Presidential Inauguration | Clark University

Clark Celebrates

On April 29 and 30, we marked a dynamic new chapter in the proud history of Clark University: the Inauguration of our 10th president, David B. Fithian.

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David Fithian Presidential Inauguration ceremony video

Watch It Again

Revisit the ceremony, including speakers and performances.

Read President Fithian’s Address

Inauguration Highlights

‘I intend to repay the gift of my Clark education'

David B. Fithian ’87 inaugurated as Clark University’s 10th president

Symposium inspires discussion on consequential concerns

Eight sessions examine topics ranging from climate change to digital tech

Clark breaks ground on MACD building

New building will be a hub for innovation, collaboration across disciplines

Academic Symposium

In this series of eight sessions, Clark faculty addressed significant challenges of the day as well as the impact of the University’s research and engagement in Worcester and around the world.

Browse the Sessions

Meet David B. Fithian

From senior leadership roles at Harvard University and the University of Chicago, to his ascendance as president of Clark University, David B. Fithian is making his mark in the world of higher education.

Learn More

Letters and Greetings

Well wishes to President Fithian on the occasion of his inauguration.

#ClarkU10thPrez

College of the Holy Cross

@holy_cross

Congratulations, President David Fithian! @ClarkUniversity #ClarkU10thPrez #CelebrateClark twitter.com/HECCMA/status/…

HECCMA

@HECCMA

Regional presidents and consortium leaders honor @ClarkUniversity president David Fithian and happily process at his inauguration today! #clarku10thprez https://t.co/UzzkQ8Av9d
A beautiful day to #celebrateclark on the Green!

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

One of my favorite things about our #clarku10thprez is his pledge and desire to create a “a culture of possibility” at @ClarkUniversity. #CelebrateClark twitter.com/JayAshMACP/sta…

Jay Ash

@JayAshMACP

The culture of possibilities is a major theme here @ClarkUniversity inauguration of our 10th Pres, David Fithian ‘87. So true! https://t.co/YQ8pO5CdxW
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

David Rubenstein mentions @ClarkUniversity President Fithian’s love of horses in his speech. I’m still recovering from this adorable moment before the procession when #clarku10thprez and his husband walked across #Worcester’s Front St. to greet the mounted police. #CelebrateClark
HECCMA

@HECCMA

The @ClarkUniversity President’s inauguration has begun @MechanicsHall #clarku10thprez
HECCMA

@HECCMA

Regional presidents and consortium leaders honor @ClarkUniversity president David Fithian and happily process at his inauguration today! #clarku10thprez
robinec

@robinec

Clarkies! Who’ll be at today’s inauguration of #clarku10thprez? Headed to the Woo soon and want to see y’all!
Thank you and congrats, Rena Zisser ‘24 for speaking at the inauguration #ClarkU10thPrez

#ClarkU10thPrez on Instagram
Kim Priore

@kpriore

The @ClarkUniversity campus looking festive on the eve of Inauguration! #CelebrateClark
Søren Sørensen

@LikeKierkegaard

Join Jeffrey Arnett, Stephen DiRado, Esther Jones, and me LIVE (in person and online) at 5pm in @ClarkUniversity‘s Razzo Hall for a discussion about aging and the medical humanities. #CelebrateClark

clarku.edu/inauguration/s…
Inauguration ready!
#celebrateclark #clarku10thprez

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Today begins our celebration of the inauguration of Clark’s 10th President, David B. Fithian ’87
Academic symposium sessions will run from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. today. The Inauguration ceremony begins tomorrow, Saturday April 30th at 1 p.m. – watch live at www.clarku.edu/inauguration

Join us in congratulating and celebrating our new President! post your well wishes for President Fithian using #ClarkU10thPrez and #CelebrateClark. Make sure to tag @clarkuniversity and @clarkalumni so that we …Read More

#ClarkU10thPrez on Instagram
Stanley Pierre-Louis ’92, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, returned to Clark University last week for a special two-part visit centered on Clark’s robust presence in the world of game design and interactive media — and what that portends for employment prospects and opportunities for Clarkies who embrace gaming in its many forms.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3vo4WVs

#ClarkU #GameDesign #CelebrateClark

Clark University
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Sure was a fine day to witness another campus milestone. #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez twitter.com/AdmissionsClar…

Clark Admissions

@AdmissionsClark

Ground = broken on the new Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design! #clarkuniversity #bsdt #computerscience #gamedesign #visualarts https://t.co/pWbkniHmFs
Yesterday, our undergraduate students showcased their research and creative works during ClarkFEST — an academic conference featuring posters, oral presentations, and interactive exhibits that took place across campus and virtually.

Check out photo highlights from the event!

#ClarkU #ClarkFEST2022 #CelebrateClark

Clark University
🌻 Melissa Lynch 🌻

@LissaLynch

In 1987, we met The Simpsons for the first time, the U.S. Constitution turned 200, The Princess Bride was on the big screen — and #DavidFithian graduated from @ClarkUniversity. On 4/30, #CelebrateClark as he officially becomes #ClarkU10thPrez! Join us! clarku.edu/inauguration/
Serendipitously found myself sitting next to this piece of Clark history this morning at Jury Duty downtown today. A beautiful reminder of how Clark is part of the fabric of Worcester; the power of Clarkies always challenging convention and changing our world; and the importance of being registered to vote, serve on a jury, and active participants in your local community! #CelebrateClark

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Aviva Luttrell

@AvivaLuttrell

Thrilled to #CelebrateClark all week long as we prepare to inaugurate our 10th president, David B. Fithian ’87, on Saturday! Check out the full list of events at clarku.edu/inauguration and tweet your well wishes to President Fithian using #ClarkU10thPrez.
Clark University today signaled an era of new possibilities with the inauguration of David B. Fithian ’87 as the 10th president in the University’s 135-year history
Fithian, the first Clark alumnus to hold the office of president, was invested into the position during the April 30 ceremony held in Worcester’s historic Mechanics Hall before an audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, visiting dignitaries, and delegates from higher education institutions from across the country.

See link …Read More

#ClarkU10thPrez on Instagram
What joy. David Fithian’s husband robing him as 10th President of Clark U. #celebrateclark

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Such a special day for @ClarkUniversity President David Fithian. What a special ceremony, filled with many special, personal touches. #CelebrateClark

HECCMA

@HECCMA

Congratulations, President David Fithian! We are honored to have you as a leader in our Central MA higher education community. ⁦@ClarkUniversity⁩ #Clarku10thprez https://t.co/xEkXuCAdSF
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

This speech almost brought me to tears! #clarku10thprez #CelebrateClark twitter.com/JayAshMACP/sta…

Jay Ash

@JayAshMACP

Rena Zisser ‘24 – came here unsure of myself but now sure of who I want to be – that’s what @ClarkUniversity does for you – no two students are the same – but accepted for who we are – we’re Clarkies. Sounds like my lived experience too. https://t.co/8xpvtfm6j8
Ed Carr

@edwardrcarr

Here at the inauguration of #ClarkU10thPrez
Kim Priore

@kpriore

The procession is on its way! We’re waiting here in Mechanics Hall… #CelebrateClark #clarku10thprez
🌻 Melissa Lynch 🌻

@LissaLynch

The @ClarkUniversity Staff Assembly co-chairs are ready for a great Inauguration Day! @Maria_Gallant #CelebrateClark #clarku10thprez
Prepping for the inauguration of our 10th President! #ClarkU10thPrez

#ClarkU10thPrez on Instagram
Robert Tobin

@ClarkCompLit

Parminder Bhachu speaks on the transformative resilience of “multiple migrants,” who have to travel from continent to continent, but continue to be productive “makers,” with impactful creativity. #CelebrateClark
Kim Priore

@kpriore

Kicking off the Inauguration festivities with an afternoon of academic symposium sessions! clarku.edu/inauguration/s… #CelebrateClark
🌻 Melissa Lynch 🌻

@LissaLynch

Looking forward to “Global and Climate Change,” part of @ClarkUniversity‘s Academic Symposium (which itself is part of Presidential Inauguration events). Clark’s faculty are thought leaders in #ClimateChange research! Watch the livestream: clarku.edu/inauguration/s… #CelebrateClark
Emilee Cocuzzo

@Emilee_Cocuzzo

Congrats to @ClarkUniversity President Fithian on his inauguration this week! Wishing him all the best as he embarks as Clark’s 10th President. I know he will bring lots of success to an incredible institution.
#ClarkU10thPrez #CelebrateClark clarku.edu/inauguration
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Celebrated the Clark Undergraduate Student Council tonight – the outgoing Exec Board, seniors, all the representatives and committee members, and incoming Exec Board. It was a year of rebuilding, leadership, advocacy, and programming. So grateful for all these students do and will continue to do to serve our community! #celebrateclark

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Melissa Hanson

@Melissa__Hanson

It’s an exciting week at @ClarkUniversity as we prepare to inaugurate our 10th president, David B. Fithian ’87, on Saturday.

Find a full schedule of events here: clarku.edu/inauguration/

And in the meantime, share your Clark memories with us! #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez
Tim Garvin

@TimGarvinUW

All of Worcester will be celebrating with @ClarkUniversity this weekend as David Fithian will be formally inaugurated as Clark’s 10th President; and he is EXCELLENT!
@TweetWorcester #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez.
So PROUD that a #ClarkAlum will be #ClarkPrez.
Jay Ash

@JayAshMACP

Big #celebrateClark this week on the @ClarkUniversity campus, & rightly so! One of our own, yup a Clarkie, is “officially” becoming our #ClarkU10thPrez! I’ve enjoyed several discussions w Pres Fithian – about education, student achievement, & community impact. We’re in gr8 hands!
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

What do I love about @ClarkUniversity? I’m able to share the incredible work of our faculty scholars @edwardrcarr @DrAbbieG @OraSzekely @ProfBetsyHuang @estherljones @pbhachu @AnitaFabos @rgboatright3 @ArshadKudrolli @hibbett_s with others. #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Exciting and very busy week ahead as we celebrate the Inauguration of @ClarkUniversity President David Fithian! #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez What’s happening, you ask? Visit clarku.edu/inauguration
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

I decided to wear this dress today for Pres. David Fithian’s Inauguration; I wore it last in Jan. 2020 when we announced his hire. There have been many positive changes at Clark in those 2 years wbjournal.com/article/clark-…. Our future is bright under #clarku10thprez! #CelebrateClark
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Such a great day to #CelebrateClark with colleagues and friends! #clarku10thprez @edwardrcarr @pbhachu @ProfBetsyHuang @estherljones
HECCMA

@HECCMA

Congratulations, President David Fithian! We are honored to have you as a leader in our Central MA higher education community. ⁦@ClarkUniversity⁩ #Clarku10thprez
So proud of maria_dee_gee!! #celebrateclark

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
HECCMA

@HECCMA

The @ClarkUniversity President’s inauguration has begun @MechanicsHall! #clarku10thprez
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

.@ClarkUniversity Professor ⁦@CailinManson⁩’s jacket matches my sparkly earrings (which of course are not visible in this photo!). The troops are getting ready for the procession. #clarku10thPrez #celebrateClark
Happy Inauguration Day to #ClarkU10thPrez! Looking forward to a great ceremony at mechanicshall. #celebrateclark

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Tim Garvin

@TimGarvinUW

This weekend:
The inauguration of David Fithian (Clark ‘87) – a listener, a lifelong learner, a leader. @ClarkUniversity #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez @TweetWorcester #IAmAProudClarkie @UnitedWayofCM
Aviva Luttrell

@AvivaLuttrell

Tomorrow’s social media photo pop-up on the campus green is going to be SWEET! 👀 Head over after the inauguration ceremony to #CelebrateClark from 3-5 p.m. 🎉
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Heather Silber Mohamed (@HeatherSilberMo), Ora Szekely (@OraSzekely) + other @clarkpolisci faculty will discuss the crises in democracy in Russia, China, the Middle East, Latin America + the U.S. “Democracy in Distress” starts at 2PM. bit.ly/3rXZarz
#celebrateclark
Tim Garvin

@TimGarvinUW

This weekend!!!!
David Fithian, a @ClarkUniversity grad, will be inaugurated as the Tenth President of Clark University.
So EXCELLENT!
#ClarkCelebrates #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez @TweetWorcester
Inauguration weekend at Clark U #celebrateclark #clarkuniversity

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Today, Clark University broke ground on the new Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design — the planned home for the Becker School of Design & Technology, the Department of Computer Science, and programs within the Department of Visual and Performing Arts
“When we think about our facilities, and especially our new buildings, we don’t just think about containers of activity but rather purpose-built spaces that encourage collaboration, convening, cooperation, and even collisions — that is, …Read More

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Tim Garvin

@TimGarvinUW

Today, this weekend, EVERY DAY I #CelebrateClark!
This weekend @ClarkUniversity will inaugurate Clark grad David Fithian as it’s tenth president. Outstanding selection. #ClarkU10thPrez @TweetWorcester @UnitedWayofCM @chamberworc @WooSox @WecEducation
30 minutes, Clarkies! Catch us in Mechanics Hall at 7:30pm for an evening of gorgeous music with Clark University Chorus and Sinfonia and the New England Repertory Orchestra!

#celebrateclark #clarkuniversity #worcester #clarku

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Excited for this concert at Mechanics Hall tonight at 7:30 PM. The Clark Community will return to this venue on Sat., 4/30, from 1 -2:30 p.m. for President David B. Fithian’s Inauguration. #ClarkU10thPrez #CelebrateClark 🎤 More info at clarku.edu/inauguration/s… #Worcester twitter.com/CailinManson/s…

Cailin Marcel Manson

@CailinManson

Just posted a photo @ Clark University https://t.co/0Zmvg7yo9d
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Grateful to have worked alongside some amazing colleagues in my 22 years at @ClarkUniversity; impressed w/ where the university is headed under President Fithian, who celebrates his Inauguration this weekend. What do you love about #ClarkU? #ClarkU10thPrez #celebrateclark
A very sweet rendition of Jonas Clark Hall! Seen at the inauguration celebration on campus this afternoon. #celebrateclark #clarku10thprez

#ClarkU10thPrez on Instagram
robinec

@robinec

“For so long, we’ve had to do ‘more with less’ for so long. Now we must do ‘more with more.” Amen #clarku10thprez!
HECCMA

@HECCMA

It’s official! #clarku10thprez ⁦@ClarkUniversity⁩
JB

@JayBeeWent

Lining up! #clarku10thprez
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

The platform party takes the stage #clarku10thprez #CelebrateClark
So happy to have Aditi Singh as our graduate student speaker at the inauguration#celebrateclark

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Nathan Ahlgren

@Ahlgren_lab

Photo from yesterday after academic symposium. Flags up on campus. Next to one near & dear to my heart. #RMI 🇲🇭 Also it took a while to remember how to tie my tie @ClarkUniversity #clarku10thprez
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Technology is an amazing thing. If you’ll be celebrating President Fithian’s inauguration today you can use this QR code to add the #clarku10thprez hashtag to your tweets! Now if only there was a quick way to correct my other misspellings…
Robert Tobin

@ClarkCompLit

At the presidentual inaugural symposium at @ClarkUniversity, Kristina Wilson discusses the role race and gender play in mid-century modernism, as depicted, for instance, in the magazines Life and Ebony. #CelebrateClark
Melissa Hanson

@Melissa__Hanson

Academic symposium is kicking off at @ClarkUniversity as we prepare to inaugurate David B. Fithian ’87.

In this session on race, gender, and ethnicity, we’ll hear about recent works from Profs. Kristina Wilson and Parminder Bhachu.

#CelebrateClark
To help celebrate the inauguration of President David B. Fithian, Clark University will bring together faculty experts during an Academic Symposium in Razzo Hall and Jefferson 320 this afternoon
During this series of eight sessions, faculty will address significant challenges of the day as well as the impact of the University’s research and engagement in Worcester and around the world.

Join us in person or tune in virtually from 12:30 to 6 p.m.: https://bit.ly/3LvrAAR

#ClarkU …Read More

Clark University
crisis actor

@DanDDeutsch

Congratulations to @ClarkUniversity new president David Fithian! #celebrateclark #clarku10thprez
The Hebrides at mechanicshall. The Music Program showed out last night. We truly #CelebrateClark and you should, too.

clarku.choir
clarkuniversitysinfonia
clarkuarts
nerorchestra

#cailinmarcelmanson #MaestroLife #professormanson #blackconductors #classicallyblack #mendelssohn

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Angela Bazydlo

@abazydlo

Welcome, Mr. Lawrence! @estherljones, so good to see your smiling faces next to our Freud statue where we proudly display the names of @ClarkU_PBK students every year. Such a busy week at Clark! #CelebrateClark #ClarkU10thPrez twitter.com/ClarkU_PBK/sta…

Clark Phi Beta Kappa

@ClarkU_PBK

So thrilled and grateful for @PhiBetaKappa Sec/CEO Fred Lawrence who delivered opening remarks for @ClarkUniversity #ClarkFEST and met with Lambda of MA members! Inspiring words to celebrate our outstanding student …Read More
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The day has come!!!! We’re here at Mechanics Hall show ready and soooo hyped to sing and make music tonight 🎶
Doors open around 7pm and our show starts at 7:30. We can’t wait to see y’all and perform for you 😍 #CelebrateClark
mechanicshall #SHOWTIME !!!

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
Tonight’s the night! Come to mechanicshall at 7:30pm to hear a wonderful concert as we #CelebrateClark!

Link for tickets in Bio… or just show up!

clarku.choir clarkuniversitysinfonia nerorchestra
clarkuarts

#cailinmarcelmanson #MaestroLife #professormanson #blackconductors #classicallyblack #clarkuniversity #mendelssohn #beethoven #clarkuchoirs #clarksinfonia #nerorchestra

#CelebrateClark on Instagram
It’s time to #CelebrateClark as we get ready to officially inaugurate #ClarkU10thPrez on 4/30 at #MechanicsHall! Let’s keep Clark moving forward! (Photo from campus intro of #DavidFithian [right] and Michael Rodriguez in Jan. 2020) #CultureOfPossibility

#ClarkU10thPrez on Instagram