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>> Jim Schenke: When Purdue University inaugurated its new
president with a ceremony that filled the Elliott Hall of Music
with pageantry and praise.
The celebration comes nearly nine months after Board
of Trustees President Tim McGinley announced France
Cordova as Purdue's 11th president.
>>Tim McGinley: When she arrived at Purdue last summer,
Dr. Cordova launched what she called her listening
and learning tour.
She wanted to learn what the people of Purdue think
about the university, where it is today,
and where it should go in the future.
And since then, the trustees, the faculty, the staff,
and the students have put in a great deal
of work coming together to chart a new course going forward.
It is a very, very exciting time at Purdue.
>> Jim Schenke: Cordova, the former chancellor
of the University of California Riverside reiterated
that her strategic plan will focus on students.
>>France Cordova: I'll start with the phrase along the bottom
of this emblem, launching tomorrow's leaders.
The focus of the university is the development of students.
Our commitment to their access
and ultimate success both the students today
and leaders tomorrow is our paramount goal.
>> Jim Schenke: Cordova was presented with symbols
of her authority and responsibility
by Purdue's past three presidents.
So invested, she promised to push Purdue
in a more global direction.
>>France Cordova: We wish to engage students
in the wider international community.
The world is changing so fast that students need
to witness it firsthand.
While there is great value
in students spending an entire semester or more abroad,
global experiences can be accomplished
in even shorter time spans.
I would argue that even a brief visit to Chien,
the United Arab Emirates,
or Mumbai will give a student a new appreciation
of the magnitude of global change
and global research challenges not
to mention global competition.
[ Singing ]
>> Jim Schenke: Purdue's student diversity
and talent were woven into the ceremony.
Cordova promised new initiatives to prepare them
for future challenges.
>>France Cordova: The challenge
for the United States its Purdue's seen talented trained
people in science and technology.
The developing world is a voracious maw for talent
and US universities will need to work hard to attract students
into these disciplines and then mentor and support them
so that they will be successful.
We have an untapped pool of talent in women and minorities
who have not historically selected these careers.
>> Jim Schenke: And several dignitaries praised Cordova's
nascent leadership of Purdue including former NASA
administrator Dan Golden who served with Cordova
when the noted astrophysicist made her mark
as NASA chief scientist.
>>Dan Golden: I've had the privilege of working
with Dr. Cordova for over the past 15 years
and I believe she has the outstanding qualities
that will allow her to lead this university as it continues
to march towards greatness to meet educational --
the educational challenges of the 21st century.
>> Jim Schenke: Having assumed the helm of the university known
as the cradle of astronauts,
Cordova closed her address on a celestial note.
>>France Cordova: Above the world is stretched the sky,
no higher than the soul is high.
We have set our soul on an exhilarating course.
The sky is not the limit.
>>Jim Schenke: At Purdue University, I'm Jim Schenke.