Posted on Friday, April 22, 2022
Callaway Auditorium, a spacious venue shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, was filled with dignitaries and members of the college community Friday to celebrate the formal inauguration of President Susanna Baxter.
A pandemic at the start of Dr. Baxter’s time on campus seemed to have come straight out of a novel, as she described in her inaugural address.
“Prior to 2020, if the author was going to write a fictional novel about a small liberal arts college in the midst of a presidential transition, the writer wouldn’t necessarily choose to drop the main character into the story at the beginning of a pandemic,” she said. “Unless of course, the author wanted to be accused of “jumping the shark”—a tale too outlandish to be believed.”
During her speech, Dr. Baxter gave thanks to her family, college leaders, faculty, staff and the students, who she said are the “champions of this story.”
“You have demonstrated your resiliency and adaptability,” she said. “You’re going to transform the world.”
Dr. Baxter encouraged her audience to “envision the possibilities,” the theme of inauguration week.
“We often limit our personal dreams and institutional aspirations when we think we’re not ‘more than’ the boundaries our limited experience and imagination have set,” she said. “We lift our eyes to the horizon to envision the possibilities, feeling God’s presence, and holding fast to our mission to challenge the mind and inspire the soul.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Baxter also spoke about the college’s five-year strategic plan approved earlier in the day by the Board of Trustees.
“At the heart of the plan is a declaration of our student-centered approach and a commitment to do even more in the service of students,” she said. “In the next five years our campus will be revitalized, our community renewed and our future amplified.”
The ceremony kicked off with a processional led by flag bearers, delegates, student organization presidents, faculty, staff and members of the platform party.
Seated at the front were alumni representing every class year from 1960 to the present. Sarah Funderburk from the Class of 1945 was the oldest alumnae.
Dr. Baxter received congratulatory remarks from Nia Johnson ’22, President of the Student Government Association; Dr. Melinda Pomeroy-Black, President of the Faculty Assembly; Rob Dicks, Associate Athletics Director of Compliance and Sports Medicine; the Rev. Ashley Jenkins ’08, President of the Alumni Executive Committee; Jim Thornton ’96, Mayor of LaGrange; and the Rev. Susan Gary Landry, South West District Superintendent of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The ceremony also featured two songs from the LaGrange College Singers and a poetry reading from Erielle Robinson ’22, who was selected in a contest hosted by the college’s English program.
Inauguration week kicked off with a student-led prayer service Monday evening at Caswell Plaza. On Tuesday, First Gentleman Mark Huffman discussed Brené Brown’s book “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts” in the Beason Recital Hall at West Side.
At First United Methodist Church, the campus and community gathered Wednesday to offer prayers for Dr. Baxter and her family. Church, campus and community leaders participated in the service. First Gentleman Mark Huffman surprised the audience—and his spouse—with the message on the day of his wedding anniversary with Dr. Baxter.
Dr. Baxter was elected as the college’s 26th president by the Board of Trustees in April 2020, after serving as president of the Georgia Independent College Association for 10 years in Atlanta, Ga. She succeeded former President Dan McAlexander, who retired after 11 years of service.
At LaGrange College, Dr. Baxter is the second female president. Daisy Davies, a missionary, fundraiser and scholar, served as president from 1915 to 1920.
Dr. Baxter graduated summa cum laude from Pfeiffer College with a degree in Christian education and religion. She received a master’s degree in education in general administrative leadership and a doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University.
The inauguration week will conclude with a time of service on Saturday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at Calumet Park, including service projects, lunch and a presentation by the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars. Participants will help plant trees and place ground cover and soil in the neighborhood.
The college hosted the Diverse Power Grand Prix, sponsored by Greenpower USA, on Saturday. The fourth annual event brought in teams from throughout the Southeast, including several local schools at the middle and high school levels. The 999 team from Long Cane Middle School won first overall for the third time in the history of the event. The school’s 000 and 555 teams won second and first overall, respectively. Matthew Graham ’04, Long Cane Middle School Teacher and Greenpower Coordinator for the Troup County School System, is an alumnus of LaGrange College. Outside of the U.S., two teams from Torquay Academy in Torquay, England traveled 4,000 miles to compete in the event.
Tickets for “A Few Good Men” at Price Theater are available beginning Monday, April 25, at 9 a.m. by emailing priceboxoffice@lagrange.edu. The show will run May 4-7. All tickets are $10. Faculty, staff and students are free. The production is not recommended for children due to explicit language.
LC Miracle will host a dance marathon on Saturday, April 30, at noon in Richter Gymnasium. Proceeds from the event will go to the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, which provides healthcare services for children and their families. Register here.
LaGrange College Music will present “We Sing”— a celebration of song featuring singers from the studios of Dr. Andrea Jarmon, Voice Instructor, and Dr. Toni Anderson, Professor of Music, on Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in Callaway Auditorium. Several guest artists will participate in the free concert. Ken Passmore will be the collaborative artist.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions.
Tuesday, April 26
Senior Capstone: The Complexities of Nonprofit Funding
11:15 a.m., Smith 307
Thursday, April 28
Undergraduate Research Poster Session
11:15 a.m., Hudson Lab Science Building, Second Floor
Through Friday, May 6
Young Alumni Lecture: Anna Britt Crawford ’19
(Virtual)
Young Alumni Lecture: Matt Montgomery ’07, M ’09; and Casey Montgomery ’12, M ’14
(Virtual)
Young Alumni Lecture: Grace Margaret Neal ’20
(Virtual)
Young Alumni Lecture: Larry Thompson Jr. ’85
(Virtual)
Young Alumni Lecture: Savannah Thomley ’18
(Virtual)
Dr. Susanna Baxter comments on what her April, 2022 inauguration means as the 26th president of LaGrange College. Clip from a forthcoming documentary produced by Digital Creative Media & Film students Rebekah Powers '23 and Antoine Prather '23.
Men’s Tennis
The Panthers (5-5, 4-2 USA South) clinched third place in the USA South (West Division) with an 8-1 win over Huntingdon on Tuesday at the Greer Tennis Courts.
Baseball
The second-ranked Panthers (27-5, 10-2 USA South) lost 9-6 to visiting Rhodes on Tuesday at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium. Jack Layrisson hit a home run and had three RBIs for LC. Joe Ruth was the USA South Player of the Week for the week ending April 17.
Lacrosse
The Panthers (6-8, 3-4 USA South) lost 16-9 at Piedmont in a USA South game Wednesday. Ryan Comeau had three goals for LC.
Softball
The Panthers (8-27, 3-11 USA South) lost 9-0 and 8-1 to Piedmont in a USA South doubleheader Tuesday at the LC Softball Complex. Lindsey Swearngin had three hits for LC in the second game.
Golf
The Panthers concluded their spring season with a seventh-place finish at the USA South Men’s Golf Championship. Luke Jarvis tied for 25th in the individual standings.
Women’s Tennis
The Panthers (0-9, 0-7) finished their season with a 9-0 loss to Huntingdon on Tuesday at the Greer Tennis Courts.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, April 22 - Baseball vs. Maryville, 7 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Saturday, April 23 - Softball at Agnes Scott, 12/2 p.m., Decatur, Ga.
Saturday, April 23 - Men’s Lacrosse at Methodist, 1 p.m., Fayetteville, N.C.
Saturday, April 23 - Baseball vs. Maryville, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Sunday, April 24 - Baseball vs. Maryville 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Thursday, April 28 - Men’s Tennis at USA South Men’s Tennis Championship, 2 p.m., Rome, Ga.
In the Headlines
Our View: An inauguration day that COVID could only pause - LaGrange Daily News, April 19
LaGrange College hosts 4th annual Diverse Power Grand Prix - LaGrange Daily News, April 18
LaGrange College President to be formally inaugurated on April 22 - LaGrange Daily News, April 17
Ancient discoveries of crucifixion spotlight LaGrange professor’s expertise - LaGrange Daily News, April 17
Category: College
Keywords: Inauguration, Susanna Baxter
