"This is a HUGE, HUGE step," said an enthusiastic Charles Pizzi, president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Pizzi, who helped to bring together the council, marveled at the "intellectual capital and economic impact" represented by the 18 presidents who attended last week's meeting.
"Collectively, they're probably the most important industry for this region going forward," Pizzi said. "Getting them together is a huge opportunity for us as a region."
And getting together is enjoyable for the college presidents involved, who - though they have similar positions - rarely get to compare experiences.
The Rev. Nicholas Rashford, S.J., who attended the first meeting but missed the second, told the group it was the first time in his 15 years as chief exec at St. Joseph's that he has sat at a table with so many of his local peers.
Penn President Judith Rodin chairs the new council, which will meet every six to eight weeks. Rodin said last Thursday that the council has already identified some common goals.
"Our focus today was on the sciences and the development of the region in a more extensive way as a kind of 'new economy' engine," Rodin said.
The presidents council is looking for ways to work with Gov. Ridge to spur growth of high-tech industries in the region and to stop the "brain drain" of college graduates leaving the state, she said.
Rodin said the group - which also includes David Adamany, the new president of Temple University and formerly the chief executive officer of the Detroit School District - wants to work closely with Mayor Street to improve public schools.
Rodin acknowledged that the formation of a council of university and college presidents is long overdue. The idea was first proposed in September 1998 by the Philadelphia Daily News. A special Rethinking Philadelphia report called colleges and universities the "new factories" of the 21st century.
