Its 48 members are among the greatest thinkers and opinion-shapers of our day, people such as Judge Leon Higginbotham, Penn's own Kathleen Hall Jamieson, and social commentator Calvin Trillin. The Commission is an exciting convergence of disciplines and its members are a fascinating amalgam of disparate, creative thinking and vision. And there is no better setting to do that than here at Penn. Universities have a unique role to play in promulgating reasonable and reasoned discourse, in providing leadership and expertise, and in building culture and community, both within academic institutions and beyond. And we are.
Universities provide a singular setting for the promotion of constructive dialogue.
In the time spent in a class or earning a degree, there is a precious opportunity to exchange ideas, to engage in debate, to think and speak freely as in no other place and at no other time. As the Penn Commission proceeds with its work, enriching the life of this University and, we hope, the nature of our society, I look forward to sharing the fruits of its labors with you, our alumni. I could not agree more.