Ushering in a New Era: Governor Paterson receives first honorary NYU-Poly degree

Polytechnic celebrated the dawn of a new era on Wednesday, October 22 as it formally ushered in its first academic year as Polytechnic Institute of New York University during a politically star-studded convocation attended by 500 students, faculty, alumni, board members and legislative leaders representing New York City.

Polytechnic President Jerry M. Hultin and NYU President John Sexton presented Governor David A. Paterson with NYU-Poly’s first honorary Doctor of Engineering degree. And Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented a proclamation from Major Michael Bloomberg declaring it Polytechnic Institute of NYU Day.

"It is my highest honor to be the recipient of the first honorary degree by the new Polytechnic Institute of New York University," remarked Governor Paterson. "It is my privilege to work with the Polytechnic Institute of NYU to further our state's notable leadership in education.”

Ralph Alexander, Chairman of NYU-Poly’s Board of Trustees, and Craig G. Matthews, Immediate Past Chairman, flank President Hultin as he presents Governor Paterson with NYU-Poly’s first honorary doctorate.

While the mood was joyous, each speaker — from Governor Paterson to President Hultin to President John Sexton — grounded his remarks with references to Wall Street’s recent meltdown and the changing landscape of the 21st century global economy.

The crux of their messages: the need for a technology-focused research powerhouse in the model that NYU-Poly has designed for itself has never been more critical for the economic vitality of New York City.

"We face difficult economic times and it will take the greatest amount of innovation and thought to relieve us of this situation,” the Governor said. “Education will help lead us out of this crisis, and the great nexus of talent at NYU-Poly will help aid the people in our city, our state and our country. We could not be more pleased at the union of these two great institutions."

At the heart of NYU-Poly’s model is i²e (invention, innovation and entrepreneurship). It’s a vision to transform academics and research by arming NYU-Poly faculty and students with the tools, resources and inspiration to turn their research into applications, products and services that take flight as faculty- and student-owned companies.

NYU-Poly Student Council President Christopher Clinton, a member of the first class that will graduate from the new NYU-Poly.

"We are in the midst of a new revolution that will have an impact around the world," said President Hultin. "Our students span the globe — from India to China to Turkey. Invention, innovation and entrepreneurship are clearly the keys to success for young people in the 21st century."

President Hultin explained how interdisciplinary collaborations between research teams at Polytechnic and NYU will be critical to i²e’s success. NYU’s aims to be a global network university, which it is advancing by building a campus in Abu Dhabi, are also paramount.

With its partnership with NYU, The Power of PolyThinking and i²e, NYU-Poly seeks to propel positive change in these key areas: the global information economy; health and wellness; and urban systems.