De la Torre inaugurated, talks of ‘lofty visions’ for SDSU

In one of academia’s oldest rituals, colorfully robed professors led Adela de la Torre onto a public stage Thursday at San Diego State University, where she was inaugurated president of a school that has grand dreams of building a large satellite campus a short distance away.

De la Torre became SDSU’s first permanently appointed woman president 10 months ago, after years of service as an executive at UC Davis.

But she also embraced the opportunity to undergo a formal inauguration, a ceremony that many colleges and universities use to publicly mark and celebrate a change of leadership.

The $160,000 event was held before a modest but joyous crowd at SDSU’s Viejas Arena, which can hold about 12,000 spectators. Between 2,500 and 3,000 people turned out on Thursday. Students were given permission to skip class for the event. But comparatively few did so.

But they were at the forefront of de la Torre’s mind. She spoke about how it is possible for students and faculty to combine courage, curiosity and compassion to enrich the university.

“When I talk about lofty visions I see you,” de la Torre said, pointing to students in the audience.

“We must cultivate a culture of curiosity. Curiosity and courage have always been the energy that propels us forward. Curiosity is the art of asking, ‘What if?’ ”

She also talked about equity and social justice while standing in roughly the same spot where President John F. Kennedy stood in June 1963 when he gave SDSU’s commencement address.

And she expressed gratitude for the trust that people have placed in her as president, saying, “I am mindful that I inherit a landscape cultivated not just by eight (previous) presidents, but by thousands of faithful hands ...

“As the first women permanent president to lead this university, I understand that I stand on the shoulders of women who have shaped San Diego State University. To all of the women who have paved the way, I tip my hat to you.”

De la Torre is an economist who spent much of her career promoting better health among Latinos and Chicanos, and helping women rise to positions of leadership.

As she has done since first taking office, de la Torre spoke Thursday about the university’s hope of buying the old SDCCU Stadium complex in Mission Valley and transforming it into a satellite campus that would feature a multiple-use stadium, a technology and research park, classrooms, housing, retail space and a river park.

Many are eager for her to succeed; the main campus is built out. A satellite could enable SDSU to expand enrollment, which now stands at about 35,000, to upwards of 41,000, and maybe as high as 48,000.

It’s unclear whether her administration has the ability to negotiate the purchase of the SDCCU Stadium site and then partner with the private sector to develop a satellite campus that would cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

But de la Torre was lionized Thursday as a courageous leader by everyone from California State University President Timothy White to CSU board chairman Adam Day and Mildred Garcia, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

“She is the right person for this institution, particularly at this point in the nation’s history,” Garcia said. “She symbolizes the future of the state and nation ... She is a fearless leader who loves students, first and foremost. She will advocate for you, open doors for you, and assure that San Diego State and the community reach their highest potential.”

White noted that de la Torre, the first Latina to serve as the school’s permanent president, “prefers (to be called) Adela and that is more than a reflection of humility. It’s intentional. She doesn’t want a title to prevent anyone from stopping her on campus and telling her their story.”

Day, who helped chose de la Torre for the presidency, recounted how the hiring committee settled on her: “We have found Superwoman!”

H. Paul Cuero, vice chairman, Campo Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, spoke of the importance of the role de la Torre will play going forward.

“San Diego State University means so much to so many in the local community, even people who never attended SDSU,” Cuero said. “They feel a connection to the university. It holds a special place in the identity of San Diego.”