Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA 24595
{P} 434.381.6100
The Sweet Briar Promise outlines our distinctive approach for providing meaningful, enduring education for women. It includes:
Jo Ellen Johnson Parker was officially sworn in as the 10th president of Sweet Briar College during a ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. Virginia Upchurch Collier '72, chair of the board of directors, administered the oath of office.
The inauguration, which was the first College event to be held in the Upchurch Field House at the new Fitness and Athletics Center, was attended by approximately 1,000 students, faculty, delegates, staff and guests. The academic and presidential parties processed to the field house in full regalia, led by the Albemarle Pipes and Drums playing "Scotland the Brave."
Mary Patterson McPherson, executive officer of the American Philosophical Society and president emeritus of Bryn Mawr College, delivered the keynote address. McPherson is Parker's friend and former teacher at Bryn Mawr, where Parker earned a bachelor's in English and later taught.
The ceremony included greetings to the president and Sweet Briar community from around the world by several faculty and students speaking in their native languages. An inaugural ode also was performed with lyrics from George Eliot's poem "The Choir Invisible" set to music by Dean Jonathan Green.
Also welcoming the new president were Kenneth R. Garren, president of Lynchburg College, on behalf of Virginia colleges; Jennifer L. Lundy '10, president of the Student Government Association, speaking for the student body; Jennifer E. Crossland '86, president of the Alumnae Association, on behalf of alumnae; Shirley P. Reid, library circulation supervisor and the College's longest serving employee, on behalf of staff; and Robert R. Alexander, professor of environmental studies, on behalf of the faculty.
Following Chaplain Adam White's benediction, the academic and presidential parties recessed behind the pipes and drums, then continued to Memorial Chapel to conduct the College's traditional Founders' Day service.
A dinner and dance were held Saturday evening to honor Parker and to dedicate the new Fitness and Athletics Center. The inauguration was held in conjunction with Sweet Briar's Homecoming Weekend.
