. “We’ve disagreed but never about key fundamental issues or values. He will guarantee that we will have the greatest 20th president.”

Tilghman discussed these experiences at a joint conversation with Eisgruber and Princeton alumniSaturdaymorning. She reflected on her past 12 years serving as president, her perception of the University and her thoughts about Reunions. Eisgruber spoke about his visions and plans for the University.

The conversation has been a staple event of Reunions for years.

“This conversation is both sweet and sad for me,” Tilghman said. “This is the last time I will have this conversation, but the sweet part is introducing my successor.

Tilghman said that it has been “such an honor and privilege to serve as president” of the University. She said that she never aspired to be a university president, as her goal was to continue a career as a professor.

Over 12 years as president, Tilghman said her appreciation for Princeton’s traditions, including Reunions, has grown.

“When we see those jackets on Nassau Street, we know a joyous time is about to begin,” Tilghman said. “Our traditions never get in the way of the changes and advances we make ... It’s not just about being on the forefront of scholarship, but being on the very bleeding edge.”

Tilghman also discussed the merits of the senior thesis, saying that writing a thesis helps a student become a true scholar. She also mentioned the various building projects, such as Whitman College, the renovations to Butler College and the Lewis Center for the Arts, constructed or planned during her presidency.

“In a month I will be marching out of FitzRandolph gates for the last time as president,” Tilghman said. “I will be marching out that gate with the lightest of steps and the happiest of hearts,” she added, noting that she was confident in Eisgruber.

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In his remarks, Eisgruber said that he believed “a place on this campus is a blessing and has the capacity to change the life of a student, researcher or any scholar.”

He discussed four key preliminary points he would like to address as president of the University.

First, he said he is interested in “moving forward” all current building projects, such as theArts and Transit Neighborhood. He is also interested in creating a new international initiatives building to help increase opportunities to study or work abroad for students.

Second, Eisgruber said he is interested in building a team of people to help advise him. He is expected to select his own provost by the end of the month.

Third, he hopes to speak with more people in order to get to know “their concerns for the future” of the University.

Finally, he said he plans to reach out to other institutions to discuss the future of higher education, as he believes this will be a “challenging decade for liberal arts education.”

“The liberal arts mission means a lot to so many students on this campus,” Eisgruber said. “The only way for the community to carry out this mission is by having partner and peer institutions around this country.”

Eisgruber said that Princeton should serve as a leader in this initiative.

“Higher education will be under a lot of stress,” he said, noting financial concerns in particular as a challenge. “But there are day-to-day concerns that any university president has to worry about. This centers on the wellbeing of people: faculty, alumni and students in particular. We want them [students] to grow on this campus.”

The conversation took place at10:30 a.m.in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall.