President’s Blog: Inauguration of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

Jan. 19, 2022

On Tuesday, Vice President Hilary Parker—who oversees Princeton’s Office of State Affairs—and I were honored to attend the second inauguration of New Jersey’s fifty-sixth governor, Phil Murphy.

An inspiring passage from Governor Murphy’s inaugural address began with a quotation from Princeton’s own Adlai Stevenson, a member of the Class of 1922.  Governor Murphy said,

“Some 70 years ago, in a speech to the American Legion during the height of McCarthyism, the then-Governor of Illinois, and future United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Adlai Stevenson, zeroed-in on what a nation being driven apart at the time needed ...

“America needed, and I will quote him, ‘A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.’

“We need this patriotism again.

“Shouting about how much you love your country is no substitute for showing how you love our country.

“Voting is a patriotic act.

“Opening doors of opportunity for those who have been kept out is a patriotic act.

“Standing for fairness is a patriotic act.

“Ensuring good government is a patriotic act.”

Amen to that, Governor!

Princeton is fortunate to have Governor Murphy as an ex officio member of its Board of Trustees.  I am grateful to the governor for the leadership that he has provided throughout this difficult pandemic, and I look forward to partnering with him over the next four years on our shared goals of increasing access to college education and strengthening New Jersey’s innovation economy.