Hamilton, NY — On Sunday, September 29, 2002, Colgate University will celebrate the inauguration of its 15th president, Rebecca S. Chopp. The inauguration, which will be held in the Colgate Memorial Chapel at 1:30 p.m., will be the culmination of three days of activities including a concert, dance, and gallery opening. Commenting on Chopp’s inauguration, John Golden, chair of Colgate’s Board of Trustees, said, ‘Rebecca Chopp has proven herself a leader of unique wisdom and vision. I and the other members of the Colgate board are looking forward with great enthusiasm to working with her at this very important time in the university’s growth and development.’
Chopp, whose unanimous selection was announced by the Board of Trustees on May 20, 2002, assumed the role of president on July 1. Reflecting on the upcoming events, President Chopp said, ‘The ceremony will honor Colgate’s history, celebrate its strengths and commitments and augur the future of its living tradition.’
The schedule of Sunday’s inaugural events will begin at 1:20 p.m. with an academic procession across the Quadrangle to the Chapel. Attired in academic regalia, the processional will begin with the Board of Trustees, followed by delegates from other colleges and universities (marching in the order in which their colleges were founded), the Colgate faculty and administration, members of the board of directors of the Colgate Alumni Corporation, representatives of the student body and the official party.
The inauguration will include a keynote address by James T. Laney, president emeritus of Emory University and former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. During the ceremony, President Chopp will also be presented with the university key. At the inauguration of the sixth president of Colgate, longtime trustee and supporter James B. Colgate described the symbolism behind the university key. ‘A key may be used to lock oneself in or open the door to a wider life. Colgate has always stood for the open door.’
The inauguration will last approximately 90 minutes and will be followed by a reception under a large tent on the quadrangle immediately in front of the Chapel. Admission is by invitation, and the university expects more than 800 trustees, alumni, faculty, students, friends, delegates of other colleges, foundations and corporations.
The inauguration as well as the inauguration concert on Saturday, September 28, (refer to schedule of events below) will be webcast and available from a link at www.colgate.edu/inauguration. A downloadable portrait of President Chopp is also available at www.colgate.edu/inauguration.
Inauguration Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 26
9 p.m. ‘ midnight Inaugural Dance Party ‘ Hosted by President Rebecca Chopp and Hamilton Mayor Charles Getchonis at the Palace Theater on Route 12B in downtown Hamilton. Music for all generations. Free and open to the public.
Friday, September 27
5 ‘ 7 p.m. Exhibition Opening and Reception ‘ ‘Getting Along ‘ A View of Racial Integration in America: Photographs by Joe Schwartz’ ‘ Picker Gallery in Dana Arts Center. For more information, click on http://picker.colgate.edu Free and open to the public.
Saturday, September 28
9 p.m. Inaugural Concert Celebration ‘ Colgate University Orchestra and Chorus in Colgate Memorial Chapel. The orchestra will perform Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67,’ among other pieces. The chorus will perform Ives ‘Psalm 67’ and Dello Joio’s ‘Song of the Open Road.’ Free and open to the public.
Sunday, September 29
1:20 p.m. Inauguration Procession from Olin Hall to Colgate Memorial Chapel
1:30 p.m. Inauguration of Rebecca S. Chopp in Colgate Memorial Chapel. Attendance by invitation only.
Reception following in the Academic Quadrangle immediately in front of the Chapel.
Founded in 1819, Colgate University is a highly selective, residential, liberal arts college enrolling nearly 2,750 undergraduates. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, Colgate University attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents.
###