"It's a very difficult thing to build a university from scratch," Cornell President Emeritus and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Trustee Emeritus, Professor Frank H.T. Rhodes once commented in his understated way. "Now as I look back, I have to catch my breath and pinch myself!"

Following the institution's second commencement, Dr. Rhodes was this week named as the inaugural KAUST Trustee Emeritus at a dinner in his honor. Involved since fall 2006 when KAUST was just a concept, Dr. Rhodes was part of the seminal team advising the University founders. He concludes his role of board trustee this month.

Professor Frank H.T. Rhodes

His Excellency, Minister Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi, Chairman of the KAUST Board of Trustees and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources paid tribute to Dr. Rhodes thanking him on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia and the future generations of KAUST researchers and students for all he had done for the University.

"Dr Rhodes played a vital role in enabling these aspirations to become realized. He provided an intellectual direction and academic rigor that, while intangible, is as enduring as – and perhaps more vital than - the physical foundations of the buildings themselves," said Minister Al-Naimi.

"He embraced the King's vision and helped us make it a reality – but not before, like any good scientist – posing a number of difficult questions. He was insistent that for such an audacious plan to work, the university must be underpinned by academic freedom."

Convinced of the legitimacy of the project, this towering scholar took an enormous risk and put his personal reputation on the line and agreed to be named to the board of the fledgling postgraduate university. "I am really too old for this sort of thing," he declared, "but I am really very honored to be part of it."

"It was Dr Rhodes who helped formulate the vision of the King into a single charter. He firmly believed that, at its heart, KAUST must show a determination to advance science and engineering for the welfare of all mankind," remarked Minister Al-Naimi.

"Today's celebration of the contribution of Dr Rhodes is, of course, tinged with some sadness that our work together is coming to an end. But the overriding feeling is one of pride, a sense of achievement and a belief that together we achieved something that will stand the test of time."

Academic extraordinaire and visionary leader

Welcomed by his colleagues to the Kingdom, Dr. Rhodes deeply believed that a successful institution would be campus rooted, but internationally oriented. He was instrumental in drafting the charter and by-laws, which include guarantees of academic freedom; an independent, self-electing board of trustees; and an endowment income free of the influence and control of government ministries.

"He had the mind and the passion that we needed," explained Executive Vice President Nadhmi Al-Nasr, "but that didn't mean that the process was without the inevitable challenges that arise when bridging two cultures, each with their own noble principles and sensitivities."

A great man indeed

As His Excellency Minister Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi introduced him to King Abdullah's vision for the University and more generally to the culture of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Rhodes reciprocated by sharing the intricacies of higher education, offering him selected Western publications on the subject and always taking the time to discuss the mutual issues they raised.

A few months later, in a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony that acknowledged the decades-long dream of His Majesty, King Abdullah, Dr. Rhodes celebrated the institution's "bold vision and innovative design" that promised to "make it a place of transforming influence and enduring significance." Recalling the historical Arab and Muslim spirit of learning, he saluted this present-day Bayt al-Hikma, for "the boldness of its plan."

Later, King Abdullah asked specifically to be introduced to his contemporary, acknowledging that "This is indeed a great man."

Unseen intellectual architect

A man of stature and a gracious diplomat, Dr. Rhodes demonstrates his concern for all who seek his wisdom, regularly meeting with KAUST graduates visiting the Cornell campus.

He acted as a compelling champion to bring students of excellence to the university, brokering and maintaining many of the international links that have jumpstarted the research.

"Frank has left his fingerprints not just in his vision for the academic model, but everywhere at KAUST," commented Dr Mohamed E. Samaha, Senior Vice President for Economic and Technology Development.

"Frank is its unseen intellectual architect." Recalling his calming influence, Dr. Samaha continued, "He used science as a unifier to convince others of the dream, even initially suggesting that the university should focus on graduate students and quality research."

A President's role model

Addressing the inaugural graduating class last December (which he described as the "the first fruits of a dream"), Dr. Rhodes thanked them for the trust they had given KAUST by "coming to a country most did not know, to a campus that did not then exist, to which faculty had not yet been appointed, to a new experiment in learning that was then untested, to degree programs that were not fully planned."

He spoke from the heart recalling his own experience when he commended to them "a hope based on large dreams and high aspirations. (KAUST's) gift that turns community into teamwork, knowledge into purpose, technology into service, skills into benefits, job into a career and a career into a calling".

As President Choon Fong Shih said, "I will personally miss Frank's wise and generous counsel, his high ideals and expectations and, most of all, my dear friend and fellow adventurer on this most extraordinary journey. He is my role model."

About Frank H.T. Rhodes

Born in Warwickshire, England on October 29, 1926, Dr. Rhodes studied for his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of Birmingham, England, from which he holds four degrees.

Dr. Rhodes has published widely in the fields of geology, paleontology, evolution, and the history of science and education and has been conferred 35 honorary degrees. He served as President of Cornell University from 1977 to 1995, and held memberships in the US National Science Board under President Reagan and in the Educational Policy Committee under President George H.W. Bush.

Dr. Rhodes has also served as Chairman of the 1987 National Commission on Minority Participation in Education and American Life alongside honorary co-chairs, former US Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter. He is a former President of the American Philosophical Society. Dr. Rhodes is a naturalized US citizen and is married to and closely supported by his wife, Rosa Carlson.