President Rosenbaum Celebrates the Caltech Community

On Friday, February 20, President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of physics, hosted the Caltech community at a special event on the Olive Walk to thank them for their energy, insight, ingenuity, and commitment throughout his 12-year presidency.

"One of the wonderful things about Caltech is that we all know why we're here," Rosenbaum said. "We all understand the mission of this institution, which is to change the world for the better; to be able to create knowledge that will last for centuries; and to take that knowledge and turn it into technologies and interventions that really make people's lives better. What you learn quickly when you come here as an administrator is that nothing gets done––that our mission is not fulfilled––without having exceptional people." Rosenbaum also noted that he was especially glad to spend his birthday––February 20––with the community.

After Rosenbaum's remarks, the crowd of staff, students, faculty, and postdocs unexpectedly joined in a cheerful rendition of "Happy Birthday," creating a warm and lighthearted close to the program.

A final, personal touch contributed to the event: Small Caltech basketballs featuring Rosenbaum's signature were offered to the community as commemorative keepsakes, inspired by Rosenbaum's love of the game and his tradition of collecting Nobel Laureates' signatures on his own full-sized Caltech basketball.

Colleagues then lingered on the Olive Walk, enjoying a Caltech Dining Services–catered lunch under the shade of olive trees and arcades while the Caltech Jazz Band played upbeat standards.