FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 2021
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鶹ƵState College
Public Relations Department
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GLENVILLE, WV - 鶹ƵState College officially installed its newest leader today as Dr. Mark A. Manchin’s inauguration ceremony was held at the College’s Waco Center.
Manchin began his tenure as 鶹ƵState’s 26th president on July 1, 2020.
During his inaugural address, Manchin spoke about the importance of education, his love of family, and his visions for 鶹ƵState College, including expanding health sciences programs and reinvesting in teacher education.
“There have been so many people in my life who are the reasons I stand before you here today. My wife Gigi, my children, my sisters, my cousins, our family members who have come before us…all of those people and more are why I’m here today,” he said.
Multiple delegates and honored guests traveled to 鶹Ƶto provide greetings and help celebrate the occasion. They included U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Curator Randall Reid-Smith, 鶹ƵMayor Dennis Fitzpatrick, several area county commissioners, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch, Mountain East Conference Commissioner Reid Amos, and several 鶹ƵState College officials. West Virginia State Senator Michael Romano (D-12) shared a video greeting and Delegate Brent Boggs (D-34) was represented by his wife, Jean. Romano and Boggs were unable to attend due the West Virginia legislature still being in session.
The official investiture was performed by Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. To signify his acceptance of 鶹ƵState College’s mission, Manchin was also presented with two symbolic items - the presidential medallion and the College’s mace - by 鶹ƵState College Board of Governors Chairman, Michael T. Rust.
Two past 鶹ƵState College presidents, Dr. Thomas H. Powell and Dr. Peter B. Barr, were on hand for the ceremony, as were several delegates representing other institutions of higher education.
The ceremony also included specially chosen musical performances by the 鶹ƵState College Concert Band and the singing of the College’s Alma Mater by the Concert Choir.