President Ohle and his wife, Kris Ohle, visit with students during the Student Homecoming and Inaugural Week Kickoff.
That’s just what the Gustavus community did Sept. 28-Oct. 5 as numerous events, dubbed “Celebrate Gustavus,” were held for the inauguration of new President Jack R. Ohle in conjunction with Homecoming and Family Week.
The festivities began Sunday, Sept. 28 with a student Homecoming and Inaugural Week kickoff, where President Ohle and his wife, Kris Ohle, visited and dined on wings and desserts with students while the traditional window-painting contest was also underway in the dining room.
The faculty and academics were celebrated with “A Community of Learners”
lecture. This event featured Dr. John W. Churchill, national secretary of the most prestigious honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa, of which Gustavus is a member. Churchill, faculty respondents, and audience members discussed the value of a liberal arts college in today’s society.
On Thursday evening during a leadership dinner and on Friday morning during daily worship in Christ Chapel, internationally acclaimed bass baritone Simon Estes sang for the Gustavus community. Estes also sang the National Anthem at the beginning of Saturday’s Homecoming football game.
On Friday, Oct. 3, students, faculty, staff, alumni, family, and friends gathered together, along with delegates from other colleges, for the inauguration of President Ohle as the College’s 16th president.
Friday’s festivities also included an outdoor reception and a gala dinner where President Ohle and the Board of Trustees announced Gustavus Commission 150. More details about the commission are available online.
Other Celebrate Gustavus events included:
- An Inaugural Tree Dedication on Saturday, Oct. 4 in Linnaeus Arboretum.
- The Homecoming Parade on Saturday.
- Saturday’s Homecoming football game versus the University of St. Thomas.
- Celebrate Gustavus: Oktoberfest, a post-game, buffet-style dinner, complete with polka music, German foods, and games.
- A Nobel Conference Preview Dinner at the Science Museum of Minnesota.