Well-wishers salute Rodin at inaugural gala

and Jeremy Kahn Robin Leach would have been right at home last night at Judith Rodin's lavish inaugural dinner, as the University bid its new president champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Over 300 delegates, including the University's own rich and famous and a virtual who's who of American academe, attended Rodin's bash at the Franklin Institute. After cocktails and mingling amidst the Institute's first floor exhibits, the guests adjourned for dinner to the Ben Franklin Hall where they sat ensconced beneath the watchful gaze of a larger-than-life statue of the University's founder. After an endive and noodle salad, Alvin Shoemaker, outgoing chairperson of the University Board of Trustees, greeted those in attendance. "We wanted to make this a real Philadelphia welcome for all of you," Shoemaker said. "So we decided to bring you here to meet Ben, to see something exciting in the city, and to celebrate Judith's homecoming as president of this University." Shoemaker, who served as emcee for the evening, then introduced University alumnus and Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, who discussed the University's relationship with the city of Philadelphia. "The University has become a great corporate citizen of the city of Philadelphia," he said, adding that students have contributed to the city through programs such as Into the Streets, a freshman volunteer day which occurs during the first week of school. Following Rendell's comments, the main course was served, which included steak medallions, potato and green beans. Afterward, Rodin made her way from table to table, introducing her son, Alex, and greeting old and new friends. Shoemaker then introduced Princeton University President Harold Shapiro, who welcomed Rodin to the ranks of Ivy League presidents and defended his university's basketball team against Rendell's previous jabs. He was followed by three former University presidents, each of whom toasted Rodin and the new presidency. President Emeritus Martin Meyerson spoke first, citing the Oracle of Delphi's proverb, "Know thyself." "There are few who know themselves as well as [Rodin] does," he said. "What a wonderful thing you are." Former President Sheldon Hackney, who currently chairs the National Endowment of the Humanities, talked about a New York Times profile of Rodin that appeared yesterday and said Rodin is in a "league of her own." The movie by the similar title led Hackney to begin a lengthy discussion of baseball, including stories of Little League and the recent Ken Burns documentary about the sport, which the NEH funded. The subject led Hackney to discuss the role of individuals as agents of change and welcomed Rodin as "our leader of change." Former Interim President Claire Fagin also toasted Rodin, praising her and wishing her the best. Rodin concluded the evening by thanking everyone who spoke, and all who attended the event.