October 3, 2021

The Inauguration of President Nicole Farmer Hurd

Lafayette College celebrates the installation of its 18th president

On Oct. 1, Lafayette welcomed Nicole Farmer Hurd as its 18th president. While the ceremony is steeped in Lafayette’s history and traditions, all of the activities leading up to and surrounding the event celebrated Lafayette’s commitment to educating tomorrow’s leaders and Hurd’s commitment to strengthening the College’s connection to its communities: students, families, faculty, staff, and Easton neighbors.

Here are photo galleries capturing Inauguration Day.

Setting the Stage

Staff took time to put the final touches on Lafayette’s campus before the start of Inauguration Day events.

The Inauguration stage, looking out at rows of empty folding chairs.

A Lafayette staff member fixes the brick path near the Inauguration stage.

A basket filled with Lafayette College blankets.

A large printing of the statue of the Marquis de Lafayette

Inaugural Luncheon

Members of the College’s Board of Trustees and President Hurd welcomed delegates and inauguration guests to campus. John Sexton, president emeritus of New York University, who serves on the board of College Advising Corps with President Hurd, provided remarks.

A sign readsWelcome to the Inauguration Luncheon in front of a large white tent.

John Sexton speaks at podium in front of a crowd.

President Nicole Farmer Hurd wipes a tear from her eye.

President Nicole Farmer Hurd stands at a podium on stage.

Robert E. Sell ’84 H’18, Chair of the Board of Trustees, speaks at a podium next to a Leopard statue.

Sherryta Freeman, Director of Athletics , smiles

People engage in conversation around a table.

Portraits at the President’s House

President Hurd’s family and close friends joined her at the president’s residence where she prepared for the ceremony.

President Hurd with son Matthew, husband Bill, and daughter Monica in front of president's residence — President Hurd with son Matthew, husband Bill, and daughter Monica

Hurd family with two golden retrievers on the steps in front of the president's residence — Golden retrievers Sadie and Sunshine are part of the Hurd family.

eye-level photo graph of the dogs with family in background

President Hurd with son Matthew, husband Bill, and daughter Monica with minister in front of president's residence

Hurd family members in front of president's residence

back of Hurd's head as she hugs a friend at the president's residence

Hurd with close friends and family at the president's residence

President Hurd has gown on and looks out window where sun is shining in and smiles

Robing and Academic Procession

Participants in the academic procession, which included alumni, faculty, staff, students, and delegates from other institutions, gathered in Markle Hall to dress in academic attire.

former President Alison Byerly chats with other members of the ceremony inside Markle Hall wearing academic regalia

People in academic regalia look over a piece of paper.

members of the platform party wear academic regalia standing in front of Markle Hall — Members of the platform party who spoke during the ceremony or participated in the installation

members of the platform party wear academic regalia and stand together

A person in academic regalia smiles. — Representing Harvard University, Brianna Brasell '16 led the alumni delegates.

A person in academic regalia points. — Ilan Peleg, Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law, carried the mace as Lafayette's longest-serving faculty member.

Academic procession walks past Skillman Library

Jamila Bookwala in academic regalia smiles.

Prof. Rosie Bukas in academic regalia smiles.

Flor De Maria Caceres Godoy ’22 in academic regalia.

Installation Ceremony

The Inaugural Convocation is a significant yet relatively simple ceremony with two main components: 1) The chair of the Board of Trustees charges the president with the faithful execution of the duties entrusted to her. The vice chair and the secretary of the board present the president with a copy of the Charter and Statutes of the College as a symbol of the presidential authority. 2) The president delivers her inaugural address, which is considered the heart of the event.