The Inauguration of Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D.
12th President of Connecticut College
April 26, 2025
Good afternoon, and welcome. What a remarkable day of celebration, hope, and renewal for Connecticut College. I am deeply honored to stand before you as the 12th president of this extraordinary institution.
A message I will share in just a few weeks with graduating students is that a grateful heart is a happy heart. So in that spirit, I would like to begin with gratitude for the many who are here today and who have made this day a shining moment for Conn, despite the weather.
Thank you to the Board of Trustees who were so supportive throughout the search process and have continued to be during my transition.
I also wish to thank former president Norman Fainstein, interim president Les Wong, and New London Mayor and Conn alum Mike Passero. Thank you as well to other elected representatives and delegates representing other institutions of higher education, learned societies, and higher education associations. Thank you faculty, staff, students, alumni and Camels worldwide that have gathered in person or virtually, and more so for the warmth of your welcome to Dave and me since our arrival. Thank you also to Lauren Middleton, Secretary to the College, and Tori McKenna, Director of Advancement and Presidential Events, the co-chairs of the Inauguration Committee; Inauguration Committee members; and the many, many hands that made these events possible. And a special shout out to my GSD Senior Administration team. You work tirelessly for Conn, so please relax and enjoy the day.
I also wish to thank the many presenters, performers, researchers, artists, writers, scientists, archivists, designers, technicians and more that make up the rich and dynamic fabric of our intellectual community. I requested that this inauguration focus on showcasing the scholarly accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and Conn’s rich history. Thank you for your many contributions!
My life has been deeply enriched by a career characterized by continual learning, hard work and a sense of purpose. Yet, it is second to the gift of my friends and family. Here today, encompassing my five decades on this earth, are my high school BFFs, aka the Chevettes; dearest friends from PA that sustained Dave and me through the growing years; and board members and Team Awesome from Hood, who were constant sources of support and wisdom, and filled my years there with laughter. Thank you to my academic colleagues that have been sages by my side. All of you have played a role in my being here today and for so much joy in my life. You have my gratitude and love.
I am part of a family defined by love—for each other and for life. Here today are my dad, my mother-in-law, my siblings and siblings-in-law, and a strong delegation of nieces, spouses and partners, grand-nieces and one grand-nephew. I ask you to indulge me in recognizing my dad, the proud patriarch of a family that now numbers 53 descendants and who will celebrate his 90th birthday tomorrow. My father taught me to work hard, play hard; love what you do; but live for your faith and family. The hardest working and most generous man I know, he embodies those values daily. Happy birthday, Dad.
My mom lived the value of belonging every day. She loved connecting with others, and instantly made everyone feel welcomed, heard and valued. My siblings taught me what it means to have someone’s back, how to use your voice, and how to take “constructive feedback” with grace and resilience. I also have been fully embraced by the generous outpouring of love from Dave’s Mom and his whole family. Thank you all for shaping the best parts of me.
And finally, Dave, my husband of 30 years, and our sons, Daniel and Benjamin. Dave and I started dating shortly before I took my Ph.D. qualifying exams. The fact that he stuck around through that high stress moment foreshadowed his constant giving of strength and calm that has carried me through the hardest days. Shortly after Daniel was born, Dave began his job as a primary caretaker. Without that, I would not be here today and my boys would not have had the constant presence of the best parent. The three of you are everything to me. Merci, je vous beaucoup.
For me, higher education is not a career but a calling. What began with a love of learning has become a vocation. I firmly believe that education is the most valuable asset we have, both individually and societally. I have witnessed its transformative impact in myself as a first gen student, in countless other students and in the world.
Even before I began my presidency, I felt a strong connection to Conn. The past 10 months have only deepened my conviction that I am where I am meant to be, where I can “do well and do good.” That belief is fueled by the strength of this community, the educational excellence by which our mission is fulfilled, and the care for this beautiful campus—where rigorous learning and residential life connect—and therein lies Connecticut College’s power.
My past year has been largely in conversation with you— students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Conn. Thank you for your willingness to share your story, what you love about Conn and your hopes for our collective future. “Connection” has emerged not just as a recurring theme, but as Conn’s cornerstone. Connection—to mission, people and place—is our infallible guide as we move forward.
William Cronon, an American environmental historian and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explores the essence of a liberal education in his essay, “Only Connect: The Goals of a Liberal Education.” He emphasizes that the liberal arts are not defined by the curriculum but by the qualities it cultivates in individuals, qualities that are nurtured by experiences that Conn is well suited to provide. These include the abilities to listen and hear, read and understand, and communicate effectively. I quote: “More than anything else, being an educated person means being able to see connections that allow one to make sense of the world and act within it in creative ways. A liberal education is about gaining the power and the wisdom, the generosity and the freedom to connect.” What an apt description of the transformative power of Conn.
Cronon’s words speak to why I am so passionate about the liberal arts. It is empowering: providing the knowledge, skills and attributes to act as changemakers. Many are questioning and even denigrating the value of education. I would argue they do because they know that it is stronger than other forms of power, that it can topple the mighty and elevate the meek. Conn’s mission to put the liberal arts into action has never been more crucial for our students and our world. Indeed, we are here, together, at the right place, at the right time, at the right college—to ensure our mission is sustained. And we do that by strengthening the three central elements that define Conn and the connections between them: people, purpose and place.
The most important is our community. It is each and all of you—students, staff, faculty, trustees, alumni and members of the wider Conn community. Time and again, I have witnessed your care for one another and your commitment to your work. You are the connective tissue that creates our strong and vibrant community. Yet, in my conversations with you, I’ve also heard a desire for even deeper connection. As we continue adjusting to a post-pandemic world, showing up for one another is more important than ever. I ask that we all make the effort to be more present. Say “hi” and make eye contact as you pass one another. A little less Zoom and a little more in-person. A little less texting and a little more conversation. Being part of this amazing community is both a privilege and a responsibility, one that requires and belongs to all of us.
Second is purpose—our mission is to prepare our students to put the liberal arts in action as citizens in a global society. We must support and celebrate Connections, our distinctive and lauded general education program, along with the majors, minors, pathways and certificates, and the rich array of experiential learning opportunities that reflect the excellence of our curriculum and our faculty.
Third is place—our stunning campus—water, land, trees and historic buildings. It is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing part of who we are—a place where we learn, work, play and live—bringing and becoming our best, authentic selves. It reflects our commitment to honor the indigenous peoples that once called this home and to enrich the New London community whose support paved the way for Conn to be here. We are, as our motto reminds us, Tanquam lignum quod plantatum est secus decursus aquarum, which means: “like a tree planted by rivers of water” and as the psalm from which it comes continues: “that bringeth forth its fruit in its season.” Rooted. Nourished. And yielding a bountiful harvest.
People, purpose and place and the connections between—this is what will sustain Conn for generations to come. How do we ensure that future? By embracing the hill before us.
As many of you know, I am a runner – or more accurately now, a determined jogger. In Maryland, I became accustomed to flat terrain. But here at Conn, no matter which way I go, I face a hill to get home.
So, I had a choice. Avoid the hills with an easy, repetitive loop around Tempel Green, or embrace them—lean into the challenge. I chose the hill. Some days, the climb feels steep. And some days, I want to stop. But in those moments, I repeat the following mantra: “Forward is a pace.” And each week, I’ve gone a little farther, a little faster—building strength, stamina and confidence, while also deepening my appreciation for my new home. I ask you to join me—let us climb together with courage and purpose.
An important note: Conn’s hill is not an ivory tower. Reflecting both our past and future, we must continue to ensure that everyone feels not just welcomed in, but that their presence is an essential part of our connective web, where their voice and actions matter. A place where we all are empowered to create our own paths and connections.
This hill upon which Conn stands is a symbol of what we at Conn are facing today. It’s a metaphor for the journey we are on together—individually and as an institution. It is a steep path with many boulders hindering our progress— demographic declines, financial pressures, economic and political uncertainty, and cultural polarization. In fact, every time someone says to me that being a college president right now has to be the hardest job, I respond by asking for a donation to Conn; we will hit our Annual Fund goal in no time!
But just as formidable here at Conn is our shared sense of purpose and our collective commitment to meet this moment with courage, with clarity, and with action—to continue moving forward, together.
And I would argue that we are well past the foothills, due to the meaningful work of all of you here, near and far, and those that came before us.
First, people. We must continue to invest in the most important facet of Conn—our people. I have worked and will continue to work with each of you to strengthen shared governance, transparency and communication. Moreso, building on the work of the campus climate task forces, we will strive to provide the structure, resources and opportunities necessary for faculty, staff and students to feel empowered and supported. Together we can foster a campus culture characterized by intellectual growth and well-being.
Second, purpose. Building on the strength of our curriculum, efforts to attain curricular equilibrium are well underway in order to better meet our students’ curricular needs, and to provide the necessary resources to support our faculty in this central endeavor.
Third, place. Due to the collective investment of time, talent and treasure, we have improved our physical environment: the renovation of Crozier-Williams, the construction of the new pedestrian promenade, and the new turf at Silfen Field. With the results of the Facilities Condition Assessment, we have begun honest, collaborative conversations about how to best use our space to serve our mission and our students. These are not just capital improvements; they are expressions of our belief in the power of this place, to shape student learning and residential experiences, strengthen community, and practice environmental stewardship.
We are devoting similar attention to ensure we have the financial resources necessary to sustain academic excellence and student success, as well as long-term sustainability. We’ve begun to reform our budget development process, introducing greater transparency and alignment with strategic priorities. We are also beginning to address long-standing technological limitations in our systems and reporting tools.
This work requires more than intention; we must all adopt the guiding mindset: embrace the hill. We cannot shrink from challenges or ignore problems—we must face them with clarity and determination. We will make difficult choices and do hard things. We must work harder and hold each other accountable, ensuring that we are being the very best stewards of our resources. We must participate in shared governance with mutual respect, shared commitment to our mission and students, and with the goal of solving problems. The time for naysaying or bench sitting is over. I need all of you with me; we move—together.
For me, this work is not daunting (well, ok maybe some days); it is inspiring and motivating. I can see the top of that hill—and I am so excited to climb with you to an even brighter future for Conn.
I cannot end this speech without mentioning Camels. At first, I was a little taken aback at how deeply proud this community is of its humped mascot. Yet, I’ve come to share that pride and herd mentality wholeheartedly. Camels are resilient and resourceful. They thrive in challenging climates and navigate tough terrain with strength and grace. They are one of the most environmentally friendly creatures, leaving little trace and using earth’s resources wisely. They also only thrive as a herd; connection is essential to survival. So let’s all embrace our inner camels and climb together.
In addition to requesting that this inauguration focus on showcasing the best of Conn, I also asked that it be fun and joyous—we all need a bit more of that, yes? So please do come to the picnic following this ceremony—no fuss, no speeches, just good food, games, music. So let’s go play together!
Thank you!