F&M Stories
Inauguration of President Rich to Celebrate F&M’s New Era of Leadership
A new era is taking shape at Franklin & Marshall—one with bold ideas, fresh energy and a vision for leadership that builds on the College’s liberal arts tradition.
Members of the F&M community will commemorate this new chapter April 10-11 at the inauguration of Andrew Rich as the College’s 17th president. Delegates from colleges and universities across the country will join F&M alumni, students, faculty, professional staff and friends of the College for a celebration of leadership and citizenship throughout the weekend.
The festivities also coincide with the Spring Research Fair, Admitted Student Day, and a variety of academic and social events to create a memorable weekend for all who attend.
The investiture of President Rich—the formal ceremony and centerpiece of the weekend—will take place at 11:00 am on April 11 in the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center. Members of the F&M and Lancaster communities are welcome to attend the historic proceedings, which will be broadcast live.
Chair of the Inauguration is Deborah Murray Martin ’72, who will participate in the greetings from the community on behalf of the F&M Alumni. Trustee and alumnus Akbar Hossian ’13, who received F&M’s first Truman Scholarship and later worked for President Rich at the Truman Foundation, will also be on hand to offer greetings.
Dr. Daniel Rich, former provost at the University of Delaware and father of President Rich, will provide the inaugural introduction during the program. Chair of the Search Committee Susan Kline Klehr ’73, P’12, and Board Chair Eric Noll ’83, P’09, will present the Presidential Medallion during the installation. A lunch reception will immediately follow the ceremony.
Below, read some “fast facts” to learn more about the inauguration and investiture of Andrew Rich as the College’s 17th president.
Protocol of a Presidential Inauguration
- Inauguration: a series of celebratory events to welcome the new president
- Investiture: the formal ceremony recognizing the new leadership
- Installation: the defining moment when the president is formally inaugurated
Pictured: Andrew Rich, 17th President of F&M
Why do we have Inauguration Weekend?
Inauguration Weekend is a strategic way to introduce the new president to the full
community and provide a public platform for new leadership priorities.
Pictured: F&M's 14th president, John Fry, delivers his inaugural address on Manning Alumni Green on April 12, 2003. Fry will receive an Doctorate of Humane Letters at F&M's 239th Commencement ceremony in May. (Photo by Jim Yescalis ’68)
A Tradition of Welcome
It’s a longstanding academic tradition for other institutions to send greetings to a new president. F&M has received more than 100 letters and certificates of congratulations, many of which are on display on the first floor of Shadek-Fackenthal Library through April 13.
The Presidential Medallion
A ceremonial badge of office worn by the sitting president. It typically features the school seal and symbolizes the authority, leadership, and responsibilities of the presidency. It’s one of the oldest symbols of leadership. F&M’s medallion was first presented at the inauguration of Frederick de Wolfe Bolman in 1956.
Academic Ceremony Delegates
Members of the academic community are invited as special guests to the investiture
ceremony as witnesses and to support the new president. More than 30 delegates from
various institutions will participate April 11. The delegates may include fellow presidents,
alumni or trustees.
Pictured: Barbara K. Altmann applauds guests at her inauguration as the 16th president of F&M on Oct. 27, 2018. (Photo by Matt Lester)
The F&M Mace
An official emblem of the College, the F&M Mace was designed in 1967 and modeled after the tower of Old Main. It also contains a piece of oak from Franklin College’s original 1788 building in the heart of Lancaster. The College marshal carries the mace at every College ceremony to start and end the academic tradition.
Associate Director of College Ceremonies & Events Lindsey Snyder contributed to this story.
The inauguration of Andrew Rich as Franklin & Marshall College’s 17th president will
feature the formal investiture ceremony on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 am, followed
by a campus luncheon for members of the F&M community and honored guests.The Inauguration of Andrew Rich
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