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On Oct. 18, 2024, ����Ӱ�� celebrated the inauguration of its 10th president, Dr. Jeffrey P. Stein in an inspiring ceremony that showcased the best of ����Ӱ�� and the exciting things on the horizon for the university.

The inauguration of ����Ӱ��’s 10th president, Dr. Jeffrey P. Stein on Oct. 18, did exactly what the Mary Baldwin community has lauded the president for in his first year in office — it uplifted the voices of that community and celebrated how the university provides access to education that transforms lives, past, present, and future.

Above: President Jeff Stein throughout the inauguration ceremony

After a musical prelude on violin, a chorus of interfaith reverends, rabbis, chaplains, and others led the crowd in an invocation and the inauguration was set to begin

Program for the Exceptionally Gifted senior Amiyah McCoy ‘25 introduced professor emeritus and former board member Dr. Jim Lott, who expounded, “I believe that Mary Baldwin has survived for 182 years because its leaders have realized that change is necessary to survive, but change must always be balanced by tradition.” 

The ceremony featured many traditional elements of a presidential inauguration, with a procession of ����Ӱ��’s faculty along with representatives from colleges and universities from throughout the commonwealth and beyond.

Most notably among them was the significant representation from Elon University, Stein’s former institution, which has provided support for ����Ӱ�� and its president since he began his work in the summer of 2023. 

Tramere Monroe ‘25, a student and poet from Roanoke, performed an original poem, “Learning Is a Marathon,” a rousing spoken-word piece about the perseverance known to and demonstrated by all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. 

Continuing the poetry (Stein is, in fact, a poet himself with an MFA in poetry and a long list of publications), Shakespeare’s words punctuated the ceremony in four interludes and an epilogue performed by students of the Shakespeare and Performance program, Ethan Goodmansen MFA ‘25, Louis Altman MLitt ‘25, Katie Mitchell MLitt ‘26, and Molly Minter MFA ‘25. 

A Shakespeare and Performance alumna, Mikaela Hanrahan MFA ‘24, provided her voice for the National Anthem.

On this chilly morning on Page Terrace, the warmth of Stein’s presence radiated from the stage — after a violin performance by Nicholas Kitchen, artistic director of the Heifetz International Music Institute, no audience member could miss Stein rising to his feet to embrace the violinist and thank him for the performance.

Other Steins found their way onto the stage, as well. Chrissy Stein and the couple’s children, Benny and Lena, made their way to the lectern to speak about this momentous occasion for their husband, father, and family.

Above: The Stein family introduced the president before his formal investiture and oath of office

“His extroversion and easy-going attitude are on their own a gift,” remarked Lena, further joking, “if you’ve known my father, you may have noticed how long it takes him to leave an event.” 

Benny continued, “It makes perfect sense that they [Jeff and Chrissy Stein] would end up here. Not just because of how hard they work or for their deep love of learning. But because, beneath it all, they want to nurture the best in their community.”

Invoking the voices of Mary Baldwin’s presidents past, Board of Trustees Chair Eloise Chandler ‘77 invested Stein with the presidential medallion and oath of office:

“This world needs more Mary Baldwin graduates. We call on you to be as courageous as Mary Julia Baldwin … as compassionate as Sam Spencer … as supportive of student leadership as Bill Kelly … as entrepreneurial as Ginny Lester and Cynthia Tyson … as visionary as Pamela Fox … and as connected to and focused on students and academics as Martha Grafton and Jim Lott.”

“Nowhere in the script did it say there would be tears,” Stein began his remarks while wiping his eyes. After a warm welcome to every group and community member in the audience,  Stein thanked his family, friends, colleagues, and pupils for their support in his first year and on this momentous occasion.

“For nearly two centuries, this institution has been a beacon of light on the hill,” he continued, before explaining some of the history of Mary Baldwin and the inspiration he finds in the story of the university’s namesake and the symbol of the torch, illuminated in the stained glass window in Grafton Library. 

Even Stein’s own words were strengthened and fueled by the voices of others — quoting Plutarch, he encouraged, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”

“The flame of opportunity has been burning here for 182 years,” he continued. Building to his conclusion, Stein allowed his own words to shine:

“The story of Mary Baldwin has never been about what is, but what can be … The issue is not whether we should be a liberal arts college or focus on professional studies. The question is not whether we should be women or co-ed. The matter of consequence is not whether we should be online, in-person, undergraduate, or graduate. No, it is not about how we stay the same. That has never been the question here. Mary Baldwin must continue to challenge the past, argue with assumptions, and reframe how we think about our beloved institution … The central question for Mary Baldwin must always be ‘how can we meet the moment?’”

Mary Baldwin must continue to challenge the past, argue with assumptions, and reframe how we think about our beloved institution … The central question for Mary Baldwin must always be ‘how can we meet the moment?’

— President Jeff Stein

View the full inaugural address

After the president’s remarks, the ceremony finished with performances of “Ad Astra,” and the Mary Baldwin Hymn by the undergraduate choir. Emily Oehler ‘93, a member of the alumni advisory council, and Cherayne Mon Desir ‘24 charged the president on behalf of the university’s 21,600 living alumni.

In the final remarks of the ceremony, Rabbi Andy Koren asked the community to lend their voice to a time-honored blessing from the Hebrew Bible, the Priestly Blessing. 

With music provided by the Brass Ensemble, Mary Baldwin students literally danced the newly-inaugurated Stein off the stage and up the hill to celebrate this day and continue his inspiring work as president of the university.

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