Amy Bragg Carey, Ed.D., will officially be inaugurated as the 14th president of Friends University Friday, Oct. 16, in a ceremony in the Davis Administration Building’s historic Alumni Auditorium. Inauguration guests and participants include dignitaries and delegates from universities throughout the United States, members of the community, and Friends University faculty, staff, board members, alumni and students.
“Amy Bragg Carey is a leader who will honor the University’s heritage of academic prominence and religious faith and nurture its promise for future generations,” said Dr. John Lewis, chair of the Friends University Board of Trustees.
The first woman to officially hold the title of president of Friends University, Dr. Carey began her tenure of the 117-year-old institution in July.
Carey’s focus, she said, is building on the Christian heritage of Friends and the impact the University has on the world as educators and mentors to their student body. “This inauguration marks an important juncture, a season of renewal and revitalization. There is a sense of great things to come. We celebrate new opportunities for the university, a new perspective and a new path ¬grounded in our faith and our heritage.”
Friends University will suspend classes beginning at noon Friday to allow students, staff and faculty to attend the inauguration events that will take place through Saturday.
Immediately following the inauguration, a reception for the new president will take place directly outside Davis Administration Building at Rose Window Plaza.
Inauguration festivities begin Friday with a Faculty Showcase featuring faculty achievements and current academic research. The Showcase, which is open to the public, will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Riney Fine Arts Center on campus. The annual Fall Ballet presented by the Friends University Fine Arts Division will take place Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in Sebits Auditorium.
Dr. Carey will round out her public activities by attending the football game on Saturday afternoon when the Friends University Falcons take on the McPherson Bulldogs at Adair-Austin Stadium at 1:30 p.m.
A live stream of the inauguration ceremony and additional activities and information is available online at www.friends.edu/inauguration.com.
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.