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A week-long college celebration in April culminated with the inauguration of Edward F. Leonard III as the college’s 13th president.
Held April 7 through 13, inauguration week included a series of speakers, concerts, worship services, and other events honoring the college’s religious and academic missions, reputation in artistic performance and creativity, tradition of excellence in sports, and students past and present.
Unified by the theme, “to strive, to seek, to soar,” inauguration week brought students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters together in a community celebration of the college.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Presser Hall on the college campus, at 1 p.m. on April 12, 2008. Along with the pomp and circumstance of a presidential inauguration, Leonard elaborated on the theme, “to strive, to seek, to soar,” in his inaugural address.
A slide show presentation on the theme by Professor Carl Isaacson was shown at the Celebration Ball.
Inauguration week photos are available to view on Jim Turner's online gallery.
Inauguration dates and events included:
Sunday, April 6
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Lifting Up Bethany College and President Leonard
Students and alumni will ask their local congregations to begin inauguration week with a special prayer of blessing for the college.
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Monday, April 7
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Celebrating Bethany in Education
Johnson Lecture Series presents James Bradley, historian and author of Flags of Our Fathers
7:30 p.m.
Presser Hall
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Tuesday, April 8
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Celebrating Bethany and the Arts
Reception with music by Träblås
6:30 p.m.
Unveiling of a Birger Sandzén painting
7 p.m.
Wallerstedt Library
Special Concert: featuring the music of Claude Debussy, Scott Joplin and Stephen Sondheim, and including a sing-a-long of favorite George Gershwin songs.
Presented by Departments of Music, Theatre and Art
8 p.m.
Presser Hall
Followed by a reception at Birger Sandzén Gallery
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Wednesday, April 9
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Celebrating Bethany and the Church
Chapel Worship, in celebration of church workers
10:30 a.m.
Burnett Center
Church Workers Appreciation Brunch
11:30 a.m.
Lindquist Hall
By invitation only; RSVP required.
Celebrating Bethany and Athletics
Lecture by Jack Parr, former professional basketball player
7 p.m.
Presser Hall
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Friday, April 11
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Celebrating Bethany Students
Make Your Own Music Videos for Bethany students
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pihlblad Memorial Union
Bethany Student Root Beer Float Social
2 – 4 p.m.
Pihlblad Memorial Union
Community Smorgasbord Dinner
5 – 7 p.m.
Pihlblad Memorial Union
Cost is $10 at the door; $5.25 for Bethany faculty and staff; regular meal price for Bethany students. RSVP required.
Call (785) 227-3380, ext. 8156 to RSVP.
Student Toga Party hosted by SAB
9 p.m.
Pihlblad Memorial Union
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Saturday, April 12
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Inauguration Festivities
Community Worship Service
9 a.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
Alumni Reception
10 – 11 a.m.
Warner Hall lobby
Scholarship Brunch
10:30 a.m.
Messiah Lutheran Church
By invitation only; RSVP required.
Dignitary Brunch
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Lindquist Hall
By invitation only; RSVP required.
Inauguration Ceremony
1 p.m.
Presser Hall
Followed by a reception on the lawn and optional campus tours
5:30 p.m. silent auction
6:30 p.m. dinner
7:45 p.m. live auction and dessert
9 - 12 p.m. dancing to The Blades
Stroble-Gibson Gymnasium
Cost is $50 per person; RSVP by March 23 required.
Call (785) 227-3380, ext. 8156 to RSVP.
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Sunday, April 13
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Celebrating Bethany in Lindsborg
Leonard Family "Sundae Stroll"
1:30 p.m.
Begins at Bethany Lutheran Church
Ice Cream Social
With children's activities and daisy bed dedication
2 - 4 p.m.
Bethany College
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Directions to Bethany College and a campus map are available on the Bethany Web site. Available lodging in Lindsborg is listed at www.lindsborg.org.
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