Dominican University of California Inauguration of President Mary B. Marcy

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 27, 2011  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dominican University of California will celebrate the inauguration of Mary B. Marcy as the University's ninth president on Saturday, October 29. This is the first time in more than two decades, and only the ninth time ever, that the 122-year-old institution has installed a new president.

Dressed in the academic regalia of their respective institutions, delegates from more than 30 higher education institutions will lead the procession. Their distinguishing caps and gowns and an assortment of vividly colored hoods will add historic pageantry and color. Delegates will march in order of the founding date of each institution, the representative of the oldest going first, in this case University of Oxford (1096) followed by Harvard University (1636). The delegates will be joined by trustees, faculty, students, alumni, and guests.

President Marcy joined Dominican from Bard College in Massachusetts, where she served as Provost of Bard College at Simon's Rock, and Vice President since 2004. Prior to Bard, President Marcy worked in both public and private institutions of higher education. Her experience includes leadership of a national grant-funded Project on the Future of Higher Education through Antioch University, work as the first Dean of University Relations and Planning at Antioch University Seattle, and serving as the lead researcher and policy advisor to the President of Western Washington University.

A political scientist with a Doctorate of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy from the University of Oxford, President Marcy conducts ongoing research on women in American politics. She has published extensively on issues of diversity, leadership, and strategy in higher education. She was born and raised in western Nebraska, and received her Bachelor of Arts with honors from the University of Nebraska.

The inaugural processional begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Dominican Heritage and Alumni House. Led by a bagpiper, the presidential party will process down Magnolia and Acacia avenues to Angelico Hall.

The installation ceremony begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. in Angelico Hall.  Elaine Tuttle Hansen, Executive Director of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth, will deliver a state of higher education address. Following the installation, President Marcy will outline her goals and vision for Dominican's future in her presidential address.

SOURCE Dominican University of California