Through The saLLyporT Through The saLLyporT
DaviD W. LeebRon
“There are many parts of a decision to make
such a life-changing move like this,
and what really struck me about coming to rice
was the incredible opportunity here.”
— David Leebron
Making an
Gillis. I just recently met I’ve been assured that they are
Impression
Malcolm, but there are typical Rice faculty, Nobel Prizes
many parts of a deci- and all, and I just could not have
You have only one chance
sion to make such a life- felt more welcomed and engaged.
at a first impression.
changing move like this, I knew, both from the example
When presidential search
and what really struck me of the faculty on the search com-
committee chair James
about coming to Rice was mittee and as I explored the Rice
Crownover introduced
the incredible opportu- website and learned about the
nity here. And it’s an op- accomplishments in every aspect
Rice president-elect
portunity that exists only of human endeavor of this great
David Leebron to the Rice
because of Malcolm and faculty, that this was an institution
community on December
Elizabeth and what they that I would like to be a part of.
19, the crowd filling
have done on so many lev- And second, are the students.
McMurtry Auditorium rose els to transform this great
in enthusiastic, if somewhat university over the past
I didn’t know much about Rice stu-
expectant, ovation.
decade. I am sure over the dents before this process began, but
next decade, I am going to Malcolm just told me as we walked
“Thank you,” Professor Leebron I just want to say how thrilled have many, many more opportuni- in that, among all the great institu-
said wryly when everyone was again Ping and I are to be here today— ties to appreciate that. tions that he has been affiliated with,
seated. “I assume that’s how all fac- to be here at Rice, to be a part of I want also to take a moment he has never met such hard-working
ulty meetings here will begin.” this incredible institution, to be to thank my wife, Ping, not just and dedicated students.
When the laughter died down, contemplating a move to a great because if I didn’t, she would
he turned to Crownover. “Jim, city that we have become very, say something to me afterwards, And as I read about those students,
thank you for many things, and very enthusiastic about. but because it is literally true that their accomplishments, their statis-
thank you for that very gracious I would not be here—that we tics, and the energy they bring to
introduction. My father would re- I do want to say a couple of would not be here—without, I this institution, I knew again that
ally have loved it, and my mother thank yous. I want to thank Bill would say, her support, but it was Rice is a university that I would re-
would have believed it.” [Barnett] and Jim and the search much more than her support. It ally be thrilled to be a part of.
That brought another wave of committee, not for the wisdom was her enthusiasm and her confi- A year ago, if you had said
laughter, but as Professor Leebron of their judgment, which would dence that this was the right thing to me that I would be standing
continued, his wit and charm more seem untoward, but rather for the for us to do. Thank you, Ping. here so excited about moving to
often gave way to serious thoughts warmth with which they treated Let me say very briefly that one Houston and being part of Rice,
on his upcoming presidency and me from the very beginning. For makes a decision like this—which I would not have known what to
the university he will lead. Below us, that was the essential element for us is a huge change in where make of that. I knew its general
is the substance of his speech and of this process. And if I may, a spe- we’ll be living and the kind of life reputation and that it is a distin-
the question-and-answer session cial thanks to Melissa [Kean], who we will be having—for two rea- guished institution, but really very
that followed. A webcast of the really has been the key liaison here sons as an academic. One, really, is little specifically. The world—all
event in its entirety can be viewed and made me and Ping and our the faculty of the institution. First, of our environments, whether
at http://www.rice.edu/webcast/ family feel so welcome. I want to say a word about the it’s Houston or New York or Los
speeches/20031219leebron.html. I want to take a moment to faculty on the search committee— Angeles or Chicago—tends to be
thank Malcolm and Elizabeth not individually, although I could. very provincial. We tend to know
•••••••
6 rice sallyport
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