Dr. Julia Jasken inaugurated as McDaniel College's 10th president

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, McDaniel College celebrated the inauguration of the college's 10th president, Dr. Julia Jasken. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and community members joined in the festivities. A series of events in celebration of this historic event also took place throughout the week.

Bruce Preston '75, chair of the McDaniel College Board of Trustees, presided over the historic ceremony. Following the invocation by Richard M. Smith '00, associate provost for equity and belonging, greetings were heard from Carroll County Delegate Haven Shoemaker representing the State of Maryland; Westminster Mayor Mona Becker; James E. Lightner '59, Hon. Litt.D. '17, professor emeritus of Mathematics, representing the Phi Beta Kappa Society on behalf of the delegates; and Alumni Council President Lindsey Browning '10.

Additional greetings were given by Student Government Association President Marnice Briscoe, a senior Social Work major from Baltimore, representing the undergraduate student body; Raekwon Conaway of Baltimore, a student in the M.S. in Public Administration and Policy program, representing the graduate student body; Terry McAndrew, accountant in Financial Services, representing the McDaniel College staff; and Christianna Leahy, professor of Comparative Politics and chair of the Department of Political Science and International Studies, representing the faculty. A special video message from László Frenyó, dean at McDaniel’s European campus in Budapest, Hungary, was also played.

Professor of English Emerita Kathy Mangan read her poem, "The Hinge," which she wrote in honor of the special occasion. Ralph Frith '84, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, then presented President Jasken for installation and the Ceremony of Investiture was conducted by Board Chair Bruce Preston, assisted by Vice Chair Ralph Frith, former McDaniel presidents Joan Develin Coley, Hon. LL.D. '10 and Roger N. Casey, Hon. L.H.D. '21, Professor Christianna Leahy, Alumni Council President Lindsey Browning, and Student Government President Marnice Briscoe, prior to President Jasken's inaugural address.

The Children's Chorus of Carroll County and the McDaniel College Gospel Choir also performed during the ceremony.

A series of events in celebration of this historic event also took place throughout the week.

President Jasken threw out the first pitch in honor of NCAA Division III Week during the Green Terror baseball game versus the Gettysburg Bullets on Tuesday, April 5, hosted a reception for representatives from the City of Westminster to celebrate McDaniel’s collaboration with the city and learn more about the Center for Experience and Opportunity on Wednesday, April 6, and welcomed Adán Bean on Thursday, April 7, for a Spoken Word performance hosted by the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee of the McDaniel College Alumni Council.

On Friday, April 8, McDaniel College faculty and students showcased their scholarship through innovative and inspiring presentations and lectures during the inaugural Academic Symposium. Movies at McDaniel and Fireworks show culminated the day with a screening of the family-friendly film, “Zootopia,” and fireworks display overlooking Kenneth R. Gill Stadium to celebrate the inauguration of McDaniel College’s 10th president.