History was made in Allentown this past weekend as Kathleen Harring was inaugurated as the thirteenth president of Muhlenberg College. Harring is the first female to hold the position of president at Muhlenberg, paving the way for a new and progressive future. Her involvement with the College dates back to 1984, when she joined the psychology department as a professor.
Since then, Harring has held positions as chair of the psychology department, director of the Faculty Center for Teaching, associate dean of institutional assessment, dean of institutional assessment & academic planning, vice president and dean of institutional effectiveness and planning, provost, and now president.
The ceremony on Nov. 12 was held at the Life Sports Center in Memorial Hall, which had a total makeover with a stage, curtains, lights and touches of cardinal red for school pride. Muhlenberg welcomed students, faculty, staff, parents and community members to be a part of this momentous occasion.
The inauguration event started with a melody sung by Muhlenberg’s chamber choir.
Sam Jones ‘25, a member of the chamber choir, shared, “It was really special to be a part of history in our first female president’s inauguration. There probably won’t be another event like that in the rest of my time at Muhlenberg, so I felt really fortunate. I’m so glad that the chamber choir was there to sing because I’ve heard that Kathleen Harring really likes choral music.”
Following the chamber choir, a number of speakers shared their experiences and stories with Harring and expressed their gratitude towards her and her goals for the future. The officials included Allentown’s State Representative Mike Schlossberg ‘05, State Senator Pat Browne, Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell and Congresswoman Susan Wild, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong and Bishop Christopher DeForest.
“I thought it was a very nice ceremony, and it was nice that there was so much support from other people with all of the representatives. The reception was very nice and the school was totally transformed for this ceremony”
“I thought it was a very nice ceremony, and it was nice that there was so much support from other people with all of the representatives. The reception was very nice and the school was totally transformed for this ceremony,” said Paige Jones ‘22, a student delegate at the event representing Alpha Epsilon Delta, Muhlenberg’s pre-health honor society.
L. Jay Lemons, experienced academic administrator and friend to Harring, gave an introductory address preceding the investiture focusing on Harring’s strengths as an administrator and person. Lastly, Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Crist Jr. introduced Muhlenberg’s new president, Kathleen Harring, before presenting her with the College’s presidential medallion to make her position official.
She gave a compelling 20 minute speech in which she focused on the idea of “wicked problems,” worldwide social and cultural issues that are very difficult to solve due to their complexity. Harring suggested that the connections created in close-knit communities like Muhlenberg College are the stepping stones for helping to lessen these problems. Specific “wicked problems” that Harring mentioned were the structures of education in colleges, sustainability, poverty and financial crises.
Harring also shouted out current students and alumni who have been solving wicked problems, such as Kevan Shah ‘22, who recently acquired a $100,000 grant for Muhlenberg to further efforts against opioid overdose. She also mentioned Bradbury Sullivan Center founder and member of Biden’s Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS Adrian Shanker ‘09.
Harring mentioned “Wicked problems require knowledge and skills across disciplines. They present ongoing challenges, often have ambiguous causes and evolving consequences.”
“Wicked problems require knowledge and skills across disciplines. They present ongoing challenges, often have ambiguous causes and evolving consequences.”
Ending her speech, Harring shared her goals for a brighter future and hopes to sustain and improve the quality of liberal arts education here at Muhlenberg College.
Another facet of the weekend’s celebration was the launch of the Boundless campaign. This new campaign is striving to raise 111 million dollars for several causes on Muhlenberg’s campus. The money is being granted to endowments for professors, a Seegers Union expansion, more financial aid opportunities and several general funds. The campaign is described by the College as a method to “secure funding for a comprehensive, interconnected group of strategic priorities that will shape students’ academic and residential experience for decades to come.”
Though the campaign’s goals are ambitious, its message is unclear to students. “I truly don’t know anything about [the campaign],” stated Dana Bonner ‘22. “I wasn’t here all weekend. All I saw was the big sign and some of the flags that said ‘Boundless’… but that’s all I really know about it. I don’t even know what it’s for.”
“I don’t know much about the Boundless campaign,” Sarah O’Sullivan ‘22 echoed. She went on to voice mixed opinions. “I watched a snippet of the video and I think it’s a good idea in theory. I think they’re raising money to have better resources and more materials and all of that… but I’m not sure if now is the right time. Seeing it say ‘Boundless’ when there are still bounds in place of wearing masks and it’s not completely normal yet is a little weird. It doesn’t feel right.”
Though the campaign has received mixed reception, the inauguration ceremony overall was viewed as a positive milestone for Muhlenberg. “I was thrilled to have the chance to be a part of history. I loved sitting in and watching Harring take her place as president,” said Connor Baker ‘22, another student delegate.
Jeremy DerMovsesian ‘25, a member of the choir group, said, “Both nights were pretty unique. A presidential inauguration and a launching of a campaign aren’t something you get to experience very often. It was nice being able to take it all in and be involved both nights.”
“It was a nice event with some great speeches and the choir did really well,” shared Josh Botel ‘25. “I also thought the overall setup of the event was very impressive and I loved the reception afterwards. The event itself was enjoyable, and I’m happy for our new president.”
The ceremony continued at the reception, held in the field house, which featured lavish decor, finger foods and an uplifting atmosphere to celebrate Harring, her accomplishments and the College.
