Jim Amidon —The second semester at Wabash College is well underway.
The students began to return to campus about two weeks ago, though seniors had been back studying for comprehensive examinations long before that. Already it feels like we’re in mid-semester form.
This promises to be one of the most exciting spring semesters in recent memory. First, we’re beginning a yearlong celebration of the 175th anniversary of Wabash’s founding. While many activities and events marking this important milestone won’t take place until next fall, there will be occasions throughout the spring when we’ll commemorate the College’s 175th year of educating young men.
President Pat White will be inaugurated in an official ceremony next weekend, becoming Wabash’s 15th president since the school’s founding in 1832.
Presidential inaugurations on college campuses tend to be a mix of two important events. Of course, celebrating the new president is one aspect. The other deals more with history. Inaugurations serve as important historical markers in the life of a college; they provide a rare opportunity to reflect on the past, while at once allowing people to imagine a new future.
The theme for President White’s inauguration seems to lend itself perfectly to both.
“In dreams begins responsibility,” wrote poet William Butler Yeats. That theme has guided the planning of the inauguration and provides a glimpse of the direction our new president will take us.
Throughout the fall he has asked members of the Wabash community — students, faculty, staff, and alumni — to dream about an ever better Wabash; a college that serves its students true to the mission of educating men to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely. Not only has he asked us to dream big dreams for Wabash, he’s challenged all of us to take responsibility for assuring that our dreams become reality.
Next Saturday, when he is inaugurated, President White will give a speech that will likely be a summary of what he’s heard from Wabash people about the future direction of the College since he was elected almost a year ago. And he’ll imagine the future while standing on the shoulders of giants, fully honoring and recognizing Wabash’s historic excellence.
Obviously, all of us are anxious to hear what he has to say!
