William F. Tate IV shared his vision for Rutgers University as an institution driving opportunity for students, New Jersey and the world as he addressed an audience gathered at Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall at Rutgers-Newark today for his inauguration ceremony.
The 22nd president said Rutgers is committed to investing in opportunity, foremost for its students. He announced The Edge Fund for scholarships to celebrate and support the next generation of thinkers and creators who achieve innovations in the arts, sports, science and technology.
“In an era defined by speed, spectacle and performative acts, we have a moment to demonstrate our commitment to opportunity. It exists in every ZIP code and income bracket in New Jersey. It is limited only by our collective focus and imagination,” Tate said. “When it comes to students, excellence can be found everywhere. Finding it — and letting it flourish — drives our state, our university, our communities forward.”
The president noted the Edge Fund is created for students whose brilliance crosses categories — artists, scientists, coders, writers and competitors in nonrevenue sports — students who bring imagination, integrity, prowess and impact to Rutgers.
“These are the future inductees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame,” he said.
President Tate concluded his remarks with a cautionary tale about the fate of our communities if higher education institutions like Rutgers were to disappear.