Between my father, the logic puzzler, and my mother, the gregarious organizer, is it any wonder I see science and social systems as symbiotic? My mother built an extensive social network as a sales clerk, playing cards and going dancing. Who asks a 4 year old to figure out how to get a wolf, a goat and a lettuce in pairs safely across a river in a canoe? My father, a holocaust survivor, who only completed 2nd grade and had to go to work at 9, was a laborer making purses and was also an early teacher. I honor my parents who built a home of unconditional love. We have traveled thousands of miles together. For humoring me and walking with me on the phone. I thank you all for being there for the 3 and 4 AM calls and emails, for listening, cajoling, asking, advising. The people I run with, walk with (the Dopplers)-the people with whom I share a more speculative journey. My Aunt Henia and Uncle Wolf, cousins and friends who are watching from afar – Kip on Running! My dearest friends who cooked for me, hosted me, handled me (?), as long as I provided the entertainment. My new Pratt, Clinton Hill, and Bensonhurst family. My colleagues and former students-now stars from RPI, University of Oregon, Illinois Institute of Technology. It is incredible to have in our midst my design teacher from McGill University, many of my early faculty and student colleagues, my most recent President, all of whom invisibly (ok not so invisibly) guided me (well, didn’t stop me) through the years. There are people in this room from every stage of my life-starting with my own family who have come from as far as the west coast and from that remarkable country north of us, to an amazing kindergarten friend, who propelled my trajectory by helping me build an architecture portfolio for Columbia, to deans at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute whom I’ve known for 33 years. Our partners at Munson-Williams.Īnd this magnificent stage party, who represent the current leadership of Pratt-members of our dedicated board and alumni, senior staff, students, rabbi-as well as leaders from higher education and our Brooklyn community. The faculty of Pratt who devote themselves to our students and who share their tremendous expertise with our community. So, since this is not the Oscars but a different academy, I’m going to thank you all (but like the Oscars I’m going to miss some of you!)įirst, Emeritus President Schutte, who built Pratt into an institution fueled by curiosity and a willingness to challenge assumptions, who created an arena of great generosity, civic engagement and visceral beauty.Īll of the former leaders (many of them Pratts) who made this a place committed to professional, intellectual, and personal growth. I know that at moments like this, the “thank yous” tend to be perfunctory, but that is not so here.Īs a collaborator, I am fortunate to share this moment with so many extraordinary people. Wonderful trustees brilliant and inspiring faculty tireless staff creative and inquisitive students and alumni friends, family, and honored guests: Thank you so much for joining us.
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