Hundreds of Dickinson community members, including alumni, students, and parents, gathered in front of Old West on the morning of Sept. 28 for the inauguration of Nancy A. Roseman as Dickinson’s 28th president.

Delegates from more than 60 colleges and universities across the world filed onto the academic quad as part of the ceremonial procession. The event featured speeches from representatives of the faculty, the Carlisle community, the alumni association, and the student body, as well as a speech by Morty Shaprio, former president of Williams College and Roseman’s longtime friend and mentor, and finally by Roseman herself.

The ceremony began with a speech by Jennifer Ward Reynolds ’77, chair of the Board of Trustees, who touted Roseman’s desire to be not only a leader, but also an integral part of the school community and history. Reynolds also reminded attendees of the historical significance of the event, as the college was inaugurating its first female president.

“In Dickinson’s 230 year history, we have inaugurated 27 presidents,” said Reynolds. “Today, we inaugurate the 28th, and we also inaugurate a first.”
A common theme linking all the day’s presentations was the distinctiveness of a Dickinson education and the ways that Roseman is an ideal president to champion the college’s educational values and goals.

“Today is about reaffirming a commitment to offering a deep and broad education which helps students around the country and across the globe to turn their passion into passion,” said Reynolds. “Just 3% of college graduates are alumni of liberal arts colleges, and fewer still have the experience of Dickinson’s immersive interdisciplinary curriculum of thinking globally in a rapidly changing world, of learning to overcome 21st century challenges not just by studying them, but by tackling them both in the classroom and in the field. As we went through the presidential search process, it became quite clear how important these values are to Nancy Roseman. It became very clear to the presidential search committee that she didn’t want to be the president of a college, but the president of this college.”

Roseman concluded the speeches and emphasized many of the ideas and values

“At Dickinson, we don’t hesitate to declare our intention to produce engaged citizens,” said Roseman. “We take pride in preparing our students, giving them the tools and self-confidence to navigate their personal and professional lives in a world full of complexity and difference.”

Community members had positive feedback from the historic event.

“As a senior it has been hard for me to make the transition from a president I’ve known and loved for three years, to a president I hardly know,” said Chloe Cunningham ’14. “Despite my sadness over Durden’s departure, I attended inauguration wanting to support Roseman. I was so happy to hear all the wonderful things that were spoken about Roseman by her colleagues and close friends, some people acting in both roles”

Cunningham also reflected on her favorite part of the event.

“The most meaningful part of the ceremony to me was her transition from her doctoral robes to her new ones as the president of Dickinson College,” she added. “In that moment I saw the future of the school and a woman who is capable and deserving of the role as Dickinson’s president”

Parents also expressed their praise for the special ceremony.

“From an overseas visitors perspective, not previously appreciating the depth of history associated with Dickinson, I found all the speeches both informative and inspiring,” said Richard Sykes, parent ’16, who traveled from his home city of London for the weekend’s events. “I left feeling that being part of the Dickinson culture was indeed something very special and glad that my daughter would be part of maintaining and growing that culture going forwards.”

Dr Roseman herself also had a positive reaction to the weekend’s proceedings.

“I was really struck by the consistency of every speaker and their message – Dickinson is a school that knows itself and its aspirations.”

In addition to the ceremony, the inauguration celebration continued Saturday evening with a cocktail hour and dance in the Social Hall and on Britton Plaza. The event was open to students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Overall, the celebratory air of the weekend reinforced the magnitude of the historic change that was taking place within Dickinson’s administration.

“The weekend’s events reminded us of how lucky we are to have President Roseman, and reaffirmed the value of a Dickinson education,” Stephanie Balmer, Dean of Admissions.