I can think of few things as important to society as education and the enlightenment it brings to our individual and collective lives. At the Graduate Center, we have the ability to influence education throughout the City and provide a model of educational leadership for the country. The Graduate Center acts as a beacon, taking education out of the ivory tower and making it a part of the City's life.

Working with the Graduate Center over the years has been a source of tremendous personal satisfaction. But never has my affiliation with the Graduate Center been more exciting than now, as we embark on a new chapter to bring more resources to students and greater depth to scholarship. The Graduate Center is already a major participant in the public discourse. As the hunger for serious thought and innovative ideas continues to grow, the role of the Graduate Center and its independent voice is being amplified.

Amabel B. James
Chair, The Graduate Center Foundation Board