The Poet community came together this past Saturday to celebrate the inauguration of Linda Oubré as the 15th President of Whittier College.
Filled with hundreds of students, alumni, faculty, elected officials, and invited guests, the Graham Athletics Center (GAC) was dressed in black velvet drapery, elegant lighting, and festive purple banners proudly displaying the College’s seal.
The installation ceremony featured an academic processional that included faculty, staff, alumni, and invited guests with terminal degrees. During the special event, several of Oubré’s mentors gave speeches commending the new president for her career achievements and congratulating her as she embarks on a new journey—leading Whittier College.
After the official installation ceremony, Oubré took to the podium to address the cheering crowd.
“I appreciate this historic moment and opportunity today,” Oubre told the crowd of about 400 inside the GAC. “I know what it means to have me here. It signals change. I represent the face of the future of education and I also represent the present.”
With words of greeting and gratitude, Oubré was welcomed and embraced by the president of the Associated Students of Whittier College, Detrick Manning ’19, the C. Wright Mills Endowed Chair in Sociology Chair and Associate Professor of Sociology, Sal Johnston, Whittier College Trustee and president & CEO of Fairplex, Miguel Santana, and United States Congresswoman, Linda T. Sánchez.
Immediately following the installation ceremony, guests headed to the Science & Learning Center (SLC) for a reception and innovation showcase. The event included a special performance by Professor of Music, Danilo Lozano and his band, Cuba L.A.
Inside the SLC, people immersed themselves in works by Whittier students and faculty—from mini documentaries highlighting unique learning opportunities that use Los Angeles as a laboratory, to exploring the dynamics of physical movement in the kinesiology lab, to exploring the taste of sustainable specialty coffee, the innovation showcase brought the liberal arts and sciences to life.
The board of trustees voted unanimously in March of 2018 to elect Oubré as president of the college. She took office on July 1, 2018 becoming the first person of color to lead Whittier.
Visit the Whittier Daily News website for their coverage of the presidential inauguration.
To view more photos, visit the Whittier College Facebook page.
