www.stetsonreporter.com
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Inaugural festivities actually began on Friday
with a free Inauguration Concert held in the Lee
Chapel by the School of Music.
Saturday morning, the ceremonial affair began
with a dignified parade down Woodland Boulevard, which was closed off to automobile traffic
for the occasion. A robed processional of faculty
and administrative members, representatives of
learned societies and educational organizations,
delegates from colleges and universities and the
Board of Trustees marched from the main university entrance to Pennsylvania (the section of
Woodland that runs through campus.
A bagpiper led the processional, and in single-
file the distinguished marchers followed the call
of his resonating notes. The piper's song rang
out in the clear morning and mingled with the
sound of the wind in the trees as gowns and vividly colored hoods billowed in the breeze. And,
at the very end of this dignified parade, followed
by the delegation of inaugural ceremony speakers, marched Dr. Wendy Libby.
Groups of current students, alumni and community members had gathered along the boulevard to honor and cheer Dr. Libby in her proces
sion. Representatives of sororities, fraternities,
and athletic teams grouped themselves around
banners expressing warm welcomes for the
soon to be inaugurated president. They cheered
loudly and enthusiastically as she passed them
in the march to the Edmunds center, where the
ceremony was to be held.
The procession continued into the Edmunds
center, where the triumphant notes of "Crown
Imperial" played by the University Symphonic
Band met them. The marchers processed into
their seats and lastly, Dr. Libby and the speakers
ascended the stage for the ceremony.
Opening with an declaration of unity, Emily Pitts, Vice President of the Jewish Student
Organization, led the invocation. She quoted a
parable of Rabbi Chayim of which the central
message is one of unity. "When we go our separate ways, we may go astray," Pitts quoted. "Let
us join hands and look for the way together."
Her spirit was one of unified welcome that was
jointly expressed by all the speakers. "This day
marks a commitment to diversity and inclusive-
ness," Pitts said.
Indeed, the speakers who spoke to welcome
The Stetson University Women's
Soccer Team cheers as President
Wendy 8, Wibby processes up
Woodland Bouievaid (U S, iJjMM^
toward the Inauguration ceremony it
Edmunds Center on March 20, 2010
/ 'h&to courtesy Office of Pubii
Relation
Libby included representatives from her entire
the university community. First to speak were
community leaders.
The honorable Robert F. Apgar, Mayor of the
city of DeLand delivered the first greeting. "On
a personal note, Teresa and I extend to you and
Richard our best for as long as you are here,"
Apgar said. "Stetson and DeLand have 125 years
of shared history and it was the dream Henry De-
Land that this community be a center of culture
and learning. Already, Dr. Libby recognizes that
DeLand and Stetson are intertwined as one community. Under her dynamic leadership we'll find
new and exciting ways to partner." With that,
Apgar presented Dr. Libby with a key to the city.
"This is a symbol that during your presidency
- the doors of DeLand will always be open to
you," Apgar said.
The greetings continued with a welcome by the
honorable Frank T. Bruno, Jr., Chair of the Volusia County Council. "It is a honor and a pleasure to bring greetings to you today," Bruno said.
"This job requires a tremendous amount of the
president's time and dedication - your life is no
Please See "Inauguration," Page 3
News
SGA tries to reallocate parking
fine $$$
Page 4
PSA
Details about
Publication
Board openings
Page 6
Life
Against Me!
tries out new
tunes
Page 5
Sports
Alumni weekend not kind to
baseball team
Page 8
