As our society evolved after 1912, so did Rice, prospering by sailing by our own North Star, changing course as conditions required. Not least of these changes were the adoption of our college system and the provision of campus housing for women, both in 1957, and above all, mounting the successful legal challenges in the 1960s so that we might end campus segregation and charge tuition. The same navigational rules we have followed will serve us well for the next 100 years. But by themselves, they will not assure success in the coming century commensurate with the ambitious standards set in 1912. We must continue to be prepared to change course when it is advisable, always in orderly fashion and without haste.
Considerable dexterity is required to successfully accommodate change.
Fortunately, an ample supply of such dexterity is evident on our campus. Initiating change, however, is an even more difficult task, calling for vision and creativity as well as for readiness, indeed, eagerness, to assume leadership in teaching and research. For Rice University in the 21st century, there can be no higher calling than nurturing the kind of creativity and resourcefulness that enables an institution to initiate needed change across eight schools and still to maintain both the uncommon civility and clear seriousness of purpose of the kind that can bind us together as an intellectual community. We already have made a good start. We have strengthened social sciences not only by significant disciplinary investments but also by creating the interdisciplinary James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy.