Inauguration Plans Continue for President Katie Conboy, Ph.D.

Plans are underway for the Inauguration of the 14th president of Saint Mary’s College, Katie Conboy. A series of inaugural events will be hosted on campus from September 28 to October 10. An appearance from an award-winning author, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a research symposium are just some of the exciting events happening during this time.

“We are thrilled to formally welcome President Conboy as Saint Mary’s president,” said Eliana Sanchez ’22, the current student representative on the Board of Trustees, who is studying psychology and environmental studies. “The Inauguration is a way to not only honor her leadership, but to also showcase the work of students, alumnae, faculty, and staff for guests at the inauguration and visitors to the College. There are festivities for the whole Saint Mary’s community to enjoy.”

Events kick off Tuesday, September 28, with An Evening with Jacqueline Woodson, this year’s Christian Culture Lecture guest, in O’Laughlin Auditorium. Woodson is an award-winning author and, as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, she will be speaking about her platform of “Reading = Hope x Change (What’s Your Equation?).”

On October 3, less than a week after Woodson’s appearance, student committees will host the Saint Mary’s Lip Sync Battle at 6 p.m. on Library Green. Students will challenge each other on stage by singing and dancing to their song of choice with a special performance by President Conboy.

Following these events is a tour of recently installed and existing art on campus featuring the Blessed Mother Mary. Representing Holiness: An Exploration of Marian Art on Wednesday, October 6. Then, on Thursday, October 7, a ribboncutting ceremony will be held for two new offices, The LGBTQ+ Center and the Office for Student Equity, in the Student Center with a presentation and tour to follow.

Friday, October 8 marks the beginning of the Inauguration weekend. A tour of the newest academic facility, the Center for Integrated Healthcare Education, will be at 10 a.m. in Regina Hall. This state-of-the-art facility will house all of Saint Mary’s health science and behavioral programs, beginning this fall with the School of Nursing, and eventually will include autism studies, social work and gerontology, and speech and language pathology. That afternoon is the Revere, Revise, and Reimagine Symposium where research and creative works are on display in Moreau Center for the Arts, Spes Unica, and Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex.

A full day of events to celebrate President Conboy’s inauguration will be on Saturday, October 9. At 9 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. Then at 1:30 p.m. Conboy will be officially installed as president of Saint Mary’s College at a ceremony in O’Laughlin Auditorium. Delegates from other higher education institutions will join President Conboy, faculty, staff, family members, and students at a reception following in the Cushwa-Leighton Library. That evening, Catherine Russell, a jazz and blues artist, will hold a concert in O’Laughlin Auditorium.

Rounding out the week of events is the “Rave Around the World” led by the Residence Hall Association and Student Diversity Board. Sunday, October 10, students will listen and dance to their own music on Le Mans Green starting at 7 p.m.

To view the full list of events and to read more about President Conboy click here.