Despite a year of unprecedented uncertainty and complexity, Cornell University remains a "beacon of hope -- helping to shape the nation and the world and contributing to the betterment of the human condition," said President David J. Skorton, delivering his State of the University address June 6 in Bailey Hall.

About 1,000 alumni and guests were in the audience, including Presidents Emeriti Frank H. T. Rhodes and Hunter Rawlings. Also on hand was stalwart alumni Bill Vanneman '31, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Wearing a carnelian red tie, Skorton spoke for about 25 minutes then took questions from the audience.

The past year's challenges have confronted not only Cornell but also many other institutions and people around the globe, Skorton said. However, faculty, students, staff and alumni have demonstrated exceptional cooperation and determination to help stabilize and stimulate the economy and promote world peace, he said. "As we embrace a mandate for broader service, it is worth remembering the strengths we bring to the table; there is much good news to report."

He cited the past year's examples of several Cornell seniors who won competitive Goldwater and Truman scholarships, and the student-athletes who won Ivy League championships in several sports and a national championship in women's gymnastics. To continue to attract the best students from all backgrounds, Cornell has increased its need-based financial aid, and gifts and commitments for that aid now total $150 million, he reported. He also mentioned the accomplishments of faculty members, who collectively won more National Science Foundation grants last year than faculty at any other U.S. university.

On the financial front, Skorton said, the administration is taking a variety of approaches to increase the university's excellence while achieving fiscal equilibrium: budget cuts, no raises, an external hiring pause, a construction pause, very substantial cutbacks in capital development and a rigorous process to create a strategic plan.

"I want to suggest to you this morning that Cornell needs to get this right -- not just for our own sake, but because of our responsibilities as the recipient of substantial public funds and as the land grant university for the state of New York -- to contribute to the solution of the problems facing the larger society," he said.

He went on to describe 10 major initiatives by which Cornell is working to solve society's problems, including a biotech incubator (the McGovern Family Center for Venture Development in the Life Sciences), cross-disciplinary research into reducing chronic poverty and malnutrition (the Institute for the Social Sciences), and energy-efficiency research (the Cornell Fuel Cell Institute). Other initiatives address such areas as New York state economic development and effective management of natural resources.

"For 144 years now, Cornell University has been a beacon of hope -- helping shape our nation and the world and contributing to the betterment of the human condition through our teaching, research, creativity and service," Skorton said. "Now it is our turn" to contribute.

Opening the floor to questions, he quipped, "The lecture part of this class is over, and now it's time for slings and arrows." Questions ranged from how the administration plans to help alumni participate virtually in the life of the university to how it aims to strike a balance between the number of green spaces and buildings on campus. One alumna asked Skorton to play his saxophone. He declined, "at least at this reunion -- I'm at best an avid amateur."

Perhaps the most unexpected "question" came from a retired clergyman from the Class of 1957. He would, he said, donate to the university his patent for a solar device that could save Cornell 25 percent annually on heating costs. "If you'd like my name, it's Lee Poole, and I promise to do this."