Inauguration

Leo I. Higdon, Jr., the College's tenth president, was inaugurated during a festive ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 in Palmer Auditorium.

The inaugural procession included current and emeriti faculty and trustees, the College's past presidents, student leaders and state and local dignitaries, and a display of more than 40 international flags reflecting the citizenship of the College's student body.

During the installation, Higdon was presented with traditional symbols of the trust and authority being placed in him, including a copy of the College's charter. He then delivered his inaugural remarks, "Between the Past and Future: Preparing for Connecticut College's Second Century."

Carol Geary Schneider, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), was the keynote speaker. The AAC&U is a national organization that works to strengthen undergraduate liberal education.

The inauguration was followed by a picnic on the College Green at 12:30 p.m.

The ceremony was one of several inauguration events during Fall Weekend. On Friday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., Higdon and his wife Ann took part in a panel discussion "The Peace Corps Experience." There were also panel discussions on "Athletics and the Liberal Arts" and "Faculty Research and Teaching at Connecticut College" on Saturday.

Last Modified: Monday, April 30, 2007 12:20