Everything You Need to Know About Inauguration
Members of the Hamilton community and guests will come together on Saturday, Sept. 28, to inaugurate President Steven Tepper as the 21st president of the College.
Tepper, who was announced as Hamilton’s next president on Feb. 7, 2024, assumed the presidency on July 1. In anticipation of the big day, learn about Hamilton’s unique inauguration traditions, ceremony and weekend details, and more.
Who is President Steven Tepper?
A sociologist, Tepper is a leading writer and speaker on higher education and U.S. cultural policy, and his work has fostered national discussions about cultural engagement, creative work and careers, art and democracy, and the transformative possibilities of a 21st century creative campus. Before Hamilton, Tepper served for 10 years as dean and director of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University.
Hamilton Inauguration Traditions
What are the symbols of the office that the president is presented with during inauguration?
President Tepper will be presented with the original 1812 College Charter during the ceremony.
The presidential chain of office, designed by Ralph Menconi.
He will also be bestowed with the presidential chain of office that bears the College seal. It was first presented in 1968 to John Wesley Chandler, the 15th president of Hamilton. The presidential chain was a gift from the Class of 1968. According to the April 26, 1968, issue of the Spectator, College Marshal Thomas E. Colby said, “The idea behind a chain of office is to symbolize both the burden and the distinction the man is asked to assume.” Ralph Menconi, a New York City commercial artist and sculptor, agreed to donate his time to design the seal and its chain. The chain belongs to the College and is presented to each successive president.
What music will be performed during the ceremony?
The Brass Ensemble, under the direction of Heather Buchman, the John L. Baldwin, Jr. Professor of Music, will play French composer Paul Dukas' Fanfare from La Peri for the President's Fanfare.
The Brass Ensemble will also perform works by Tielman Susato, Samuel Scheidt, and Edward Elgar for the ceremony.
The College Choir, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Music Charlotte Botha, will perform Hor che la vaga Aurora, and lead the assembly in Hamilton’s alma mater, Carissima.
How are all members of the Hamilton community represented during the ceremony?
In keeping with tradition, representatives from constituencies within the College community and local officials offer greetings to the new president. They include:
- Students: Quentin Messer ’26, Vice President Student Government Alliance
- Faculty: Karen Brewer, Silas D. Childs Professor of Chemistry
- Staff: Kevin Alexander ’13 and Katrina Schell ’03, Co-chairs Staff Assembly
- Town Official: Elizabeth Tantillo, Mayor of Clinton, N.Y.
- Alumni: John Christopher ’83, P’14, Immediate Past President, Alumni Association
- Trustee: Linda Johnson ’80, Co-Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Ceremony & Weekend Details
Will the ceremony be livestreamed? Will a recording be made available?
Yes, the livestream and subsequent recording is available below, and will also be available on our Inauguration website. (Weekend schedule)
Who can attend the ceremony on Saturday?
All students, alumni, employees, supporters and friends are invited. The events on Saturday, Sept. 28, are free, general-admission events and do not require tickets. Other events during the weekend are by invitation only.
Special guests, college and organizational delegates, and program participants will be notified in advance regarding reserved seating, and if appropriate, required attire such as academic regalia.
How long will the ceremony last?
We estimate it will last roughly 90 minutes.
What is the difference between the inauguration, investiture, and installation?
The inauguration refers to the entire day or week's events celebrating President Tepper, which includes the formal academic ceremony, also known as an investiture ceremony. The formal installation will take place when President Tepper is presented with the presidential chain of office by the Board of Trustees during the investiture ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 28.
What flags will be displayed on the stage during the investiture ceremony?
The American, Oneida Indian Nation, New York State, and Hamilton flags will be displayed on the stage. The Oneida Indian Nation flag was presented to President Tepper by Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Ray Halbritter at this year’s Convocation.
What is the order of the academic procession during the installation ceremony?
A bagpiper from the Mohawk Valley Frasers will lead the procession followed by College Marshal Lisa Trivedi, the Christian A. Johnson Excellence in Teaching; VIP marshals Professor of Theatre Mark Cryer and Associate Dean of Faculty and Professor of Psychology Penny Yee; Hamilton Trustees, Senior Officers, Town Officials; Delegate Marshals Professor Rob Kantrowitz ’82 and Sharon Rivera, the Sidney Wertimer Professor for Excellence in Advising and Mentoring; Delegates representing colleges and universities; Faculty Marshals Professor of French Cheryl Morgan and Associate Director of Athletics and Associate Professor of Physical Education Deidre Pierson; Hamilton faculty; Platform Marshal Margaret Thickstun, the Jane D. and Ellis E. Bradford ’45 Distinguished Writing Chair; and the Platform party, including President Tepper.
What are ‘delegates’ and how many will be here?
Delegates officially represent other colleges, universities, or other learned organizations. More than 30 are expected to attend from such institutions as Bates College, Davidson College, Grinnell College, Williams College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Utica University.
Who will introduce President Tepper?
David Solomon ’84, P’16, chair of Hamilton’s Board of Trustees, will introduce President Tepper and give opening remarks.
Who did President Tepper invite to be the special guest speaker?
Haitian-American composer, performer, and violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain, an associate professor at Arizona State University and former colleague of President Tepper is the special guest speaker. Roumain is a prolific and collaborative educator and social entrepreneur who has worked with artists from J’Nai Bridges, Lady Gaga, and Philip Glass to Bill T. Jones, Marin Alsop, and Anna Deavere Smith.
What will President Tepper speak about in his address?
Tune in to find out! A livestream and recording will be available on the Inauguration website.
What words are featured in the overlay text on the invitation and inauguration materials?
They are from President Tepper's remarks during his campus visit in February after being announced as president, where he posed several "What If" questions to our community. Here are a few excerpts from it:
- What if we make Hamilton a democracy makerspace — where we actively practice and build the muscle necessary for renewing our civil society?
- What if we approach the most contentious issues of our time — not primarily from a position of outrage — but from a place of inquiry and learning?
- What if we evolve a new and much needed approach to technology and education that is grounded in the liberal arts tradition? What if we don’t use technology for fast, efficient and convenient learning but instead use it for slow, deep and sticky learning? And, what does it look like to center humanity and equity in the design and use of emerging technologies?
- What if Hamilton re-defined the relationship between the liberal arts and leadership for the next 50 years?
- What if Hamilton graduates are able to communicate across every medium available, from writing and speaking to video, art, immersive media, social platforms and more; entering the workforce with the knowledge and confidence to pitch, persuade, inspire, educate, influence and advance their ideas with any audience in any context?
- What if every member of our community could show up in every space with their full humanity — where they are seen, recognized, honored, and embraced for their distinctive perspective and experiences and complexity — where there is critique without judgment; failure without fear?
In addition to the investiture ceremony, what else is happening during Inauguration weekend?
There are several events taking place and the full schedule is on our website. Here are a few highlights:
Inauguration Academic Presentations
3-5 p.m. Kirner Johnson Building, Red Pit (KJ 127, Map #14)
This event showcases the exquisite work of Hamilton's faculty and students engaged in collaborative research through the proposition “What If?”
What if... Hamilton’s goal of active citizenship meant engaging with urgent problems in the local community?
Frank Anechiarico, the Maynard-Knox Professor of Government and Law and Levitt Center director, with Cathy Carlson ’26 and Isonah (Iso) Dlodlo’27
What if… we could create the personalities of our AI assistants?
Anna Huff, assistant professor of digital arts, and Kate Bondarenko ’25
What if... we could harness the power of genetics?
Natalie Nannas, associate professor of biology, and Marissa Duffy ’25
What if…pharmacies were places of wonder?
Mackenzie Cooley, associate professor of history, and Caitlin Blanksteen ’27
What if... Dolly Parton’s song "Jolene" was reworked by Black women?
Lydia Hamessley, the John and Anne Fischer Professor in Fine Arts, and Brigit Cook ‘27
Innovation Center Groundbreaking
5 p.m. Lawn between Burke Library and Siuda House
The Westerlies performance
7:30 p.m. Wellin Hall, Schambach Center (Map #12)
The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (New York Times) are a New York-based brass quartet.
Tickets and more information
Inauguration Picnic
12 p.m. Dunham Green (Adjacent to Map #79)
Student Performances & Dessert Trucks
1 p.m. Near Dunham Green
Performances will include a Cappella groups, student bands, dance groups, and more.
FAQs
The inauguration refers to the entire day or week's events celebrating the new president, which includes the formal academic ceremony, also known as an investiture ceremony. The formal installation will take place when President Tepper is presented with the College medallion by the Board of Trustees during the investiture ceremony.
All students, alumni, employees, supporters and friends are welcome to attend. Some events are invitation only. Special guests, college, and organizational delegates, and program participants will be notified in advance regarding reserved seating, and if appropriate, required attire such as academic regalia.
The events on Saturday, Sept. 28, are free, general-admission events and do not require tickets. Other events during the weekend are by invitation only.
The ceremony will be held in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House (#72 on the campus map).
Parking for ceremony guests will be in North Lot (adjacent to #42 on the campus map) and other undesignated parking lots. Delegates and special guests will receive specific parking instructions.
Yes. Please call 315-859-4529 to specify your needs.
Yes, the livestream and subsequent recording will be available on this website.
Members of the media should contact Vige Barrie at 315-859-4623 or vbarrie@hamilton.edu.
If your questions are not answered here, please contact the College Events & Scheduling Office at 315-859-4529 or collegeevents@hamilton.edu.
