At press conference, Skorton speaks of 'emotional homecoming'

David Skorton
Robert Barker/University Photography
David J. Skorton, Cornell's newly named president, addresses the media at a press conference Jan. 21 at the Beck Center on Cornell's campus.

"I'm so proud and very, very humbled to have the chance to be a part of the leadership of this great jewel of international higher education," said David J. Skorton, Cornell University's newly named 12th president, in opening remarks at a press conference today, Jan. 21, in the Beck Center at Cornell. "American higher education is a close-knit community of people all doing the same thing: education and discovery. We here at Cornell do more of it and do it better than almost anyplace else."

Earlier in the day, the Cornell Board of Trustees had voted unanimously to appoint Skorton as the university's president. Skorton, president of the University of Iowa, will take up Cornell's highest office July 1.

Skorton, 56, and his wife, Robin Davisson, who sat in the audience, were introduced by board chairman Peter C. Meinig. Davisson is an associate professor of anatomy and cell biology at the University of Iowa.

"This is an emotional homecoming for us and an intellectual homecoming for us," said Skorton. "Robin and I have colleagues on the Ithaca and the New York City campuses … and Hunter Rawlings is the man who gave me my start in university administration and showed me many of the signposts along the way. So it is a homecoming in that way, as well."

Rawlings, Cornell's 10th president (1994-2003), has been serving on an interim basis since Jeffrey Lehman, Cornell's 11th president, resigned in June 2005. Rawlings has known Skorton since his own days as president of the University of Iowa, where he appointed Skorton vice president for research in 1992.

Peter Meinig
Robert Barker/University Photography
Board of trustees chair Peter C. Meinig introduces David Skorton, seated to Meinig's right, as Cornell's 12th president at a press conference Jan. 21. Diana Daniels, chair of the Presidential Search Committee, is seated at left.

The new president deftly fielded questions that ranged from why he and Davisson chose Cornell, to health insurance disputes and political matters back in Iowa, to town-gown and international relations, diversity and fund raising. When asked if the sudden departure of Lehman gave him pause in considering the job, Skorton said, "I had no reservations whatsoever." Of the circumstances surrounding Lehman's resignation, Skorton said, "I have great respect for Jeff Lehman … [but] it is not my business and I will not make it my business. I think everyone should feel good about the future of Cornell."

Skorton said he will pursue the spirit of Lehman's campuswide "Call to Engagement," although he will do so in his own style. Skorton recently declared 2005-06 at the University of Iowa "The Year of Public Engagement."

At the press conference he also emphasized Cornell's role in the larger community in Ithaca, New York City, the nation and abroad. "Our interaction with the community is a key part of my responsibility and stewardship of the university," he said. "We must always look outward. So you will see me and Robin continue [to play] very active roles" in community relations.

Skorton said he chose Cornell because of its distinguished reputation and its "robust balance of disciplines" in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities and social sciences.

"Iowa is very similar, so we felt that we would be going to a place that was a kindred spirit, where there was a balance of science and humanities," he said.

He said he also was attracted to Cornell because of the university's land-grant mission and its commitment to "public service and outreach, economic development and technology transfer."

He cited Cornell's commitment to diversity as another compelling draw. "Diversity is one of the most important challenges in our society now," he said. "Diversity writ large: intellectual diversity, racial and ethnic diversity, international diversity, gender diversity. Like Iowa, this institution has a very proud legacy of leadership in promoting diversity."

Skorton spent 26 years at Iowa; his wife, 22 years. Parting from his community will be difficult, he said.

"It was a very hard decision. Our hearts will always be partly in Iowa. It's the place that gave us our beginning. And yet this was an opportunity that was extremely attractive."

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