Harvard University Presidential Inauguration of Lawrence S. Bacow | October 5, 2018 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Harvard celebrates the inauguration of Larry Bacow as its new president, emphasizing the importance of engagement, diversity, and collaboration in higher education.

Key Insights

• 🎓 The inauguration signifies a significant transitional moment for both the president and the university community.
• 🥅 Bacow's goal is to make Harvard an inclusive educational beacon, focusing on changing the nature of education beyond elite institutions.
• 🌐 Harvard aims to address the perception of universities as disconnected from real-world issues by actively engaging in solving global problems.

Transcript

29th PRESIDENT. YOU HAVE A VIEW OF THE THEATER, AS DO WE, AND THIS IS A GLORIOUS DAY AND A NEW DAY FOR AN OLD COLLEGE. I'M DIANA ECK, AND I'M SITTING UP IN THE TREE HOUSE WITH M FRIEND, I'M A PROFESSOR OF COMPARATIVE RELIGION AND INDIAN STUDIES. AND HERE WE ARE. PLANETARY SCIENCES AND SOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES AND ALSO AT THE HARVAR... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of the inauguration ceremony for a university?

The inauguration ceremony is not just a ritual, but a symbolic moment that marks a transition and celebration for both the new president and the entire university community.

Q: What is President Bacow's goal for Harvard?

Bacow aims to make Harvard a beacon for education, expanding its reach beyond elite institutions and focusing on changing the nature of education more broadly.

Q: How does President Bacow address the criticism of universities being disconnected from real-world issues?

Bacow acknowledges the perception of universities as ivory towers and aims to engage with the world, work on solving real-world problems, and make Harvard more relevant to the issues that confront society.

Q: What is the role of engagement and collaboration in higher education?

Bacow believes that higher education institutions should be actively engaged with the world and collaborate with other institutions to tackle global challenges, rather than being solely focused on their own endowments.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The inauguration marks a rite of passage for both the individual president and the entire university community, symbolizing a transition and celebration.

• Bacow's goal is to make Harvard a beacon for education, not just for elite institutions, but for all types of educational institutions and to address the increasing public debate on the value of higher education.

• Bacow acknowledges the criticism of universities being ivory towers and aims to engage with the world and work toward solving global issues.