Presidential Inauguration

Randolph-Macon College formally inaugurated Dr. Michael E. Hill as its 16th President on Friday, April 24, 2026, welcoming national voices, campus leaders, alumni, and students to mark a defining moment in College history, and to help articulate a bold, forward-looking vision rooted in its enduring mission.

The ceremony and surrounding events highlighted Randolph-Macon’s momentum as an institution on the rise, as well as its renewed commitment to its mission of developing “mind and character” in every student—a principle that has guided the College for nearly two centuries.

Inauguration Highlights

Randolph-Macon College celebrated the Inauguration of Dr. Micheal E. Hill as 16th President of the College at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24.

Hill Outlines a Vision for a Liberal Arts Institution on the Rise

President Michael Hill, wearing the Presidential Medallion, puts a hand to his heart as students in regalia next to him applaud

Photo Highlights

Professor of Studio Art Raymond Berry gives insight to his works during the Searches in the Virginia Landscape exhibition inside the Flippo Gallery.
Keep: Elizabeth Simmons ‘21 joins officials from the Town of Ashland, including mayor Steve Trivett, SERVE students, and RMC President Michael Hill for a commemorative tree planting.
Special Collections inside the McGraw-Page Library hosted Artifacts and Ideas: Randolph-Macon’s Presidential and Inaugural History, displaying the people and symbols tied to RMC’s long history.
Zoe Long ‘24, Shane Hale ‘27, and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Ben Ramage share details of their research into using dog fur to optimize potting soil for plants during the Academic Symposium and Community Showcase.
Dr. Eboo Patel delivers the Ira Andrews Lecture, focusing on the sacred union of interfaith work.
Randolph-Macon welcomed national voices, campus leaders, alumni, and students for the Presidential Inauguration of Dr. Michael E. Hill.
Members of RMC’s faculty were among the esteemed guests for President Hill’s inauguration.
The newly inaugurated President Michael Hill recesses from the ceremony wearing RMC’s Presidential Medallion and RMC regalia.
President Hill shares a celebratory moment with the Dog Mayor of Ashland, Wilbur.
Broadway star Tiffany Mann, with accompaniment from RMC student musicians, sang “This Is Me” during the Inauguration ceremony.
Poet Kwame Alexander closed the ceremony by performing an original poem.
Presidents Emeriti Rusty Martin and Robert Lindgren bestowed RMC’s Presidential Medallion upon President Michael Hill.

about the President

Dr. Michael E. Hill is the 16th President of Randolph-Macon College. He began his tenure at RMC in August 2025 with a clear embrace of our liberal arts tradition and history and a bold vision for the future. Dr. Hill’s previous roles, including most recently as President of the Chautauqua Institution, reflect a career spent helping organizations and individuals unlock potential.

Randolph-Macon’s traditions are expressed through enduring symbols that reflect the College’s history, values, and sense of purpose. These ceremonial elements connect generations of Yellow Jackets and reinforce the shared identity of our community.

RMC Ceremonial Mace is photographed in the fountain plaza

For nearly 200 years, Randolph-Macon College has been held in high regard for preparing students to build lives of personal meaning and professional value. Our mission? To develop the mind and character of students.

The Academic Symposium and Community Showcase was part of a week of programming celebrating the inauguration of Dr. Michael E. Hill as RMC’s 16th President.

Search

Search

Presidential Inauguration

Inauguration Highlights

Randolph-Macon College Inaugurates Michael E. Hill as President

Photo Highlights

about the President

The Symbols of the College

About RMC

Close Student-Faculty Relationships, Interdisciplinary Study Celebrated as Part of Inauguration Week Ceremonies