Tilghman named chair of association of research institutions

Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman has been named chair of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a nonprofit organization representing 60 of the nation's leading public and private research universities, as well as two major universities in Canada. Tilghman, who has served as vice chair for the past year, assumed her new role on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the conclusion of the association's fall membership meeting at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She takes over the one-year position from Graham Spanier, president of the Pennsylvania State University. AAU addresses issues that are important to research-intensive universities, such as funding for research, graduate education and research policy. The organization's recent activities have included a focus on issues related to college costs and the role of university endowments in sustaining the country's leadership in research. Tilghman participated in a roundtable discussion on endowment spending Sept.