CELEBRATING THE POSSIBILITIES President Baxter’s inauguration wasn’t contained to just one day. The milestone featured a weeklong series of events for alumni, community leaders, students, faculty and staff to celebrate the college’s 26th president— and the future ahead. Monday, April 18: Students led a worship service at Caswell Plaza and wrote notes of encouragement to the President. Tuesday, April 19: First Gentleman Mark Huffman presented a book discussion on Brené Brown’s “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts” in the Beason Recital Hall at West Side. Wednesday, April 20: The campus and spiritual community came together for a prayer service at First United Methodist Church. Thursday, April 21: Trustees and other guests gathered for a reception at the president’s home. Friday, April 22: Dignitaries and members of the college community celebrated the formal inauguration of President Baxter in Callaway Auditorium. Saturday, April 23: Service was the focus as guests gathered at Calumet Park in LaGrange for a look at the recent work of the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars.
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Students lit candles during a sunset inauguration worship service on April 18 at Caswell Plaza. Prayer cards were presented to President Baxter at the event.
bearers, delegates, student organization presidents, faculty, staff and members of the platform party. Seated at the front were alumni representing every class year from 1957 to the present. Sarah Funderburk from the Class of 1945 was the oldest alumnae. Dr. Baxter received congratulatory remarks from Nia Johnson ’22, President of the Student Government Association; Dr. Melinda Pomeroy-Black, President of the Faculty Assembly; Rob Dicks ’05 MAT, Associate Athletics Director of Compliance and Sports Medicine; the Rev. Ashley Jenkins ’08, President of the Alumni Executive Committee; Jim Thornton ’94, Mayor of LaGrange; and the Rev. Susan Gary Landry, South West District Superintendent of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. The ceremony also featured two songs from the LaGrange College Singers and a poetry reading from Erielle Robinson ’22, who was selected in a contest hosted by the college’s English program.
“A good leader must not only show their dedication but must also take the time to listen.”
-Rob Dicks ’05 MAT, Associate Athletics Director of Compliance and Sports Medicine Qualities of leadership Dicks used a statement from John Maxwell to describe how successful leaders are made. “Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others,” he quoted. He explained some of the essential qualities a college president must have
