It’s Inauguration Week!

This is it, folks.

This Friday, Nov. 11, Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., will be inaugurated as president of Rockhurst University in what is shaping up to be a joyous, celebratory afternoon.

Presidential transitions in higher education are usually historic moments — in Rockhurst’s 112-year history, there have only been 15 presidents (counting Cassady). But this one will have its own distinction in our history books — Cassady is the first lay person and first woman to be inaugurated as president of Rockhurst.

Befitting an occasion of this level, campus will be filled with visitors for the schedule of events Friday — students, faculty and staff, along with guests from other universities, community leaders, alumni and guests of the new president, including members of her family and close friends.

Cassady was introduced live as president to a standing ovation in Arrupe Hall auditorium in February 2022. She assumed the duties of president in late June, following the departure of the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J. Inauguration, she said, represents an opportunity to public recognize both the milestone of the transition and everything that makes Rockhurst such a special place.

“There are a lot of emotions,” Cassady said. “It’s my hope that this is a terrific celebration for Rockhurst University. You don’t have a presidential inauguration every day, or even in the same decade. I hope it’s a day where everyone on the campus — our alumni, faculty, staff, students — can just take a moment and pause and think about why they are called to be here, and the good they want to do.”

The day begins with the missioning Mass at 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier celebrated by the Rev. James Johnston, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. During the Mass, the Rev. Thomas P. Greene, S.J., provincial superior of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, will mission Cassady as “director of the work,” a Jesuit tradition in which Cassady will be entrusted with leading the University as a ministry of the Society of Jesus.

Following that Mass, faculty, delegates from other universities, and dignitaries will gather for a formal academic procession from the quad down Rockhurst Road to Mason-Halpin Fieldhouse for the second part of the afternoon, the installation. Here representatives from key stakeholder groups — alumni, faculty, staff, students and community leaders — will formally welcome Cassady and she will ceremoniously assume the duties of president of Rockhurst University. Also during the ceremony, she will deliver her inaugural speech, inspired by the theme for the day, “We Are Called.”

You might have seen that phrase used by students and others in reflections on RU’s social media. Derived from the inscription on the campus bell tower — a quote from the Rev. Peter Hans Kolevnbach, S.J., a former superior general of the Society of Jesus, “We Are Called” speaks to the heart of the Jesuit education. It expresses that Rockhurst as an institution, and all of the members of its campus community, can and should always strive to use education as a means to live out the Jesuit core values, and to make the world a better place.

After the installation, the celebration! The afternoon concludes with a reception in the Convocation Center starting at 4 p.m.

All faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to attend the events, but are asked to register their attendance beforehand here.