The Inauguration of John H. Dozier, Ph.D. - Event Program

Columbia College | Columbia, South Carolina

Saturday, the Twentieth of April, Two Thousand and Twenty Four

Mission Vision

Our mission is to prepare every student personally and professionally for success through liberal arts and professional programs emphasizing service, social justice, and leadership development. The vision of Columbia College is to empower our students to change the world with Courage for Innovation, Commitment to Social Justice, Confidence through Service, and Competence in Leadership.

Columbia College | Columbia, South Carolina

Saturday, the Twentieth of April, Two Thousand and Twenty Four

About Columbia College

Columbia College, founded in 1854, is a private, liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and online. The College is ranked among those highlighted by U.S. News & World Report as Best Regional University in the South, Best Regional University for Veterans, Best Value School in the South, and Top Performers on Social Mobility in the South.

Founded and rooted in the United Methodist Church, Columbia College advocates a holistic approach to education, emphasizing the importance of leadership, service, and social justice. The College enhances the personal education of every student with additional focus on the Four Cs- Courage, Commitment, Confidence, Competence.

Enrollment is approximately 1,500 students throughout the institution, representing a diverse student body. Degrees conferred include those at both baccalaureate and master’s levels in more than 40 different programs. With an impressive 11:1 Student to Faculty ratio, the dedicated faculty and staff provide our students with the skills to be successful, noting a more than a 98% rate of placement in jobs and graduate schools within six months of graduation. The College’s programs continue to receive high accolades for innovation, student focus, and delivery.

The student experience is enhanced through the offering of an intercollegiate athletic program, participating in the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The College has repeatedly earned the top national award for the NAIA Champions of Character competition and continues to expand athletic offerings to accommodate the needs of a growing and developing student body.

Presidents of Columbia College

Whitefoord D. Smith 1859–1860

William Martin ........................................... 1860–1861

Henry M. Mood ........................................... 1861–1865

Samuel B. Jones 1873–1876

J. L. Jones ...................................................... 1876–1881

Osgood A. Darby ........................................ 1881–1890

Samuel B. Jones 1890–1894

John A. Rice ................................................ 1894–1900

William W. Daniel...................................... 1900–1916

Griffith T. Pugh 1916–1920

J. Caldwell Guilds ....................................... 1920–1948

Walter K. Greene

1948–1951

R. Wright Spears .......................................... 1951–1977

Ralph T. Mirse ............................................ 1977–1988

Peter T. Mitchell 1988–1997

Phyllis O. Bonanno ................................... 1997–2000

James H. Rex ..............................................2000–2001

Caroline B. Whitson 2001–2012

Elizabeth A. Dinndorf ............................... 2012–2017

Carol A. Moore ........................................... 2017-2020

William T. Bogart 2020-2023

John H. Dozier ..................................................... 2023-

John h. Dozier

twenty-first president of Columbia College

John H. Dozier was announced Columbia College’s twenty-first president on April 20, 2023.

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Dozier brings a broad range of experiences as an educator, industry executive and corporate leader, entrepreneur, and administrator to bear in his role as Columbia College’s president. Beginning his career as a corporate consultant and executive, he has served as a higher education senior administrator for the past 21 years. At the City Colleges of Chicago, Dozier held pivotal roles, including Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, and President of Kennedy-King College. At the University of South Carolina, he served as the first Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Associate Provost, spearheading community engagement and strategic initiatives aimed to enhance belonging and equity across the university.

Dozier joined Columbia College from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he served as Institute Community and Equity Officer since March 2020. He played a crucial role in shaping the Institute’s response to the pandemic and was a thought leader on many of the social challenges confronted by college and university communities across the nation. He led the development and implementation of MIT’s first central strategic plan (focused on belonging, achievement, and composition), the creation and implementation of their first values statement, and he expanded the Institute’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Visiting Scholars Program.

Dozier received the Richard A. Rempel Faculty Award from the University of South Carolina in 2016 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from South Carolina State University in 2015. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including Historic Columbia (2012-2017), EdVenture Children’s Museum (2013-2019), Central Carolina Community Foundation (2019-2020), Serve and Connect (20192023), Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (2020-2023), and American Heart Association – Boston Affiliate (2021-2023). He is a current member of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation Board, the MIT Press Management Board, and the Midlands Business Leadership Group.

Dozier holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from South Carolina State University, and Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Education degrees from DePaul University (Chicago, IL). He and his wife, Victoria, have been married for 26 years. They owned and operated The Language Buzz, Columbia’s first world-language learning center. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina and Master of Business Administration from Belmont University (Nashville, TN). Together, they have three children: Olivia (22), Evans (19), and Sophia (17).

The InsTallaTIon Ceremony

Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM

Cottingham Theatre

*The Pealing of the Bells

Musical Selection

*The Processional

La Rejouissance by Handel

South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Columbia College Mace carried by Karen Thompson, Faculty Chair

Trustees of the College

Past Presidents of Columbia College

Delegates from Colleges and Universities

Faculty and Deans of the College

Senior Leadership of the College

Platform Party

The President

The Welcome

The Invocation

The Greetings to the President

From the Family

From the City of Columbia

From the Academic Community

From the Faculty

From the Staff

From the Alumni

From the Students

Ms. Judi Gatson

Anchor, WIS News 10

Reverend Tiffany Knowlin Boykin ‘03

Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church & Board of Trustees Member

Renata ‘97, Olivia, Evans, and Sophia Dozier

Mayor Daniel Rickenmann Columbia, South Carolina

Dr. Harris Pastides

President Emeritus, University of South Carolina

Dr. Tracy West Dean of the Division of Education

Dr. Ruby Fielding ‘91

Vice President of Finance & Administration

Ms. Nan LaFitte ‘87

President, Columbia College Alumni Association

Ms. Aliyah Overton Senior, Class of 2024

Ms. Annabelle Lee Sophomore, Class of 2027

*Please Stand

Musical Selection����������������������

Light of Grace - (trad. Irish and English blessings) arranged by Andy Beck

Members of the Columbia College Choir, Directed by Ms. Aletha Jacobs

The Oath of Office �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Dr. Kristine Barnett Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs

John H. Dozier, the Board of Trustees has selected you to serve as president of Columbia College. In so doing, they have empowered you to lead the College in a manner that is consistent with its heritage, true to its values, and faithful to its mission. Do you accept this responsibility of leadership and vow to serve this institution loyally, wisely, and judiciously?

I do.

This institution upholds high standards of academic excellence and seeks to instill in all who are associated with it a deep respect for knowledge. It is a community of learners where both individual and group accomplishments are celebrated and where human diversity is respected and appreciated. Will you support and defend these standards?

I will.

Columbia College is built upon a foundation of faith and commitment to social justice that stems from its roots in the United Methodist Church. Will you protect and support this foundation and all that it means to the College?

I will.

Mr. Chairman, as he has duly sworn to uphold the duties and responsibilities of the office of President, I present to you for confirmation, John H. Dozier.

The Installation

Mr. Ben Rex Chairman, Board of Trustees

John H. Dozier, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, and by the power vested in me as chair, I entrust to you the Columbia College Medallion, the symbol of the office of President, and officially confirm you as the twenty-first president of this great institution.

The Inaugural Address .............................................................................................................

Dr. John H. Dozier President

*The Benediction �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Reverend Fadetra Boyd Chaplain & Director of Spiritual Life

*Alma Mater �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Dr. Diana Amos Associate Professor of Music

*Recessional�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Rondeau by Mouret South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Reception follows on The R. Wright Spears Mall honoring President John H. Dozier

Columbia College Alma Mater

We sing the praise of her we love, We lift on high her name in song, White as the gleaming stars above, Columbia, mother, great and strong,

Academic Regalia

She who has been shall ever be, Wise, good, and true eternally; No stain shall touch the purity Of our Columbia College.

The use of academic regalia can be traced to Medieval European universities, where it was worn to distinguish scholars from the rest of the population. The apparel had an ornamental as well as a utilitarian function. The regalia signified the degree or degrees a person held, where the highest degree was earned, and what discipline the person had studied. American colleges and universities adopted similar gowns, hoods, and,caps and today there is general uniformity in the regalia.

The bachelor’s gown is designed to be worn closed and has pointed sleeves. The master’s gown may be worn open or closed and has a hood and oblong sleeves. The doctor’s gown may be worn open or closed and has a hood and bell shaped sleeves. The doctor’s gown is trimmed in black velvet with three bars on the sleeves. The master’s hood is three and one-half feet long; and the doctor’s is four feet long. The trim of the hood is in the color of the subject in which the degree was earned. For example, economics is copper; education is light blue; fine arts is brown; music is pink; arts, letters, and humanities are white; philosophy is dark blue; science is gold yellow; business administration is sapphire blue; and law is purple.

The square-topped cap is called a mortarboard. The tassel is fastened in the center of the cap and is worn to the left. It may be black or the color of the subject. If it represents a doctoral degree, it is usually gold.

The Mace

The mace that is carried today at the head of the processional is a historic symbol of authority and a common feature of academic occasions. Maces are typically constructed of wood or metal and are customized to incorporate symbols that reflect the values or history of the institution. Design of Columbia College’s mace began in the mid-1980s. It was presented to Columbia College May 4, 1993, in honor of the former president Ralph Thomas Mirse. Our mace incorporates wood and two metals to give the mace substance and heft. Symbols on Columbia College’s mace include the college seal and logo and the logo of the United Methodist Church.

The President’s Medallion

The Columbia College medallion was commissioned by Mr. Robert J. Maxwell, Jr. of Greenville, South Carolina. Designed by Mr. William C. Tidwell, Jr. of the Columbia College Art Department, the medallion symbolizes the temporary conferral of institutional authority and custodial power to the president during the period of office. It is presented during the Investiture Ceremony and will be worn during official events. Whereas academic regalia symbolizes academic achievement, the medallion is regalia that symbolizes the office. Its presidential authority is to be used judiciously and wisely or with wisdom and good judgment.

Delegates

William and Mary

University of Pittsburgh

University of South Carolina

University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of District of Columbia

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Johnson C. Smith University

Claflin University

Benedict College

Allen University

Presbyterian College

Arizona State University

Elon University

Clinton College

South Carolina State University

California College of the Arts

Benjamin Franklin Cummings of Technology Institute

South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities

Charleston Southern University

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

University of South Carolina Palmetto College

Sherri Charleston

Jeff Perez

Joan Gabel

Donna Arnett

LaVar Charleston

Rachel M. Petty

Tracie Jones-Barrett

Valerie Kinloch

Dwaun Warmack

Roslyn Artis

Ernest McNealey

Virginia Crocker ‘73

Rodrick Johnson

Stephen Patterson

Lester McCorn

Alexander Conyers

David Howse

Aisha Francis

Jeff Perez

Keith Faulkner

Walter Tobin

Walt Collins

Columbia College Board of Trustees

Mr. Ben Rex, Chair | Ms. Robin Waites, Vice Chair/Secretary

Ms. Cathy Callaway Adams

Mr. Timothy G. Arnold

Rev. Tiffany Knowlin Boykin ‘03

Ms. Ruth Anne McCarter Collins ‘68

Rev. Vivia Lawton Fowler ‘76

Mr. W. Scott Graves

Bishop L. Jonathan Holston

Mr. W. Anthony Jackson

Mr. Thomas C. Keith

Mr. Marion A. Knox, Jr.

Mr. John Marshall Mosser

Mr. Rodrick T. Shiver

Dr. Ershela L. Sims

Mr. Mark Timbes

Hon. Kaymani D. West ‘97

Ms. Jada Willis

Ms. Nan Cannon LaFitte ‘87

Mr. M. Edward Sellers, Trustee Emeritus

Columbia College Senior Leadership

Dr. John H. Dozier President

Dr. Kristine Barnett Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. Ruby Fielding ‘91

Dr. Sandra Rouse ‘95

Vice President of Finance and Administration

Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Mr. Vincent Maloney Dean of Enrollment Management

Ms. Elise Ahyi Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

Ms. Sara Snell Whitaker ‘99 Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement

Mr. Glen Crawford Director of Athletics

Ms. Emily Wilson Director of Marketing and Communications

Ms. Joye Hipp Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees Executive Secretary

Columbia College Faculty

Professors

Tamara L. Burk, Ph.D.

James C. Lane, Ph.D.

Tracy N. West, Ph.D.

Karen C. Thompson, Ph.D.

Kirt E. Moody, Ph.D.

Adrienne Yingling Oxley, Ph.D.

Kristine E. Barnett, Ed.D.

David McCracken, Ph.D.

Marla Sanders ’98, Ph.D.

Ezaz Ahmed, Ph.D.

Tywana C. Hemby, Ph.D.

Associate Professors

Scott Smith, Ph.D.

Edward R. Sharkey, Ph.D.

Shirley Huisman Ph.D.

Marlee Marsh, Ph.D.

Diana Amos, D.M.A.

Alexandru Atim, Ph.D.

Christine LeBlanc, Ph.D.

AnnMarie Knight, Ph.D.

Carole Sox, Ph.D.

Laurel Whisler, M.L.S.

Elaine Swain, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

A. Brennan Davis, Ph.D.

Erin Merchant, Ph.D.

Jessika Brooks ’09, M.L.I.S

MaryJon Barrineau ’06, Ph.D.

Amanda Ling ’10, M.F.A.

Chakia McClendon, Ph.D.

Wayne Davis, Ph.D.

Traci Dingle ’06, Ph.D.

Claire Lenviel, Ph.D.

Daniel Stevens, M.L.S.

Kala Dunn, M.I.S.

Adam Eddy, M.F.A

Atinut Inthajak, Ph.D.

Ahmet Aksoy, Ph.D.

Gretchen Whitman, Ph.D.

Ga Kyung Jeong, Ph.D.

Christine Oskar-Poisson, Ed.D.

Alexandra Szarabajko, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Karilena Yount, Ph.D.

Jessica Moore ‘06, M.F.A.

Vinayak Bhat, Ph.D.

Cornell Sneed, Ed.D.

Jennifer Watson, Ph.D.

Martin Lang, M.F.A.

Senior Lecturers

Vida Mingo, Ph.D.

Jennifer Dollar, M.S.W.

Lecturers

Aletha Jacobs, M.A.

Jill Eversmann, M.S.

Keisha Pearson ’06, M.Ed.

Jason Gallaher, M.A.

Carl Moore, D.H.A

Karen Beaman, Ed.S.

Jeffrey Bowe, D.B.A.

Joseph P. Mililli, M.A.

Ralph Lawson, M.A.

John Bailes, M.A.

Alexis Scurry, M.S.W.

Barbara Russo, Ph.D.

Stephen Kneece, M.A.

Jennifer Bailey ’07, M.F.A.

Erin Carlson ’03, Ph.D.

Renee Just, Ph.D., Ed.D.