Bucknell’s Presidents Dinner Turns Five
by Mike Ferlazzo
PRESIDENT JOHN BRAVMAN first had the idea to host a discussion on the critical issues facing higher education with presidents from prestigious, private institutions and members of the national news media six years ago. Since his idea became reality in 2018, The Presidents Dinner has become a must-attend annual event for media and higher education leaders alike.

Created in partnership with the RW Jones Agency, a national firm focused on media relations in higher education, The Presidents Dinner has raised Bucknell’s profile and enhanced Bravman’s reputation as a thought leader, resulting in interviews with The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed.

Following two years of virtual gathering, Bravman returned to the famed National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to lead the discussion among 10 presidents and more than 20 national media members.

While Bravman reflected on how Zoom helped preserve the event, he shared enthusiasm about meeting in person again. “I think I speak for us all when I say it’s great to not be staring at a screen, and to share in a delicious meal together once again,” he said.

President Bravman moderated a discussion between institution leaders and members of the media.

Photo: Emily Paine

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President Bravman moderated a discussion between institution leaders and members of the media.

This year’s presidential participants included Ravi S. Rajan, California Institute of the Arts; Milton C. Moreland, Centre College; L. Song Richardson, Colorado College; Barbara Altmann, Franklin & Marshall College, Nicole Farmer Hurd, Lafayette College; Joseph J. Helble, Lehigh University; Suzanne M. Rivera, Macalester College, Harry J. Elam Jr., Occidental College; and Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Trinity College. Members of the news media included journalists from USA Today, The Washington Post, PBS NewsHour and The Economist, among others. Also in attendance were representatives of The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed and other higher-ed focused publications.

The wide-ranging conversation covered admissions affirmative action; President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and what it says about college pricing; the changing post-pandemic higher education landscape; the decline in math and reading comprehension among incoming students; and the demographic changes ahead as the country’s falling birth rate results in fewer prospective college students.

“I am optimistic that as we emerge from this [pandemic] period, higher education is well positioned to help lead our society.”

President John Bravman

Bravman said he remains confident about higher education’s critical place in the nation’s future. “Challenges do persist,” he said. “But I am optimistic that as we emerge from this [pandemic] period, higher education is well positioned to help lead our society and the world forward in new and exciting ways.”

The next Presidents Dinner will be held at the National Press Club on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

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