Engineering, Wharton and Law School Deans on What to Expect During the Trump Years

Engineering, Wharton and Law School Deans on What to Expect During the Trump Years

The election of Donald Trump sent shockwaves around the world, reverberating strongly on college campuses in particular. Campaigning on a fiercely anti-immigration, anti-globalization platform, and vowing to roll back or dismantle key pieces of governmental scientific infrastructure, the prospect of Trump’s presidency casts a shadow of uncertainty over institutions committed to education and research.

With such uncertainty in mind, Penn Engineering hosted “Predicting the Future: What Will the Next Four Years Bring?”

The event, part of Penn Engineering’s Technology, Business and Government Distinguished Lecture Series, featured a panel discussion and Q&A session with Vijay Kumar, the Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering; Geoffrey Garrett, Dean of The Wharton School; and Theodore Ruger, Dean of Penn Law.

Vice Provost for Research Dawn Bonnell moderated the discussion, and began by reaffirming Penn’s commitment to its diverse community of faculty, staff and students.

While acknowledging some looming challenges, the three deans struck an overall optimistic chord. State and city governments have historically filled gaps that appeared when federal institutions contract, and private sector solutions and innovations can also pick up the slack. The market forces and technological breakthroughs that drive alternative energy, transportation and automation are likely to remain on a constant upward trajectory.