Westminster College Announces Schedule for Inauguration of 23rd President Donald P. Lofe, Jr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Sarah Backer
ORGANIZATION Westminster College
PHONE Office: 573-592-5438; Cell: 573-220-9038
EMAIL Sarah.Backer@WCMO.edu
WEB wcmo.edu
Fulton, MO ‒ Oct. 27, 2021: A celebratory ceremony officially installing Donald P. Lofe, Jr., Class of 1979, as the 23rd president of Westminster College will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 6 in Champ Auditorium on the 170-year-old college’s campus, 501 Westminster Ave.
Because of COVID-19 precautions, seating is limited to ceremony participants, invited guests, and the press, who are asked to RSVP to the contact information above no later than Nov. 4.
The public is cordially invited to view a livestream of the ceremony on Westminster’s website, YouTube page, and Facebook page.
To fully commemorate the transition in leadership taking place at the historic college, the following events will take place throughout inauguration week, leading up to the formal induction ceremony.*
Nov. 3 Q&A Sessions for Students With President and Mrs. Lofe
Two informal student Q&A sessions with Lofe; his wife, Lorraine; and students will take place on Nov. 3 from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Backer Dining Room at Mueller Leadership Hall.
Weeklong Events for the Westminster Community and Guests
Throughout the week, students, faculty, and staff will be served Lofe’s favorite foods in Backer Dining Room. Other events taking place during inauguration week include a Board of Trustees’ dinner, the President’s Dinner, and a reception for Lofe immediately following his induction on Nov. 6 at Latshaw Plaza.
Nov. 4 Callaway County Community Reception at The Brick District Playhouse
The public is cordially invited to attend a community inauguration reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 at The Brick District Playhouse, 613 Court Street in Fulton. Attendees will be able to meet Lofe; his wife, Lorraine; and their daughter, Lauren. The reception will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and music by classical and jazz pianist Ken Kehner, an adjunct Westminster faculty member. RSVPs are required by Oct. 29 and can be made online.
Nov. 5 Churchill Singers Concert for Guests and Via Livestream for the Public
Directed by Dr. Natasia Sexton, Westminster’s Churchill Singers will perform in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov 5. Seating is by-invitation only. The concert can be viewed by the public via livestream on Westminster’s website, YouTube page, and Facebook page.
Nov. 6 Presidential Inauguration for Guests and Via Livestream for the Public
As mentioned above, Lofe’s inauguration ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 6 in Champ Auditorium for invited guests. The public is cordially invited to view a livestream of the ceremony on Westminster’s website, YouTube page, and Facebook page.
Lofe previously served on Westminster’s Board of Trustees for about eight years in a variety of capacities, including Chair of the Board. He served one year as Westminster’s Interim President and Chief Transformation Officer and was unanimously selected for his presidential appointment by the College’s Board of Trustees in April.
“I am truly humbled by the confidence the Board of Trustees has placed in me to lead this extraordinary liberal arts college into the future,” Lofe says.
Board Chair James P. Morton, Jr., says Lofe has made enormous strides since beginning his role as Interim President and Chief Transformation Officer in July 2020.
“The feedback the Board has consistently received from students, faculty, staff, and alumni is overwhelmingly positive,” Morton says. “The Board is confident that Don’s strong leadership qualities combined with his accomplished financial and operational acumen make him the right person to lead Westminster into the future, and we are very much looking forward to his inauguration.”
In addition to Morton, inauguration ceremony participants will include Fulton Mayor Lowe Cannell; Dr. David Jones, Marshal of the College; Rev. Kiva Nice-Webb, college chaplain; Student Government Association President Krystal Ramos-Irizarri, a junior from Bentonville, AR; Dr. Richard Geenen, Vice Chair of the Faculty; Jack Benke, Executive Director of Plant Operations and Security; and Alumni Council President Marissa (Tyler) Denehy, Class of 2008, of St. Louis, MO.
About Westminster College: Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College in Fulton, MO, is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as the only National Liberal Arts College in Missouri. The institution is in the top 16 percent for graduate earnings and boasts a 98 percent placement rate. Westminster also is a Forbes Best Value College. Westminster focuses on educating and inspiring students to become the world leaders of tomorrow. To find out more about Westminster, please visit the College’s website.
*All events are subject to change.
