Saint Michael’s College embraced its 16th president, John J. Neuhauser, with formal ceremony and warm sociability during his Inauguration and related festivities the weekend of Sept. 29-30, 2007.
It was perfectly crisp and sunny fall weather as faculty, staff, students and others in town for Alumni and Family Weekend converged with President Neuhauser’s family and distinguished leaders of church, state and academia to celebrate Saint Michael’s traditions and its optimistic view forward under the longtime Boston College professor and administrator.
Saturday’s events began with late-morning Mass in the chapel, celebrated by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Burlington diocese. That was followed by a sit-down luncheon in Tarrant Center and a mid-afternoon formal Inauguration ceremony that lasted a bit over two hours complete with processional, bagpipes and other music by the college Chorale and a brass quintet. Directly after the ceremony came an outdoor reception on the library green, and later an elegant evening dinner for faculty and staff with toasts, live music and dancing.
In the greetings, prayers, formal exhortations, informal remarks and testimonials that filled the day, prominent themes recurred: The college’s trademark commitment to social service, justice and sense of community, the founders’ faith-anchored vision for the college, the centrality of teaching, students, truth and academic freedom, and even the Boston Red Sox rivalry with the New York Yankees. The new president, an avid Sox fan, watched the team’s last regular-season game along with several hundred students who turned out for a barbecue Sunday afternoon.
Three former presidents of Saint Michael’s were on hand for Saturday’s ceremony and dinner: Bernard Boutin (1969-1974), Paul Reiss (1985-1996); and Marc vanderHeyden (1996-2007). Edward Henry could not attend for health reasons.
Other dignitaries of the dais party for the formal inauguration included Vermont’s U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy ’61 and Bernard Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch, Governor James Douglas, Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Moses Anderson, S.S.E., Boston College Chancellor Rev. J. Donald Monan and University of Vermont President Daniel Fogel.
In the inauguration processional from the main campus green into Ross Sports Center, Grand Marshal George Dameron, professor of history, led international students and honor society student delegates who bore colorful flags to represent their affiliations. Delegates representing 65 colleges and universities in academic regalia followed, along with Saint Michael’s faculty and staff.
Bill Wilson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, was master of ceremonies. He set the tone by reading from Tom Geno’s book on the history of the college, conjuring images of how it might have been for the very first Saint Michael’s students who were “the roots of the journey and they continue to sustain us.” Sister Jacqueline Marie Kieslich, R.S.M., a trustee, offered the invocation, quoting John Cardinal Newman on the power and purpose of education, which she suggested is the noblest of vocations.
Greetings on behalf of different constituencies came next. Zsuzsanna Kadas, professor of mathematics and moderator of the faculty assembly, applauded Neuhauser’s decision to keep teaching after years in administration since “teaching and learning is what it’s all about,” as she quoted him saying in a published interview of years ago. Kadas noted his initial hesitancy to consider the presidency and likened him to the similarly hesitant Saint Edmund on his election as Bishop of Canterbury. “And that led to sainthood!” Kadas joked.
Alex Monahan, president of the Student Association, said it has been great to see Neuhauser around campus this semester “showing his support for the students in all aspects of our residential campus.” Caroline Crawford, director of publications, spoke on behalf of staff about the rich variety of stories behind each person’s decision to come to Saint Michael’s. She said each individual’s story tries to answer the question “why am I here?” beyond just the literal sense, encompassing also “the grand scheme of things.” Denis Collet, representing alumni, welcomed the new president to the college family, not just for his tenure but for life, saying alums had heard great things about him “and we believe you.”
Clara Galvis, director of Gimnasio Vermont in Bogata, Colombia, spoke on behalf of the college’s international partners, sharing how her own life’s direction and her institution’s were molded by affiliation with Saint Michael’s. That’s true for many of the international partners who also offer rare study-abroad opportunities for American students, she said. With humble brevity, Society of Saint Edmund Superior General Rev. Michael Cronogue pledged continued support and prayers from the college’s founding order that has committed itself to Saint Michael’s for more than a century.
Speaking for the Trustees, vice chairman Michael McGrath spoke of his long friendship with Neuhauser, whom he views as a mentor. He said he has seen his friend develop a “genuine passion” for Saint Michael’s and praised him for being collaborative yet decisive, a man who appreciates students, knows technology, is innovative, wise and courageous, respects traditions and brings breadth and depth of experience – just what trustees were looking for, he said.
The Rev. Monan, Boston College chancellor, told how Neuhauser’s 30 years in diversified roles at their shared institution has uniquely prepared him to understand and lead wisely all aspects of an institution like Saint Michael’s, which along with other privileged places of learning, has “the power to shape our country’s life and culture.” Presidents have a particularly deep responsibility since through the visibility and stature of their office, they shape the confidence, esteem and respect of each university person, Monan said. Daniel Fogel, University of Vermont president, spoke with polish and fluorish about the diversity and multiple strengths of the colleges in Vermont, both state and private institutions. Among that select cohort, Saint Michael’s is “widely regarded as a guiding light in Catholic liberal arts education,” Fogel said, welcoming the new president to the fold.
Gov. Douglas suggested education is the cornerstone of the state’s economic progress. He described his administration’s initiatives to make education more affordable and to improve science and technology training. He looked forward to collaborating in order “to attract, educate and retain a dynamic, dedicated workforce for Vermont.” Congressman Peter Welch shared a quote about college being “a refuge from hasty judgment,” noting that “intellect without a compass can be oppressive.”
Sen. Sanders lauded the college’s “great tradition of service, of community-mindedness, that is the legacy of the Society of St. Edmund.” He pointed to the society’s leadership for social justice in Selma, Alabama and New Orleans. Sanders mentioned the world’s vast problems in wealth distribution, health care and nutrition, and expressed confidence that Saint Michael’s under Neuhauser would continue training graduates to effectively address those issues.
Sen. Leahy expressed his pride as an alumnus in the “giant leaps” forward he has witnessed on campus since his student days. But he’s most proud of what hasn’t changed, Leahy said – namely, the college’s commitment to learning, ideas, justice and service. The senator reflected on Neuhauser’s many qualifications based on his Boston College record, then wrapped up with a passionately spoken improvisational departure from his prepared remarks. “Keep your core values, but never surrender your academic freedom … to anyone,” Leahy said.
Many in attendance commented on the beauty of the musical offerings throughout the program, particularly the singing of the Chorale under director Nathanial E. Lew and playing of a brass ensemble present through the initiative of Susan Summerfield, fine arts professor. The brass group played an arrangement by Dave Volpe ’05.
Following greetings, the Chorale performed a Bernstein piece. Then Rev. Brian Cummings, S.S.E. ’86, director of Edmundite Campus Ministry, read the college’s founding proclamation. Rev. Stanley Deresienski, S.S.E., ’74, director of vocations, delivered an inaugural prayer notable for its peaceful eloquence and all-embracing conciliatory spirit. “Remind us … what is required for a good life: ‘only to do right and to love goodness and to walk humbly with our God’ (Micah 6:8), Fr. Deresienski prayed.
Then it was time for Joseph Garrity, the trustee chairman, and the college’s 15th President Marc vanderHeyden and Monahan to come forward for the investiture and presentation of symbols of office, presidential regalia and insignia.
The new president delivered his inaugural address, the Chorale sang The Alma Mater; then Rabbi Joshua Chasan of Ohavi Zedek Synagogue in Burlington and Most Rev. Moses Anderson. S.S.E, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, offered benedictions. The rabbi prayed that all at Saint Michael’s be granted “easy access to Your love.” He quoted the psalmist: “light is sown for the righteous” and “joy for the upright of heart.” Bishop Anderson invoked Saint Michael the Archangel on his feast day, saying he “has given us the question and the answer” before creation: “His battle cry, Quis ut Deus? (Who is like God?) …echoes through time when we recall the identity problem in heaven,” the bishop said, calling on the Holy Spirit to guide the new president to insure “diversity of persons, of curricula and participation.”
With that, the brass quintet played for the departing processional.