The Board of Trustees voted to name Dr. Kathryn McClymond president in November of 2023, and Oglethorpe students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and friends officially installed her as the university’s 18th president Sept. 20, making her the first woman to serve as president in Oglethorpe’s 189-year history.
In her address, President McClymond said Oglethorpe’s approach to academic excellence will result in the university being recognized as Atlanta’s premier undergraduate learning experience by our bicentennial in 2035. A transcript of her complete address is available as well as video of the hour-long ceremony.
In addition to the traditional procession of faculty and delegates from other institutions, President McClymond’s investiture featured alumni delegates representing graduating classes all the way back to Jim Clower Sr. from the class of 1958. Musical performances were provided by the Midtown Brass, the University Singers and Oglethorpe student soloist Amber Williams.
“The investiture ceremony is an academic tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages,” said Tammy Pearson, chair of the Oglethorpe Board of Trustees, during the ceremony. “The tradition takes on additional meaning for us today because it represents a significant milestone at Oglethorpe. We will invest Dr. Kathryn McClymond as the first female president of Oglethorpe University.”
Greetings and charges to the president were given by Student Government Association President David Martinez-Alvarez, Facilities Operations Coordinator Luetrell Langston, Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Janelle Pham, and Sarah Phaff, Class of 2010 alumna and president of the Alumni Association Board.
Dr. William Shropshire – Emeritus Callaway Professor of Economics, former provost and former trustee – formally presented President McClymond for inauguration.
“I have had the opportunity to serve Oglethorpe as trustee and faculty member for 45 years,” Shropshire said. “Today, it is an honor and privilege to be here and to present Kathryn McClymond for her investiture as president of Oglethorpe University. Dr. McClymond, we are grateful to you and excited for you. You have articulated your vision for the immediate future for where Oglethorpe is heading and into the longer term for our 2035 bicentennial celebration and beyond.”
Former presidents Dr. Lawrence Schall, Dr. Larry Large and former first lady Barbara Stanton, representing her husband, Dr. Donald Stanton, who passed away in 2019, and Martha Pattillo representing her father, Dr. Manning Pattillo, who passed away in June of this year, attended the celebration.
Led by University Marshall, Dr. John Nardo, the four former presidents and representatives passed the University Mace down to President McClymond, symbolizing the passing of leadership.
Pearson administered the oath of office and bestowed the presidential medallion on President McClymond. The university commissioned a personalized medallion to be cast and presented to the president upon her investiture. One side of the presidential medallion depicts the university’s iconic Lupton Hall and the university motto, “Nescit Cedere,” which translates to “one who does not know how to give up.”
On the other side, the president’s name and date of investiture are engraved. The medallion symbolizes the authority of the office of the president and is a token of esteem showing confidence that its wearer is prepared to serve the office in all its capacities. President McClymond will wear the medallion at academic convocations, commencements and other ceremonial events requiring academic regalia.
In her inaugural address, President McClymond recalled a story from her teen years in which her mother gave a friend of hers an educational opportunity that inspired him to a career in the arts. The act of generosity also inspired her to dedicate herself to providing educational opportunities throughout her life.
“I have spent over 25 years in higher education because I believe that a life spent that way, a life dedicated to assuring opportunities for others, is the most meaningful life I could lead,” President McClymond said. “At this moment in my career – and at this moment in local, national, and global history – I can’t imagine a better place to do this work than at Oglethorpe University.”
She described Oglethorpe’s distinctive insight on excellence is the understanding that, first, it occurs one student at a time in a deeply personal experience. Second, excellence comes in all shapes and sizes and is informed by personality types, passion and experiences. Third, excellence is meant to be put into action to benefit the community.
“We were founded in 1835, and since 1915 we have been on this campus, an anchor to a thriving community that has grown up around us,” President McClymond said. “Throughout its history, Oglethorpe leaders have shaped Atlanta… Atlanta as we know it does not exist without Oglethorpe alumni. Excellence at Oglethorpe means impact, especially impact in Atlanta and across Georgia.”
In her address, President McClymond also clearly laid out her aspirational vision for the university which she said will guide her both in the short-term and as Oglethorpe approaches its bicentennial in 2035.
“My vision is that when we celebrate our 200th anniversary in 2035, Oglethorpe will be rightfully recognized as Atlanta’s premier undergraduate learning experience,” President McClymond said. “Atlanta’s because we embrace our history and position in this amazing city, informed by a global perspective while committed to this city and state; and undergraduate because we are committed to transforming lives at that critical developmental moment when students take ownership of their adult lives. ‘Make a life, make a living, make a difference’ is an invitation to all of us here today. Oglethorpe invites all of us to participate in this audacious act of generosity that is higher education, the offering of opportunity to complete strangers.”
Attendees gathered on the quad for a celebration luncheon immediately following the ceremony.
Inauguration events for the week also included the Community Partners Breakfast Sept. 18; Faculty Lecture, Community Picnic and Service Project, and Investiture Dinner Sept. 19; and Investiture Ceremony and Community Celebration Luncheon Sept. 20.
