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"They're All Yours!" Inauguration Article

Inauguration

Spilled Ink

11/19/1976

"Charles, they're all yours"

 

The inaugural ceremonies of Dr. Charles Dick on October 23, 1976, ran very smoothly, and it was an honor to be present. Before they officially began faculty and guest members of the procession were lined up outside the Reeves building, nervously fidgeting in their academic caps and gowns. Once the music began however, they straightened up to look official, but the excitement they were feeling still showed on their faces as they marched up to the stage with cameras snapping-around them.

 

There were several welcoming speeches given by alumni faculty and student representatives. Frederic W. Ness, President of the Association of American Colleges, and an old friend of Dr. Dick's, compared the relationship between a college and its president to that of a husband and wife with its children: declaring it to be a twenty-four hour job in his delightful "Letter to a President."

 

The big moment arrived when Robert W. Vey. Chairman of the Board of Trustees installed Dr. Dick, bestowing the symbol of office, by putting the silver medallion around his neck saying, -Charles, they're all yours." The reception, which followed, located in the Seay Front Parlour, Dr. and Mrs. Dick received congratulations from their guests. It certainly had the air of a family affair. The college, parents, faculty, students, Fiends, and even the relatives of Dr. and Mrs. Dick were present to welcome the new heads of the Centenary community.