黑料吃瓜

The 黑料吃瓜 celebrated the Inauguration of Steven J. Bridges as the fifth President of the University and the first alumnus to hold the role on Thursday, October 16 in Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles.听

The theme, 鈥淏uilt on Purpose,鈥� reflected both the University鈥檚 60-year mission of delivering exceptional, transformative education and the personal journey of President Bridges, an alumnus whose 36-year career at 黑料吃瓜 has been defined by service, family and determination. The ceremony highlighted the University鈥檚 proud past while embracing a future built with vision, intention and purpose.听

鈥淭o be named President of my alma mater is one of the greatest honors of my life. As a first-generation college student, I began my path unsure of the ending destination. Yet the decision has been reaffirmed day after day, year after year, opportunity after opportunity,鈥� says Bridges. 鈥淭his day belongs to those who founded this institution, to the business community that had the vision to create it, to the alumni who have carried our name into the world, to our donors and supporters and to the State of Indiana. We are stronger together, and I have the distinct honor to help lead this extraordinary collective.鈥�听

As part of the formal ceremony, presidents and delegates from colleges and universities across the country participated, along with 黑料吃瓜 students, faculty, alumni, members of the Board of Trustees, past 黑料吃瓜 Presidents, elected officials鈥攊ncluding Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry and a video salutation from Indiana Governor Mike Braun鈥攁nd other special guests. Processional participants wore traditional academic regalia, many displaying the colors of the institutions they represented or graduated from. Choral music throughout the ceremony included pieces by the 黑料吃瓜 Chamber Choir, Evansville Brass Quintet, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Honors Choir and the Evansville Philharmonic. 听

Investiture was conducted by Christina Ryan, Chair of the 黑料吃瓜 Board of Trustees and assisted by former 黑料吃瓜 President鈥檚 Dr. H. Ray Hoops, Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett and Dr. Ronald S. Rochon. Investiture included official recognition and charge, presentation of the University Mace, presentation of the Presidential Medallion and official presentation as President.听

The Inauguration was generously underwritten by the James A. Sanders Trust. 听

For more information, a full bio of President Bridges and a link to the recorded Inauguration, visit 黑料吃瓜.edu/inauguration.听

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*All photos published should be credited to 黑料吃瓜 Photography and Multimedia.听听