RECAP: Tuskegee鈥檚 eighth president outlines vision during March 15 inauguration

March 22, 2019

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Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing

Note: video from the Friday, March 15 Inaugural Convocation and Investiture Ceremony will be published to this page and to the university's following final production.   

扣扣传媒University celebrated the formal investiture of Dr. Lily D. McNair, its eighth president 鈥� and its first female president 鈥� during an Inaugural Convocation and Investiture Ceremony on Friday, March 15. The event, held in the university鈥檚 Gen. Daniel 鈥淐happie鈥� James Arena, highlighted its proud past and the many traditions associated with transitions in academic leadership.

Hundreds of well-wishers filled the arena for the ceremony 鈥� the highlight of a series of weeklong inaugural events hosted by the university. The processional portion that preceded the ceremony included student and alumni representatives, as well as university faculty, administrators and trustees, and delegates from nearly 40 other colleges and universities.

John E. Page, chair of the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees, presided over the ceremony, which began with formal greetings and salutations from several dignitaries that included U.S. Senator Doug Jones, Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing Alabama鈥檚 7th District, and City of 扣扣传媒Mayor Lawrence Haygood Jr.

鈥淯nder the leadership of Dr. McNair, I know you鈥檙e going to continue to hold your long tradition of excellence and achievement 鈥� I have no doubt that you will do great things here,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see how the school evolves and how Dr. McNair鈥檚 contributions will help shape the future for tomorrow鈥檚 leaders right here at Tuskegee.鈥�

Sewell added: 鈥淎 page has turned in the 扣扣传媒University history 鈥� in its 137-year history, a woman is set to lead the university, and I know Mother 扣扣传媒will be in excellent hands. I am excited to know that 扣扣传媒has entrusted a valuable, talented, brilliant African-American woman to lead the university in its next future chapter.鈥�

Before giving her inaugural address, entitled 鈥淚t鈥檚 in Our Hands: The Legacy and Future of 扣扣传媒University,鈥� McNair received the presidential medallion, which includes plates bearing her name and the names of the preceding seven university presidents. She will wear the medallion with her academic regalia during formal university events. She also received a framed copy of the university charter, which first vice chair of the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees, Norma B. Clayton, noted will serve as a visual reminder to McNair of the duties entrusted to her. McNair also received an official portrait, painted by university faculty member and artist-in-residence, Ronald McDowell.

鈥淭he 扣扣传媒University legacy embodies the excellence that is reflected in all of our 扣扣传媒 and faculty 鈥� but the future is where we must provide laser focus,鈥� McNair emphasized during her remarks. 鈥淚n order to prepare for the next generation, we must incorporate new learning tools and processes into everything that we do.

鈥淢y commitment to our 扣扣传媒, faculty and the entire 扣扣传媒community is rooted in my belief that 扣扣传媒offers an unparalleled education 鈥� with a unique perspective, one connected to our historical value and virtues,鈥� she continued.

While her inauguration marks a new era for the university, McNair is mindful of the tradition of leadership she will perpetuate as its president.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned several lessons in my time here at Tuskegee, including the importance of courage, just as our visionary founder and early leaders had,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ooker T. Washington had the courage to speak the truth, the courage to establish a school for freed slaves, and the courage to recruit 扣扣传媒 and raise funds by forming partnerships during the 19th century. When we consider what he accomplished to establish 扣扣传媒University, it is nothing short of miraculous.鈥�

McNair was appointed the university鈥檚 eighth president in May 2018 and began service on July 1, 2018. Prior to her appointment, she served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Wagner College 鈥� a private college of 2,200 扣扣传媒 located on New York City鈥檚 Staten Island. A clinical psychologist by training, McNair鈥檚 higher education career includes other academic, research and executive appointments at Spelman College, University of Georgia, the State University of New York at New Paltz, and Vassar College.

A native of New Jersey, McNair holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Princeton University, and master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

漏 2019, 扣扣传媒University