DR. CORDOVA: Thank you very much – all of you. It's just so
overwhelming, such a great pleasure and honor to see you
here to share this incredible moment for me, an important
moment for the institution. And I thank you so much for being
here. Seeing you on the next level reminds me of my departure
from Purdue when the students had one of those flash mobs.
And I don't expect you to break out dancing anytime. But it is
a wonderful connection.
Dr. Holdren, Dr. Merritt, good friends and colleagues from the
National Science Foundation, and the National Science Board,
family and friends in science. The poet John Milton wrote:
"They also serve who only stand and wait." While waiting as a
nominee, I have continued to serve science through service on
the National Science Board, a position that has kept me close
to the joys and challenges of the National Science Foundation
and in proximity with the wonderful people who serve both
the Foundation and the Board. Yet after eight months, I'm
grateful to finally retire the term, "nominee."
[APPLAUSE]
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank President
Obama for his confidence in me by nominating me to become the
14th Director of the National Science Foundation. I'd also
like to thank the US Senate for its confirmation of my
nomination. I look forward to working with the Administration
and Congress in the days ahead. I'd like to thank Dr. Holdren
for his unflagging support during this process and for
taking the time from his busy schedule to be here today.
John, your leadership of the Federal Science and Technology
enterprise has brought a new, national focus on many areas
vital to our country's future prosperity and national and
economic security. I'm privileged to join this
leadership team, and I look forward to working with you.
[APPLAUSE]
I'd also like to thank my fellow members of the National Science
Board, several of whom are here today, for their support and
their passion for your mission and the NSF staff members who
worked tirelessly to help prepare me for the challenges
that I assume today. I would especially like to thank
Dr. Cora Merritt for her stewardship of the NSF during
these last eight months, adding my praise and my gratefulness to
that of Dr. Holdren's. Cora has kept NSF moving forward despite
some of the greatest challenges the Foundation has faced in
years. Please join me, once again, in expressing our
appreciation to you, Cora.
DR. MERRITT: Thank you. [APPLAUSE]
DR. CORDOVA: And I can't let the moment pass without
recognizing the encouragement and support of my husband of 30
years, Christian Foster, and my children, Anne-Catherine and
Stephen, who, unfortunately, couldn't be here today. They
are young and working out there. And as well as my relatives and
dear friends in science, some of whom are here today. To all of
you and to my new NSF colleagues, I would like to
commend you for your longstanding commitment to
pursuing fundamental scientific research and to keeping our
nation at the very forefront of the world science and
engineering enterprise. As a member of the National Science
Board for the last six years, I've seen, first-hand, the great
work that you do in your relentless pursuit of
excellence. Some may take for granted the steady stream of
NSF-funded breakthrough discoveries that have
transformed the world, making all of our lives more enjoyable
and productive. But I don't take those discoveries for
granted. And I know, neither do you. We know the many years of
concentrated effort that are required to transform a moment
of inspired thinking into a real-world success. For more
than six decades, the National Science Foundation has been
doing just that. We have served as the epicenter of the
innovation ecosystem that is the bedrock of America's economic
prosperity and national security. We enable our best
minds to realize their dreams, engaging the scientific
curiosity of hundreds of thousands of scientists,
engineers, researchers, educators and students across
the country. As a young girl, I was inspired to become a
scientist by the passion and practice of scientists. I look
forward to engaging with you as we continue to empower discovery
and drive innovation and make the National Science Foundation
known throughout the world as a place where discoveries begin
and as we continue to expand the national interest in science
through our own example.
Thank you for your time this afternoon. Thank you for
joining me. I look forward to working with you all in the days
ahead. And now, I'd like to shake every one of your hands,
personally. So, please. Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]