Inauguration Day at Towson U

Kim Schatzel, Ph.D., was formally inaugurated as the university’s 14th president on Friday, Sept. 16.

By Ray Feldmann on September 15, 2016

 

Kim Schatzel, Ph.D., was formally inaugurated as the university’s 14th president on Friday, Sept. 16 as the culmination of a weeklong series of special events on campus.

Inauguration Week began on Saturday, Sept. 10 with a faculty-staff picnic, followed by TU’s successful football home opener against St. Francis in Unitas Stadium, which honored area first responders. The week’s festivities concludes with an Ailey II Dance Company performance Saturday, Sept. 17, at Stephens Hall Theatre.

Inauguration activities included speaker Andrew Solomon, author of Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity; a lecture entitled, “Battlefields and Homefronts: World War I and Modern Life” and the "Taste of Towson" event at SECU Arena.

Long-time associate professor of sociology, anthropology and criminal justice, Victor B. Fisher, Ph.D., served as the inaugural ceremony’s grand marshal. 

University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Chair James T. Brady acted as emcee for the ceremony and opened his remarks by noting that, unlike the President of the United States who does not take power until inauguration day, Schatzel has been in her role as TU president for the last eight months, serving "rather gloriously."

A variety of special guests—including U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Board of Visitors Chair Francis S. Soistman and SGA President Taylor James—all mentioned the president's energy, focus and passion for both the TU community and her vision for the university's continued growth in their welcome remarks.

Brady and University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Robert L. Caret then conducted the formal investiture ceremony.

Schatzel then delivered her inaugural address, in which she thanked her family for their support and the TU community for its warm welcome—particularly her followers on Twitter and Instagram, saying "they are the reason I have the best job in the world." She focused her speech on her presidential priorities, which include strengthening the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion, growing partnerships between TU and the area community and telling the story of why Towson University matters to Maryland.

The ceremony concluded with the Chorale’s performance of the university’s new Alma Mater, a performance by the TU marching band drum line and the recessional, which included representatives of TU student leadership organizations, distinguished TU alumni, TU faculty, and presidents and delegates from other institutions of higher learning.