Presidential inauguration plans in full swing
Sara Callahan
Issue date: 5/4/06 Section: News
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Stephen Ainlay is to assume the Presidency of Union College on July 1, 2006. He will become the 18th President of Union. His inauguration is scheduled for September 16, 2006.
Before coming to Union, Ainlay was the senior academic officer as well as a professor of Sociology and Anthropology at the College of the Holy Cross. He has been a professor there since 1982 and a dean since 1996.
Professor William Finlay, Director of Yulman Theater, is in charge of the Inauguration Committee. He said that they have been planning for this event since the announcement of Ainlay as the next President.
"There's a large committee involved in planning. I'm chair of the committee, and everyone from the head of dining services, to facilities, is involved. It's a campus wide event. The Board of Trustees...the President's office and publicity are also involved," Finlay added.
The inauguration will in no way be a surprise for the incoming President. Ainlay is being kept in the loop with planning.
"There will be a formal ceremony in the morning held at Memorial Chapel and in the evening there will be an Inaugural Ball which will be black tie optional. The ball will be open to faculty, students, and staff. Tickets will be available for the evening event for everyone [as well]," added Finlay.
Finlay hopes for the Ball to be a "really big deal." He said that the committee is hoping for about 750-800 attendees.
"There will be a 20 piece orchestra present, and many of the organizations on campus will be performing. There will be dances performed, a ballet and a contemporary piece," said Finlay.
"What's interesting about the gala and the whole thing is the theme. It is 'highlighting the future by honoring the past.' I have been exploring three centuries of Union's history," Finlay said, "I'm taking elements of Eliphalet Nott's inauguration in the late 19th century and I'm taking elements of President Richmond's inaugurations from the turn of the 20th century and then Ainlay's inauguration at the beginning of the 21st century. We will have food that was served at Nott and Richmond's inauguration and the Union College Choir will be singing pieces from the turn of both of those centuries. We will be highlighting the past inaugurations at this one."
Before coming to Union, Ainlay was the senior academic officer as well as a professor of Sociology and Anthropology at the College of the Holy Cross. He has been a professor there since 1982 and a dean since 1996.
Professor William Finlay, Director of Yulman Theater, is in charge of the Inauguration Committee. He said that they have been planning for this event since the announcement of Ainlay as the next President.
"There's a large committee involved in planning. I'm chair of the committee, and everyone from the head of dining services, to facilities, is involved. It's a campus wide event. The Board of Trustees...the President's office and publicity are also involved," Finlay added.
The inauguration will in no way be a surprise for the incoming President. Ainlay is being kept in the loop with planning.
"There will be a formal ceremony in the morning held at Memorial Chapel and in the evening there will be an Inaugural Ball which will be black tie optional. The ball will be open to faculty, students, and staff. Tickets will be available for the evening event for everyone [as well]," added Finlay.
Finlay hopes for the Ball to be a "really big deal." He said that the committee is hoping for about 750-800 attendees.
"There will be a 20 piece orchestra present, and many of the organizations on campus will be performing. There will be dances performed, a ballet and a contemporary piece," said Finlay.
"What's interesting about the gala and the whole thing is the theme. It is 'highlighting the future by honoring the past.' I have been exploring three centuries of Union's history," Finlay said, "I'm taking elements of Eliphalet Nott's inauguration in the late 19th century and I'm taking elements of President Richmond's inaugurations from the turn of the 20th century and then Ainlay's inauguration at the beginning of the 21st century. We will have food that was served at Nott and Richmond's inauguration and the Union College Choir will be singing pieces from the turn of both of those centuries. We will be highlighting the past inaugurations at this one."
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