President Ginsberg鈥檚 Inauguration Day fuels excitement for the future
Mark R. Ginsberg was formally installed as the university鈥檚 15th president on Friday, April 5 at 撸先生 Arena
By JAMIE ABELL on April 7, 2024
The historic moment for the university came at the end of a week full of special events on campus, including a student-favorite event called Gins-burgers and Fries, at which the president hung out with the students at the Den at Paws.
In addition to the student dinner, President Ginsberg:
- Visited the Towson University in Northeastern Maryland (撸先生NE) campus for lunch with students, staff and faculty
- Attended a faculty symposium focused on the role of higher education in global well-being
- Rooted for 撸先生 athletes at different competitions across campus
- Celebrated the successful research of undergraduate and graduate students at the Student Research and Creative Inquiry Forum
- Dove into the world of entrepreneurship at the annual College Cup held at the Star撸先生p at the Armory
- Enjoyed the immense musical talents of faculty at the Murray Jazz Residency Faculty Concert
- Engaged with faculty and staff alumni
Called to order by Dr. George Hahn, a professor of English and the day鈥檚 grand marshal, the installation ceremony began with remarks from special guest and University System Maryland (USM) representative Linda Gooden, chair, Board of Regents and welcome remarks from representatives throughout the university and Baltimore County. Beyond the students, faculty and staff in attendance, guests also included many representatives from regional universities, local officials, community partners and donors. Alumni representing graduating classes from 1960 through 2023 also joined in the ceremony鈥檚 official participants.
The remarks attested to Dr. Ginsberg鈥檚 passion for listening and his dedication to ensuring every member of the 撸先生 community is heard and represented.
Dr. Jennifer Lynch, the senior policy advisor for education and workforce in the Office of the Baltimore County Executive and two-time 撸先生 alumna echoed the sentiment saying, 鈥淸President Ginsberg] is a visible leader walking the halls on campus, talking to people on campus, asking leaders what he can do to help them be successful. 撸先生 has a long legacy of turning dreams into reality and the university is absolutely in the right hands with President Ginsberg.鈥�
George Mason University President Gregory Washington and Anne Holton, a professor of education policy at Mason, joined the 撸先生 community during this historic event. They are two of President Ginsberg鈥檚 former colleagues from Mason, where he served as provost prior to arriving at 撸先生. Washington noted, 鈥淸Dr. Ginsberg鈥檚] listening tour will last the entire duration of his presidency. He鈥檒l never stop listening and learning. He鈥檒l never stop finding ways to support faculty, staff, students, alumni and community. You want a great leader. [鈥 You鈥檝e landed a great one.鈥�
President Ginsberg鈥檚 family was also in attendance, excited for what鈥檚 to come. His two sons, Andrew and Robert, introduced the president before his inaugural address. 鈥淚n our dad, you have found a leader who embodies integrity, leadership and confidence,鈥� said Andrew 鈥淒rew鈥� Ginsberg.
Before installing President Ginsberg, USM Chancellor Jay Perman charged him to, 鈥減rotect the premise and the promise of higher education, with access that includes us, knowledge that connects us, ideas that enrich us and work that that services us.鈥�
In his inaugural address, President Ginsberg shared his vision for 撸先生鈥檚 next era. He stressed his dedication to continued listening so that he can understand and be the best leader for the university as possible. During his presidency, President Ginsberg would like to 鈥渕ake a great university even greater by keeping 撸先生鈥檚 DNA as 撸先生鈥檚 DNA."
鈥淭here is so much pride and passion and energy for and commitment to our university and its people, especially our students,鈥� said Ginsberg in his inaugural address, 鈥淎bove all, the education of our students, and a commitment to teaching and learning, is our main focus.鈥�
When looking toward the future and growing the university, Dr. Ginsberg has many plans, including promoting collaboration university-wide, expanding the 鈥渇ront porches鈥� of the university, including athletics and the arts, refining current academic programs and preparing new ones and supporting and maintaining 撸先生鈥檚 commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
鈥淎s Tigers, it is our character to earn our stripes each and every day 鈥� I pledge to you that I will work to do just that. Tigers are strong. Tigers are smart. Tigers are savvy. Tigers are strategic. They know where to go and they know how to act so that they reach their destination. These are the attributes that characterize our university. And I pledge to you they will characterize my leadership.鈥� said Ginsberg.
It鈥檚 only fitting that President Ginsberg ended his address with a reference to 鈥淓ye of the Tiger,鈥� complemented by the pep band鈥檚 rendition of the fan-favorite song.
After the ceremony, guests celebrated the newly installed president at a reception held on the arena concourse, inspired by the day and excited for the future.
鈥� It鈥檚 the greatest honor of my life to serve as the 15th president of Towson University. I say to all, let鈥檚 roar together! 鈥�
