Gustavus Adolphus College will inaugurate Rebecca M. Bergman as its 17th president at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 in Christ Chapel. The public is invited to celebrate this event along with a reception in Lund Center that will follow the investiture ceremony at 4 p.m.
“The inauguration of President Bergman is centered in the celebration of all that constitutes the Gustavus community,” Gustavus Chaplain and Co-Chair of the Inauguration Committee Brian Konkol said. “Through an exciting and engaging variety of opportunities, we will rejoice in our diversity, reaffirm our unity, and collectively consider how to continue preparing students for fulfilling lives of leadership and service in society. This will truly be a joyful occasion as we welcome President Bergman and confirm our commitment to providing a liberal arts education of recognized excellence.”
Several events are planned before the inauguration ceremony that are intended to celebrate the Gustavus community and the beginning of Bergman’s tenure:
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Celebrate Community: The Future of the Liberal Arts; This symposium event will feature Gustavus students, employees, and alumni who will each present a short vignette or reading related to the “future of the liberal arts.” From the sciences to the fine arts to the humanities, these representatives of Gustavus will articulate how the future needs of society and the Earth will require leaders with an education rooted in the liberal arts—the bedrock of a Gustavus education. This event will take place at 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall and is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Oct. 2
Celebrate Community: Inaugural Concert; This event will showcase faculty, student, and alumni performers including the College’s new Director of Jazz Ensembles Dave Stamps, President Bergman’s son Matt ’07 and his wife Katherine Johns Bergman ’07, and dancer Philip Flickinger ’01 and Kelsey Hanstad ’14. The event will take place at 8 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall and is free and open to the public.
Friday, Oct. 3
Celebrate Community: Inaugural Tree Dedication; A ceremony will take place to dedicate the President’s Oak Tree and First Gentleman’s Bench at 10:45 a.m. in the Linnaeus Arboretum. This event is free and open to the public.
Celebrate Community: Inauguration of President Rebecca M. Bergman; President Bergman will officially be inaugurated as the College’s 17th President at 2:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel. This event is free and open to the public and will also be live-streamed on the College’s website.
Celebrate Community: Inaugural Reception; The Gustavus community and the general public will celebrate President Bergman’s inauguration with snacks and refreshments at 4 p.m. in Lund Center.
Leave a Reply