Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber explains how the shift of American universities to the center of society made them a high-stakes target for public frustration.
By Strategic Communications
May 1, 2026
While preparing his lectures for UC Berkeley, Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber spent hours poring over the memoirs and writings of former University of California President Clark Kerr, seeking wisdom from the architect of California’s 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education.
Reflecting on this research, Eisgruber notes that he found more than just strategy; he found a personal connection. “I have been impressed by Kerr’s wit, wisdom and decency,” he says, “and I have come to feel not only admiration but affection for him.”
