The Longwood University
community welcomed the
institution’s 26th president
this Friday, Nov. 15 at the
inauguration ceremony of
President W. Taylor Reveley IV
on Lancaster Mall.
Reveley, previously the
managing director of the
University of Virginia’s Miller
Center, began his tenure at the
university on June 1.
Dr. James Jordan, chief faculty
marshal and associate professor
of anthropology, called the
inauguration ceremony to order
before Dr. Christopher Swanson,
associate professor of music, led
the National Anthem.
Dr. Larissa Fergeson, a lead
organizer of the event and
associate professor of history,
read the opening reflection,
originally spoken by W. Taylor
Reveley II, former president
of Hampden-Sydney College
(1963-1977) and Reveley IV’s
grandfather.
The reflection began, “Is there
a proper time for a celebration
of beginnings? All cultures have
treasured their beginnings and
in ritual and in reflection have
returned to watershed events in
their own histories to celebrate
the continued worth of these
beginnings.”
Gerald L. Baliles, the 65th
governor of the Commonwealth
of Virginia (1986-1990), presided
over the ceremony. Baliles
worked with Reveley for more
than 10 years at the Miller
Center and Hunton Williams.
He had strong ties with Reveley’s
grandfather, as well as his father,
W. Taylor Reveley III, the current
president of the College of
William & Mary.
“There are notable fathers
and sons who have each, in
turn, led different colleges and
universities,” said Baliles in his
welcoming remarks. “The direct
succession of three generations
at major institutions, however
… is unprecedented. The fact
that two Taylor Reveleys now
serve contemporaneously is
remarkable.”
Laura Fornash, Virginia’s
Secretary of Education, then
greeted Reveley on behalf of
Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Robert Burger, president
of the Longwood University
Foundation Board, cited his own
strong family ties to Longwood
and welcomed Reveley to the
university community.
Kathleen Early, president
of the Longwood University
Alumni Board; Allison Dobson,
co-chair of the Staff Advisory
Committee; and David Lehr,
chair of the Faculty Senate also
welcomed Reveley on behalf of their organizations.
Steven Sommer, vice president
of the Student Government
Association (SGA), welcomed
Reveley for the student body,
saying that the president’s “love
for Longwood spirit may be
unmatched, as he’s immersed
himself in beloved Longwood
traditions from convocation to
Color Wars.” Sommer added
that the president brought a
“new excitement and energy to
Longwood’s campus” that will
lead the university to a “brighter
future.”
Reveley III took the podium to
reflect on his son’s presidency,
saying, “It’s always fun to see
one of the offspring go into the
family business.”
Reveley III stated that he rarely
gives his son advice to allow him
room to make his own decisions,
but he provides him with advice
on occasion.
When Reveley asked Reveley
III what being a university
president is like before taking
the position, he said, "It’s a
wonderful job if you believe in
the school you’re leading. When
you get up in the morning and
peer into the mirror, you don’t
have to wonder whether what
you’re going to do that day
matters. It’ll matter — the only
question is whether for good or
ill."
Marianne Radcliff, rector of
the Board of Visitors, conducted
Reveley’s formal installation.
Radcliff stressed the
importance of needing to
“grasp that while honoring our
history and traditions, we can
begin to see what is before us
Now we must focus on what we
are capable of achieving and
what we are being called to do
together.”
Radcliff called Reveley to the
podium, leading him in his oath
of office.
Radcliff, along with BOV
members Dr. Judi Lynch, vice
rector, and Ronald White,
secretary, presented the
presidential medallion to
Reveley.
Reveley’s inaugural address,
which can be read in full at
longwood.edu, touched on
the university’s history and the
importance of the Longwood
citizen leader.
“You know indeed that we live
in hard times, with a future of
vast possibility,” said Reveley
during his address. “With
powerful desire, you want to
be citizen leaders. You want
the guidance, the wisdom,
of this ancient institution —
ordained, maintained — as it’s
been passed from generation to
generation, leavened with new
knowledge, the liberal arts of
citizen leaders.”
Reveley ended with a
challenge to students: “The
liberal arts of citizen leaders
are for the challenges of free
society, perennially the same,
perpetually new, as when
two millennia ago Cicero in a
republic forbearer to our own in
an era of gathering clouds first
exhorted the liberal arts. Who is
ready to meet the challenge?”
Following the ceremony,
Reveley rang the Longwood
Bell with the assistance of SGA
members.
However, a rope or other
device did not accompany
the bell, so Reveley pulled off
his boot and used the shoe to
warrant more sound from the
bell.
Led by former SGA Vice
President Brian Reid (‘13),
students also rang the bell with
Reveley’s boot until the 26th
ring that marked his presidency.
After the bell ringing, Reveley
explained, “I figured I’d put my
Texas boots to good purpose.”
Fergeson added, “I think it
shows his skills for improvisation
and that he doesn’t take himself
too seriously. He pulled it off,
literally and figuratively.”
The full day’s schedule
included a breakfast for faculty,
staff and invited guests, the
inauguration and bell ringing, a
student dinner at Dorrill Dining
Hall and a private reception at
Blackwell Hall.
A number of student groups
took part in the inauguration,
including the Longwood Wind
Symphony, the Longwood
Ambassadors and the Student
Government Association.
Regarding the significance of
the inauguration, Reveley said,
“I think it’s something almost
profound, and it’s something
that the students may be less
focused on than the faculty and
staff and alumni may be. The
university’s been in transition, a
lot of transition ... and now we’re
moving ahead in full stride with
great momentum, and that’s
certainly a great thing.”
President W. Taylor Reveley IV rings the Longwood bell on Brock Commons in celebration of his inauguration.
