Danny Anderson was installed as the 19th president of Trinity last Friday in an inauguration ceremony held in Laurie Auditorium.
“In 1952 when this campus was opening, President Jim Laurie described the first class of students as a “˜company of pioneers.’ Now in 2016, you are also pioneers, and it is an honor to join you as president on this journey with you.”
The inauguration began with a processional of Trinity faculty, staff, the board of trustees and selected students in academic regalia.
Anderson was given the symbols of the Office of President including a mace, which represents the university’s liberal arts values institution, and the presidential medallion bearing all the names and dates of previous Trinity presidents.
Douglas Hawthorne, board of trustee member, led the installation of Anderson and explained the history of Trinity.
“Trinity has endured hard times, wrenching changes and three relocations to Waxahachie in 1902, to San Antonio in the Woodlawn campus in 1942 and finally to this permanent home””the magnificent campus set on a hill overlooking the San Antonio downtown skyline in 1952,” Hawthorne said.
Throughout the ceremony, there was a contrast between Trinity’s past and its future.
“As we gather today to install Trinity’s 19th president, let us acknowledge the debt we owe to not only its founders but also the succeeding generations and the past presidents and trustees whose vision, dedication and hard work that created the amazing institution that we are so justifiably proud of on this day,” Hawthorne said.
Councilman Ron Nirenberg, a Trinity alumnus and former director of KRTU, spoke on behalf of San Antonio in welcoming Anderson.
“I am encouraged that President Anderson’s first days included a day of service, where 500 Trinity community members, students, faculty and staff poured through the entire city to address the challenges that are so real to so many San Antonians,” Nirenberg said.
In the weeks preceding the inauguration, Trinity hosted several community events. Last week the campus participated in “Trinity Gives Back,” in which students, faculty, staff and community members volunteered around the city.
Last Thursday, the campus participated in the Great Trinity Experiment, which provided a day for students to lead classes about a variety of subjects.
Greetings to the president were presented by one representative of the faculty, staff, student body and alumni.
Ramiro Sanchez, manager of the Financial Service Center, spoke on behalf of the staff. Adam Urbach, professor and chair of the Faculty Senate, represented the faculty. Leslie Hollingsworth, president of the Alumni Association, represented the alumni.
Trinity student representative, Sean McCutchen, former SGA president, welcomed Anderson on behalf of the student body.
“The Dr. Anderson I have come to know wants nothing less than the best for the students of Trinity. Your willingness to serve and inspire others are just a few reasons everyone here this afternoon believes in you,” McCutchen said.
Anderson made it a goal to provide clarity in the coming days of the Trinity Tomorrow plan.
“We’re in the third year of a ten year plan,” Anderson said. “One of my goals is to facilitate clarity. We cannot do this all at once. We need to build upon our momentum, we must stage our actions to reinforce each other and we have to ensure the renewal of our own energy.”
