Many students on the Hill are well aware of the fact that they go to one of the leading universities in the world. Most, however, rarely consider how Tufts got to this point, instead preferring to concentrate on their few years as active Jumbos independent of University history.
Former Provost Sol Gittleman's recent work, "An Entrepreneurial University," might just change that, detailing the transformation of Tufts from a regional New England school to a world-class research university. Gittleman's work is not only valuable as a simple detailing of history, but also as a tool to help current Jumbos understand how they are the product of history during their four years here.
One of the most valuable components of the university experience is the connection one maintains with alumni both past and present. Gittleman's book adds to the rich historical backdrop of Tufts and emphasizes both the continuity with the past and the great changes that have taken place in the past three decades. In this sense one can truly see this university as a leader in its own right, by seeing the immense transformation that has occurred under the leadership of inspired men and women.
Anyone who has taken a tour on an elite college campus understands the importance of history both as an attraction for prospective, current and former students. These traditions range from the frivolous (such as painting the cannon) to the frightening (a shared kiss under Bowen gate ensures marriage), but they almost always elevate the University from simply a place to study for a few years to a definitive mark on one's life, both academically and socially.
It is fitting that Gittleman should be the one to write this history, as he is somewhat of an institution himself at Tufts. He has been in the service of over a generation of Jumbos: at his retirement as Provost he was officially the longest-serving provost at any American university. While he has correctly written about the immense contributions of Presidents Mayer, DiBiaggio, and Bacow, he himself has also contributed greatly to the transformation of this school. Anyone who is proud of going to a nationally-recognized university should be proud that we had a Sol Gittleman.
Perhaps the most important subtext of Gittleman's scholarship is the idea of transformative leadership at Tufts. Students on the Hill should always be looking for opportunities for greatness in leadership, both at the University and beyond graduation. Going to Tufts should not simply give one a degree, but rather it should instill in students a drive to create positive change in the world.
