The Investiture of Dr. Sara Jayne Steen, 14th President of Plymouth State University
by Barbra Alan
President Steen, John Hession photo.
The heavily falling snow outside could not dampen the vibrant and celebratory spirit of PSU President Sara Jayne Steen’s investiture on Thursday, April 12, 2007. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends throughout the community and region gathered at the John C. Foley Gymnasium for the event, the centerpiece of a week packed with events across campus and around town.
Master of Ceremonies Gene Savage ’58, a member of the USNH board of trustees who served as chairman of the PSU presidential search committee last year, welcomed guests and introduced those elected to speak on behalf of the alumni body, faculty, staff, student body, and community, as well as Dr. William J. Farrell, 12th president of PSU and current president of Rivier College in Nashua, NH.
Throughout the ceremony, speeches from representatives of the student body, staff, alumni, and community, though brief, all conveyed the deep admiration, respect, and condence that the people of PSU have in President Steen.
Sean Greenlaw, student senate speaker, noted President Steen’s efforts in enhancing the PSU experience as well as in strengthening the relationship between town and campus. “She has made a tremendous impact in the short time she has been on campus…I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Plymouth State University under her leadership.”
Speaking on behalf of the PSU Alumni Association was chair-elect Andrea Bergeron Sbona ’81. “President Steen possesses the qualities and strengths that we need to continue to move us forward in this new era, while never losing sight of where we came from or who we are,” she said in her remarks, which she concluded with a heartfelt welcome to President Steen. “Plymouth has been home to over 30,000 alumni since 1871,” she noted. “On behalf of PSU alumni, President Steen, we welcome you to our home.”
Elizabeth Ahl, associate professor and chair of the English Department, spoke on behalf of the faculty, noting, “President Steen has already demonstrated the degree to which she values teaching, service, and scholarly and creative work required by faculty to make Plymouth State University a place where students succeed…PSU faculty across the disciplines are looking forward to many years of fruitful collaboration with President—and Professor—Steen.”
Professor Wendy Palmquist leads the processional. John Hession photo.
Representing the Professional, Administrative, and Technical (PAT) staff, Financial Administrator for Academic Aairs Annurston ’00G noted President Steen’s proven commitment to PSU and her genuine concern for its students and employees. “We look forward to working collaboratively to support our students, our alumni, and the citizens of our state,” she said, adding, “Under your leadership, we can all ‘imagine a way’ to this institution’s future.”
As Architectural Drafting Specialist and Operating Staff representative Mark Casale noted, “is is a very exciting time to be part of PSU. The changes and improvements that are to take place are dramatic and wonderful—the result of the care and effort of many,” he said. “We all feel very fortunate to have President Steen as our leader. It is easy to imagine that almost anything is possible.”
Rounding out the welcomes were remarks from the chairs of the select boards of Holderness and Plymouth. Said Peter Francesco, chair of the select board of Holderness, “To meet her is to find a person with a calm demeanor and the condence to know what needs to be done and how to accomplish it.”
“Plymouth State’s success is a tribute to the vision, cooperation, and steadfastness of scores of college and community leaders who have worked hard to achieve many common goals over the years,” noted Wallace Cushing III, chair of the select board of Plymouth. “I am proud to be here today at the investiture of President Sara Jayne Steen.”
In her investiture address, President Steen paid homage to PSU’s past, highlighted recent achievements, and shared her vision for the future of PSU. “We will continue to remodel and improve our campus to ensure that students have first-rate facilities in which to live, learn, and create,” she said. “I imagine a campus where art, history, and the world of ideas are visible wherever one looks.”
Her pride in the University and community was evident as she recognized PSU’s “thoughtful and talented” students, “first-rate faculty members,” “excellent and dedicated” staff, and PSU’s alumni, whom she said “speak with passion” about their alma mater. She also recognized the “two wonderful New England towns” of Holderness and Plymouth, which have been and will continue to be invaluable partners in the University’s success.
Story time with President Steen at Lamson Library. Staff photo.
President Steen shared personal recollections of her parents, who, though not college educated themselves, placed great value on higher education for their daughter and “scrimped and saved to help [me] with tuition,” President Steen recalled. She also noted that the theme of her investiture, ‘Imagine a Way,’ was inspired by her mother, who years ago had advised a close friend to “imagine a way” to help her own children further their education.
The President then announced the creation of her Imagine aWay Scholarship Fund, which will support students who have financial need or are the first in their family to attend college. So far, more than $50,000 has been raised for the Fund, which will be available to students during the 2007–2008 academic year. “Thank you to all of you on campus and from the region who are making this fund a reality and demonstrating to students what we can accomplish together,” she said.
President Steen concluded her address, saying, “We have much to do, and the process begins with imagination. Together, we can imagine a way. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of that process.”
Class of 1962 alumni Meredith Bristow Stevens and Wallace Stevens. John Hession photo.
The Stevens-Bristow Endowed Professorship
President Steen had another exciting announcement during her investiture address: the creation of PSU’s first endowed professorship by Wallace “Wally” R. and Meredith Bristow Stevens, both of the Class of 1962.
“The Stevens-Bristow Endowed Professorship will honor faculty members from any discipline who work in teacher preparation and thus educate the educators,” said President Sara Jayne Steen.
The Stevens-Bristow Endowed Professorship is the latest contribution the couple has made to their alma mater after years of supporting PSU in numerous ways, including volunteering and inspiring other alumni to support Plymouth philanthropically.
“The Stevens-Bristow Endowed Professorship will allow Plymouth to recognize the accomplishments of some of its most eminent and dedicated faculty while advancing our academic mission,” said Interim Provost Julie Bernier.
