March 19, 2025

West Chester University Will Inaugurate its 16th President on March 28 at 11 AM

Weeklong Events Celebrating WCU Include Campus-wide “Sweet 16 Spirit Day” on March 25 & Professional Clothing Drive Competition on March 26 to Benefit Students Using Free Career Closet

Dr. Laurie Bernotsky, DPhil, will be inaugurated as West Chester University’s 16th president and, historically, its second woman president during a formal investiture ceremony that will bring 1,000+ to campus on Friday, March 28, at 11 am in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, 700 South High Street, West Chester. As President Bernotsky wishes to ensure that the inauguration centers on not one but all, a weeklong series of events will celebrate the University and all the people, partners and supporters who contribute to the success of WCU students.

For event details, times, and locations, please see wcupa.edu/inauguration  and the information provided below:

MARCH 24, 2025
Celebrating The Women of West Chester
12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Women Student Leaders Reception
5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Women of West Chester Reception
The West Chester University Foundation Ballrooms, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester

Inauguration women

Women student leaders and women of the WCU community will gather to kick-off a historical week that has been coordinated to celebrate Dr. Laurie Bernotsky as West Chester University’s 16th president and, historically, its second woman president..

MARCH 25, 2025
“Sweet 16 Spirit Day” In Honor of WCU’s 16th President
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All Around Campus!

spirit of west chester

A fun campus-wide “Sweet 16 Spirit Day” will celebrate the spirit of West Chester! Six food trucks will be on campus to give away free food at yummy spirit stations. Plenty of purple and gold swag will be doled out, too.

President Bernotsky, Rammy the Golden Ram Mascot, Mike Bray, and Dr. Zebulun Davenport will judge the best displays of “WCU Spirit” during a Residence Hall Decorating Contest that will be held in the lobbies of the residence halls from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

In addition, A Little Rams Celebration, from 5 – 6:30 p.m., will enable children of alumni and from the surrounding neighborhoods to have lots of fun with Rammy the Golden Ram Mascot, WCU athletes, members of the Cheer Team and the Dance Team, Miss WCU, and some surprise guests. The Little Rams Celebration will be held at The West Chester University Foundation, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester.

 

MARCH 26, 2025
Suit-Up & Stock-Up Professional Clothing Drive/Friendly Campus-wide Competition to Help
Students Benefiting from the Free WCU Career Closet
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Twardowski Career Development Center, 225 Lawrence Center, 705 S. New Street, West Chester, PA

WCU faculty, staff, and student organizations will join President Bernotsky in a friendly campus-wide donation drive to collect new & gently-used professional clothing for WCU students who benefit from the free Career Closet. Personal care items (toiletries) for the on-campus Resource Pantry will also be collected. Departments and student organizations will earn points for their donations. The group with the most points will win “Lunch with Laurie!”

Also, an Alumni Happy Hour, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., will enable Golden Rams to celebrate this historic moment together and provide an opportunity to donate to the Career Closet, as well as to the Resource Pantry. The Alumni Happy Hour will take place at 9Prime, 9 N High Street, West Chester, PA.

 

MARCH 27, 2025
Student Research Poster Session & Spotlight on Faculty Research
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Student Research Poster Session
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Spotlight on Faculty Research
Sciences and Engineering Center & the Commons/SECC (First Floor & SECC 108), 155 University Avenue, West Chester, PA

research inauguration

WCU students and faculty will feature their innovative research projects, present their findings, and engage in discussions with the campus community.

 

MARCH 28, 2025
Inauguration Ceremony
11 a.m.
West Chester University, Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, 700 South High Street, West Chester, PA

Dr. Laurie Bernotsky will be inaugurated as West Chester University’s 16th president during a formal investiture ceremony that will include representatives from Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and universities from throughout the Commonwealth of PA, as well as elected officials and community partners. More than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, friends, and dignitaries will attend.

An inauguration reception will immediately follow in Hollinger Field House.

 

Presidential Gala
6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Longwood Gardens Conservatory, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA

Gala

The Presidential Gala, which is a ticketed event that draws 300+ members of the community to help raise scholarship funds for academically-deserving WCU students, will celebrate the inauguration of West Chester University’s 16th president. The event is black-tie optional.

 

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