This past Saturday, April 11, was President Andrew Rich’s official inauguration into office. I had the privilege of attending the ceremony to relay all things crucial to the student culture for this new chapter.
Various important faces such as Mayor Jaime Arroyo, Councilmember Nancy Millan, and State Rep. Ismail Smith Wade-El, representatives of Lancaster in government, were in the audience. One of the speakers, Akbar Hussein, spoke of how he met “Andy” in 2012 through being the first F&M recipient of the Truman Scholarship. Hussein talked about the funny yet unique position he’s in of having previously been Rich’s employee, and now being his boss. He said Andy taught him that, “doing good work and staying humble are the foundations of good leadership.”
Another notable speaker was the president’s father, who shared various stories of Rich’s youth—from being the Sunday paperboy to driving around state representatives. The air of the event was incredibly lighthearted, somewhat of an indicator of Rich’s personality. Once Andrew Rich took the stage for his speech, he said many memorable things. He spoke highly of the concept of humility, as well as how he “at his core, [is] a product of liberal arts.” It is clear that Rich thinks that shaping the minds of the future is incredibly important, or in his words: “the most consequential work one can do.”
Beyond the idealistic talk of his presidency, he still spoke with seriousness and determination. He made sure the audience knew he was perceptive to the difficulties of academia at the moment, but stated that sustainability was his top priority, especially in reference to affordability and promoting student leadership. At the inauguration, he also publicly announced plans for a “curiosity center,” designed to assist students to learn what they are passionate about and would like to commit to as a career. Besides that goal, it would also be designed to be a hub for general career services. He also confirmed that the Green Room Theater will be renamed after James Lepine.
Andrew Rich left the student body with these statements:
You are not bystanders, you don’t just show up…We will support you…Tell us when there is a problem. You’re gonna see a lot of me. I will listen. My door’s always open…We teach the habit of free and open speech, and genuine dialogue.
All of this was to say that he hears student concerns—and I do believe that we are set up for a fruitful chapter with Rich.
Freshman Ramona Banos is the Photography Editor. Her Email is vbanos@fandm.edu.