A Personal Announcement - President Rosenbaum
April 7, 2025
To: The Caltech Community
From: Thomas F. Rosenbaum
Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and Professor of PhysicsDate:April 7, 2025
Re: A Personal Announcement
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
– Ecclesiastes 3
Two years ago, the Trustees generously asked me to serve a third five-year term as president of Caltech. Although gratified by the statement of confidence, I feel strongly that there are natural rhythms in the life of a university, and 15 years seemed too long. I did agree, however, to extend my tenure to 12 years and will step down as president at the end of the 2026 academic year.
Caltech is an amazing institution, unparalleled in its fearlessness, in its ambition, in its focus, and in its level of excellence. My job has been to sustain and enhance our culture, our values, our intimate environment, our commitment to primary sources and first principles, our defense of evidence-based inquiry, our devotion to learning and discovery. One dreams of being surrounded by incredibly talented faculty colleagues, masterful students committed to changing the world for the better, postdocs brilliantly creating their own careers, staff devoted to Caltech's mission, JPLers conceiving of and realizing the impossible, alumni who bleed Caltech orange, friends who embrace our mission, trustees who devote their intellects and personal resources to seeing the Institute through thick and thin – and to have the privilege of learning from them all. I have depended on a remarkable academic and administrative leadership team to frame issues, and to craft and implement appropriate interventions. I am proud of helping open the gates of opportunity and social mobility to the most diverse Caltech population in our history.
The path forward has not always been easy or straightforward. Over the last decade, a pandemic, social unrest, public doubts about the value of science, and, most recently, a devastating fire, have been heavy burdens for our community to bear. At the same time, these challenges have underscored the value of the skills that we teach to advance societal well-being, educate an involved citizenry, and improve people's lives. Together we lighten the load and push forward.
Caltech boasts a solid financial footing, remarkable new research and educational facilities, and, most importantly, the capacity to recruit and sustain the brightest and most innovative individuals from every walk of life and from every corner of the world. Our secret for success is no more complicated than the people who comprise our community, but it requires diligence, awareness, and commitment to be able to soar ever higher. I have every confidence that the faculty and Board of Trustees, working in concert, will identify and attract a dynamic new president to lead the Institute to an even brighter future.
There remains important work to be done and new heights to scale over the next 15 months. There will be time to step back and reminisce in the future as both Kathy and I intend to keep our research laboratories going as emeriti and remain active members of the Caltech family. We look forward to our continuing connections with all of you.