On Friday, Oct. 18, Eric Turner was inaugurated as Lasell’s 10th president in a celebration of the community’s history and accomplishments.
The day began with the President’s Welcome in the atrium of Brennan Library before the academic colloquium began. The colloquium, organized by Dean of Curricular Integration and Professor of History Denny Frey, Assistant Professor of Philosophy James Lincoln and Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Fund Anne Gaughen, was split into three sections featuring panels and an interactive session.
The first session was “Beyond the Textbook: Realizing Career Potential Through In-Class Learning” and featured a panel of two current students and two alumni.
The following session, “Community Matters: Reflecting on Civic Duty in the Face of Modern Issues,” included Mayor of Marlborough J. Christian Dumais ’02 and Boston Juvenile Court Judge Fabiola Pierre White ’04, along with current students and a professor.
The final session, “Bridging Generations: Exploring Intergenerational Connected Learning Experiences,” featured 25 presentations from over 50 students, faculty and community members sharing everything from student clubs and organizations to university programs.
“The Academic Colloquium preceding President Turner’s inauguration highlighted some of what Lasell does best: connected learning, teamwork, critical thinking, critical reasoning, and career readiness,” said Administrative Assistant of Academic Affairs Lee Means. “Inauguration Day was a day for Lasell University to celebrate…Working together, over 100 volunteers created an atmosphere of what a Lasell education looks like today, combining academics and co-curricular activities…with an eye towards the future.”
Following the third session, fiber artist Janet Kawada ‘73 presented a talk on her installation currently hanging in the Brennan Library titled “Row, Row, Row Your Boats.”
Shortly after the colloquium, community members gathered in the Athletic Center for the inauguration ceremony.
The ceremony began with a processional, followed by representatives from various programs and a welcome from alumni Anthony Berry and Samari Auguste. Master of Ceremony and junior graphic design major Nick Fernandes introduced the student processional featuring an academic showcase, student club representatives, student-athletes and a performance by the cheer team.
There was an invocation from Professor Emeritus and Reverend Thomas Sullivan before President Turner’s children, Weslie and Jared Turner greeted the crowd before students, staff, faculty, alumni and other members of the Lasell community addressed the president and the audience.
Associate Professor and Chair of the Faculty Assembly Sara Bartlett Large was pleased with the opportunity to speak on behalf of the faculty.
“I feel truly honored to have been part of the inauguration ceremony for President Eric Turner and to speak on behalf of the faculty. The ceremony was fun and full of warmth as people from across our community came together to celebrate Lasell and President Turner,” Large said. “[Turner] is genuine, thoughtful, and dedicated, and I am certain that he is the best person to lead Lasell into the future. Although I felt nervous to give my speech at such an important event, when I approached the podium and saw Eric giving me an encouraging look, I felt more at ease and ready to deliver my speech,” Large said.
Gerry DeRoche, chair of the Board of Trustees presented Turner with the presidential medallion before he delivered the inaugural address.
Erica Da Costa ‘23 delivered a closing poem before recessional.
During his address, President Turner spoke about the nature of the day and the university as a whole. “Today is supposed to be about me, but it is truly about you,” Turner said. “About us inspiring and empowering each other. About our shared visions for the future. A vision for which we must have courage to change to raise up our learners. To compete and be different. We may be ignorant of defeat but not afraid to try, maybe to fail, but ultimately we will succeed as we have before.”
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