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Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson Inauguration: Finding the “We” in Westminster
FINDING THE ‘WE’ IN WESTMINSTER
By Elizabeth Fontaine Hildebrand ’92
President Kathy Richardson warmly chats with junior Billy Trott at the reception following the inauguration ceremony.
DR. KATHY BRITTAIN RICHARDSON SEES THE “WE” IN WESTMINSTER: THE CONNECTION THAT IS FOSTERED AT THE COLLEGE, REFLECTIVE OF THE VISION AND MISSION OF MOTHER FAIR.
Richardson, who was inaugurated as the College’s 15th president on Oct. 28, comes to Westminster from Berry College, Mt. Berry, Ga., where she served as provost and professor of communication. She holds a Ph.D. in mass communication and a master’s in journalism from the University of Georgia and earned her undergraduate degree from Shorter College. An accomplished academic, she is widely recognized as an expert in media ethics.
At Richardson’s inauguration —where faculty, students, alumni, and trustees o ered their welcomes—Westminster’s first female president reflected on the College’s past, hailed its present and outlined a vision for its future, beginning with an observation.
“As a newcomer, it struck me as somewhat obvious that the College’s name was revelatory: We are Westminster,” Richardson said. “It is the ties among these groups—the scholars, the leaders, the members, the teammates, the friends—that comprise the real Westminster College. We are Westminster—and the power of that connection separates and distinguishes Westminster in ways reflective of its founding vision and abiding mission.”
“You see, from the very beginning, the ‘we’ in Westminster was radically and profoundly inclusive. And we gather here today not only to celebrate that fact, but to proclaim: May it ever be so,” she said. “I don’t see the ‘we’ in Westminster as just a slogan or cliché . It is both our heritage and our calling.”
The vision of Westminster’s founders was radically broad in terms of access. From its 1852 founding, the College matriculated students without discrimination: men, women, persons of color, and those from varying social classes. The founders were also committed to o ering students a classical liberal arts education and the opportunity for more defined study in science and education—all while developing moral and ethical thinkers.
“Has there ever been a more important time for us to heed such a calling?” she
President Kathy Richardson and her husband, Dr. Randy Richardson, at the inaugural chapel service
A WEEK of CELEBRATION
The week leading up to Inauguration truly promoted the WE in Westminster. Each day had a speci c focus, celebrating all the aspects of Westminster College.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23: CELEBRATE HISTORY & HERITAGE
• Wallace Memorial Chapel & Open House • McGill Library Archives & Open House • Vespers Service
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24: CELEBRATE STUDENTS
• Service Cup Award & Celebration:
Honoring the great service work done by our students.Thirty-two projects from 25 student organizations entered.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25: CELEBRATE ATHLETICS
• Women’s Volleyball Game • Women’s Soccer Game
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26: CELEBRATE ACADEMICS
• Henderson Lecture featuring Dr. Thomas Oberst
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27: CELEBRATE ARTS
• School of Music concert featuring various student ensembles • Foster Art Gallery asked. “At a time when critical thinking and civic discourse seem to have become eclipsed by shouting opinions, when information overwhelms knowledge, the type of teaching and learning that provides grounding and connections, caring and challenge, cannot and must not be abandoned.”
To realize a meaningful 21st century liberal arts based education that prepares students for lives of leadership and service, engaging the community in a shared vision will be critical, she said.
“We must seek to reach farther,” she said. “It has become necessary to extend its reach in recruitment e orts, and in providing educational and scholarship experiences. Westminster must look beyond its boundaries and discover new opportunities that will enrich our students.”
By pursuing new educational partnerships outside of campus—such as Westminster’s recent partnership with UPMC Jameson to establish a nursing program next fall—the College is providing students with “greater opportunities for applied learning in the borough, in the region, and beyond.”
But in today’s interconnected world, an institution of higher learning must also promote a deeper global awareness and cross-cultural understanding and encourage the embrace of di erent perspectives.
Similarly, Westminster should continue to encourage students to lead lives of service, integrity and value, Richardson said.
“A liberal arts education should pro er the perspectives and wisdom of the ages— perspectives that help us understand our connectedness with each other and prompt empathy for those around us,” she said. “My hope is that each Westminster student in his or her time here will be prompted on a deeply personal level to think about the big questions.”
Service projects can greatly impact the lives of students, as will promoting connections with mentors, advisers, and faculty members. Richardson cited a recent Gallup-Purdue poll of college alumni that asserts those measures, when done successfully, contribute greatly to students’ sense of well-being and engagement as they began their careers.
“Such relationships and connections are in the DNA of Westminster College, where faculty, students and sta interactions have been valued and have been valuable for decades. But we can do more,” she said.
That includes building even stronger relationships by connecting students with alumni and professional mentors, creating stronger connections between faculty and first-year students, and mentoring recent alumni, Richardson said.
The College also needs to grow enrollment and increase retention rates and look closely at developing and maintaining facilities— academic buildings, athletic spaces,
President Kathy Richardson with Deborah Platt Majoras ’85, Board of Trustees chair
Trustee Robin Willoughby Gooch `75 o ers remarks during the inauguration ceremony.
residence halls—that are worthy of the students, faculty, coaches and sta here, she said.
This vision for Westminster is achievable, Richardson said, with a strong united e ort. The goal is to produce graduates who are empathetic, ethical, educated, empowered—the competencies and characteristics of humankind at its best.
“By working together we will honor our heritage and look ahead to our legacies,” she said. “At day’s end, a Westminster education must be a process rooted in a comprehensive, liberal arts tradition and yet as innovative as the discovery of new elements or new planets —an education that welcomes students from all backgrounds and pro ers to them the individual attention and support necessary for well-being and success.”
“This is possible because we are Westminster,” Richardson concluded. “Together we can support, connect, achieve and inspire. We are Westminster. It’s the beginning of our name. It was the beginning of the dream here. I believe that we have a future together.”
“We are Westminster.”
A Student’s Perspective
Inauguration speaker Cory Hughes ’17, president of the Student Government Association and member of the senior class, said that as he began to ponder what was unique about President Richardson, he noticed a recurring theme of “genuinely caring.” “In just the first few weeks of your presidential term, we’ve been able to notice what makes you di erent. You took it upon yourself to take the first steps into building genuine relationships with the students of Westminster by taking the time out of your day to sit down with our various groups and organizations and getting to know us,” he said. “We’ve noticed that you care about the students by the way you remember our names and our involvements, even after just meeting us for the first time.”
“We see your willingness to try new things. You’ve hosted o ce hours in the campus center and are planning many more. We’ve seen from your actions that you’re incredibly excited to make Westminster the best it can be. And you’ve shown it with a genuine air that has been unparalleled at Westminster,” he said.
“We appreciate that we know for a fact that students will be the number one priority for you.”
WHERE SHE’S BEEN
• Washington, D.C. (May 2016) • Atlanta, Ga. (May 2016) • Erie (July 2016) • Pittsburgh-North/Treesdale (August 2016) • Pittsburgh-Downtown (August 2016) • New Wilmington (September 2016) • Cleveland, Ohio (September 2016) • Columbus, Ohio (October 2016)
WHERE SHE’S GOING
• Sarasota, Fla. (Tuesday, Feb. 21) • Orlando, Fla. (Thursday, Feb. 23) • The Villages, Fla. (Friday, Feb. 24) • Charlotte, N.C. (Tuesday, March 28) • Raleigh, N.C. (Wednesday, March 29) • Harrisburg (Monday, May 15) • Philadelphia (Wednesday, May 17) • New York City (Thursday, May 18)
President Kathy Richardson has enjoyed meeting alumni and friends at her recent President on the Road events. Above, at the event in the Washington, D.C., held at the home of Trustee Ashley Davis ’97. Below, an event held for alumni in the Erie region.
