But we can surpass institutions such as those because we can answer Chancellor Zimpher's questions in the affirmative. Over time we will also overtake noted research institutions that happen to be located in cities, but which have not made our commitment to engagement as well as traditional scholarship. In one sense Columbia and University of Chicago have an easier path because they are not committed to engagement with their communities as well as more traditional forms of scholarship. They have not defined a distinctive mission that sets them apart from the other research universities as we have. But we will close on them as well, precisely because we will have added another.
Universities grow and change.
Over the last fifty years there has been substantial change in the face of higher education. We have seen universities rapidly rise to national prominence from only regional or local recognition. And some institutions have done this starting from the shadow of more established, older siblings. Each took its own path and each moved boldly. And each succeeded.