ITHACA, N.Y. -- Addressing Cornell alumni visiting their alma mater, Cornell University President Emeritus Frank H.T. Rhodes talked about a reunion with the terra mater, mother Earth. Presenting the annual Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Lecture June 10 during Reunion Weekend, he urged responsible social policies for the planet.

Alumni know Rhodes as Cornell's president from 1977 to 1995, but he was also introduced by President Jeffrey S. Lehman as "a geologist by training." Rhodes, professor emeritus in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, is the author of three books: "The Language of the Earth, Fossils, Geology, Evolution," "The Evolution of Life" and "The Creation of the Future." In addition, he has served as chair of the National Science Board and was appointed by former President George H.W. Bush as a member of the Educational Policy Advisory Committee.

His lecture, "On Coming Home: Reunion with an Elderly Parent," quickly drew the audience's attention in his discussion of the status of terra mater. Using examples and statistics from scientific studies, Rhodes argued that the Earth is ancient and benevolent, but crowded, changeable and needy.

Rhodes said, "We are Earth's children, and Earth is our parent," as he talked about humanity's intricate relationship with the planet. Rhodes pointed to "our continual dependence on this planet" that has followed the progression of human civilization from the Stone Age to the industrialized world. "Sustainable growth is an oxymoron," said Rhodes, noting the dependence on nonrenewable resources, such as oil and minerals. Population, he noted, is estimated to grow to 9.8 billion from 6.4 billion by the time the Class of '05 retires. 

However, Rhodes said he believed that there is a reason for hope: "It is knowledge that is the foundation of our future." Universities, which are hospitable to new initiatives, he said, would be the ideal location to foster policies that require experts of many disciplines. And he asked the alumni to take a bigger role. "We who are its [the Earth's] children must now also become its custodians. We who are its offspring must now become its guardians," he said.

Despite the heat and humidity in Bartels Hall's Newman Arena, Rhodes's lecture drew positive responses from the audience of about 1,000 Cornell alumni. "It is insightful," said Bob Morrison, an engineer of the Class of '50, who attended with his wife, Lynn Beaudean. "He wanted to share, and shared with people the fact that he cares." Anne Morrissy Merick '55, returning to Cornell with her husband, Dan Janicek, felt strongly about the lecture. "I wish everybody would wake up and listen to it," said Merick, who was a sports section editor for The Cornell Daily Sun.

Other alumni echoed Rhodes' pledge to become Earth's guardians. "Frank has once again challenged us for tomorrow and for the children of tomorrow," said Clark Ford '53. Describing the lecture as "outstanding," Mort Bittker '60 listened as he sat with some of his 144 classmates attending Reunion Weekend. "The important thing is to get the politicians to understand, and the university can play a big role," Bittker said.

The Olin Lecture was established by the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation in 1986. Spencer Olin '21 was vice president of Olin Industries and was chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1958 to 1960. For his many contributions, including helping to build the Spencer T. Olin Laboratory at Cornell, Olin received Cornell's Medal of Distinguished Service in 1971.