Svennungsen Inauguration

Three days of activities last week commemorated the inauguration of President Ann M. Svennungsen as Texas Lutheran University’s 14^th president during its 117-year history.

“The inauguration weekend here is such a celebration of the institution of the liberal arts,” President Svennungsen said.  “We have worship, we have speakers, we have music, and visual arts. There is a living out of our wonderful mission that engages the whole person and gives us intellect and service and spirit all in one weekend.”

The inaugural events kicked off on Jan. 31 with a special art exhibit of image and text created by Kristi Ylvisaker, a painter from Norway, and her sister Mary Nilsen, a writer from Iowa. PBS senior Washington correspondent Ray Suarez presented a lecture that addressed urbanization, connectivity, and social dynamics, and the role that higher education plays in addressing these issues and preparing students to live in a diverse and rapidly-changing world.  His lecture can be found under "Additional Media" to the left.

On Feb. 1, The Rev. Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, preached to an overflow crowd at a special inaugural service at the Chapel of the Abiding Presence.  His address can be found under "Additional Media" to the left.

Over 180 people processed to Jackson Auditorium in colorful academic regalia for the inauguration ceremony on Friday afternoon, Feb. 1.  The ceremony included the world premiere of a hymn by Susan Palo Cherwien and René Clausen, commissioned especially for the inauguration, and special greetings from U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Seguin Mayor Betty Ann Matthies, Bishop Hanson, Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, and Mike Washington ’77.

Following the investiture by Bishop Hanson and the presentation of the Presidential Medallion by Regent Chair Karen Norman, President Svennungsen presented her inaugural address.  The address can be found under "Additional Media" to the left.

Following the ceremony, a one-of-a-kind vintage airplane from World War II flew over the campus to honor President Svennungsen.  The AN-50, a rare variant of a T-6 Texan, is the only remaining aircraft of its kind.  The flyover was arranged and guided by TLU Regent John M. Agather, a multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot who has held numerous positions in the Commemorative Air Force.

The inaugural reception in Hein Dining Hall celebrated TLU and President Svennungsen’s ethnic heritages through food and music by Mariachi Galas de Oro, the German band Fritz und Freunde, the Agape Gospel Choir, and the TLU Mexican Folkdance Group.

Over 300 people, mostly students, took part in the community-wide service project on Feb. 2.  President Svennungsen pointed out that the number exceeded expectations and that more jobs were added.  “I couldn’t be happier with that outpouring of love that we have seen by our students,” she said.

The volunteers worked at 15 different sites around Seguin cleaning debris, dead trees and limbs from Walnut Creek to dusting and organizing negatives and artifacts at the Heritage Museum.  Trees planted on campus between Hein Dining Hall and Jackson Auditorium will be known as the Inaugural Grove, and an old stage was demolished at the Texas Theater in Seguin in preparation for an expansion and renovation of the historic building.

“What a privilege it is to work with young people and work with these students who are here.  And there’s nothing better than to greet them on the sidewalk, watch them sing, or play basketball, organize something for student government, welcome us to chapel, and be face to face with what you really are all about – and that is raising and mentoring the next generation of what we call servant leaders. It makes what I do such a privilege.”

TLU students Eralyn Hall, Sarah Saatzer, Allison Rodriguez, and Jennifer Hahn join Patt Linden ’60 as they pick up trash, trim branches, and clear underbrush at Seguin’s Memorial Rose Garden. More than 300 TLU students got up early on Feb. 2 to work at 15 community sites for the community-wide service project honoring President Ann Svennungsen’s inauguration.  Dr. Linden, a member of the inauguration committee, chaired the community-wide service event, “Day of the Dogs.”  See more photos here.