A precession of St. John Fisher faculty, staff and students began what marked a new era in the institution, as Donald Bain was inaugurated as the sixth president of the college on April 8.
Community and campus leaders converged on the Student Life Center for what Provost Ronald Ambrosetti called a “great, glorious day.”
Ambrosetti gave the inaugural opening promising “rolling banter and a little bit of humor” before the playing of the National Anthem and presentation of the colors by members of the New York State Police. Father Joe Lanzalaco, director of Campus Ministry and member of the St. John Fisher Class of 1983 gave the invocation.
Joe Rulison, chair of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Class of 1978, gave the welcome remarks. “We’re here to take part in the installation of Donald Bain as the sixth president of St. John Fisher,” he said.
Rulison said Bain, whom he had as a professor years earlier, was a “tough professor” who shared previous college president Katherine Keough’s vision for the institution.
New York State Supreme Court justice Francis Affronti provided remarks from the judiciary sector. “Don Bain is indeed the right person at the right time, who will vigorously lead the College in the 21st Century,” he said.
Affronti, member of the Class of 1963, called the college a “shining example of an institution of higher learning.” The judge said the institution has values currently lacking in today’s society.
New York State Senator James Alesi, Class of 1970, told the crowd that Bain would follow in the tradition of its former leaders. “Before him came some really great people,” he said. “We will be rooted in the past but have the very great benefit of knowing that we will also have the leadership of Don Bain.”
Albert Simone, president of the Rochester Institute of Technology, said the new president would be the best in the institution’s history. “There’s no question…he’s going to have a great run as president.”
Greetings from the faculty were given by Deborah Vanderbilt, associate professor of English and chair of the Faculty Assembly. Vanderbilt said the new president is accustomed to the campus. “We welcome him not as a stranger. We know Don Bain,” she said. “At the same time, Don Bain knows us and he knows Fisher.”
Arthur Walton, dean of the School of Education, said Bain has the support of the staff. “We pledge to you our support as our president and leader,” he said. “We are blessed to have you.”
Victor Salerno, Jr., president of the Alumni Board of Directors and a member of the Class of 1966, said St. John Fisher was “at its strongest point ever.” Salerno went on to say that “it is no accident that Don Bain” is head of it.
Student Government Association President Mark Foti, a member of Class of 2006, said the students were fluky to have Bain as their leader. “As a student and future alumnus, I could not be more proud,” he said. “The student body is very lucky to have this man as president.”
Stories were told by Mieczyslaw Miskupski, professor of History at Central Connecticut State University, who told the crowd, “I tell you these stories …for a simple reason. In such silly stories we see [Bain] in the better and the fuller.”
Rulison then installed Bain as the president and gave him the Presidential Medallion and mace. “I declare you president of St. John Fisher College,” he said.
Following nearly two hours of remarks, Bain took to the podium following the installation process. “I’m not quite sure what’s left to say, except to say, as Henry the Eighth would say to each of his wives, ‘I won’t keep you long,’” he said.
By Jeff Gohringer
This site was made by LateKnightDesigns.com. E-mail jr2349@sjfc.edu or mgr02621@sjfc.edu with questions or comments. St. John Fisher College. Last Updated: February 5, 2007