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PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Inauguration: A moment two years in the making
Dr. Susanna Baxter turns the page on COVID-1 9 and looks ahead to next chapter of presidency
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Callaway Auditorium, a spacious venue shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, was filled with dignitaries and members of the college community on April 22 to celebrate the formal inauguration of President Susanna Baxter.
A pandemic at the start of Dr. Baxter’s time on campus seemed to have come straight out of a novel, as she described in her inaugural address.
“Prior to 2020, if the author was going to write a fictional novel about a small liberal arts college in the midst of a presidential transition, the writer wouldn’t necessarily choose to drop the main character into the story at the beginning of a pandemic,” she said. “Unless of course, the author wanted to be accused of ‘jumping the shark’—a tale too outlandish to be believed.”
During her speech, Dr. Baxter gave thanks to her family, college leaders, faculty, staff and the students, who she said are the “champions of this story.”
“You have demonstrated your resiliency and adaptability,” she said. “You’re going to transform the world.”
First Gentleman Mark Huffman delivered a message at an inauguration week prayer service on April 20, the day of his wedding anniversary to President Baxter. The event was held at First United Methodist Church.
Beyond limitations
Dr. Baxter encouraged her audience to “envision the possibilities,” the theme of inauguration week.
“We often limit our personal dreams and institutional aspirations when we think we’re not ‘more than’ the boundaries our limited experience and imagination have set,” she said. “We lift our eyes to the horizon to envision the possibilities, feeling God’s presence, and holding fast to our mission to challenge the mind and inspire the soul.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Baxter also spoke about the college’s five-year strategic plan approved earlier in the day by the Board of Trustees.
“At the heart of the plan is a declaration of our student-centered approach and a commitment to do even more in the service of students,” she said. “In the next five years our campus will be revitalized, our community renewed and our future amplified.”
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.
The ceremony kicked off with a processional led by flag 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.
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 to lead an institution.
“A leader must be dedicated to the values of an institution,” Dicks said. “A good leader must not only show their dedication but must also take the time to listen.”
Power of partnership
Thornton said the city’s statue of Marquis de Lafayette stands as a testament to its longstanding relationship with LaGrange College. The statue is on loan to the city from the college.
“It is a prominent example of the many points of collaboration between LaGrange College and the city,” Thornton said. “This collaboration has existed for 191 years.”
He explained how President Baxter is a good fit for the college.
“President Baxter brings a wealth of experience in higher education and recognizes the power of partnership and the synergy of institutional collaboration,” Thornton said.
A weeklong celebration
Inauguration week kicked off with a student-led prayer service on Monday, April 18, at Caswell Plaza. On Tuesday, April 19, First Gentleman Mark Huffman discussed Brené Brown’s book “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts” in the Beason Recital Hall at West Side.
At First United Methodist Church, the campus and spiritual community gathered on Wednesday, April 20, to offer prayers for Dr. Baxter and her family. First Gentleman Mark Huffman surprised the audience—and his spouse— with the message on the day of his wedding anniversary with Dr. Baxter.
The inauguration week concluded with a focus on service on Saturday, April 23, at Calumet Park. The event included lunch and a presentation by the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars.
Dr. Baxter was elected as the college’s 26th president by the Board of Trustees in April 2020, after serving as president of the Georgia Independent College Association for 10 years in Atlanta, Georgia. She succeeded former President Dan McAlexander, who retired after 11 years of service.
At LaGrange College, Dr. Baxter is the second female president. Daisy Davies, a missionary, fundraiser and scholar, served as president from 1915 to 1920.
Dr. Baxter graduated summa cum laude from Pfeiffer College with a degree in Christian education and religion. She received a master’s degree in education in general administrative leadership and a doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University. More at lagrange.edu/inauguration
Dr. Susanna Baxter stood alongside her family as she was sworn in as the 26th president of LaGrange College on April 22 at Callaway Auditorium.
First Gentleman Mark Huffman led a book discussion on April 19 at West Side.
At the President's home (bottom right), a reception was held for trustees and other guests on April 21.
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.
