Casting new light on University history, Tufts professor and former provost Sol Gittleman presented his new book Tuesday night in the Hirsch Reading Room of Tisch Library.
The book, titled "An Entrepreneurial University: Tthe Transformation of Tufts, 1976-2002," follows Tufts' evolution over the last half century.
Gittleman came to Tufts as a professor in 1964 and served as provost from 1981 to 2002 - he holds the distinction of being the longest-serving provost in the history of American higher education.
Tisch Library Director Jo-Ann Michalak introduced Gittleman, who kept his audience captivated. He warmed the crowd up with a joke about his age, telling them that for this speech he wouldn't be wearing those "Ocean State Job Lot $1.97 glasses."
Gittleman then explained how his book was different from other academic histories, which he admitted "can be very dull."
By contrast, Gittleman's account weaves his personal experiences with Tufts history. According to him, the book has "several layers," or three key aspects of the narrative.
Gittleman first focuses on the development of the American educational system. The second is a look at his upbringing - and his rise to a college professorship after being born to "relatively illiterate" immigrant parents.
Finally, he shows how Tufts went from "happy mediocrity" during the 1960's to become the competitive academic institution it is today.
He discussed each of the University presidents with whom he has worked. He talked about how in his opinion President Burton Hallowell was "overwhelmed" by the events of the 1960's.
Gittleman wittily described how Tufts could not find a president upon Hallowell's departure. Ultimately, the University chose a man whom they had rejected in previous years - Jean Mayer - to take the job.
Though he went on to become one of the University's revolutionary presidents, per Gittleman's account, Mayer was not nearly so well-liked when he first came to Tufts.
Described as "a flamboyant Frenchman," Mayer began his tenure facing some opposition. Mayer had no experience as a president and took actions that were often received unfavorably, such as his creation of the Tufts Veterinary School.
Gittleman said Mayer raised the Tufts endowment from $17 million in the 1960's to the hundreds of millions.
Mayer surpassed all prior fundraising efforts with a controversial, but extremely successful, campaign to raise money for the "failing" school. Mayer attempted to raise six times the anticipated $20 million, causing members of the Board of Trustees to resign for "being forced to make greater donations."
A question and answer session followed following the remarks in which Gittleman said he had read almost every issue of the Tufts Daily to gain greater perspective on the school.
The talk was sponsored by the Friends of Tufts Libraries, Tufts' Gordon Institute Entre-preneurial Leadership Program and the Tufts Boston Alliance.
An exhibit on Gittleman's book has also been installed in the Tisch lobby. It will be displayed until Dec.15.
