Welcome to NJIT Day, an especially appropriate time for us to reflect on the significance of two structures: the East Building and the Campus Center that formally open today.  Winston Churchill said, “We shape our buildings: thereafter, they shape us.” By virtue of appearance and presence alone, the new Campus Center and East Building make our campus more attractive, inviting and livable. Beyond the buildings themselves, we are shaped by the activities that take place in them. The range of purposes they serve, academics, administration, one-stop student services, student organization offices and gathering places, recreation, study spaces, and the like, truly captures the energetic spirit of this university and the essence of how we view the future.

The future is an unusual and exciting place.  As Churchill also noted, “It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look farther than you can see.”  Yet, as has been said before, “Knowing your destination is half the journey.”  It was Saul Fenster, President of NJIT for some 24 years before me, who was able to look farther than NJIT could see; who knew the destination.  

Saul and Bobbie Fenster are with us today, and let’s give them a round of applause.

These buildings, and what goes on between their walls, typify the progress that we are making as NJIT works to complete the journey to the destination of a comprehensive, technological, research university that provides the complete collegiate experience in the heart of Newark, a dynamic city whose redevelopment under the leadership of the visionary mayor of Newark, the Honorable Sharpe James, and the Newark Municipal Council, including our own enthusiastic supporter on the Council, Central Ward Councilman the Honorable Charles Bell, goes hand in glove with the transformation of NJIT itself. As partners, Newark is important to NJIT, and NJIT to Newark.  There is more to do, but, as many of you have observed, we are persistent.

The Campus Center complex sits over the footprint of the former Wilson Alumni Center and the Hazell Center.  As Eberhardt Hall is transformed into an alumni center, which we anticipate opening in the fall of 2005, the contributions of Wilson and Hazell will live on and be appropriately recognized and memorialized in order to preserve the history of the contributions of these individuals to NJIT.

There are a number of events and individuals who have been instrumental along the way in the effort culminating here today.  As mentioned before, it was Saul Fenster who saw far.  He understood the need for a campus center on a residential campus.  Joel Bloom was an early advocate, and Gwathmey-Siegel provided the breathtaking architectural design we are enjoying today.  It was Turner Construction, of course, that made that design reality.  Joe Tartaglia and Henry Mauermeyer oversaw the project from financial management to construction, and Jack Gentul and Donna Minnich brought life to the activities between the walls of the Campus Center. Gloria Williams was a force as well, persistently driving home the point that more space was needed.  

To paraphrase the noted inventor Charles F. Kettering, who held more than 300 patents, invented the all-electric starting, ignition and lighting system for the automobile and who founded the Kettering Foundation, a foundation focused on investigating what makes democracy work, “Our interest in the future is because we are going to spend the rest of our life there.”  We owe it to future generations who will spend their collegiate life or their work life here to look farther than we can see, to reach for the destination, and continue the journey along the path on which we have set our sights.

Thank you for coming, enjoy the grand opening of these grand facilities and the many events of the day.