UCSD's Fox heads to White House to receive medal

UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox.
UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. — John Gastaldo

A reception from the Clinton administration also bubbled to the surface.

"It's strange the things your remember," Fox said. "The chairs were not expandable. They were wood chairs that were sprayed gold. Mr. Gore was wearing cowboy boots with his pants stuck in the boots, which is a no-no in Texas."

She knows the state well, having served on the faculty of the University of Texas almost 20 years. The state's governor for part of that time was George W. Bush, who would go on to become president.

"He frequently called me down to the Governor's mansion to explain something that he needed to understand," Fox said.

She also was invited to the White House during the Bush presidency, and she fondly remembers a moment that occurred just outside the Oval Office, while she was standing with colleagues: "He remembered me and greeted me by name. He said, 'Marye Anne, how are you doing? How is Jim?" He was remarkable at remembering names and faces. I can remember faces, but I can't remember names."

At one point, Fox ended up conferring with President Bush in the Oval Office while Vice President Dick Cheney sat nearby, in virtual silence.

"I remember feeling, 'What do I know about ethanolic corn and I do I know enough to say something that would go into his head and stick?' "Fox recalled. "I figured, 'Yes, I did.' I had been briefed for a year for exactly that situation. I felt that I, as well as my colleagues, were in a position to distill what we'd heard from different sources and we tried to provide it in a palatable way, giving advice he could use or reject."

It was a heady moment, but there's at least one more to come, with a man she has yet to meet.

"I think my exposure (to Barack Obama) is like most people's -- that is, through TV," Fox said. "I think he is an extraordinary orator. I think he is extraordinary at being able to motivate people to do what he thinks is right. Time will tell whether the things he's done are right, or optimal for the nation."

Fox won't have to await the verdict of history. In a sense, the verdict comes on Wednesday, in the East Room of White House, when Fox receives the National Medal of Science.

She might not get misty-eyed. But as Fox admits, she probably will.

U-T special section on the 50th anniversary of UCSD

Note to readers: I'm scheduled to be at the White House on Wednesday to cover the National Medal of Science ceremony. Our coverage will be posted on the Union Tribune website.


