Dear Carroll Community,
My heart is still very full as I reflect on the extraordinary celebration surrounding my inauguration as Carroll College’s 20th president. I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped make the week so meaningful and to all who joined us in celebrating this wonderful college we share.
The inaugural events throughout the week beautifully reflected the many dimensions of Carroll’s mission. From the Career Success Summit for our students and the 9/11 Service in Action Fair, to praying the rosary together, each gathering offered a different example of who we are and what we value.
I was especially moved by our ecumenical prayer service, which brought together members of different faith traditions and congregations in prayer and fellowship. It was a meaningful reminder of Carroll’s commitment to welcoming people of goodwill and of the relationships that connect us to the broader community. Our academic panel on the papal encyclical Magnifica Humanitas offered a thoughtful exploration of artificial intelligence and the important role of value-centered education.
Together, these events made tangible what I have experienced throughout my 23 years at Carroll: this is a remarkable community, rooted in a mission that is lived out every day through learning, faith, service, relationship and care for one another.
The Mass of the Holy Spirit and the inauguration ceremony itself were a beautiful culmination of the week. I was humbled by the presence of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, former presidents, friends, community members, and representatives from other colleges and universities who joined us. To everyone who attended, watched online, participated in the ceremonies, or celebrated with us in spirit, thank you.
I am particularly grateful to the many people who spent months planning the inauguration and attending to every detail. Your dedication and intentionality made the entire celebration possible. I have heard from so many people about how special the week was, and that is a reflection of all of you.
As I shared in my inaugural remarks, we are stewards of something we did not create and that will not belong to us forever. Generations before us entrusted Carroll to our care, and one day we will entrust it to those who follow. That responsibility is both humbling and exciting.
As we move forward together, I hope we will carry with us the spirit of this celebration: gratitude for all who have brought Carroll to this moment, confidence in what we can accomplish together, and a deep commitment to the mission that has sustained this college for generations.
Thank you for making this inauguration week one I will never forget. More importantly, thank you for all you do to make Carroll the wonderful place it is.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Glowienka, Ph.D.
President, Carroll College
Links to the full inauguration ceremony as well as the Magnifica Humanitas panel are available on the inauguration webpage: carroll.edu/inauguration.
Visit Carroll's Facebook page to view photos from the inauguration and Mass of the Holy Spirit.
