After serving as St. Thomas’ president for more than three months, the university officially inaugurated Julie Sullivan as its 15th president Thursday afternoon.
About 900 people attended the ceremony in the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex fieldhouse. Notable members of the audience included Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and University of San Diego President Mary Lyons.
The ceremony began with a procession, opening with international flag bearers followed by the Undergraduate Student Government executive board, Alumni Association representatives, selected delegates from other institutions, clergy members, faculty members, the Board of Trustees and the platform party.
A cutout of the St. Thomas arches set the background of the stage, and deans brought forth flags to represent each of the university’s colleges.
Susan Huber, vice president and provost, welcomed Sullivan, saying the university pledges its full support and offers her its deepest respect.
Sullivan said her vision for the university would make a St. Thomas education “affordable and accessible” to all, and she encouraged the St. Thomas community to view challenges as an opportunity to provide an education that “serves God and the world.”
“It is one of my dreams that every student who has graduated from St. Thomas will have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning with students from multiple disciplines … to collaborate, create, innovate and solve real-world problems and challenges,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan addressed the increasingly economically, politically and socially polarized world and said the university should be a leader in improving the quality of life in the community and around the world.
“We create and cultivate the space, the common ground, that joins us together,” Sullivan said.
Trustee and chair of the presidential search committee John Morrison said Sullivan embodies a unique combination of kindness, passion, talent and skill.
“I think we have met someone that very seldom we will ever again have the chance to meet,” Morrison said.
Michael Dougherty, St. Thomas Board of Trustees’ executive committee chair, acted as the event’s master of ceremonies, and he introduced the six speakers who provided greetings from various university constituencies prior to Sullivan’s speech.
Before the inaugural address, Archbishop Harry Flynn and the Rev. Dennis Dease presented Sullivan with the presidential mace and chain of office. She was officially invested as the president of St. Thomas at 2:46 p.m.
“It is appropriate to the traditions of our university and our Catholic tradition that we ask God to bless (Sullivan) as she assumes this new office,” Dougherty said. “The presidential medallion … is a symbol of the presidency and the origin of the university, which Dr. Sullivan will now serve.”
Organizers also made a short video, “Meet President Julie H. Sullivan,” to present Sullivan’s background and show her commitment to the community. In the video, Sullivan said she aspires to continue Dease’s legacy in many ways as she moves the university forward.
Undergraduate Student Government President Jenna Johnson spoke at the event on behalf of the student body, and many students attended the celebration. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Festival Choir performed throughout the afternoon.
Senior Tommy Glass, who sang the National Anthem at the beginning of the ceremony, said it was an honor to be a part of the historical celebration. Glass said he noticed the fieldhouse atmosphere change when Sullivan took the podium.
“She looked so on her game. It was great to see her sitting there, officially the president of St. Thomas,” Glass said. “It was her day, and she really did steal the show.”
Junior Quinn Mogil said she was amazed by the ceremony’s smooth flow, and she was glad to witness the historic change in the St. Thomas community.
“It really represented what we want our school to be … she captured what St. Thomas really is,” Mogil said.
Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.