Randolph-Macon College Celebrates Inauguration of President Robert R. Lindgren
Now is the Time for Randolph-Macon
 Robert R. Lindgren President of
Randolph-Macon College |
Despite the rain, hundreds of Randolph-Macon College's students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, parents and many members from the Richmond, Ashland and surrounding communities convened on Friday, October 27, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate the installation of President Robert R. Lindgren as Randolph-Macon’s 15th president.
“Now is the time for Randolph-Macon” reverberated throughout the college’s Blackwell Auditorium in the R-MC Centerfor the Performing Arts during this special ceremony. President Lindgren shared this compelling theme and vision for the future of the college during his inaugural address, which brought the crowd of more than 650 to its feet in excitement. “Randolph-Macon is among the most selective, residential liberal arts colleges in Americaand among the very best true liberal arts colleges in the Commonwealth,” he said. “Our goal is to be a leader in all that we do; all the while ensuring that the liberal arts education we offer remains the best educational experience for undergraduates anywhere in the world. Randolph-Macon must lead.”
Daniel H. Weiss, president of Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, delivered the ceremony's salutatory, and, as is customary for most inauguration ceremonies, many members of the R-MC and surrounding communities brought greetings and well wishes to President Lindgren including: Dr. C. Ladell Payne, R-MC’s 13th president; Dr. Brian C. Turner, secretary of the R-MC faculty and a professor of political science; Meg Shamburger, R-MC senior and SGA president; Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch, R-MC’s staff representative; Robert Paterson, president of the R-MC Society of Alumni; Ashland Mayor Faye Prichard; Richmond Mayor and former governor L. Douglas Wilder; The Honorable L. Preston Bryant Jr, secretary of Natural Resources in Virginia; Alan G. Merten, President of George Mason University; the Rev. Mark Ogren, Ashland District Superintendent; and Dr. William Brody, President of Johns Hopkins University.
Following welcomes and well wishes from R-MC and the surrounding communities, President Lindgren was officially installed as R-MC’s 15th president and two of the college’s past presidents, Roger Martin, R-MC’s 14th president, and Luther White, R-MC’s 12th president, placed the presidential medallion over his shoulders. This also marked a historic moment for the college, as C. Ladell Payne, R-MC’s 13th president, was also present, likely making this the only time in Randolph-Macon history where four presidents were on stage at the same time.
Since President Robert R. Lindgren's arrival in February of this year, he has focused heavily on making personal connections and has been warmly received by all who have met him. He continues to declare his strong support for the necessity and value of a liberal arts and sciences education in helping students excel in today's world, and his passion for this type of educational experience has ignited new energy within the Randolph-Macon Collegecommunity.
This Web site will serve as a permanent archive of news leading up to President Lindgren's Inauguration, and also news from the day of the Inauguration Ceremony. Please take a moment to watch the Inauguration Ceremony videos, and also enjoy the pictorial history of this significant event through several special photo galleries. Also, on behalf of everyone involved with the Inauguration Ceremony, thank you for helping to make this event exciting and memorable for Randolph-Macon.