Santa Clara College on Friday inaugurated the primary girl and layperson to ever function the establishment’s president, ringing within the event with a grand ceremony that featured phrases of hope, pleasure and help from members of the college’s neighborhood.
Julie Sullivan was first appointed to the function in March and began the job on July 1, however was formally launched to the neighborhood on Friday because the college’s new chief as Larry Sonsini, chair of the board of trustees of Santa Clara College, draped the President’s chain — an ornate, shimmering medal adorned with the college’s seal and pictures alluding to the college’s Jesuit historical past — round her neck.
Sullivan, who beforehand served because the president of the College of St. Thomas in in Minnesota, takes on her new title in Santa Clara following the departure of earlier president Rev. Kevin O’Brien, who resigned after an investigation by the Santa Clara College Board of Trustees concluded he was concerned in unspecified “inappropriate behaviors” that principally concerned conversations with Jesuit graduate college students. After O’Brien stepped down in March 2021, Provost Lisa Kloppenberg was appointed as appearing president and crammed the function till this summer time.
The Board of Trustees eliminated the requirement that the college’s president should be a Jesuit priest in June 2021, and Sullivan was chosen unanimously after a nationwide search that included 149 nominations and 58 functions from each Jesuit and lay candidates, in response to the college.
Throughout her inauguration ceremony attended by 2,000 individuals, Sullivan was lauded by former secretary of Homeland Safety and present president of the College of California system, Janet Napolitano, for her resilience, power and braveness.
“President Sullivan enjoys these three qualities in abundance,” Napolitano mentioned. “She would be the rising tide that lifts all ships round her … I'm so proud as an alumna to face right here and watch Julie turn out to be Santa Clara’s subsequent president.”
Leon Panetta, former U.S. Secretary of Protection and one other Santa Clara College alumnus, counseled Sullivan for taking up the function throughout “a difficult time in our democracy and in our world,” including that it’s additionally a “time of super alternative.”
“I urge you now to hitch me in welcoming Santa Clara College to the twenty first century,” Panetta mentioned to thunderous applause.
At the start of her speech, Sullivan asserted that the day was not about her, however in regards to the college’s mission. She emphasised three themes that she mentioned related the college’s previous to its current and future — rigor and relevance, inclusive excellence and interculturality, and reality and social justice – and urged the college’s neighborhood to proceed embracing these themes throughout her tenure.
She additionally highlighted the college’s long-reaching historical past, going again to its founding in 1851 and its early popularity because the “Gold Mud School” as a result of lots of its college students had immigrated to California throughout the historic Gold Rush, and emphasised the way it may encourage the college’s path going ahead.
As an illustration, she mentioned, almost 1 / 4 of scholars throughout the college’s first 25 years of operation had been Spanish-speaking or had Spanish surnames, and early enrollment lists included college students from across the nation and the world over. Round half the scholars had been Protestants, she added.
“I see a future for Santa Clara the place we're extra inclusive and welcoming, and the place we proceed to extend and improve our racial, cultural and socioeconomic variety to raised replicate the world we reside in,” Sullivan continued. “I imagine it’s crucial that we embrace our accountability as a Jesuit Catholic college to make a higher contribution to social mobility in our society.”
The college can work towards these targets, Sullivan mentioned, by making an attempt to serve extra college students from underrepresented backgrounds, akin to college students from low-income or first-generation households, and by collaborating in analysis on how effectively the varsity contributes to the social and financial mobility of scholars.
Sullivan has beforehand promised to be an “accessible chief” to the college’s college students, who've seen management of the establishment change palms greater than as soon as in recent times. And one scholar who attended the inauguration says he’s already seen that in motion.
Brian Wiebe, a sophomore learning pc science and engineering, mentioned he noticed Sullivan introducing herself to freshmen as they moved into their dorms initially of the 12 months and that she’s been noticed at campus occasions by loads of college students.
“She’s tremendous current,” Wiebe mentioned. “It’s good to see a president now who’s very vocal and captivated with making the varsity a greater place.”
And one other scholar, Michael Joseph, mentioned he hopes Sullivan can convey a brand new perspective in addressing among the points college students have skilled on campus.
“Simply having the primary layperson and girl is a really large step ahead,” Joseph, a sophomore communications main, mentioned. “I really feel like with our new scholar authorities and new president, there’ll be extra consciousness of our psychological well being, ensuring this campus is extra numerous and inclusive for everyone, and ensuring everybody’s welcome right here.”
One other scholar, Quy-Dzu Do, mentioned he’s curious to see how Sullivan stands out from the varsity’s previous management.
“It’s very fascinating how that is the primary time they broke away from the custom of getting Jesuits (for president),” Do, a sophomore learning electrical and pc engineering. “That may be a first and, as they are saying, we’re getting into the twenty first century now.”
In a information launch, the college mentioned that Sullivan can be taking the helm “at a time of super progress, alternative and promise.”
“President Sullivan is a powerful and visionary chief who has the expertise and compassion to steer Santa Clara College ahead at this pivotal time in its historical past,” Sonsini mentioned within the launch. “She is aware of the super energy of a Jesuit, Catholic training, and has the abilities and knowledge to assist our college students thrive as they find out how their presents will higher our world.”