SHC Community Celebrating First Female President

The week-long celebrations continue for the historic inauguration of Dr. Mary H. Van Brunt as the 39th President of Spring Hill College.

Inauguration week events kicked off March 13 in the student dining hall where the student body celebrated Dr. Van Brunt with some of her favorite foods, including Philly cheese steak. That night, the inauguration week sand volleyball tournament was hosted at the sand volleyball courts.

On March 14, students and faculty had the opportunity to enjoy a tailgate and a friendly game of kickball hosted on Murray Field. On March 15, a community service project was planned. Students, faculty and staff joined together in a community effort to exemplify the Jesuit ideal of service to others and participated in a campus service project where people helped clean the trails around Mirror Lake.

Senior and Student Government Association senator May Sullivan said, “I liked the events leading up to the inauguration because the students of Spring Hill were able to show Dr. Van Brunt a warm welcome to our Spring Hill campus and show our appreciation to her becoming our new president.”

On March 16, the campus community is invited to the Commissioning Mass by the Provincial, Fr. Thomas Greene, S.J. to commission Dr. Van Brunt as the 39th President of Spring Hill College. The mass will be followed by a coffee reception at Einstein’s. An inauguration golf tournament is also scheduled at the Spring Hill College golf course after the mass.

The inauguration ceremony will be held March 17 at 10 a.m. in the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center. Classes have been canceled that morning so that students may be able to attend. An inauguration celebration will be held immediately after the inauguration ceremony on Rydex

Commons. At the celebration, students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to enjoy a barbeque cookout and live music.