On Sept. 30, the University of Vermont officially installed its 28th President, Dr. Marlene Tromp.
The procession of University leaders, scholars and dignitaries from around the nation began at the University Green and moved to the Ira Allen Chapel for the official Installation Ceremony.
A prelude performed by the University’s Concert Band commenced the ceremony, as well as the posting of the colors by UVM Police Services’ Honor Guard.
A land acknowledgement was then read by Isaac Shoulderblade, First Nations student and community empowerment coordinator, once attendees were seated.
“The University of Vermont sits within a place of gathering and exchange, shaped by water and stewarded by ongoing generations of indigenous peoples,” he said.
Attendees then heard from Abigail McGowan, university marshal, the president of the faculty senate and history professor followed by the performance of the national anthem by senior Dylan Scopetski with accompaniment by the University Concert Band.
Gov. Phil Scott ‘80 then addressed the new president, saying Tromp holds the passion, energy and enthusiasm needed to run a university.
“I believe UVM can be taken to the next level, and I believe she is the right person at the right time to accomplish this,” Scott said. “I look forward to working with you as you lead this institution to help build an even more prosperous University and an even stronger Vermont.”
During the ceremony, Tromp was presented with the University’s President’s Medallion, a gift from former President Lattie Coor and the University’s Memorial Mace, a gift from the Class of 1927.
In her presidential address, Tromp expressed her love for the University and the state as a whole.
“UVM was from the outset, not just a University of ideas, but ideals,” she said. “Founded in the first state to outlaw slavery in its constitution, Vermont offered universal male suffrage, regardless of property ownership or race. UVM was the first university to admit women and African Americans into Phi Beta Kappa. How extraordinary this was and still is.”
Tromp also thanked members of the presidential search party as well as family and friends, for assisting in her journey to University President.
Among the family and friends attending, guest speaker and friend of Tromp Risë Kevelshar Collins read one of her original poems for the crowd virtually.
The ceremony drew to a close with remarks by Kimberly A. Hopley, executive vice president of development and alumni engagement at Rutgers University.
“Choosing a leader is the beginning of this next chapter, honoring all that has come before. Yet responding to all that will come requires alignment around the great mission and aims of this University,” Hopley said.
After the ceremony, junior SGA President Kennedy Connors reflected on having a leader who was actively interacting with students and the community in her first few months in office.
“President Tromp has attended every single student event that I’ve been to,” Connors said. “She was at UVM Pride. She was at convocation, of course, but everywhere around campus she has a known presence. It’s really exciting. Something that we haven’t seen from the administration.”
University Provost Linda S. Schadler expressed an air of excitement among the faculty in meetings with Tromp.
“I feel like when we leave those meetings, [we are like] in rock concerts, when people used to put up lighters. That’s the feeling you get at the end. That people are really excited by what she has to say. And I think that’s relatively new,” Schadler said.
The ceremony was followed by a reception on the University Green.
