History in the Making the President’s Inauguration

 Alfred State’s Voices started the festivities with prelude music with a special rendition of New York New York Alfred style. Then the clubs and organizations of the college started the recessional holding signs that said what their passions were. Then the recessional had faculty/staff, colleges/universities in the surrounding area, and bag pipers. The Alfred Men’s Faculty Quartet sung the national anthem. Skip was inaugurated as the 12^th president. President Sullivan remarked “This day is not about me it’s about the students”. Pioneering Passions was the common theme of the inauguration. Alfred State students have been involved in helping to build homes in New Orleans, disaster relief in Haiti, a new library in Sio, and orphanage for the Angels of Honduras.

 “Just as the pioneers did not know what they would face when they took their families west, they knew that opportunities awaited them. Many of our student’s face that same uncertainty but know that passion is the vehicle that will drive their success and education is the GPS that will guide those passions” Skip remarked. Many students have moved west to Alfred facing some if the same uncertainties that the pioneering forefathers and pioneering families once did. Alfred State faculty and staff are here to make sure that students reach their destination in their wagon of life. The president encouraged students not to lose their pioneering spirit, try something different and outside of their comfort zone. “While passion may fade from time to time, find and invest in those things for which you have passion. Do the things that you love” Sullivan said.

“As president of Alfred State, I view it as my responsibility to help you grow. It is my responsibility to create an environment that is safe and that fosters both the pioneer and the passion inside of you. Today, I want to pay tribute to our students; our past, present, and future students. You are the reason I am here today. 

After the inauguration ended the students were dismissed by the president. The students then lined up from the top of the library steps to the Student Leadership Building to cheer and led everyone to the reception. The reception showcased the students and the accomplishments of clubs. There was lots of food, the band played, and everyone got to personally congratulate the president if they wanted to. Alfred State Voices serenated the president with songs and he liked it so much he even chimed in. During a brief interview he said that he is excited with the turnout of the inauguration and looking forward to things happening in Alfred. Students can look forward to the college expanding more with more programs, degrees, and dorms.

Alfred State College is proud to welcome Skip Sullivan to the Alfred family. Since he arrived on campus he has been involved with student’s right from the start going to sporting events, going to dinners, and getting to know them on a personal level. “I am passionate about being student-centered. I am passionate about being a pioneer, and I am passionate about Alfred State.”