Five Takeaways from Facebook Live Interview with President-Elect Iuliano
President-Elect Robert Iuliano (L) and Gettysburgian Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Pontz (Photo Mary Frasier/The Gettysburgian)
By Gauri Mangala, News Editor
On Friday, Feb. 8, Gettysburg College President-elect Robert W. Iuliano sat down with The Gettysburgian editor-in-chief Benjamin Pontz ’20 for an introductory Facebook Live interview:
Here are five big takeaways from the interview:
1. Iuliano’s commitment to the liberal arts
Iuliano maintains that at the heart of Harvard University is Harvard College, Iuliano’s alma mater, a liberal arts institution. “The intellectual, cultural, and social horizons that it opened, to me, were defining moments of my life.”
2. His take on the newly adopted Freedom of Expression Policy
“I would regret to be at an institution where there is a sense of orthodoxy. You want to be at an institution where conversations are open. I think that the statement and the philosophy that it underlies speaks not just to a luxury but to an indispensable necessity of what an educational institution has to be.”
3. His posture towards Greek Life at Gettysburg College
“We want to make sure this is the best student experience it can be for the students at Gettysburg. My obligation, my responsibility, my job is to work with you all to make sure we are doing what we can to make sure this is a great experience, and that’s my commitment.”
4. Iuliano’s opinion on Janet Morgan Riggs’ tenure as President
“What a privilege it is, if you are in my shoes, to succeed a president who has been so phenomenally successful. If you have the job that I have, you want to be at an institution that is strong, that is forward-looking, that is ambitious. And following for President Riggs’ tenure gives me the opportunity to take this institution from where it is and to build on it.”
5. His stance on pineapple on pizza
“For those of you who don’t believe that pineapple belongs on pizza…I’m going to have to have you over when I move in and we’ll have to test that proposition.”
February 15, 2019
The response per Greek Life @ G’burg comes across as pure academic/pseudo-intellectual BS.
“We want to make sure this is the best student experience it can be for the students at Gettysburg. My obligation, my responsibility, my job is to work with you all to make sure we are doing what we can to make sure this is a great experience, and that’s my commitment.”
Perhaps my response is generational and Greek Life is no longer desired, but after a half century since my initial Greek Life experiences, a close bond still exists with numerous Brothers with whom I shared great undergraduate experiences.
February 16, 2019
To me, it came across as an answer from someone who is not yet familiar enough with the college to give a very specific answer. Therefore, the answer was very general. It may have been better if he had just said that he need to familiarize himself with everything, and therefore he does not know yet how to give a very clear and specific answer.
February 16, 2019
I was pleased to see the Freedom of Expression Policy that was passed during the Riggs’ Presidency with substantial student leadership and Trustee support. Too bad it was needed. I was also heartened to see that it was placed before President Iuliano in an early interview by The Gettysburgian.
President Iuliano’s inaugural speech to the Gettysburg community hit many crucial notes in support of a liberal arts education. Coming from Harvard College and his other experiences in academia, it will be interesting to see his level of commitment towards the tolerance of those whose ideas or comments may be frightening to some who have not yet learned to be open to the free exchange of expression and critical thinking.
Janet Riggs helped to ensure that the minefields of intolerance were not planted or supported by the G-burg administration during an intense period of political tension and here’s hoping that President Iuliano will follow in her philosophy.