Letter From Board President Gordon Ringold
Time is a curious beast. Einstein's theory of relativity would predict that I am moving ever more slowly, since time seems to be passing ever more quickly. This, I'm told is a common observation amongst those of us who are "gracefully" aging. Yet it seems only moments ago that I was a student at Crown College learning how to "do" research under the watchful eyes of my devoted professors, Burney LeBoeuf and Tony Fink. And what did I learn?
Indeed, the most important lesson in scientific research-and for virtually any meaningful pursuit-is that you must be prepared to fail, then try again, fail again, and continue on until you succeed in discovering something novel. If your experiments work every time, you will surely never uncover the secrets of nature.
UC Santa Cruz, this institution we lovingly support, is itself a grand experiment! Its visionary founders created a model of higher learning that meshes the hallmarks of a great research-based university with the social and communal infrastructure of a liberal arts college. Undergraduate research was emphasized and continues to flourish, and top rankings are achieved across divisions and departments. Yet it can be even more.
The university is embarking on new experiments, including a world-class school of engineering, a Silicon Valley academic center, a goal to significantly expand graduate research, and many others. Some will succeed brilliantly, while others may not, as is appropriate for an experimental paradigm.
But we should NOT accept failure due to a lack of support and resources! That is where we, the trustees of the UCSC Foundation, will make a difference. We need to give our students and faculty the opportunity to perform bold experiments and experience the thrill of discovering something new, whether it be in physics, music, or the social sciences.
As you older alums may recall, the lyrics of Simon and Garfunkel's "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" tell us to, "Slow down, you move too fast; you've got to make the mornin' last." Actually, Einstein would remind us, we must move faster for time to slow down. And we need all the time we can get-so full speed ahead as we prepare for UCSC's first comprehensive capital campaign.
Gordon M. Ringold
President, UC Santa Cruz Foundation