In an unprecedented move to drive understanding of the enormous benefits that can result from strong partnerships between universities and the cities that house them, Case Western Reserve University, one of the top research universities in the country, today announced it is hosting the first-ever national colloquium exploring academic and local government relationships. The colloquium serves as the backdrop for the inauguration of Edward M. Hundert, M.D., as CWRU's president and signals a major new strategic focus for the University.

Called "Great Universities and Their Cities," the day-long event will be held January 30th at 9:30 a.m. at Severance Hall in Cleveland, and is expected to draw 600-700 participants. It will feature best practices in areas from biotechnology and life sciences to race relations and urban revitalization through a series of frank dialogues between some of the country's leading mayors and university presidents about the collaborative role universities should play in their cities, what has—and hasn't—worked in the past, and lessons learned.

Hosted by Hundert and Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, the colloquium features a keynote address by Richard Levin, president of Yale University, which has forged a long-term partnership with the city of New Haven to address downtown revitalization and technology development. Other participants include the presidents and chancellors of Johns Hopkins University, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Illinois-Chicago, Clark University, Fisk University, the University of Rochester, Virginia Commonwealth University and York University in Toronto; the mayors of Richmond, Va., Rochester, N.Y., and Nashville, Tenn.; the Ontario, Canada, Minister of Culture and the superintendent of schools of Worcester, Mass., among other distinguished speakers and guests.

Following the colloquium breakout sessions and private luncheon, presenters will gather at a post-luncheon plenary session featuring reports from each morning discussion. The plenary session will be moderated by award-winning journalist Neal Conan, host of National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation," the national news-talk call-in show from NPR News.

A New Engine of Change

"It's no secret that universities have emerged as key engines of change and development in modern society, in part because continued economic stability depends increasingly on a base of advanced knowledge," said Hundert. "But we have generally not been good partners with our cities. This colloquium will bring together great minds and unique experiences to start a national dialogue not only on the larger goal of greater connection, but also in several specific areas where great results have been achieved."

Hundert added that colloquium presenters are being asked to share the expertise they have derived from their local initiatives. CWRU and the city of Cleveland, already engaged in a number of similar activities in the community, will strive to strengthen their partnerships across all the areas being discussed at the colloquium. "We hope that for years to come the nation will reflect back on what we learned in Cleveland during this colloquium," Hundert said, "By building this partnership with the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University will become one of the great research universities in the world. I take seriously the famed RenZ Dubos philosophy of 'think globally, act locally.' We look forward to moving ahead with more effective collaborations locally, and to serving as a national and international resource for other cities and other universities to emulate."

Campbell agreed, and said that the city of Cleveland will devote more attention to its partnerships with CWRU and other area institutions. "The most effective universities of the next generation will be those that can serve as catalysts for vitality in their regions," she said. "The city of Cleveland and CWRU intend to forge the partnerships that make that happen here. Cities also have much to learn on how to be better partners with universities."

Other Inauguration Highlights

Also included in the inauguration festivities are a concert in Hundert's honor featuring The Cleveland Orchestra's new music director, Franz Welzer-Most, on Wednesday, January 29 at 8 p.m.; on Thursday, January 30, the colloquium beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the investiture ceremony, which begins at 4:30 p.m. The Inaugural Concert and the colloquium are sold out. All events will be held in Severance Hall.

For more information on the colloquium and Hundert's inauguration, visit CWRU's inauguration Web site at http://www.cwru.edu/events/inauguration, or contact the Presidential Inauguration Office, Office of University Programs and Events, at (216) 368-3836 or e-mail inauguration@po.cwru.edu.